Wonderful experiences meeting new people in our city of
Berdsk, Russia. This week we were heading to a bus stop in the center of the
city to catch a ride to a member’s house to visit with them. On the way, we
noticed another bus stop so we decided to wait at that one. While there, vans
called Marshrutka’s were coming and going and we weren’t quite sure when a bus
with correct number pulled up. As we were discussing with the Elder’s if we
should get on it, a nice young lady standing by us who had noticed us talking
in English told us that she was getting on that bus and that it was going to where
we were going. While standing on the bus she noticed our name tags and
immediately started asking questions and asked: “would you please tell me about
your church”
J
To make a long story short, the next day she came to our apartment and we had a
wonderful visit. She had lots of questions and as we were talking she asked: “can
I come to your church meeting”
J
It just so happened that is was District Conference in Novosibirsk on Sunday
and sure enough she came with us. It was probably about a 45 minute drive by
taxi to the conference. She had a wonderful time and is such a pleasant young
lady.
That is only one of three great experiences of recent. The
week prior as we boarded the “Lectrishka” electric train, we for some reason
kept running from one door to the next and then the next before we boarded.
That car was full also, so we went to the next forward car which had open seats
and found a place for the two of us next to a young lady. It just so happened
that she also speaks very good English and was headed to our same city. (Very
lucky, as very few speak English in Berdsk) Well, we have met with her several
times and have a wonderful friendship with her. We invited her to come with us
to Novosibirsk to the District Conference on Sunday also and she said: SURE.
What a wonderful young lady she is, that we are looking so forward to getting
to know better. She is so very helpful to us.
One more experience to share for this week. Right after we
first arrived, the Elder’s met a young man that is 18 years old. They invited
him to our apartment and have taught him on several occasions. He also
traveled with us to church on Sunday. He is very interested in joining… So we
filled up three taxi’s and headed to the city; the three wonderful members in
our little group, our three new friends, the two Elder’s and the two of us. It
was a great day. It was fun to see Sister Beck take out her notebook to take
notes in the meeting, as she always does, and see at the end that there was not
even one note taken. It just so happened
that the meeting was entirely in Russian.
We just sat there and smiled and moved our lips during the hymns, but it
was a super great day.
It’s a blast trying to talk with the kids on the Marshrutka’s
when we ride them. The kids are required to take English in school, so they
know the basics: how are you – I am fine - what is your name – my name is… That’s
about it. But it is fun to see the glow in their eyes as you start to talk to
them. Most of the older generation won’t even look at you when you ask them. We
have found that the golden question for us is to ask in English: “do you speak
English”. We’ve learned not to ask that
question in Russian… We think that English is the door to open up relationships
for us. We are going to meet with some school teachers here in Berdsk this week
and see if we can volunteer and assist with some English conversation classes.
We’ll let you know how that goes.
Better close for now, but what a Great experience this is.
We love being together 24/7, we love the young Elder’s that are with us, we
love all the study time and we love all the special people we have met so far.
Each week is a new chapter and we look forward to it.
 |
Borscht "very tasty" |
 |
A very common type of boot in Berdsk... (Yes, on all of this ice) |
 |
Looking out of our apartment towards the city center |
 |
Looking across the street from our apartment - Will the little shed frame survive?? |
 |
We live on the top floor of the apartment with turquoise color |
 |
Park bench downtown showing sidewalk ice... |
No comments:
Post a Comment