Monday, March 25, 2013

Another great week in Siberia!

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...

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