Grace 4 Russia

First Day of School

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Misha's teacher, Yelena Aleksandrovna

Central Asia Trip: May 2-13, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:34:00 +0000

Leaving Novosibirsk...

Waiting around at Manas Airport for our visas and flight further south...

"Um yeah, could I get a humvee to the nearest stand selling strawberries?"

Misha and Sydney enjoyed playing outside all day in a safe, enclosed yard.

Misha with best buddy Andrew.

Sydney with pals Colin, Evan and Rex.

We just couldn't get enough of being outdoors in a warm climate...

Lillie enjoyed all the extra attention...

Misha and I took a father/son hike up a local landmark. At the top we stopped to pray while looking out over this town of hundreds of thousands that know nothing of the glory and fame of Jesus Christ.

How many kids can you get into the back of a Zhiguli?

Uncle Ted keeps things interesting for little Madi.

I had the opportunity to help lead worship during a gathering of believers.

The road must be shared with cattle, goats and sheep as they are herded into the mountains for summer grazing...

April 28th, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:30:00 +0000

It didn't. The morning after Easter.

(Orthodox) Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:23:00 +0000

Hoping that the nice weather will last...

Springtime in Novo

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:59:00 +0000

Mr. Frost

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:06:00 +0000

Merry Christmas 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:29:00 +0000

Family Portraits

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:22:00 +0000

On Saturday, we spent the late afternoon in downtown Los Angeles with our friend Dina Douglass. As one of L.A.'s premier wedding photographers, Dina has an intensely busy schedule. Nevertheless, she kindly offered to take some professional portraits of our family. This is something Debbie has been wanting for a long time. (My hand-held, wide-angle self portraits from arm's length just weren't cutting it anymore.)

Below are some of the results of Dina's creativity.

You can see more of Dina's work as well as find booking information on her website:

http://www.andrenaphoto.com

Thank you Dina!!!

Ruling the World

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 07:33:00 +0000

It's always interesting to find new graffiti on our street.

"Media Rules the World."

I wonder if the babushka begging for change on the stairs of the metro agrees.

From an economic standpoint, new construction in Novosibirsk continues to rule the day. Out with the old, in with the new.

The 100-year old brick building near Central Park is dwarfed by a new apartment complex.

I found crews excavating just a block from our apartment for what appears to be the first sky scraper of its kind in Novosibirsk, a 30-story glass building with underground parking for 285 cars.

I doubt the old public banya just across the street from this new business center will last much longer in this continuously changing city.

The Magic of a Daughter's Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:47:00 +0000

I'm back in Novosibirsk for a short visit and I've been surprised by how at home I feel. But, man, this is an ugly city. Grey, industrial, dusty and dirty. So, I've been looking at this recent picture of Sydney to remind myself of beauty...and I've been thinking about homosexuality.

As homosexual groups lobby for the right to marry across the U.S. (and across the world), I am struck by the fact that even if (or more likely, when) homosexual couples are granted this right, they will never fully experience the deep mystery of sacred union. No matter how much they long for it, a piece of paper, a ceremony or employee benefits won't be able to duplicate the experience of married heterosexual couples. After all, homosexual relationships have absolutely zero potential for producing offspring.

Sure, couples could adopt or use some other creative avenue to get a child. A male couple could get a surrogate mother to carry the child. Female couples could seek the seed of a willing male. But, the experience wouldn't really be the same, would it? Even married couples who adopt and love their adopted children just as much as if they were their own biological offspring know that something went wrong along the way which provided the opportunity to adopt. Somewhere previous to adoption, the child was abandoned or the biological parents were unfit to care for the child or they were unable to because of death or illness. Adoption in this case is an example of God's redeeming love. Good triumphs over the previous evil. But, it's not the ideal, is it?

Any way you slice it, a homosexual couple will never be able to look into a child's eyes and experience the humility and glory of their own participation in this person's very existence. An existence that came about because the Creator of the universe chose to use you and your wife's bodies (and possibly souls for us transducians) and the event of a passionate, sacred union to create a new living person.

These are the things I think about when I look into my daughter's eyes.

End of an Era

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 05:07:00 +0000

The Soviet era coop across the street from our apartment building is closing. The store contained three departments: Household Items, Tools and Groceries. For a 4-month period in 2005, I was in this store literally every day buying something that was needed for our apartment remodel. A bag of cement here. A new drill bit there. Two cans of liquid foam one day. Three the next. You get the idea. The ladies that worked behind the counter became my early language helpers.

"What do you call those plastic insert thingies for drilling mounting screws into brick?"

How incredibly convenient it was to have this store so close during our transition to life in Novosibirsk. With no car, it was really a tremendous blessing to be able to pop over in a couple minutes for various things. I am sad.

What's next?

Worst Case Scenario: Another downtown clothing boutique selling $350 pairs of jeans OR yet another slot-machine gambling casino. (We've heard rumors that within two years the government will close down the plethora of money-laundering casinos in Novosibirsk. They have already started to do so in Moscow and St. Petersburg.)

Best Case: A new Holiday Classic supermarket.

I'm not holding my breath for the latter.

Balcony Remodel

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 31 May 2007 14:38:00 +0000

I spent my free time in the Summer of 2006 and Spring of 2007 remodeling the balcony (interior) of our 75-year old Stalin era apartment.

DETAIL #1 (Ceiling)

DETAIL #2 (Floor)

DETAIL #3 (Reading Corner)

DETAIL #4 (Corner Cabinet)

Daddy's Helpers

The project was fueled, of course, by ridiculously large quantities of Diet Coke.

Maksim and Masha

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Our friends Maksim and Masha were married on May 19, 2007. Wedding photography continues to haunt me wherever I go. ;)

Sharing the Love

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 24 May 2007 18:54:00 +0000

Nothing like a family portrait in front of "Death to the USA" graffiti

Then and Now

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:40:00 +0000

Misha enjoying his last Taco Bell just days before leaving for Russia in September 2004

Misha enjoying Sydney's birthday cake on April 15th, 2007

Sydney in October 2004, a month after arriving in Russia

Sydney at Maksim and Masha's wedding May 19, 2007

The Glory of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:34:00 +0000

Can you see the glory?

I see it in the faces of the children and in my wife's eyes.
And really, for today at least, that's about it.

God, show us your glory.

More Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:38:00 +0000

Grey

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 06:03:00 +0000

Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 05:56:00 +0000

Family Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:07:00 +0000

Modern air travel is amazing.

Early January, Koh Chang, Thailand

Late January, Novosibirsk, Russia

This is NOT Novosibirsk

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:10:00 +0000

Can you tell?

Sunset on Koh Chang
Ferry back to the mainland
One of the small islands off the southern tip of Koh Chang
Sun and saltwater. Good things. Really good.

Southern Kyrgyzstan

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 17:29:00 +0000

Just a few snapshots from my recent trip to Southern Kyrgyzstan...

Kyrgyz Hospitality

Old Friends

Just old...

The Vanishing Russians

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:28:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 13:42:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Grace 4 Russia) — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:08:00 +0000

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!