Dear Partners,
It's four thirty on a Saturday morning in Far East Russia. Sleep is
but a memory. My mind is racing in ways my old body cannot match,
and I find myself sitting in my pajamas at my computer. I want to
share what's on my mind with those who are dear:
Which clothes will I wear today? The weather is either fickle or
downright sneaky here in the "Spring." A sunny morning becomes a
blizzard by afternoon. Gale force winds turn relatively warm
temperatures into wind chill nightmares. Wearing a winter hat
produces sweaty, matted hair; foregoing it produces red, frozen
ears!
For Far East Russians, there's no doubt: March 1 is the beginning of
Spring. It doesn't matter what the calendar says. And it doesn't
matter what the weatherman says. So on Mar 1, colorful spring
clothing begins to blossom forth, replacing the uniform black and
gray of heavy winter apparel. Like tulips springing forth through
grungy snow, the pinks and reds and yellows break out in the crowds
at the bus stops. Hair that has been confined under fur hats for
long months is liberated, shining in the sun and blowing in the wind
once again. The temptation is to throw off the heavy, dark, and long
and to resurrect the light, bright and short. The temptation is to
exert control over that which is uncontrollable.
There is a folk festival in Russia - a rite of Spring - called
Mazlenitza. It's a complicated festival with some observances that
simply defy my Western mindset. However, the heart of the
celebration is the burning of a straw effigy of Winter as people
dance in a circle (in the snow) and celebrate Spring. There's the
sense that you can banish that which has held you in thrall for long
dreary months. The revolution in clothing outside seems to be based
on the same principle: defy Winter and you can banish it.
Ah, but there's a bit of a problem. The colors and lighter clothing
may be blossoming forth; the effigy of winter may now lie in ashes,
but the weather is still not controlled. Since "Spring" came to Far
East Russia, we have had more snow than in the entire Winter months
combined. Strong winds and ice on the sidewalks threaten to upend
the unwary traveler. I marvel at the determination, especially of
the young women, as they struggle forth in the gale, hair flying
almost straight out, in mini-skirts short enough to border on
indecent, with gloveless hands thrust into pockets and looks of stoic
pain on their blueish tinged faces and with chattering teeth making
speech a problem. "Spring" is here and fashion will rule!
The buds on the leafless trees began to swell at the same time the
Russian soul rebelled against Winter. I was excited because my
California experience told me that there would be leaves on the trees
by the end of March, perhaps earlier. A friend visiting from
Komsomolsk responded to my optimistic forecast with a laugh. No, she
said, the flowers and the leaves will wait until May! The buds are
still swollen - but they are not about to open. They have
experienced this for eons past. They do not rebel; they do not
rashly break forth, only to be frozen back. They patiently wait,
accepting that which they cannot control. Spring will come in its
own time as it always has. God's plan will unfold in its own time as
it always has and will. And the buds will open, freeing the captive
leaves in their own time, as they always have.
The impatient battle against Winter here in Khabarovsk is a parable
for the struggle Carol and I are going through with harsh visa laws
here in Russia. We are required to leave the country every three
months for three months away. We can only spend a maximum of 180
days a year in Russia. Consequently, we leave for the states on
April 16 for three months. But our ministry here is just beginning
to blossom! Closed doors are beginning to open. The road ahead,
which seemed fog-shrouded and impenetrable just months ago, now lies
open and sunlit. We can clearly see new directions. And we must
leave - for three months! And when we come back in the Summer, we
can only stay for three months! And the temptation is to defy the
forces arrayed against us - to push against the law, to force a
solution, to wear light clothing in a snowy gale, hoping it will
banish the winds and the snow!
But then, God knew all this when He sent us here, didn't He? And His
plan will unfold as He chooses it to, won't it? And we can no more
change the political climate by temper tantrums and trying to devise
ingenious visa strategies, than the Russian people can banish Winter
by wearing Spring clothing! Better to be like the buds on the
trees. Wait and let God's plan unfold. Don't rush. Don't push.
Don't force. Don't be frustrated. Don't despair. Wait on the
Lord. Spring will come in God's time. Ministry will occur in Far
East Russia in God's time.
"Be still and know that I am God."
What clothes will I wear today? I think I'll wear the heavy down
jacket with the hood, and wait until it's truly Spring before I store
my lined boots.
Grace and peace my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Steve
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