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

Don't forget to give to Lottie this year!

With grateful and happy hearts...

What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God! To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night, Accompanied by dulcimer and harp, the full-bodied music of strings. ~ Psalm 92:1 (The Message)

It is good to be home again after spending most of the months of October and November on the road. In that time, on two different occasions I spent a combined three weeks in Prague, a week in the Republic of Udmurtia and have just returned from another week in the Chuvash Republic. The remainder of this month and December will be spent at home, and I am looking forward to the time with my family.

I hate that it usually takes a special holiday, especially Thanksgiving, for us to stop and recall all the things the Lord has done for us and for all the many things for which we should be thankful. We really should do that on a daily basis, but it seems that (at least for me) life always seems to get in the way of pausing to reflect on God's graciousness and to think about the things for which we should be thankful, but become part of our daily routine. So, here is an abbreviated list of some of the many things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving...

~ Of course, I have to start with my God, who provided the ultimate sacrifice to save me from my sins. That sounds preachy, but really. To just imagine that someone who knows my every thought, motive, and generally crappy nature would still lay down His life just to make sure that I can approach the throne of God. Wow! Now that is something to be thankful for.

~ My wife. I don't tell you who read this, or even her, enough what a special woman God gave me in my wife. Kellye is a truly wonderful woman who supports me in every way. In many ways, she is the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 wife and here are just a few examples from The Message version of that proverb:

"She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day...
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"

Is it any wonder that I am thankful for her??

~ My children. Sometimes, in the midst of life in another country it can be hard to remind yourself to be thankful for your children. Life here can be difficult and life here with three children who share a room in an apartment can be a little challenging at times. And, as a result, it can be pretty hard to remember to be thankful for your children at times. However, they are each very special and I love watching them growing into the people that God is molding them to be. Sarah Beth is silly and compassionate and makes me laugh. She has a great eye for video and photography and spending a week with her in Udmurtia was one of the greatest joys of my time in Russia. She has a great heart for God and for lost people and I am excited to see how God will use her. Hannah is growing into quite the young woman. She understands that following God's call is not always fun or easy, but that obiedience to that call is important, even if what we want to do somedays is go home. Hannah is funny and creative, a great writer, computer savvy, and has a unique way of seeing the world. She is also a joy to spend time with and I love that she still likes to snuggle up with her Daddy just to be close to him. John-John...well, what can you say. He is my boy. Not only does he look like me, in many ways he acts like me too. He is curious and inquisitive. He wants to know everything about everything. He also is computer savvy, even though he is just 7. He, unlike his father, likes to study Russian. He has never met a stranger and is never bashful to tell people about Jesus. He has a heart for God and all of "God's little guys", no matter how repulsive. I am just glad that we do not live in Brazil! I have no idea what John will be when he grows up, but I can already see signs that he will be a great man of God. As you can see, I have much to be thankful for.

~ Our family back home. I don't want to camp out on the fact that life here can be difficult. However, life here is always made easier by our family back home. They pray for us regularly, call for no particular reason, help us deal with stuff back home, spend countless dollars to help make life easier and send boxes of silly things like KoolAid and 3 Musketeers bars. This year I am specifically thankfull for Kay and Cathy, who are the sisters I never had while growing up. But mostly I am thankful for two sets of parents who raised Kellye and I to hear God's voice. I am thankful that we were raised in Christian homes. I am thankful that our parents always held us accountable to standards of Chrstian living, even when that was difficult. I am thankful that our parents made it possible for us both to attend OBU, or I never would have met my wonderful bride.

Time is starting to run short, so I will try to get in as many things possible...

~ Our churches. We could not stay on the field without their help and support. We appreciate everybody who helps by praying, giving, and going. A special thanks also to the many Sunday School classes who have sent cards, letters, packages and donations for things like warm winter clothing.

~ My travel partner, Tim. Getting to travel around the country would not be nearly as much fun without him by my side. More on that at a later day, but you should know that I am thankful for the fact tht he is my partner.

~ Friends around the world who read this blog, many of whom I have never met. Most days I wonder why this blog would be of any interest to anyone other than family or friends, and yet you continue to read and to pray for us. I am thankful for you.

~ Old friends with whom I have reconnected via Facebook. How cool is that, really?

~ Snow on Thanksgiving morning. It would not be a Moscow Thanksgiving without it. Seriously, I love it.

~ Our English Club. Having relationships with this special group of Russians that God has given us to share our lives with is just great and we love them.

~ Our "Mission Friends" here in Moscow and around the world. Too many to name everybody specifically, but you know who you are. I am thankful for you.

~ Our cat, Notchka, who makes our apartment feel a little more like home.

~ A company who makes sure we have a place to live and food on the table and who has a vision of reaching all peoples on earth with the Gospel. We are also grateful for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering which makes us being here possible. Please start praying about what you will give this year.

As you can imagine, this is far from an exhaustive list of all the things I am thankful for. And, if you put them on a scale, they would far outweigh the yucky stuff about missionary life. Thank you again for being part of our ministry and for reading.

COMING SOON...

~ A recap of my trip to Udmurtia.
~ A full report from my trip to the Chuvash Republic.
~ New videos from the Engage Russia project.
~ The world premire of the Engage Russia theme song, "You and I" by the Jud Kossum Band.

STAY TUNED!!!