Well, for those of you following this trip, I am in Voronezh, Russia sitting at Resurrection UMC. It is a new church started by pastor Irina Mitina about 12 years ago. It is in a pretty nondescript building but on the inside it is very nice. They now have about 50 people worshipping weekly. As I talk to her, I cannot get over the challenges and obstacles starting a new church in this city entail. We traveled yesterday out to Camp Voronezh. It is about 20 miles out of town (drive time 1 hour in the back of a van on something that resembled a seat). The camp is important to the three United Methodist churches in Russia. Besides being a typical place of fun, relaxation and learning for adults and children, it is also a place where the gospel can be safely shared. I say safely because the culture here is still not the friendliest toward outside religions. 
Pastor Irina shared that the government is currently considering a law that would make it illegal for any church to "
evangelize" or talk about religion further than 200 meters from their building. Can you think of what that would do to the church. I think of how many times we at The Gathering meet at coffee shops, have small groups in restaurants, or even the times I sit at
Starbucks and talk with folks about the church. All such
activity, under this new law, would be illegal. The camp would become even more important if this passes. It would be a safe place, outside of town,. where the church could invite those exploring Christianity to come and hear about these new kinds of religious communities.
There is much work that needs to be done at this camp, and much work that we could help greatly with. Most of it is construction of some sort, but also support of the staff and the kids that come here. I am still learning
about the needs, but will include some pictures of the grounds. I hope some of you will begin thinking of joining me next year. I hope to return in late summer and help these emerging Methodist churches with their work.
I am short on computer time. My travels are going well. But I want you to think about the 200 meter rule. In America, we can talk about our faith anywhere, absolutely anywhere. What is strange (and a bit convicting) is that so often we don't. Here they want to talk about faith, but sometimes cannot. Ironic, isn't it?
3 comments:
I think it is the little bit of rebel in us all. Isn't more fun to do something when we know we aren't allowed? I am not talking about big things, I am talking about small things.
For instance isn't more fun knowing that you can get caught when you are by yourself and are going 5 mph over the limit? Perhaps it is a similar thing going on here. It is not allowed, so they want to break the law, test the strength of it.
Glad to here from you. Sounds so fascinating. You are so right. I think we avoid talking about our faith. All is well here. Take care. We are praying for you and Mike.
Reminds me of the Unbinding the Gospel book where Martha Grace Reese writes about how hard it is to articulate our faith - if we were not allowed, maybe we'd figure it out. Sharing about the trip is fascinating. Thanks for doing it - and say "Hi" to Mike!
Nancye
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