The Vanishing Russians

Sitting in a cafe that offers free WiFi in downtown Novosibirsk, I fought hard to hold back the tears while reading the following articles by Kim Murphy of the Los Angeles Times in her excellent series, The Vanishing Russians.

A Dying Population

For the Sick, No Place to Turn

(Unfortunately, these articles are no longer freely available on the Los Angeles Times server.)

I am reminded of the words of Jesus, speaking from the top of a mountain to his followers:

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

How desperately Russia needs the salt and light (i.e. good works) of the people of God at this time, and most importantly, the eternal hope that is found in a living relationship with Jesus. Only with this steadfast hope can the human spirit endure such difficult and changing times.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

What a day that will be!

(P.S. This site is still primarily a Photo Blog but I couldn't help but plug these L.A. Times articles as they are so powerful. The photographs that accompany the articles are also excellent and can be found here.)

Road Trip - Новокузнецк

This image was taken from a moving vehicle using a 2MP digital camera. And NO, this is NOT a black and white photo. Real-life GREY in all its glory! Breathe deep.

A factory somewhere in the barren industrial wasteland near Novokuznetsk

Sergei, the faithful road-warrior, and his trusty sled
Sergei makes the 16-hour roundtrip from Novosibirsk to Novokuznetsk every Wednesday delivering boxes of sweets to local distributors. While economic growth and development of city infrastructure is readily apparent in Novosibirsk, the mining cities of Leninsk-Kuznetsky and Novokuznetsk are a stark contrast. When I commented as we drove through these regions that they look much like I would imagine they did 40 years ago (only more run-down), Sergei responded by saying, "Of course. Nothing ever changes here.

They dug [coal]. They dig. And they will dig.

That's it."

I wonder who the people are that are living out authentic expressions of the gospel in these depressed, dirty and remote cities. Novokuznetsk, after all, is a city of a half million people! God have mercy on them and give them grace whoever they are.

Returning to the center of Novosibirsk was like walking down Main St. Disney after spending the day cruising the streets of Vernon in central Los Angeles.

Scotland

Returning to Novosibirsk after two amazing weeks in Scotland really shocked the casbah. Nevertheless, it was nice to get home (I think).

We praise God for the hospitality of Stanley and Wilma Jenkins and the folk at Inverurie Gospel Hall in Aberdeenshire. Not only were we warmly received into people's homes, we were also given the use of the church's microbus. After not driving for nearly two years, I did fairly well considering I was driving on the wrong side of the road and chauffeuring a couple of sometimes tired, sometimes hungry, sometimes needing-the-bathroom little people. I did, however, manage to back into a parked car while turning around at the end of a deadend street in Edinburgh. Yeah, not good. (Yes, I left a note!) Thankfully, the church's insurance covered most of the damage.

[NOTE: Click any image below to view an enlarged version.]

This is my favorite image from the trip:

Sydney running along the beach at Footdee in Aberdeen

This is my next favorite:

A Citroen 2cv I spotted while climbing up the hill to Edinburgh Castle

Moss and Stone

Scotland contains so much history, so many reminders of the past. And so much stone! Stone buildings, stone walls, stone fences. I loved the weathered gravestones of Nisbet Village and the moss growing on the shale roofs of the buildings surrounding Castle Fraser near Kemnay.





Happy People

Granny Ruth Buchen of the Inverurie Gospel Hall is 101 years old!

Debbie and Sydney on the "Flying Fox" in Huntly

Misha by the sea in Buchenhaven outside Peterhead

Misha taking aim toward Princes Street in Edinburgh

Debbie enjoying some "Real Food" in Fochabers

Sydney gets serious about ice-cream in Duns

Queuing for bus tours in Edinburgh

Stanley befriends an Icelandic fisherman in Peterhead

Nesbitt House

Built around 1630 using stones from the ruins of Nesbitt Castle, this beautiful manse is the ancestral home of all Nesbitts/Nisbets throughout the world. The house is privately owned and located in the Scottish Borderlands of Berwickshire near Duns. For more information on Nesbitt/Nisbet Scottish Heritage, check the following websites:

Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (North America)
Nesbitt/Nisbet Society (United Kingdom)

Nesbitt House near Duns as seen from an adjacent wheat field

And finally...

How NOT to spend money in Scotland!

Our Home

This is the entrance to our stairwell. Recently someone thought they'd spruce up our old building by adding a bit of paint (and sharing their limited English vocabulary). The boys in the family seem to be having a good day. Feel the love.