Time’s Almost Up

Time is a funny thing. Sometimes it flies, sometimes it is indistinguishable, sometimes it does not seem to exist, sometimes it drones on and on like Dali’s The Persistence of Memory, and then sometimes it is the predictable thing that we so often make it to be, or claim that it is.

Time is a funny thing because to us — finite beings — it is not a “thing.” Time is intangible; it cannot be touched, but it can touch us. Then there’s God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, who holds time in His hands like a delicate beating heart —

But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? (Job 12:7–10)

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. (Ps. 31:14–15)

Tick tock goes the clock, and our time, unfortunately, is almost up.

Our time in Russia has taken just about every form possible, but as predicted, it began speeding up and away so that now we have entered the week of “lasts” —our last week in Ryazan, our last few classes, the last few and precious Russian meals, the last moments with our new friends and family, the slew of goodbyes, etc.

As we enter into this week, I ask that you would come along side us and join in prayer:

1. Spiritual warfare and exhaustion — Satan has been very present during this trip, but we know that this week he is going to come at us hard. Pray for God’s strength against attacks and discouragement, and especially against the exhaustion we are all experiencing to some degree.
2. Students — Please pray for our youth students. They are so tired from this camp, from the rafting/camping trip, from all the work they do at the transition home, as well as from their preparations for another camp coming up this weekend. Some of our youth students have already left, or will leave soon, so goodbyes have already commenced. Please pray for their safety as they travel to another camp as well as rest for their minds and bodies.
3. Jenya — Jenya, one of our students from the transition home, is one of those who has moved back and forth a lot. He will live in the transition home for maybe two weeks, then somewhere else, then he will come back, then leave, and so the pattern repeats. Anatoly told us with glittering eyes and a wide smile that he is currently on his longest streak. He has been here almost as long as we have, and he is not showing any signs of wanting to leave. Please be praying that the Lord continues to work in his heart and mind. That he would open his eyes and heart to the Lord and be softened. He has a very sad story that he has allowed to harden his heart. His past is not a scar that he has let heal, but rather a festering wound. We have seen change in him throughout the last week, so please continue to pray.
4. Dasha — Joanna informed us of the way the system works here before we got to Russia: kids come and live here based on conditions. They have responsibilities, there are expectations of them, and if they do not abide by these “rules” they could be kicked out. Sadly one of the girls, Dasha, was kicked out last week. This has happened with her multiple times and she usually comes back (Anatoly gives so much grace), but for now as she is not in the transition home, pray for safety for her heart, mind, and body. Pray that the Lord would keep her away from any evil or harm that she too often gives into.
5. Churches — Many of you may know that a bill/law was passed in Russia a few days ago regarding missions. The details are still a little fuzzy to my understanding, but basically any kind of religious activity outside of a registered church is illegal. By God’s grace our church here is Ryazan is registered and the transition home is registered under the church as well, so it is “okay.” There is another church that SOAR is affiliated with in another city that may be in danger. Please be praying for their protection and for their growth in the faith. Also, next week begins the English intensive camp SOAR is doing in Podolsk. Joanna said it may be cancelled, which would be a huge headache. Not only that, but the football (aka soccer) camp, that the kids LOVE and have been looking forward to all summer, also had to be cancelled. Their “sister” church in Sweden always comes down for the football camp, but due to this new bill they are not coming. Anatoly said that for the next two years church leaders and pastors will be watched — emails, phone records, etc. What an incredible blessing it was to see him say this and look none-the-different. He is neither moved nor shaken. His trust and faith in the Lord is incredible.
6. Goodbyes — None of us want to utter the word. It is basically a curse word in our vocabulary right now. Nonetheless, we have to leave to go “home,” but this week is going to be so hard, especially since we do not know if we will ever see these brothers and sisters again, but it is comforting to know that I will see many of them in heaven. Slava bogo!