its been hot

I love this picture! It make me have funny, like if Winnie Banov hits me with a 'JoyBomb!' or something.
My Flyers are through to the next round! Next up: the Montreal Canadiens.
I put a new poll up on my sidebar asking the question where you think I'll be at the end of August this year? Two years ago it was New Mexico, last year Russia. Where, this year? Jenny and I have a couple of options but have yet to make a decision in any sense of the word.
And a few days ago, Julia (the chef at NCC) asked me to take some Duffins in to sell to the students and staff. I did and sold six Duffins at long break!!! My Duffins are growing in influence!

Jenny has her surgery tomorrow to remove that demonic cyst from off of her tailbone. It all started back on Jan 2 when I drove her to the clinic straight from work. Since then I have literally been taking care of her; helping her walk a lot of the time, cooking for her, running errands, etc. I don't have confidence in her being left alone so I have kept pretty close. The times are few, but, she has been forced to move along in a wheelchair at times. So, the surgeon will cut her up tomorrow, and says recovery should take a week or so. SWEET!! This has gone on long enough. And we so wanna attend the CBC Grad Banquet the day after she has her surgery :). We'll see how that goes. I gotta go, this new Facebook instant messaging thing is totally demonizing my Blogger experience! I can't concentrate. Thanks Kylene!!

Russian cult update

I haven't heard about or been able to find much on the Russian cult that has been underground for a month and a half or so. There has not been much media coverage as of late. The group is in the Penza Region about 600km SE of Moscow. Here are a couple recent reports I just found courtesy of Google:

• RIA Novosti
  


• Interfax-Religion

Global Corruption

It appears (from this post anyway!) that corruption is pretty widespread globally. That might be a newsflash to all you have been living in a hole your whole lives, but thats the way it is. The photo above represents the current level of corruption throughout the earth. The countries in blue are not so corrupt while the more red the country, the more corrupt it is. I found it pretty interesting that Russia is listed as more corrupt than Mozambique!! Out of 179 countries (1 being good, 179 being terrible) Mozambique was tied for the 111th while Russia was tied 143rd (with Gambia, Indonesia, and Togo). Canada is tied for 9th with Norway. USA is 20th on the list. Tied for #1 is Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand. At the very bottom and the most corrupt countries listed are Myanmar and Somalia. For a complete view of the list click -->HERE<--. It's kinda interesting, if you're into that kinda thing? It appears I seem to be?

Russian Messiah / Российская Мессия

The Spiritual void left after the fall of the Soviet Union is being filled with some real crazies. New churches and religious sects are numerously popping up as people are now free(?) to worship and believe in God. Here are some links to Sergei Torop, a former traffic officer now turned "2nd coming of Jesus"!? Click on the links below to view.

• Sergei on Wikipedia
• Sergei's website (a must see)
• another of Sergei's websites
• Audiovisual journalism piece about the movement
• The Washington Post (great article about the Russian spiritual void)
• The Guardian
• Sydney Morning Herald
• news about religion in Russa

Russian cult members to be flushed out of cave

Interesting story in Penza, Russia right now. Read on.......!

Malaysia Sun

11th December, 2007

Russian special forces in the region of Penza plan to flush out a group of doomsday cult members from a cave.

For over a month, the cultists have been waiting for the end of the planet, remaining underground to 'save themselves during the time of the apocalypse,' which they say will come in May 2008.

The group comprises 29 people, including four children, the youngest being less than eighteen months old.

They have threatened to set fire to themselves if any attempt is made to force them to come out of the tunnel.

Special force officers with rescue dogs have spent time exploring the area around the cave, drawing up a plan of action.

The cave is said to have been divided into five cells, with a large space set aside for prayers. According to the sect's founder Pyotr Kuznetsov, the prayer room is to be used for the eventual burial of the sect members.

The founder is not with the sect members in the cave. Kuznetsov is currently being treated for paranoid schizophrenia in an asylum in Penza, about 600 km southeast of Moscow.

And I thought Mozambique --> Russia was bad!!

It's true, the Russia --> Canada leg is proving to be just as bad. Today I sorrowfully left St Petersburg and thought I was gonna be too late to make check in. I made it though, with help from my Russian lawyer! I said goodbye and thank you to Anya, who has proven to be one of the most amazing and generous people I have ever met. Blessings to her.

So, I fly to Paris and have to take 3 buses and a train to get to my departure terminal! After waiting there for about 1.5 hrs, they tell us Air France is on strike and the flight is cancelled!! After another 2 hour wait in line, I am told that I have to fly to Amsterdam, then to London, then to Toronto! What?! I agree, cause I have little choice at this point, and wait even longer to fly to Amsterdam. But guess what...............the flight to Amsterdam is delayed for an hour and that means I miss my connecting flight to London. In Amsterdam they tell me I will not make a connecting flight to London this night and I will be staying the night at the NH Shiphol Hotel, at the expense of KLM Airlines. Not bad.

So here I am in Amsterdam for the night. It has been almost 7 years since I have been here, and I have changed much. I just ate my complimentary all-u-can-eat buffetand will try again tomorrow to fly home. What a journey. What a 5 months. What a life. Whoever thinks a life dedicated to Jesus is boring better dedicate themselves a bit more; they'll soon learn different.

And I am surely grieved to be leaving Russia, by the way. I've a feeling this re-entry period will be hard; it already is.

the scoop

1 day to go. I have some pretty extreme mixed feelings about ending my 5 month long trip. I do not know just what to think. God is good, and His mercy does indeed endure forever. Tomorrow morning I fly out of St Petersburg and into Toronto. After visiting friends in St Catharines, I will return to Prince Edward Island and really start seeking some direction again. What to do in 2008? THAT, is a darn good question.

I was ministering at 2 hospitals last saturday. First, Анюта and I went to a hospice and ministered to a couple of ladies who had been given very short time to live. It was hard to not cry while talking to these ladies. The first lady just wanted God to give her enough time so that she could work in her garden again and spend a bit more time with her grand-daughter. Oh, the things we take for granted in this life. In our busyness we pass by the things we deem most important, when we look back at the end of our lives. T'is sad.
Then we went back to the hospital from last week and were able to follow up with a couple people whom we had previously ministered too. They were happy to see us and so thankful for the gifts we brought. I am amazed at the things we take for granted. I am ashamed. It hurts.

Last night we got to go to a professional tennis match. Youzhny defeated Gimelstob in straight sets. At times I felt uneasy. I need to stop writing now.................it isn't safe to continue.

очень, even!

My time in St Petersburg lately has been filled with spending time with Jesus and trying to learn this difficult language. I am making headway, but it is so slow and frustrating. It is so hard for me being here but not being able to minister to people like I would back in an english speaking country. Maybe God has set this time up so that I would humble myself and be dependant upon others? Может быть?

On the 11th Анюта and her dad took me to the ballet!!!!? IT WASN'T MY FAULT!! The tickets were bought before I could make a decision about it!! So, I seen the St Petersburg presentation of the amazing extravaganza of Sleeping Beauty! It was BRUTAL!! I almost threw myself from the balcony seats where we were sitting unto the crowd of poor interested people below! And the thing was over 3 hours long!! OH MY GOD!!! The next day I did get to go to the Hermitage Museum (which is one of the most impressive and largest museums in the world) and see A LOT of paintings. I was there for about 4 hours and seen about 2% of the whole building! It's HUGE!!

Last night though may have been one of the best times in Russia that I've had. A group from the church Анюта attends took us to a local hospital to pray and minister to some sick people. It was a lesson in love. Hospital ministry is one of my favorite things to do. We were able to minister love and peace to these dear people who were obviously in need of it. Анюта and I will return on saturday (tomorrow) to follow up on thise we ministered to, and to take some practical things that they are in need of. We also get to go to another hospital to take hope where there is little. I expect another mighty move of God in the hearts of people who know Him not, or who know Him little. By the time we leave I want them to know Him much more.

Where is the God of Elisha?

I posed that question to God today. I wondered to Him, "Just where is the God of Elisha? The God who made axe heads float (2Ki 6:4-7), who made oil multiply (2Ki 4:3-7), who raised the dead (2Ki 4:32-35), who cured lepers (2Ki 5:8-14), who purified poisoned food (2Ki 4:38-41), who manipulated animals (2Ki 2:23-24), who parted waters (2Ki 2:14), who surrounded the righteous with armies of heaven (2Ki 6:17-18), who gives unerringly prophetic insight, who has power over death itself (2Ki 13:20-21)."

We cry out for the God of 'personal-miracles' everyday, to show Himself strong in our lives. We plead with Him for the miracles witnessed by the Old Testament saints. We desire the miracles more than we desire compassion for the lost. How can it be? Theirin lies the answer.............and the problem.

I felt God give me a reply; an unsettling one. I believe He said, "You ask me where is the God of Elisha? But I ask you, 'Where are the Elisha's?'"

And where are we? The first time Elisha is mentioned in the Bible is in 1Kings 19:16 where God tells Elijah to go anoint him as prophet. Just 3 verses later Elijah finds him (1Ki 19:19). Elisha was just living his life, but in just one short verse he gave up everything he had to fulfill the call of God on his life (1Ki 19:19-21). Where are we who would do that today? Elisha was unwaveringly obedient to God even when it hurt. His dedication and consecration were second to none. He spoke to kings and rulers out of the integrity of his relationship with God. How many of us can God trust to do that today? Our motives?

Elisha paid a high price to see the things God did through him. He didn't have to do anything (it appears) to get the calling, but to keep it.........thats a different story, one that Elijah could tell better than I (1Ki 19). Great sacrifice to God always produces fruit. In the same equation; sacrifice + fruit = joy. Sacrifice isn't really hard, when we want to please Him who is worthy. Then, it ceases to be "sacrifice" and ends up being "willingness". I don't want materialism to rob me of the true riches of the Kingdom. Neither did Elisha (1Ki 19:20-21).

The God of Elisha is still around; but where have the Elisha's gone..........................?

notes from Matthew 13:44

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44 NASB)

Adam Clarke's (1762-1832) Commentary on the Bible

We should consider the salvation of God,
1. As our only treasure, and value it above all the riches of the world.
2. Search for it in the Scriptures, till we fully understand it's worth and excellence.
3. Deeply ponder it in the secret of our souls.
4. Part with all we have in order to get it.
5. Place our whole joy and felicity in it; and
6. Be always convinced that it must be bought, and that no price is accepted for it but the blood of the covenant; the sufferings and death of our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Geneva Bible Translation Notes (1599)

Few men understand how great the riches of the kingdom of heaven are, and that no man can be a partaker of them but he that redeems them with the loss of all his goods.

Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

Though nothing can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much must be given up for the sake of it.

For many are called, but few are chosen.

(Matthew 22:14 NASB)

6 yrs old, and back to Grade 3

Another week has flew by and it's amazing at how fast time actually slips away on us. Mother Teresa has said: Yesterday has gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

Last friday was one of those 'one of a kind' days that you don't get many of in this life. I woke up early, as I had been invited by a friend of a friend to sit in with a grade 3 class at a local school in downtown St Petersburg to immerse myself in some Russian culture. Upon driving to the school I was kind of nervous and not knowing what to expect cause the entire day was to be in Russian and I was afraid that the kids would think it very uncomfortable to have me (a thirty year old) sitting in class with them. As soon as they seen me they ALL ran over and began practicing their limited english on me, and taking pictures of me, and shaking my hand, etc. It was hilarious. They offered their chairs to me, and their books during class. One little girl (Sasha) gave me 3 rubles for lunch. Another little girl gave me a snack bar to eat. Nastya even gave me her phone number!!? Over and over, they made me things, continually involved me in the class, went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and communicate with me, and shared the Gospel to me without using words. 3 of them even walked me to the door when the day was over. It was awesome. I loved the day. They even asked the teacher if I would return another day. And on thursday I will return to that class to participate in a field trip to a local art museum. I cannot wait.

In other events, I am now 6 years old. Yesterday marked a 6 year milestone of my walk with God. 6 years............. it's amazing how faithful and pastoral God is. For my birthday, Анюта ( pronounced Annoota; but I call her Annushka) took me around the city to see some of the sights. She took me to St Isaac's Cathedral, and the Church of the Savior on Blood; both of which were absolutely amazing. It twas a great day indeed. Очень even.

notes from Mark 3

1 - 6 Jesus completely breaks a rule. He goes against what is written in the Law. He's teaching them that it's not about rules. God is "love", He's not "Law" (rules). The people who knew and and tried to keep the Law were offended at Jesus because He knew the rules weren't what God intended; they weren't His best. Relationship trumps rules. Even if we make what the Apostle Paul says, binding, then we are missing the whole point of what God wants for us. It brings God no more glory when we keep all the rules as when we don't. It brings God glory when we simply love Him and seek to please Him from that love.

7-8 How many of us can say that multitudes from every area around us flock to us because of what they have heard about us? Are we not the fragrance of Christ in this earth of trash and filth? We need to just stop and to let God love us. Then, we are changed, and we freely give as we have been given to. Everything He has given us, we are then prepared and eager to give away, joyously.

9-10 Jesus needed an escape route!! People were so desperate for Him that He planned get away routes. Crazy.

I admire the poor. I'm sorry. They have a strength which we know

nothing of. They have a faith of which we know nothing. They have a relationship with God with which I'm jealous of.

Don't pity the poor, love them, learn from them. They have more to offer us than we to them.

6 yrs old, and back to Grade 3

Another week has flew by and it's amazing at how fast time actually slips away on us. Mother Teresa has said: Yesterday has gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

Last friday was one of those 'one of a kind' days that you don't get many of in this life. I woke up early, as I had been invited by a friend of a friend to sit in with a grade 3 class at a local school in downtown St Petersburg to immerse myself in some Russian culture. Upon driving to the school I was kind of nervous and not knowing what to expect cause the entire day was to be in Russian and I was afraid that the kids would think it very uncomfortable to have me (a thirty year old) sitting in class with them. As soon as they seen me they ALL ran over and began practicing their limited english on me, and taking pictures of me, and shaking my hand, etc. It was hilarious. They offered their chairs to me, and their books during class. One little girl (Sasha) gave me 3 rubles for lunch. Another little girl gave me a snack bar to eat. Nastya even gave me her phone number!!? Over and over, they made me things, continually involved me in the class, went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and communicate with me, and shared the Gospel to me without using words. 3 of them even walked me to the door when the day was over. It was awesome. I loved the day. They even asked the teacher if I would return another day. And on thursday I will return to that class to participate in a field trip to a local art museum. I cannot wait.

In other events, I am now 6 years old. Yesterday marked a 6 year milestone of my walk with God. 6 years............. it's amazing how faithful and pastoral God is. For my birthday, Анюта (pronounced Annoota; I call her by the name Annushka though) took me around the city to see some of the sights. She took me to St Isaac's Cathedral, and the Church of the Savior on Blood; both of which were absolutely amazing. Twas a good weekend, to be sure.

in Tanzania

Made it to Tanzania and have started the application process for my Russian visa. The people at the embassy are not willing (in the least) to help us out and have been very unrealistic and difficult to work with. So we struggle on, but it's not looking good for Russia. Not sure how long I will be in Dar es Salaam; my visa for tanzania is just 14 days. So decisions will have to be made shortly. Sudan and Mozambique are other options, but they are not the primary desire of mine at this point. Other than that, I'm now staying at the Holiday Hotel and paying about $12US/night.

Dar es Salaam is a fairly modern city, and not a bad place to be stuck, but I do appreciate prayer, and much of it as we try for our visas. Blessings. Hopefully my next post will be one of VICTORY!!!