Prayer Request

Before we arrived, the Orthodox priests were making a fuss with Darin and the Kompas classes. They handed out fliers saying Kompas (Campus Crusade for Christ) was a sect and students should not attend the English classes. Darin talked to them and they seemed OK with the classes. They even said they'd write an article for their newspaper (or some publication ... details are sketchy what they intended). But everything was fine.

Last night a student in one of the classes was real nervous and getting a lot of calls on her "mobile". It was her parents saying she should not be in the class. Apparently there is a rumor and maybe some radio ads saying Kompas is a sect and anyone involved with them will be kicked out of the university and lose their flat.

The threats don't seem like they could be carried out, but the terrorist tactics may work regardless. So please pray that students would not give into fear and doubt but that they will be steadfast and continue with the classes and will attend the weekend retreat. Please also pray that the seed being sown will fall on good soil and that those with thorny or rocky soil will allow the Spirit to work in them and remove the barriers to eternal life.

Also, please pray for the retreat; aka. Forrest Fun Party. Pray that all the students will come and have a good time and get connected with Kompas and with a Stint-er who will follow up with them in the coming year.

I have been with these same students for 2 weeks now and the relationships and changes are awesome. At first there is a "formal" relationship that progresses with time into a real friendship. When we invited students to dinner at the beginning, they would resist or only order a drink or insist on paying their own bill. But yesterday we (Lindsay and Rodney) took our group to Morretti's and the students were picking out pizzas, drinks, everything. They freely accepted our offer to treat them. This shows me that they accept us as friends and we are past the formalities! I can't wait to see what this next year brings in their lives, God is certainly doing a good work here in Ekat.

Thank you to everyone that came and to everyone that gave so that we could be here!

-- 
Rod
http://nbc2ekat.blogspot.com/
http://iwanttokeepanon.blogspot.com/

trips. first days...

Sunday - k...so we got in about 2:00 a.m. this morning and promptly crashed in the nearest bed. not the greatest of beds, but miles better than what i slept in two years ago. we all got up around noon here, and decided to tour the city for a while. we had a pretty good time, and i took lots of pics. (someone apparently left a camera in the lobby down here, because the lady taking care of the lobby just handed me one.) we had lunch at a place that was kind of buffet style, but you had to buy a new plate for every station that we went to. not real sure what i ate, but it seems to be agreeing with me so far. we went to the Church of the Blood, which has dedicated to Czar Nicholas and his family and built after he was canonized several years ago. Then we went down to the river and walked around there for a while before we came back. Darin came by then and we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things (mostly water 'bis gasse') and then we headed to dinner with the rest of the staff and most of the STINT team that's here. did a little coordination for the week, and by then most people were pretty wiped, so we came on back to the hotel.

Monday - It's pretty chilly here - 40s-50s in the daytime, and 30s and below at night. it can be a welcome change from home though...

Food's pretty good - lots of variety, and i haven't had anything bad yet - although John got some lamb shashlik the other day that he wasn't real thrilled with.

Monday was TOO long for our second day here! after breakfast, we went to one of the local schools (k-11) and spent some time in several classes talking to the students and teachers. One of the teachers really prodded Sara to share her testimony for the kids - pretty neat to see that. we did that until 1:30, and then we went to lunch, but by the time we finished lunch and walked back to the hotel, it was 3:30 and almost time to get back together as a team to prep for the english classes. I was DRAGGING...could barely keep my eyes open. most of the rest of the team that came with me was the same way. we all had some caffeine and walked to class, and by the time class started, i had perked back up and although not exactly chipper, was ready to go. At the beginning of class, one of the girls (who is already a Christian and speaks very good english) came in by herself and told us that she had talked to most of the other girls and that they weren't coming any more. Amy was VERY shocked! she was under the impression that she had developed a pretty good relationship with most of them and couldn't understand why they weren't coming back. after about 5 minutes of this, though, the rest of the class jumped in and yelled "surprise"...we were all VERY amused! :) The rest of the class went well and afterwards several of us went to dinner, and by the time i got back here and into bed, it was 11:00! - i was spent!

Layne

Jason Wallgren

Hi Jason!

Hope you made it safely to Ekat. We missed you this a.m. in Crown. We're going to have our 1st Crown Fellowship Sunday night, Oct. 9. So just be ready to bring pictures and lots of great stories! Hope you're having a wonderful trip. We're praying for you and the whole team. If Ashley Davis & Mark Tae are there right now, please tell them hi from me & Steve. I hope this trip changes your life.

Luellen

Our Week

Hello all,

Our week has been really different this year. Instead of visiting different universities every day, we have "free time" each day. HA!!!! Free time, yeah right. The free time is setup so that we can invite students to hang out and build relationships.

Well, some of our students have morning classes and some have afternoon classes. So Julie and I were "tag teamed" all last week. Some of the students met us in the morning and some in the afternoon. I bet we walked the city a dozen times. But the relationships this year are better than ever.

And, as a "coincidence", Darin just got a team of 6 stint-ers (1 year short term missions). And their main mission for this next year will be to personally follow up with the students from the English "Talk the Talk" classes. So I am really excited about what the coming year has in store for Ekaterinburg.

Unfortunately all the running has kept me from emailing y'all, but fortunately we have made great friends. When I get home, I'll put up my photos and tell you about the students.

But now, I gotta run. I need to break in the new teaching team.   :-D

-- 
Rod

An Introduction to the Russian Soul

I was reading this booklet this morning and thought I'd share a couple of quotes from it:

Relating successfully to people in a culture riddled with the effects of shame means that trustworthy relationships are absolutely vital. Trust is built slowly. Russians will feel free to share their personal truth with us as they sense, over a period of time, that we genuinely care about them. And that we respect them. For many Russians, personal interactions are potentially very risky.

The great Russian writer, Dostoyevsky, describes this tension. One of his characters says, And when he had poured out his heart, he felt ashamed of having shown me his inmost soul like that. So he began to hate me. He is saying that if a person reveals too much, too quickly, or if we pull his protective mask from him, he will feel exposed and perhaps even violated. In the Russian culture, relationships built in an atmosphere of trust are crucial.

...

Finally, remember that genuine expressions of kindness, respect, and love are what Russians have experienced so little of through the years, and it is what they long for now. St. Francis of Assisi's words apply here. He said, Preach Jesus ... and only when necessary use words. Russians need to see models of Christlikeness. They need to feel the love of Christ through your words and actions toward them -- through your life.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth ... love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)

Ways to pray:

1. Pray that the new teachers will be able to connect with the students from day 1
2. Pray for Amy and Rodney ... they have been here 1 week and have 1 more to go ... pray for ENERGY! and that relationships will continue to grow
3. Pray that ALL the students will attend the retreat (aka. Forest Fun Party!)
4. Some students are inviting friends and they will be coming into a group that has already begun to "gel". Pray that they will feel welcome and will begin to develop relationships too.
5. Oleg and Sana are Kompas staffers and need to raise more support, please pray they will raise what they need (and please prayerfully consider supporting them)

-- 
Rod

Howdy Rooskee from Texas

Hey Everyone! I hope yall are having a wonderful time in Ekat. I am sitting here in Dallas looking out my window right now wondering what you guys are up to. I just spent my lunch hour looking at Rods pics, I am getting so excited and cannot seem to focus on work.... Keep up the hard work and most of all - Have fun! I think yall are sleeping right now. I guess it doesnt matter if you are in Russia or Dallas, I honestly could be asleep right now. ha.

JWally

Hi from home!!!

Hi Ashley!! I am sitting here trying to imagine what time it is there and what you might be doing. It is hard to believe that you are so far away. Hope your trip went well and you are adjusting to the time and culture changes. It is still very hot here. We had a very busy weekend with the girls!! Sat. we went to the new entertainment place (old K-Mart) . The girls loved it. Lots to do--playground, games ,prizes, and food. What more could you ask for?! Caroline had wanted to go to Chucky Cheese but we went here instead. She now calls it Conroe Cheese! Hilary said that it is a lot nicer than Chucky Cheese. After naptime we took the girls to the Y waterpark. Hilary and Rome went out so we had the girls to ourselves. They had so much fun and met a new friend. Sun. we went to the Ole Ballgame and Hilary left from there to go home. She had a very long trip with 2 fussy and 3 not sleeping girls! Rome's plane left this AM at 6:50. Daddy took him to the airport at 5. I offered, but luckily he refused!

There is another hurricane coming into the Gulf so Hilary and the girls may have to come back, or we may have to go somewhere. It is too early to tell . Hope all is going great and you are feeling good. Have lots of fun and take lots of pictures. Love, Mom

Previet from Russia!!!!!

Hello to all from glorious Russia!

It is wonderful here, is smells and feels like fall has officially begun..only their winter is about 2 weeks away. What can I say this place is really magnificent. The people are so different than any I have known and I just can't tell you how excited I am to meet the students. Rodney and I are teaching this afternoon so say a quick prayer for us. I so want God to use us in ways I couldn't imagine. I am sure He will even if we don't see it while we are here. I already have many stories to tell so I am sure I will be able to keep many of you entertained when we get back. Please pray for health, safety for the team and most of all pray that these students come to know the Lord! Thanks for the support.

-- 
Julie Bowyer

Russian food in Richardson

There's a brand new Russian Restaurant that just opened on Coit Rd. in Richardson. The hubs and I scoped it out last night and it was delicious!!! There are gorgeous murals all over the walls of various Russian folk tales, and the pelmeni was fantastic! Anyway, just thought all you week two-ers might want to go see what Russian food is really like, and maybe we can all get together there after the trip?

~Holly

Praying for Week 1'ers

Guys and Girls - Good luck this week. I look forward to reading some stories on the great work yall are going to do. I will be praying for all of you. Be careful and have fun!

God  Bless,
Jason

Personal news from Uncle Rod (update)

My sister gave birth @ 9:59pm last night to my new nephew Brayden Levi Kirkpatrick. Mom and new son are doing well. Don't have any pics just yet, but will try and get some sent to me so you can see them.

"On the Russian front", we need more students to sign up for the English classes. So pray that they will have a HUGE turn out for the Saturday testing. College classes don't start till the 19th, so hopefully there will be more students in town by this weekend.

From Russia (well actually Dallas just now), with LUV.

Personal news from Uncle Rod

I got a phone message today that my sister is in the hospital. She was originally supposed to go latter ... in a week or two. But this isn't bad news ... but good news! It means my 11th neice/nephew is coming early! Check this out : New nephew.

If that weren't enough ....

Ok, don't label me a spammer ... but 1 more thing (again). Hmmmm, maybe that makes it 2 things?

Anywho, we will be visiting schools and college classes, and the people in Russia (as well as Kazakhstan) are very relational. There is more than enough to talk to Russian students about for an hour or two, but to break the ice it is very handy to have some photos with you.

Regular developed photos are great. And if you can blow them up to 8.5" by 11", even better. The latter is easier to hold up to show, but we usually pass the pics around so regular photos work great too.

Week 2 folks obviously have more time for this. But if week 1 folk can get some personal and/or family pics together, you will estabolish relationships and earn the "right to be heard" faster.

Above all, don't stress over any of these 2 posts. It will all work to God's glory (copied tickets and photos or not!!!).

Last minute packing note!

Got thank you's to send out? Dry cleaning to pick up? Luggage to pack?

If that were not enough ... let me add 1 more item. Copy your passport, visa, and tickets. Now! Punch 'em and pop 'em into your notebook.

This is not only theorectically good to have, but we had a traveler on year 1 loose his ticket in transit from Ekat (probably at the counter or at customs) and had to beg and pled with the airlines to take him back home.

If you have a copy, then you have the ticket number, flight date+number, etc... Goes a long way in getting back to Dallas TX.

Disclaimer: the "traveler" was thankfully not moi.

Chris got skilz

Hey y'all; click on Chris G's profile and follow the "My Web Page" link. Great photo galleries ... the boyz got skilz!

Chris, really a very nice page.

test message

Ashley Davis

Equipping Ministry
Northwest Bible Church
214-368-7092 x421
adavis@nbctexas.org
www.nbctexas.org

Urgent prayer request from Ekat

Pray for students. Some of the schools do not start until Sept. 19th and the first testing yesterday was slow. We only had 28. We have another testing tomorrow and Saturday. Pray for a big turnout.

For The Sake Of The Call

We had a great meeting on Monday night. Sam was there to drill us on Russian phrases and pronunciation. I guess that meeting really got my mind racing and I couldn't get to sleep until sometime after 1:30am. The whole time I had this song running through my head. It was Stephen Curtis Chapman's -- "For The Sake Of The Call".

I'm sure most of you have heard it and remember the tune, but if not the words still convey the meaning. LYRICS:

Nobody stood and applauded them So they knew from the start This road would not lead to fame All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them He said "Come follow me" and they came With reckless abandon they came Empty nets lying there at the waters edge Told a story that few could believe And none could explain How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus led With no thought for what they would gain For Jesus had called them by name and they answered CHORUS : We will abandon it all for the sake of the call No other reason at all but the sake of the call Wholly devoted to live and to die... BRIDGE : Not for the sake of a creed or a cause Not for a dream or a promise Simply because it is Jesus who calls And if we believe we'll obey And we'll answer.... CHORUS : We will abandon it all for the sake of the call No other reason at all but the sake of the call Wholly devoted to live and to die For the sake of the call....

Some Photos from 2004

Welcome to Russia! Sam was on stint when we went to Ekat last. He is now back in the US attending seminary.

Kent is the "Minister of International Missions" @ NBC

Gene is the "Assistant Minister of Singles" @ NBC

Welcome to the NBC Ekat Missions 2005 blog!

If you would like to be on this blog email loop, post a comment w/ your email address. I will add you to the loop and, for privacy reasons, erase your email address from the comment.

We have a great team this year and everyone is getting pumped to go. Week #1 team leaves on Friday @ 5PM! The team is larger than the past 2 years. It is large enough for the Russian Kompas team (aka. Campus Crusade for Christ) to create 6 classes (instead of 5)! This is the most English class offerings yet.

Not only are there 6 classes, but they are all in the same building. Which is a blessing because it makes the travel arrangements soooo much easier. I am sure this is a load off Darin's mind (the Kompass director).

Ways to pray:

1. That more students than ever will hear the gospel and respond!
2. Enough students enroll to fill the 6 classes
3. That the classrooms will remain available for both weeks (sometimes managers get scared or intimidated)
4. Students continue with the classes (some always drop out)
5. Several team members have had personal and family crisises, pray for health and peace for them
6. Travel safety and all connections are made
7. God can do "exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think"; so pray that we think BIG and ask BIG!

A great big thank you to all who have given to and prayed for this trip already! Keep it up!!!!

The students in Ekaterinburg Russia have a website with some photo albums. Be warned, it is all in Russian but the album links are pretty obvious. You will see, in English, "Talk the Talk"; that is what the English classes are called that we host.

God bless you and may He get all the glory and honor due to Him in Russia and here in America.