Smolensk - Day 2

Years ago I led a mission trip to Mexico. It is a trip I will never forget. It was the first time that I felt as if I was part of something much, much, much, much larger than me. It was the first moment I can recall where I realized that God has used me, and our group, as an instrument. On that trip, a trip which was perilously close to "falling apart" as it endured set back after set back, we had become the answer to someone else's prayer. The church we were helping complete had been praying for a new roof for years. They needed a concrete roof but did not have the money, materials, or labor to roof their large church building. And God called us to build a new roof for them. They had not been praying for us specifically. They had just been praying that God would send someone. And someone was us. We were the answer to a prayer.

(Our group at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Smolensk. We visited there today. Pictures inside are not allowed but I can say that I have never seen anything like it. Ever. A truly stunning piece of architecture and a work of Christian art that I have not seen paralleled many places if at all.

See: 

http://www.smolensk-travel.ru/en/about-smolensk/touristic-musts/holy-assumption-cathedral/ , or,

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g672719-d5521267-Reviews-Cathedral_of_the_Assumption_Uspensky_Sobor-Smolensk_Smolensky_District_Smolensk_O.html ).

Today was a day much like that day long ago in Mexico. In a VERY small way (but important way), I think we were played a part in answered prayer today. Our church partners, Central Baptist Church in Smolensk, have been working for years for more cooperation from the government (remember the history of the Soviet Union and the persecution of the church in the mid 20th century) and cooperation from the 'official' and historic Russian Orthodox Church. This process has taken decades. It has required year upon year of relationship building by Victor our friend and the pastor of the church.

Today, many things culminated for Victor. And we played a part in the hard work he has done and in the hard prayed prayers he has offered. Our presence, American Christians in a city that only sees a handful of Amercians in any given year, became an opportunity for meetings with government and church officials. Think of it like a catalyst. And though all we did was bring greetings from America, and from White Memorial, our presence mattered. The Russian church and government officials were generous to us (you would not believed the meal we had at the Orthodox cathedral today), and curious about who we were and how we found Smolensk and Russia.

(Harriet, Jerry, Victor and the head of the State of Smolensk office of Human Rights and Human Services).

The officials in the governors office and the Metropolitan of Smolensk (think Archbishop or Cardinal) would not allow us to take pictures.

But it was an incredible day of sharing and discovery. We learned of them, they learned of us. We talked about American TV (of which they see a lot). We talked about music (you should know that Russians are, as a whole, incredibly musical). We talked about the beauty of the arts here. We spoke of new opportunities for religious partnerships "across the many confessions." They treated us with the best and most generous forms of hospitality. And we did our part to help Victor, who has long prayed and worked for these types of relationships, to continue to build on the good foundation he has been constructing. 

Many prayers went into today. And we were here to help them find answers.

It was a good day. A different day. But special. Goodness -- by God's abundant grace -- so special.

(The wall which still surrounds much of the old city of Smolensk is one of the great historical sites of Western Russia. Forgive the blurry picture. The photographer was very rushed and very cold. It is amazing to see in person. Read more about it here: http://www.smolensk-travel.ru/en/about-smolensk/touristic-musts/smolensk-fortress/ ).

(Victor leads us from his home to one of our meetings down the main walking "boulevard" of Smolensk.)

(It became very cold today. Very different than our first few days.)

(The Duma building in Smolensk.)

(Victor and Olya took us on a brief -and cold - walking tour of the sites of Smolensk. Here we talk about Russian music in front of a statute of Mikhail Glinka. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Glinka ).

Tomorrow: we go to Katyn in the morning. It is a site dedicated to victims of mass murders during WWII. After this visit we travel to an alcohol and drug rehab facility run by the church about 50 kilometers away.

Prayer requests:

- safe travels

- warmth (is that too much to ask for?)

- that we will represent WMPC faithfully as we sing in church on Sunday and as I preach on Psalm 67 and John 15. We will also talk with the church family about the ministry of WMPC and what we are doing in Raleigh.

- that the time we spent today will continue to help Victor with his ecumenical dialogues and growth in his relationships