A Time to Dance, A Time to Mourn

This picture is being moved here from the foot of my blog. It's been parked there for about the last seven months, since our church’s Christmas program when the picture was snapped. It was my first (and, so far, last) opportunity to take part in the worship dance I’ve longed to do for the last twenty years.

And behold, a man of Ethiopia ... had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning... So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
~ Acts 8:27-31 (NKJV)

Sunday night my church presented a report on a recent trip to Russia by our pastor and one of our elders. They'd provided critically needed training to a team of Russian pastors, who live with great needs. Unemployment is at 80%, and they work however they might to survive so that they can serve their churches on weekends. In one community of 70,000, only 200 are Christians. Their beautiful woodland areas are devoid of the wildlife which has been hunted by residents for subsistence.

Their greatest need is materials and teachers to gain understanding of the Bible.

Distress of economy did not hinder Russian hospitality. Our visiting duo was treated with the best to be offered, such as liver gravy over rice and fish hash. Their “riches” were traded for the riches of knowledge being transported across the Atlantic.

In America we take for granted our access to abundance of food and knowledge. The Russians take nothing for granted, Before our pastor left, he was cornered with a plea: "Can your wife come next time? Can she teach our women? Please?"

I restrained tears at such words, my heart mourning in the same room where I once danced.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
~ Acts 16:9 (NKJV)

I publish this blog to share what I’ve learned through intensive study of the Bible. I ask the Lord to send people here as pleases Him, assuring myself that it doesn’t matter how many or how few visitors He sends. His Word shall not return void.

But now, I long to reach just a few more people—some of my Russian family. Might they find access to Bible truths and Q&A for which they are famished in this place? Perhaps? (Is there any chance, Lord?)

I don’t yet know that answer. In the meantime I’ve streamlined, removing some photos and features so this page loads more quickly on a dial-up connection. I’ve installed a translator so posts can be read in Russian, or a host of other languages. I’m putting a couple of my “back 40 posts” (as my friend Bud calls them) in storage, because they might be confusing.

"And indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you."
~ Acts 27:24 (NKJV)

I will plow now and pray for rain.

My Father, I'm grateful for all You've granted me to learn about You and the Bible. You know where famine exists for understanding Your Word. Please show favor to Your hungry people and send them Bread from Heaven. And if it might please You, please use me. Here am I, Lord.

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