Barneyisfat

I just finished a missionary biography. Perhaps the most interesting part was the four pages of pictures. The first picture showed a young couple in the early fifties, Janine playfully riding on John's back. The last picture revealed an aged couple, Janine still dressed in her fifties style sweater and long wool skirt, especially appropriate for the jungles of south east Asia. I long to grow old and unfashionable.

I spent these last few days in San diego at the Russia iniative. I spoke a lot of Russian every day. I understood a joke in Russian last night. All major accomplishments.

I love the direction the united Methodist church in Russia is going. Bishop Hans Vaxby is a truly devout and humble man. At the worship service last night, after one speaker squandered 45 minutes on a historical slide presentation, Hans summarized his (no doubt eloquently prepared sermon) in one minute. After a weekend of speakers trying to quench their unsatiable lust to hear their own voices, this was a sad yet welcome decision.

The United Methodst church in Russia is in a good position. Most major metropolitan areas have at least one United Methodist church. The leadership, across all 11 time zones, is improving. Youth and young adults have a healthy perspective on their role as servant leaders- they are empowered and trusted in almost every congregation. Although Russian churches haven't grown numerically during this short, unprecedented time of falling American interest (on an economic and societal level) and increasing Russian security (on an economic and societal level), they grew in spirit and truth. Our churches are primed to handle the needs of the Russian people - stability, security, and peace - in this time, like so many in their history, when society, economy, and government cannot satisfy.

Let it be known that the need for support- prayers, presence, and gifts - has not dwindled and neither should our supply. As Russian courts uphold our right to gather in the name of Christ under the banner of the United Methodist church, physical buildings prove to be a statement of our legitamacy and committment to the long haul. We must take this brief economic opportunity to help the RUMC purchase buildings for ministry.