Confessions, Prayers, Contact Info, and Our Schedule

Confessions

First, let me confess. I know that I have been bad about keeping up with my blog over the past year. Social networking like Facebook and Twitter have allowed me to post snippets of information throughout the day and consequently I have been reluctant to take the time to write detailed blog entries about my experiences. With that being said, I am trying to renew my commitment to blogging on a regular basis. However, in the meantime, if you are not friends with me on Facebook or if you do not follow me on Twitter, let me encourage you to do that because I communicate more using those tools than any others.

Our time in the States has been fantastic so far. We have been able to visit with family and friends, and are slowly starting to readjust to life in America. Sarah Beth is in her freshman year at John Brown University in Arkansas. The kids are in school and loving it. Kellye is teaching at Fleming Island High School for the year we are home and I am working on getting some seminary hours and continuing to work on some of my projects from Russia.

We are also using this time in the States to speak with as many churches as we can. We have a pretty rigorous schedule in December and January and many of you have asked when and where we will be. So, I will post our schedule at the end of this entry.

How can you pray for us?

One of the great things about being called as a missionary is that God changes your heart so that you come to love the people and places you are called to serve. This has certainly happened to us and there are many days we are homesick -- not for our old lives here, but for the crowded, snowy streets of Moscow; our small Russian-speaking church which met in a rented room; our group of Russian English students that came to our home every week; or the corner fruit stand that we would visit on our nightly walks. So please pray that our time in the States will be what we need it to be. Pray that it will be restful, filled with chances to spend time with family and old friends. Pray for Kellye as she works and for myself as I complete classwork. And pray for the children as they continue to experience the many things that make their lives in America different from their lives in Europe.

Please pray for strength and stamina as we travel and speak with churches. Also pray that we effectively share the Good news about what God is doing in Central and Eastern Europe.

And pray for God to return us to the places and to the people we have been called to serve. In the midst of all these other things we are doing, we must complete the mountain of paperwork that will allow us to return to the field as career missionaries. This is no small task. Pray also for our IMB consultant, Bonnie, as she shepherds us through the process of returning to the field. If we are able to complete all of the things we need to this year, we plan to return to Europe in the fall of 2011.

As always, thank you for your continued prayers, support, and gifts. It is because of your faithfulness that we have been able to fulfill our calling.

Blessings,

Marc

Our Speaking Schedule (December & January)

Wednesday, December 1

FBC Bushnell (Marc Only)

Bushnell, Florida

5pm

Friday, December 3

Cresthill Baptist Church

Savannah, Gorgia

5 pm

Sunday, December 5

Amelia Baptist Church (Marc Only)

Fernindina Beach, Florida

9 am

Salt Springs Baptist Church (Kellye Only)

Salt Springs, Florida

10:15 am

FBC Maxville

Jacksonville, Florida

6 pm

Sunday, December 12

FBC Middleburg (Kellye Only)

Middleburg, FL

9 & 10:30 am

FBC Interlochen (Marc Only)

Interlochen, Florida

10:45 am

Monday, December 13

Kellye & Hannah Mini-Concert for Seniors

FBC Middleburg

6 pm

Sunday, December 19

Forest Heights Baptist Church (Marc Only)

Tallahassee, Florida

9 am

Sunday, December 26

FBC Palatka

Palatka, FL

9 am

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Long Branch Baptist Church

Jacksonville, Florida

11 am

Tuesday, February 8

FBC Glenn St. Mary’s

McClenny, Florida

11 am

Contact Information

Stateside Address:

Marc Ira Hooks

2234 Parsonage Street

Middleburg, FL

Email: Marc@EngageRussia.org

Office Phone: 904-371-4269

Mobile Phone: 904-495-3737

Twitter: hoomar

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mhooks

Blog: www.marcirahooks.blogspot.com/

Russian Easter in Plzen

Yesterday we went to the Russian Baptist church here in Plzen. It was the first time we had been. We were greeted warmly by every member (only about 20) at the door who gave the traditional "Kristos Voskress!" (He is risen!) to which we replied "Va-eestinu Voskress!" (He is risen, indeed!)

While we were waiting for the service to start, the pastor spent a lot of time talking with us. I had met him at a meeting about a year and a half ago and he remembered me from that time. Also, in Russian Baptist culture it is very important as to who you know, so we spent a lot of time with us asking each other "do you know this person...do you know that person...i have worked with him..." And, I guess when I demonstrated my pedigree he asked me if I would speak that morning.

Of course, I thought I would just get up and introduce myself and explain a little about my work. However, I guess I had a lapse of sensibility and had forgotten where I was. When the pastor introduced me, he explained my work and the fact that I had worked with many of the senior pastors that he knew in Russia (basically everything I had prepared in my mid to say) and then invited me to the pulpit. So there I was...

Of course, I have preached in Russian before and I have found that you just have to follow Mark Twain's advice: Write what you know about." So I started telling simple stories about congregations that I have met during my travels and reminding them that "We are not alone." That no matter how large or small your congregation is, that no matter how many people you feel that you are NOT reaching for Christ, that we, as believers, are not alone. Now, I must admit that I did turn to the pastor's son, who also speaks English, for some assistance in translating. But, considering that I was totally unprepared to speak, I was pleased that I was able to bring a 10-15 minute message.

After the service, I was explaining to the pastor that I travel quite a bit. However, when I am in town, this will be our church home. He asked me if I was going to be in town on the 18th because that is the anniversary of the day that Stalin had has grandfather and many others executed. He explained that he and his family would be attending a memorial service that day and asked me (I think) if I would stand-in as the pastor that Sunday. So, I am waiting for his email to confirm this. But, it appears that at the least I will be preaching again (in Russian) at the church on the 18th. I must say, that when I came to the field nearly three years ago it never really entered my mind that this would be the role I would fill.

Yet another reminder that life on the mission field is NEVER, NEVER dull.

Blessings,

Marc

Vancouver-Day One: Olympic Fever

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Team Engage Russia is on the move again! Never content to stay in one place too long, we have been working on an Olympic edition of Engage Russia. Three weeks ago we were on the banks of the Black Sea in Sochi, Russia – host city for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. And this week we are on the other side of the globe in Vancouver, Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics!

It is not hard to get Olympic fever around here. It starts as you get off the plane and just continues to build. We even saw the Ukrainian Ski Team unloading their gear at the airport, as well as a number of athletes from Sweden. Already we are seeing similarities between the two Olympic cities. Both have a large portion of the city situated along major bodies of water (the Black Sea in Sochi and the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver) and both have spectacular snow-capped mountain ranges within eyesight of the shore. In addition, the temperatures in both cities have hovered around the mid-to-upper 40s – mild as compared to a lot of other cities which have hosted the Winter Games.

Day One was spent, as usual, getting acquainted with a new city. We spent the day walking the streets, figuring out the public transportation, and taking in the sights of the city. The day started off with a few clouds, but by the end of the day it was quite chilly and rainy. Of course, Olympic venues are under very tight security, so there are many places (like the Olympic Village) where you are only allowed to be if you have the proper credentials. However, our purpose for being here is not to actually cover the games, but to find out how Southern Baptists are using this event as a stage for outreach and evangelism.

This week more than 500 Southern Baptist volunteers will make their way north to Vancouver. Most are partnering with a multi-denominational organization called More Than Gold, a relational network organized in response to the Winter Games. More Than Gold’s mission is to extend radical Christian hospitality to the estimated 300,000 visitors expected for the Olympics. More information about the group can be found at www.morethangold.ca.

After having just come from Sochi, it was exciting to find the “Russky Dom” (Russia House) where workers were busily preparing to cheer on the Russian athletes and to promote the 2014 games in Sochi. The Russia House is located in Vancouver’s bulbous science museum just outside of the Olympic Village.

Tomorrow we will join up with the volunteers and More Than Gold officials. It will be exciting to see how God will use the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to grow his kingdom. Stay tuned!

More photos from day one can be seen at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047089&id=1072353850&l=4a9aacd5d3

Wrapping up in Karelia

Sunday, January 10, 2010 – Petrozavodsk, Russia – Republic of Karelia

We are wrapping up our work in Karelia today. As with most places in Russia, I really hate to leave.

This morning was disappointing. When we arrived in Karelia we had the address and phone number for a congregation of believers in Petrozavodsk. While we were able to find the church building, the phone number we had did not have enough digits, so we were not able to make telephone contact with the pastor. However, the church had the times of the services posted on the two and twice we tried to connect with the believers here, but to no avail. This morning we watched as 10:30 came and went and there was no sign of life at the little church building.

We don’t know what happened or where the believers were. But they were certainly not there. Their absence could have been due to the fact that Christmas was celebrated this past week and they chose to cancel services for the rest of the week. It could be that due to the expense of having electricity and heat, the congregation could be meeting in a home to save money. (I did notice one car parked on the street that had a “Jesus Fish” on the back of it. Common in America, very out of the ordinary here.) Wherever they are, will you keep them in your prayers? Will you also pray about how you might become involved in this area?

Photographs from our morning can be seen here.

This evening we will get back on a train headed for Moscow. We are due to arrive around 9am. We will then start making our way to the airport for the second leg of this journey – Sochi, which is located on the Black Sea and will be the home of the 2014 Winter Olympics. And, this may come as quite shock to our bodies which have adapted to the near 0F temperatures. Sochi is forecast to be 50-degrees WARMER than it is here!

Please continue to pray as we travel, not just for us, but for our families who are at home without us. Due to travel, I will probably not update blogs until Tuesday night. However, I will try to keep my Facebook and Twitter status’ current for those of you who like the “blow-by-blow” accounts of our adventures. Thanks for praying and for following along!

Blessings,

Marc

Northern Stars and Well Water

Saturday, January 9, 2010 – Petrozavodsk, Russia – Republic of Karelia

It is a clear, albeit cold, night in Petrozavodsk. As we were walking back to the hotel I stopped by the lakeshore in the hopes to see the Aurora Borealis. However, we are not quite far enough north to see that amazing sight. Oh well, I guess I have to have a few things left on my “Bucket List.” Maybe during my next trip to Murmansk it will be clear enough; it was not last year during my first trip.

I am not sure that I have ever seen the stars in the way I did tonight. I must confess, I actually forgot about looking for the Northern Lights until I was walking back and something caught my eye. It was Mars. It is no surprise that I am pretty geeky anyway, but it was so cool to see this planet tonight. It just seemed to be popping out of the sky. And, there was no mistaking what it was. I have never seen it look so red. Really quite amazing. My favorite constellation is Orion, and he was easily identifiable as he crossed the northern sky. There is just something comforting about being in an unfamilar place, but seeing the stars from home.

I have been thinking a lot about water today. We met three women today as we were shooting stand-ups near the artesian well where the people from this part of town to get their water (yes, many places in Russia still do not have running water in their homes…fortunately, our hotel does.) One of them was sharing the history of the 45-year old well and she explained that the lake (which was about 500 yards away) has very dirty water. And, that the water which comes out of this well is very clean.

For the rest of the day, my mind has been consumed with the thought of how important clean water is. These women certainly recognize the importance of getting clean water and what it means for their own health and for the health of their families.

Quite some time ago in a place far from here, there was another woman who came to a well for water. Like these women, she met a stranger - a foreigner - at the well who told her that what she needed was “Living Water.” Of course, that man was Jesus. The Message version of the Bible says Jesus told her, “When you drink this water (from the well) you will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

One of the things that occurred to me today as I pondered the events of the day and the story from the Bible was this: our world is so polluted with religious messages. Many think they are getting what they need. They think that what they are getting is good for them. After all, who would think that water could be bad for you? Water is water, after all. However, these three women at the well today reminded me of an important fact. Getting water is not enough. To be healthy we must have clean water.

Let’s make sure that as we come into contact with people -- no matter what country, culture, or society you live in – that you are pointing people to a clean source of water, not just any puddle or lake. There are a lot of bodies of water that, on the surface, look clean. A walk through the streets of Prague will reveal many posters leading you to some of those different bodies of water as they offer better living through meditation, exercise, and a host of other religious options.

As Christians, we can put up signs and posters that lead people to Living Water. We can build fancy buildings that cover the well and hope that people will recognize that as a place to come to get the Living Water. We can build a water park and have events where we hope that people will be attracted to the fun and adventure of the Living Water. And, we can even spend our spare time updating our Facebook and Twitter status’ to talk about the blood of Jesus and hope that people will feel guilty for not having the Living Water. But, wouldn’t Jesus be happier if we just sat down by the well and invited our friends to join us as we share a drink with him? A drink of Living Water? Maybe then there would be more people coming to the well and less people pulling water from the lake.

Blessings,

Marc

This was a light day?

Friday, January 8, 2010 – Petrozavodsk, Russia – Republic of Karelia

Today was not as busy as others, but physically it seems to have taken its toll. As with most places in Russia, we walk almost everywhere we go, and the main section of Petrozavodsk is not very large. An average day consists of 3-4 miles of walking. Today, however, I think we put about double that amount under our feet. That is a lot of mileage under good circumstances, but add to that snowy and icy sidewalks and a couple of inches of new snow to that and the going is even rougher. Needless to say, tonight we are pretty worn out.

Temperatures here have also played a factor. This morning’s high of 14F quickly dropped and shortly after noon it was around 5F with wind chills below zero. Tomorrow’s highs are expected to be 3F.

We have spent the past couple of days collecting research on Petrozavodsk, the Republic of Karelia and the Karelian people. The task of the day was to shoot video of me in different places around town sharing that information. So, we did not cover a lot of new ground, but revisited a lot of familiar territory. That task will continue tomorrow as we ran out of sunlight faster than we wanted, and felt the temperatures dropping.

Of course, no day here seems to be without adventure and today was no different. Petrozavodsk is located on the shore of Europe’s second largest lake, Lake Onega. Right now the lake is covered with two feet of ice and another two feet of snow. What better conditions than to join the other ice fishermen on the lake? We trekked about 200 yards from the shoreline over the frozen surface and quickly struck up a friendship with Vladimir who allowed us to join him for a little bit. As we were talking we were able to pull a few small fish out of the ice and had a couple of others that got away. It was a strange experience to know that you were sitting in the middle of a lake and visions of the opening scene of “It’s A Wonderful Life” kept running through my head. However, it is an experience that I shall cherish and never forget.

More photos of Vladimir can bee seen here.

According to the sign on the door of the church that Tim found yesterday they were supposed to hold services tonight – a prayer meeting we think. We were hoping to make contact with the pastor and other church members so we could start working on a story about what God is doing in this part of Russia. However, when we arrived at 6:00pm tonight, the lights were off and the doors were locked. We are praying that was just because this week has been a holiday week that the doors were locked. I can’t imagine anything sadder than to find a church has had to close and lock their doors. To our knowledge, this is the only evangelical church in the area, and possibly the entire Republic.

Continue to pray for us as we work. We have more stand-ups and video of the city to shoot tomorrow. And since we are not used to the bitter cold it seems to be zapping our energy levels more than expected. Also pray for the church here. We hope the closed doors are not a permanent condition.

Blessings,

Marc

An "Air-Bus", Wooden Churches and More...

Thursday, January 7, 2010 – Petrozavodsk, Russia – Republic of Karelia

С Рождеством Христовым (Merry Christmas) from the Russian north! Today is the day that Russians celebrate Christmas. We could talk about that, but will save that discussion for another day.

If anyone ever tries to tell you that missions work is boring, they are lying! Today was another day filled with fun and adventure. And, every time I think that this country can no longer amaze me, I am wrong. Mother Russia has plenty of surprises up her sleeves.

The day started before sunrise (9am) as I motored toward the airport in the taxi. Due to limited space for the excursion, Tim and I had to split up today, which meant I would be going to the ethnographic museum on the island of Кижи (Kizhi).

Since some have asked the question already, Ethnography aims to describe the nature of those who are studied (i.e. to describe a people, an ethnos.) In the biological sciences, this type of study might be called a "field study" or a "case report," both of whi

ch are used as common synonyms for "ethnography." (Thank you, Wikipedia) So, an ethnographic museum is a place that tries to capture and/or describe the nature of a particular people group. Often times these museums are outdoor exhibition centers. Many of you have visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. This is a good example of an ethnographic museum. And, when we are traveling to new parts of Russia, we often seek these museums out so that we may better understand the culture of the native ethnic people of the area. It can sound a little boring when you describe it, but getting to see it first-hand is far from boring.

When I booked this trip, with the help of the wonderful workers at our hotel, I was told that I would be taking an “air-bus” to the island. But after walking onto the airfield from what had to be the smallest airport I have ever been in, I soon realized that our “air-bus” was a helicopter! And, after a 30-minute ride at 300 meters above the frozen lake below, we landed opposite one of the most beaut

iful Russian Orthodox churches I have ever seen.

This link will take you to more information about the island and the buildings found there.

Most of the wooden buildings on the island were constructed in the early 1700s. The churches are native to Kizhi, while the other wooden structures were brought to the island to preserve them and so they could be part of the exhibition. I had a wonderful, English-speaking guide who gave me a tour of the complex. We talked some about native Karelian life and she echoed what we have come to learn…the Karelian way of life is dying. The Karelian language never did have a written form, and fewer and fewer people speak Karelian in this modern age. She added that most young people were leaving the Karelian villages and going to live and work in the big cities, such as Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg and Moscow. Consequently, only older people remain in the Karelian villages of the Russian north and as they die, their culture is dying with them.

A link to some photo highlights of the day can be found here.

While I was off exploring the island, Tim was up to his own bit of exploring. His task for the day: find the Baptist church. That task may sound like an easy one if you are living in the rural south of the United States, but here in Russia, that can almost always be like finding a needle in a haystack. We knew that several years ago Russian Baptist church planters had been able to start a Baptist congregation here. However, we did not really know where and how to find them. But, Tim succeeded! According to the sign on the door they will be having a service (of some sort) tomorrow night and we are hoping to attend and make contact with the pastor and other church leaders.

So, continue to pray for us as we brave the frigid temperatures in this area close to the Arctic Circle. But, even more, pray that we will be able to make contact with our Baptist brothers and sisters tomorrow night so that we can tell stories about how God is at work in this area. And lastly, begin praying now about how God can use you to minister to the people of Karelia.

Blessings,

Marc

Photos from Karelia-Day Two

Photos from day two can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2043954&id=1072353850&l=4fa402f8d2

Photos from Karelia-Day One

Photos from Day One of our Karelian Adventure can be seen here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2043859&id=1072353850&l=e4d9e3d76c

Karelian Assimilation

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 – Petrozavodsk, Russia – Capitol of the Republic of Karelia

It is Christmas Eve in Russia. Not the Christmas Eve that you and I usually think about. However, Russians celebrate Christmas based on the Orthodox calendar and tomorrow, January 7, is Christmas Day. Most Russians have been on vacation since New Year’s Eve and we have seen many families enjoying time together in the city. Later tonight we will attend a midnight service at the large Russian Orthodox Cathedral in the center of town.

Our first day in a new city is usually spent trying to get ourselves acquainted with the people and the culture and this trip has been no different. It seems that no matter how much research you do before hand, there is always so much that you never know until you get your feet on the ground.

Worth mentioning, however, is how friendly people seem to be here. After living and working in Moscow for two years, it is often easy to forget that outside of the mega-cities people tend to be very friendly and willing to help strangers. The staff at our hotel has been invaluable in this regard and they have assisted us in numerous ways. We also received a warm greeting at one of the museums we visited this afternoon.

According to statistics, there are around 130,000 native Karelians in Russia, and most of them live in the Republic of Karelia. However, that number only accounts for less then 10-percent of the population here. Karelians are one of two minority peoples who are native to this area (the other being the Veps who are more closely related to the neighboring Finns.) And, as a result of centuries of this land being shared between the native peoples, the Russians and the Finns, it is almost nearly impossible to identify native Karelians by their physical features. However, they more closely resemble Russians, than the fairer Veps.

As with most Russians, the majority of Karelian people identify themselves with the Russian Orthodox Church. However, we have found several Catholic and Lutheran congregations here. This is also a result of this land being occupied by the Finns and Swedes over many generations.

I suppose that at the end of the day, several things about Karelian people have caught our interest. First, and probably foremost, is that the Karelian people and culture seems to be a dying way of life. Most native Karelians identify themselves as being Russian. And the people, as a whole, seem to have been all but totally assimilated into Russian culture. One of our guides, a native Vep, said that she is unable to identify native Karelians during everyday activity.

We also learned that life in the villages today is almost identical to village life over 100 years ago. Most of the Karelian natives found in the northern villages are wheat farmers and still work the land using animals and simple hand tools. People in the villages earn a living by selling wheat, milk, and other byproducts of farm living. However, in order for them to have the money they need to survive the man of the house will usually travel to the city and find work there to help support the family. Once he has earned enough to last the family for several months, he will return home and then go back to find itinerant work in the city when that money has run out.

As with much of Russia, however, only a small number of people still live this way. Most are abandoning village life and are moving to large urban centers, such as Petrozavodsk – which explains much of the assimilation of the Karelian culture with the Russian culture that surrounds it. Only 25-percent of the people in the Republic of Karelia live outside of the cities.

As you are praying for the Engage Russia team, and our travels, take a few minutes to pray for the people of the Republic of Karelia on this Christmas Eve. Most in the city of Petrozavodsk will not attend a church service tonight, or give thought to the birth of a baby in a stable. Others will stand in the midnight cold in order to receive their annual blessing from an Orthodox priest. Pray that God will make himself known to the people of Karelia and that they would find hope in the manger tonight.

Blessings,

Marc

Engage Russia: The Karelian Odyssey

Tuesday, January 5, 2010 – Train from Moscow to Petrozavodsk

There is something majestic abou

t a train ride though the northeast of Russia in the winter. A thick blanket of clean snow wraps the countryside in a pristine calmness that I have yet to be able to adequately capture in a photograph or on video. And, it is a reminder of just how vast this country is.

In Russia, the most cost effective and efficient means of travel is by train. We usually travel in a “coupe”, a compartment with four beds – which means that we are usually traveling with at least one, and usually two strangers. This, in itself, adds flavor to every trip we take. We have had rides, like this one, where our traveling companions say little, if anything. However, long train rides have also allowed us to make new relationships, strengthen friendships, and often provide a very natural opportunity to share the Gospel.

You never can tell what kind of experiences you might have as the wheels clickity-clack against polished steel rails.

The most fun stops are in places where local vendors come out to peddle their wares. We have seen everything from sodas and candy bars to the absolutely ridiculous such as crystal chandeliers and taxidermy of local animals such as foxes and badgers.

This kind of travel is not for everyone and it is an experience that you either love or you hate.However it is a truly Russian experience as most Russians cannot afford to fly and driving across this country is impractical.

This afternoon we will arrive in Petrozavodsk, the capital of The Republic of Karelia. Due to its northern location, it will already be dark when we arrive and the sun will not rise until 10am.Tomorrow will be spent exploring the city, visiting museums, and collecting information about the Karelian people. We will also begin our search for groups of believers so we can talk about what God is already doing in this northern part of Russia.

Stay tuned as we Engage Russia!

Animoto.com

Merry Christmas from the Hooks Family-09

Jet-lag Is Not A Pretty Thing

According to the clock on my computer, it is almost 1PM.  However, the clock on the wall says that it is almost 5am.  The preferred, and logical, explanation for this is that the clock on the wall stopped working this morning.  However, the reality of the situation is that my body is now eight time zones behind my body, and although I am exhausted from traveling almost 23 hours yesterday, it is early in the morning and I am fairly wide awake.  So, that gave me time to write a little blog.

Currently, I am at my parents' house in Maryland.  The IMB media personnel are having a conference in Richmond, VA this week, so I took that chance to spend a little time at the Hooks Homestead.  Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to speak at my home church in Westminster about life in Moscow and the work in Russia and then will head off for Richmond.

While I am so grateful to be back in the States for a few days, I must say that it has been a little bit more overwhelming than I imagined it would be.  Standing in Kennedy Airport yesterday afternoon, I was almost totally overcome by the sights,sounds, and smells of America.  And, it began almost immediately.  There is just something special about bypassing the long lines of people at Passport Control because you are going to the line that says "US Citizens" and then having the guy behind the desk smile, stamp your passport, and say (in English) "welcome home."  Even as I write this, the thought has me a little choked up.  

Sounds are funny too.  When you live in a foreign culture, your ear gets used to hearing that language.  And, even though you may speak that foreign language, you never really stop having to work to understand the things that are being said around you.  So, when you live your life surrounded by the sounds of a different language, when you hear somebody speaking English, your brain automatically keys into the familiar.  If somebody is speaking English in a large crowd, my mind will automatically focus on the familiar.  However, standing in the middle of the airport in New York where EVERYBODY spoke English, it was kind of like having my radar jammed.  I didn't know where to look or whom to listen.  Very strange experience.

If you know me at all, you know that I love to eat.  So walking through the airport where I saw Chili's, Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts...it was almost more than my poor little nervous system could take.  Dinner with my parents last night was a Texas Roadhouse for a good old-fashioned American steak.  I have no idea what the rest of the week will hold, but I am beginning to think that maybe I should pick up a few pairs of pants with elastic waistbands because I am not sure how long it will take me to lose the 75 pounds that I am sure to put on after this week.

Of course, being with family for a few days is a treasured experience.  And, I am not sure what more I can say about that.  It is nice to walk through the gate of the airport and see your parents and realize that no matter how old you get, you are still loved and they still like to see you come home.

So, my American adventure begins.  I am looking forward to the week.  I miss my family and wish they could be here with me.  But, I have promised to return with all kinds of American goodies.  I hope that makes me being gone a little easier for them to bear.

Blessings,

Marc

Long time, no blog...

I feel like it has been forever since I have had a chance to sit down long enough to gather my thoughts and blog.  And, while my thoughts are far from gathered an unfortunate accident last week that left me with a broken pinky toe has given me lots of time this week to sit around and catch up on life in general.

If you haven't heard by now, the big news in our lives is that this summer we will be moving to Prague, Czech Republic for me to take a new position with our company.  I will serve on the Forward Communications Team for the European Affinity Group.  While that is quite a mouthful, what it means is that I will be working with missionaries from across Europe and not just in Russia.   Of course, this was a very difficult decision for our family to make.  While we do not usually enjoy life in Moscow, we do love Russia and Russians, and we believe that we will always work with some kind of Russian ministry.  We are very excited because we have many friends that life in and near Prague and it will be a joy to live in such a fairy-tale city.  At the same time, we will miss the dear friends (both American and Russian) that we have made while we have been here.

The Engage Russia project continues to roll on at full pace, although I am on the injured reserve list this week.  Tim and Jimmy will still travel to Bryansk this weekend where they will shoot interviews for another partnership profile.  The thing I hate about missing this trip is that I will not get to see a winter river-side baptism where they will cut a hole in the ice in order to baptize.  I hate to miss seeing that firsthand.  Next weekend we are scheduled to go to the Arctic Circle and the city of Murmansk.  Believe it or not, it has been warmer there than it was during our trip to Siberia!  We are grateful for all of the people that have come alongside of us during this project.  Several weeks ago we officially launched our new web site (www.engagerussia.org) and as of today we have 222 members on our Engage Russia Facebook group.  That is truly amazing!  In addition, we have made contact with several churches who will be staging a 4-week prayer campaign for the Chuvash people group and two churches are sending volunteer teams to Cheboksary over the next six months.  God is good.

I am starting to realize that my time with my children is starting to slip past.  In recent weeks I have had the opportunity to catch up with old friends through Facebook.  And, as I look at some of the photos from our high school days that have been posted, I am often shocked to think that Sarah Beth is now the age I was when many of those photos were taken.  Where has time gone?  I have no idea.  While I am excited to listen to her make plans for her future (which at this point include OBU), I often realize that my time with her is quickly slipping through my fingers.  I wish you could know what an incredible young lady she is.  She is funny, smart, and so in-tune with God.  She makes me laugh and smile and I am so proud of her.  I know that I am her Daddy, but you really should get to know SB if you have the chance.  Hannah and John are equally amazing and it always surprises me when I look at my kids to see how different they are.  Hannah is sooooo smart, and such a hard worker.  She is constantly making sure she is where she needs to be in school and she studies non-stop.  She is also incredibly creative.  I love to watch her sit at the computer and create.  She also crochets, knits, and makes all sorts of interesting things.  She tries to be funny, and sometimes succeeds.  But, she always makes me smile and I love it when she curls up with me just to snuggle.  John is...well, John is just John.  He is one funny kid.  He is so creative, and incredibly computer savvy.  He amazes me each week as we get a new spelling list.  There is rarely a Monday where he does not know how to spell all the words for Friday.  John is very social and adores his friends.  Nothing about life in a foreign country seems to bother John.  While he is learning Russian in school, communication never seems to be a barrier for him, even if he does not really understand what the other person is saying.  John is going to love all people and God's "little guys" (bugs and anything creepy crawly) no matter what.  He loves to memorize his Bible verses for the week and will be the first to correct you if you misquote (or even use another translation.)  So, while my job keeps me very busy with travel, I am especially thankful for the times I have at home to spend with my children.  I think I will cherish them for as long as they last.

And, speaking of cherish.  I can never say enough about my wife.  Scholars have not invented enough words for me to tell you about Kellye -- in English or Russian.  (OK, maybe they have in Russian.   But if they have, I haven't learned them yet.  And if I did, I have forgotten them already.)  My wife is one of the greatest people I know and she is not just my wife, but my best friend too.  Last night we were sitting on the bed together, watching television and eating pizza...not really doing anything, and it was my favorite part of my day.  Just a quiet moment that we got to share together.

So, what do the next couple of months hold?  Next weekend we will travel to Murmansk.  Following that I am attending a media conference in Richmond, VA and have arranged to spend the weekend before and after the conference with my parents in Maryland.  So, I am really looking forward to my time in the States, seeing family and friends, and speaking in churches about the Engage Russia project.  I will be here in Moscow to celebrate birthdays with Hannah and Sarah Beth and then it is back on the road again.  There is a possibility I will be traveling to Rome, Italy to work on a video project and following that I will take a quick trip back to Surgut to get video footage of a traditional Khanti festival.  Then our family will lead a mission team to Cheboksary to work with the Chuvash.  We will renew our visas in April and will be out of the country for a few weeks while those are processed.  And, in May my pastor, Alan, and I will travel to central Siberia to shoot video for an Engage Russia project.  In June we will lead another team to Chuvashia and then head off to Greece for our annual conference.  The week we return from Greece we will finish packing our apartment and make the move to Prague.  So, as you can see, the next six months will be both busy and exciting.  Pray for our family as we travel, minister, move and say hard goodbyes.  

Again, let me thank you for following us on this journey and for keeping us in your prayers.

Blessings,

Marc

Trying to catch my breath...

I have not written much in this space lately.  And, quite frankly, the main reason is that I have been so busy writing things for other places, that I have neglected my own space.  So, while I have a few minutes of quiet this morning I thought I would try to catch up just a little.

Last Monday we officially launched a new web site (www.EngageRussia.org) which is the centerpiece of our Engage Russia initiative.  This website is the central hub for the campaign and is what connects folks from around the world with what we are doing here in Russia.  We also have a profile page and group on Facebook and are hoping the 200+ people that are part of that group will begin dialoging together about how they can cooperate together and form partnerships with field personnel here in Russia.  If you haven't joined already, you should!

If you don't know already, it is my primary responsibility to create media which connects people from around the globe with our field missionaries in the hopes of forming partnerships that will engage the unreached people groups of Russia.  What does that really mean?  It means that I am constantly on the road or connected to my computer creating video, writing materials, sending updates, or promoting these unreached people groups.  And, so far, I think it has been quite successful.  In the two months since our first trip to the Republic of Chuvashia there have been around half a dozen churches who have committed to pray for, and in some cases, physically engage the Chuvash people.  That is pretty exciting for me.

Last week we went to Northwestern Siberia in search of the Khanti people group.  We never found them.  It was too cold and too dangerous for us to go on an expedition to find this semi-nomadic tribe of reindeer herders.  But, it was a good trip and we learned a lot about the people that will be useful in the future.  We hope to complete that project in the spring.

This afternoon we leave for Udmurtia.  I am looking forward to it.  I love the Udmurt people and taking the overnight train is always one of my favorite things.  We will be gone until Monday shooting a video feature on a couple of volunteers who are working in the area this week.  Why?  Because we want to show that there is no one "profile" for the kind of person who would come to work with the unreached of Russia.

Well, time is running out and I must pack my bags and pick up a sack full of chicken sandwiches to much on while on the train.  More updates next week.

Blessings,

Marc

Off on another adventure...follow along

Team Engage Russia is currently in sub-zero Siberia working on a feature about the Khanti people group. Although our Internet connections are spotty right now, you can follow us on our adventures in several ways:

1. Follow us on Twitter. Throughout the day we will be posting updates, and sometimes photos, as to what we are doing. Our Twitter ID is: engage_russia. You can link to our Twitter updates through the Engage Russia website or blog. Or you can link directly through the Twitter website (www.twitter.com)

2. Read our blogs. Marc, Tim and Jimmy will all be posting stories and updates on our blog. The address is www.engagerussia.blogspot.com.

3. Connect through our newly-created website. There you will find Twitter updates, links, stories, photos, etc. The address is www.EngageRussia.org.

More from me in this space when we get back to Moscow next week.

On a personal note, please pray not just for our team as we travel, but for our families as we are away for them.

Blessings,
Marc

Bringing in 2009 from Red Square

Remembering Aunt Lee

I am sad today.  Last night I received the news that my Aunt Lee died after a bout with cancer.  Now, the good news is that last week she prayed to accept Jesus as her saviour and that today she is with Him.  Nonetheless, I am still sad.

As a child, Aunt Lee was always there for me.  She was always just a phone call away anytime I needed her.  And, there are many aspects of my adult life and the man I am today that I can credit to her influence.  My broadcasting career started in the school where she was an assistant principal.  When I would come to visit she would let me sit on the counter by the intercom and call different rooms by flipping the switches and talking into the microphone.  My love of photography and photographic eye came from her as well.  She purchased my first camera for me (and many subsequent cameras as well) and she taught me how to properly compose a shot and about the mechanics of photography as well as the art.  My love of travel was also greatly influenced by Aunt Lee.  As I was growing up she made it a point to take me on many trips (always with camera in hand) and we went to exciting places: Colonial Williamsburg, Amish country in Pennsylvania, etc.  My first train ride was with her on the Strassbourg Railroad and ever since then I have been in love with train travel.  She retired from the school system when I was relatively young, and spent the rest of her life traveling the world.  And, she would always return with souvenirs and trinkets from the many places she traveled.  We would look at her photos together and she would tell stories about the different things she had brought home and I would imagine getting to travel to some of those far-off places.  And, even in recent years we were able to share stories about our travels to the same locations.  She even visited Moscow before the end of the cold war.  And now, I write this while sitting in my Moscow apartment.  Who would have ever imagined?

She loved books and literature and had a special love for children's books, which she shared with me.  Her favorite children's author was A.A. Milne and many hours of my childhood were spent having conversations with Pooh, Piglet and the rest of the gang as she voiced the characters from the other end of the phone.

I remember helping set up her first computer, a Commodore 128, if you can believe.  She wanted to embrace and learn that technology as quickly as she could.  And, as computers advanced and email became accessible to everyone, Aunt Lee became the queen of the E-Card.  There was never a birthday, holiday or family event where my inbox was not flooded with E-cards when I awoke.

Aunt Lee was always willing to share one of my favorite meals with me... steamed Maryland blue crabs.  And when I came home, a crab feast with her was always on the agenda.  She even participated in several crab feasts that we threw for my high school buddies.

I could spend countless hours recalling the many stories and important moments of my life that she was involved in.  But I guess the thing that I will remember most about my Aunt Lee is that she was my biggest fan.  If I did it, then (to her) it was wonderful.  

So, today I am sad.  I will miss her very much.  And, I suppose for the last time... To Eel, from Cram.

Blessings,

Marc

Chuvash Videos

It's that time again for Southern Baptists - LMCO - or Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
This annual offering for international missions allows us and more than 5000 others to serve the Lord throughout the world.

This week has been a busy one. Tim Wicker and I have been trying to get some video promotion pieces ready for you and your churches to use as you pray and give and think about joining us in the work overseas.

We got a lot done and the fruit of our labor can be seen at www.engagerussia.org
There you can see some of the videos on the Chuvash People of Russia.
There you can follow the links to download these videos and handouts for use in your churches.
There you can learn more about how to join us as we seek to Engage Russia with the Good News.

Even if you don't plan to use them in your churches, I would encourage you to check this site out, watch the videos and pray together with us for the work among the Chuvash people. The site is brand new and under constant revision - so bookmark it and follow along.

Today is Saturday, and we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with our English Club.

Blessings,
Marc