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.