Thoughts that keep me up at night............

This is the face of true love. The kind of love that lasts. The kind that endures. Even Wesley and Buttercups love can not compare to Jesus's love for us. Yet, we do not want to look upon this face. Why? I, among other Jesus lovers, have been called ignorant, a sheep and close minded, just to name a few. I know a lot of us have not been good examples for Jesus. He has called us to love as He loves but that is hard! Do you want to love people that do not love you back, curse your name, insult you, even want to kill you? We screw up. We get our feelings hurt and lash out. We get on our high horse of opinions and do not act as Jesus did. Therefore, some people do not want to know Jesus because His so-called followers are a bunch of hypocrites. I am sorry. I am sorry that we show you what it is to be human and not Christ-like. We are failing at what Jesus truly called us to do: Go into all the world and preach the gospel. The only reason we should share the gospel is because we love you and want you to know the truth. How is that love "shoving down your throat God"? We get zealous because it is the truth. I want to hold on to your ankles and not let you die. But that is me being close minded, right? There a lots of different ways to heaven? Why would God send me to hell when I am a good person? Close minded...hhmmmmm. Am I close minded to think that there is a Person that loves me no matter what I have done? A Person that can free me from every addiction the world has to offer? A Person who gives fullness of joy that the world can't even compare?....Different roads to heaven is a very common belief these days, even among some who call themselves Christian. Jesus himself said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to through Father but through Him. (John 14:6) How much simplier can you get. He did it all for free. There is nothing you have to do, accomplish, no 5 step process to get this. All you have to do is believe. Yet so many do not want to. There is another way. I can do this and I can do that. Are we not looking for the easy way everywhere? The doctor has all the answers, the scientist have all the answers, the horoscopes will tell me what to do, my fiancial advisor knows best. Always looking for someone else to tell us yet God's answer for us, we reject. I am a good person, I do not need God. Are you? There is no true good in the world other than God. Why is it wrong to be racist? Just because? Why is it wrong to murder? Well, that's just wrong...but why? Why is it wrong to hate people, talk bad about them, lie and be jealous of what they have that you don't? Is not God the one who gave us these "morals"? So, if there is no God, why are there morals? I shouldn't have to be nice to you "just because that is the right thing to do". Hmmm. The right thing to do. That is interesting.
I am not writing this as an attack. Please do not take it as one. I understand feathers can and will be ruffled. This could come across as me telling you that you are a sinner. Well, I am one too. (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God) I am no better than anyone else here... I am writing this because I want you to know the truth. Yes, that may make me close-minded and all that other stuff but I have to tell you. I will be held accountable for not telling. Jesus began his ministry life with preaching the kingom of heaven is at hand. (Matt 4:17, 23) To mean that screams "IT'S RIGHT HERE! YOU CAN HAVE IT!! IT'S YOURS FOR FREE!!!!! Just please look so that you do not perish." Then He went about healing ALL diseases and ALL sicknesses. Why would He do that for nothing? What more can He do for you if you only believe?

All grown up....

I DID IT!!!!!!!!! I washed my clothes by hand in the tub. Y'all should be very proud. I am officially all grown-up. It's silly how excited I am that I chose not to be lazy and wear dirty socks for 2 more weeks. hahahahahahaha

We went to the drug district again yesterday. I walked around with Joanna and Joseph, as always, and one of the guys that works at the Teen Challenge Program, Sergei. For the first time there, we met someone who was an educated athiest. Too bad I couldn't understand what was being said!! Sergei really didn't know how to answer his questions and I was interesting what Joanna was able to translate. But there was a guy standing there listening and you could see he was broken. He wanted help. The kids and I noticed him and the kids started talking to him. He knew of the program be/c one of his friends he use to do drugs with was at Kultan (the main center). Joseph asked if he wanted to pray but I think he was a little embarrassed. He told us that his dad had died 4 days ago. He just looked so tired. We told him the bus could take him to church and if he wanted to go today he could go to the rehab/Kultan center. We left there and talked with a couple more people. As we were all standing around waiting to leave, Joseph kept wanting to run go get that guy. Of course, the adults didn't want to but Joseph so desperately wanted him to come to church. Janet is usually talking to passersby until we pull her into the car, which makes us late for service. Yesterday, we were thankful for that. The bus and another van had already headed back to the church and we were just pulling out of the parking lot. And up walks this man Ruslan, that Joseph wanted to get. He got in the car with us and came to church. In the car, he was telling us about his life and I found out he was 27. I was blown away. He looked more like 35. It's amazing how much life and especially a hard one, will age you. So, I am very happy to report he went into the program right after church!!!! He was so ready to go. Whoever is reading this and would like to pray for him PLEASE do!! His name is Ruslan.

Tomorrow, my canadian roommate leaves. I just don't know what I am going to do with myself. Guess, I will really have to learn the language now. hahahahaha. The other 3 girls that live there are from the orphanage and the newest roommate, Katya, gave Kim and me a gift that she made. She learned how to sew in the orphanage. Kim got a hat and I got a HOUSEDRESS!! It's pink, to boot. I am slowly turning into the Russian version of my mother. hahahahahahahahaha.

I have changed my tickets to come home a month early so, I can come back with them in January. I will my touching foot on American soil in 2 wks. I am happy and sad at the same time.

Texas

I cut my own hair in the bathroom this morning. My bangs are just getting so long and I couldn't take it. I had my Canadian roommate hold a trash bag in front of me while I did it. Luckily, no one was hurt and I can see now. :-)

It hit me this week that I am ACTUALLY teaching. I have gone from being a hairstylist for 8ish years to teaching a 10 yr old boy Science, History, Health and Vocabulary. I wouldn't say this of myself but I am sure all my friends would say that I am doing an amazing job. (right Dad) Luckily vocabulary is one of my favorite things in the world. The older girl, Jessica, is doing 9th grade and her words are crazy. I mean really, who uses the word ethereal, REALLY? What's really sad is that the book couldn't even make up their own sentence, they had to use a quote from Shakespeare. That's when you know it's a hard word. We pulled through it but I don't know if she will ever in her life use that word.

We went ice skating last night. It was super fantastic fun! Joseph told me he was skating fast be/c you know why.......... to burn off some of the fat. See!!! See!!!! He is learning. We covered calories and metabolism in health. (hahahaha) There was a group of teenage boys that heard us speaking English and then decided to harrass us through out the night. We would skate and link hands (all 5 of us) and a couple of the boys would get in front of us and go slow. Finally I just skated right into him. hahahaha Of course, it looked like an accident be/c I almost fell but he got the point. He didn't get in front of us again. :-) I KNOW I KNOW! I am the adult and I should rise above but ya know.................

It's starting to get cold here. It's probably the same temperature as our Christmas time. I only know this be/c there are very few times a year when we see our breath. Ilya asked me if it was cold outside one morning and I said "well, you can see your breath." He laughed and asked if that's how Texans know it's cold. WEll, duh! :-)

Public transportation is fun! I don't get annoyed with it yet at all be/c we drive so much at home. I do love the people watching on there and of course, we get looks when we speak English.

Well, it's time for me to go to church. Bye Y'ALL! Jessica loves saying that now. Y'ALL. :-)

More Ramblings.......

It's amazing what all can happen in such a short amount of time. I feel like I have been here much longer than a month!! In a good way, of course! I am sorry I am only getting to write once a week. There is an Internet cafe close to our apartment but every time we go there, they tell us it's not working. I don't really believe them. I kinda feel like he's annoyed that we are English speakers so, he doesn't want to accommodate us. Ah well.

I love these kids! They have such big hearts. My birthday was last Thursday. When I got to the house in the morning they started singing as I walked in the door and there were balloons everywhere and they had made a big sign. It was soooooo sweet!!!! Also, my Canadian roommate Kim got me 3 snickers and a cute pink towel. My comfort food seems to be Russian Snickers. My Russian roommate, Sveta, got me a Russian Pinnochio doll that sings. That is probably my favorite be/c it's sooooo Russian. It was a very nice day. I also got to hear Wyatt tell me Happy Birthday. Hopefully, we will go ice skating this Saturday. I wanted to go last Saturday but something came up. Sunday, I also received a gift. One of the guys in the English class at Kultan is the head of the carpentry and he made me a picture frame and wrote a scripture on the side. He also made Kim onу but since I don't get to go to the classes anymore he gave me mine at church. He is the only guy that will speak English as much as he can. He rode the bus home with Kim and I and he would speak broken English on the crowded bus not caring who heard him. It's so cool to see the eagerness and willingness to learn.

Sunday we went to Zabseep again and I walked around with Ilya, Joanna, Joseph and Kim. It is so neat watching Ilya talk to these people. There is compassion and love to his boldness. Even though I don't know what he is saying I am learning how to evangalize to people. I know that is something that so many of us shy away from but we were called to go. How will these people know if they are not hearing. Like Mr Grise always says Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

I want to tell so much but when I get here I forget all of what it is I want to say. Some things I notice............ Drinking in public is allowed. There are so many drunks even at 9:30 in the morning. Drunk. And you can smell it pretty thick on them. It's kinda normal for them to get in a fist fight and then make-up right after. I have seen that a couple of times. I also saw a woman beating her husband's head on the bus but he maintained his composure and said they would fight about it at home. Children I have seen drunk and smoking. Hmmmmmm what else do I see on a daily basis. If it's nice weather in the evening, people hang out outside the apartments. The old people gather to gossip and the littel kids run around and play games. Each cluster of buildings have their own little place area for the kids. Some even have volleyball courts or little soccer goals. It's funny to see the kids playing the same kinds of games: chase, hide & seek, climbing and sliding. I was walking to the Banteev house the other day and I saw a grandpa with his little grandson and he was giving him crumbs to throw to birds. You could tell he was just learning how to throw be/c his balance wasn't quite right and the crumbs didn't go too far.

Our washing maching is broken! I am really hoping it gets fixed soon so, I don't have to wash my clothes in the tub. I guess I am still slightly a spoiled American.

I read all of your comments. I am sorry that I don't get to write back to each one. I am really only on the computer once or twice a week. So, don't think that I have forgotten about any of you be/c I haven't!!! I will see you all very soon!

Normal

The week has begun. This is a schedule I am use to; Tues-Sat, off Sunday Monday. Ilya and Janet usually take Monday off for a family day be/c they spend all day at church on Sunday.

Went to Zabseep again yesterday. The residents didn't seem quite as hostile this time around. The kids recognize me now and will talk to me. They know me as the American. wahoo. The Canadians know me as Texas, or at least that is what I have been dubbed. I feel so honored. But getting back to my point. The ministry is moving. Slowly but surely. Every Sunday people get on the bus and come to church. I have seen a few of the same faces. Yesterday I was shocked to see a guy that Olya, Edith (from New York) and I had talked to the first time we were there. He was angry when we talked to him and didn't really want to have anything to do with what we said but stood there and talked with us for awhile. Actually, Olya (Ilya's secretary) knew him from the past and so it was an easy way in to talk with him. He of course, argued with us about God not being in his life be/c of all the bad stuff that happened to him. So, I was so excited when I saw him on the bus and he stayed for the whole sermon. Things may not be happening instantly but stuff is changing there! I want to reach the kids. You would not believe the conditions these children are growing up in and just like any kids they are running around smiling and laughing. Yet, they are living in such an evil place. Again, I looked up yesterday and saw a needle with blood in it stuck in a tree. One in ten addicts have HIV here, I heard today. Crazy. But I don't know what I would do going back to a "normal" American life. I don't really want it! So, I am praying for God's direction.

Oh yeah, I forogt to mention last week that I took the kids for sushi on Monday. It was their first time to have it. :-) They loved it of course! I am so glad that I can bring a little culture to these girls. hahaha. Then we went bowling with the couple from Canada. The husband and I had a friendly competition. He won by 2 points on the first game and I smoked him by 19 the second. Wahoooo!!!

Ms. Powell

Re-cap of this week.

Sunday..... The locals at the drug-district are starting to get annoyed with us coming around every Sunday. But that's to be expected. People don't like being told they are dying. But it's the truth. There was one boy that did come to church and I watched him the whole time. He was so strung out. He could hardly keep his eyes open and his head up, yet he was still paying attention to what was being said. At the end was an alter call for anyone who wanted to draw closer to God and find out their purpose through Him. This boy went up there. He also raised his hand when asked who would like to know Jesus. I don't know what has happened to him this week but he is in my thoughts. So, if any of ya'll think about it on Saturday, remember me and the church reaching out to the addicts. Thanks!!!

Monday.... nothing.

Tuesday... went to Kultan (the main Teen Challenge center, over 100 people there) with the Canadian couple visiting. Kim and I started our first english class for the staff after lunch. Most of them have had a basic class but we went over the alphabet anyways. We also did a few random phrases and verbs. This is really hard. Trying to figure out where to start teaching people your own language. The guys are very excited about it. Hopefully, we will get something accomplished (other than finding me a husband). Yikes. I will be honest with all of you. I am slightly intimidated by all the single guys. The song Hungry Eyes came to my head as we were leaving. The boys that are single definitely have that "I am ready and looking for a wife" look in their eyes. PUH LEASE pray for me! :-)

Wednesday... started teaching the kids. I do really enjoy teaching! This is completely different and it's great! Luckily I get to help them with my favorite subjects. Janet does a couple of the subjects herself. Also, before we start they recite verses 5 times. They have a list that we check off every day. I am super excited about this be/c I get to learn so many more with the. And be/c I am my mother's child, I try and make sure they understanding what they are memorizing. I left a little early be/c we went to a hockey game. There is a Canadian guy here playing in a tournament. The locals are checking him out to see if they want to keep him here as a player. So, half way across the world, I go to my first live hockey game! Good times.. Good times... On a side note, I never thought I would be surrounded by Canadians in Russia. hahahahahaha

Thursday (today)....... it's starting to set in that I am going to teach every day. Again, your prayers are needed for patience and guidance. hahaha. Joseph is a great kid but a little on the hyper-not wanting to pay attention side. :-) It's still fun.

Now, I am off to church! Love y'all!!!!

oh yes, my dad has requested that I explain what kinds of food I am eating. This will come soon.

My Big Fat Russian Belly

The food is sooooooooooooooooooooo good here. And the Russians love to feed their guests. Every home we visit or even Teen Challenge center, they fill the table with food. They sure do like carbs and sugar!! Almost everything homemade I have had, I have loved. It isn't spicy at all and some stuff kinda needs salt but it's not near as bland and bad as I was expecting. Though, I do miss the spicy stuff at home!!

Every night that we have been home, this week, we have sat in the kitchen and played uno or girl talked. It is amazing how well all 6 of us get along. Maybe I forgot to mention that there are 6 girls in the 3 bedroom apartment. Let me 'splain. Sveta is the "main" tenant but the apartment is funded by the church which is why guests get to stay there. Then there are 2 girls from the orphanage that are now too old to live there. Katrina, the New Yorker, is leaving tomorrow and she and I have been sharing a room. The Canadian girl Kim has a room of her own though I think she is about to move to mine be/c once Katrina leaves another girl is coming to stay be/c she is going to the university in the city. The two orphan girls sleep on fold out chairs in the living room. So, it's quite the houseful.

Well, it's Sunday, which means we are going back to the drug district to invite people to come to church. There was several last week that came. Though half of them were drunk and kinda fell asleep during the service. BUT they were at church. So, I am excited to see what happens today when we get there!

Until next time............

woah man. woah maaan. wooooooo man.

Hey Hey Hey! So, I am sitting at an internet cafe right now at the big mall in town. There is a Canadian girl staying in the apartment with me for about a month and we decided to have a night out and took the bus to the city. We bowled for about 30 min. You wouldn't believe how many people look like they have never bowled before. It was great!

I am still in shock that I am waking up every day in Russia. This morning I walked around with a girl from New York and she just so happens to be black. We get soooooooooooooo many looks. She is the only black person most of them have seen in person. Luckily all my years of pink hair got me use to stares. We made a commotion in the bank this morning be/c this girl, who may have very well been a little drunk, was trying to take a picture with us. At first she couldn't get anyone to take it, then a guy, who also looked drunk tried to take it but couldn't figure out the phone. Her friend finished at the teller and was going to take it but couldn't figure out the phone either. I don't know how many of you know this but Russians in general seems like they are angry when they talk. So, there was a lot of loud instructions and finally the bank teller started yelling at the girl that she can't take photos in the bank. It was funny. I really only understand half of what was said. :-) Then we went to an open market which is right next to our apartment. We stopped at the sunglasses stand and were browsing, like most shoppers do and these old drunk homeless looking men were surrounding us. Again, Katrina is the first black AND I forgot to mention she has dreds so, people stare. And stare rudely sometimes. They talk about us thinking we can't understand them. But the drunks were trying to talk to us. It was slightly annoying but kinda funny at the same time.

I will start working with the kids next week. So, I have been on vacation my first 2 weeks here. Can't beat that!!!!! It's been nice getting to know the city some. I think I am going to teach english at one of the rehab centers and also to a group in a town about an hour away. Everyone wants to learn our language. And of course, now that I am thinking about teaching it, I have no idea where to begin. haha

I bought a cell phone here. For emergency, of course. But then I find out that I can text the states. hahahaha My roommates are discovering my one vice. Isn't that sad. Halfway across the world with no TV or internet or dryer but I can text. Oh technology!

I don't know why I was adviced not to have pink hair here. These ladies love the fake red hair. And the tacky fake red hair. Yikes....... Also, it is very popular for the women (of all shapes and sizes) to wear see through shirts. Everyone knows I am truly a hairstlyist here, they don't seem to notice all this stuff until I point it out.

I shall stop rambling now. I hope all of you are doing well!!!!

Back again!

I finally remembered my password. The last time I logged in I didn't know how it happened. haha Typical.

HELLOOOOOOOOO everyone!! I am sorry the last one was short I will catch you up to date as best as possible.

The kids went to camp right after I got here, so, I worked with a missions team all week. We went to every Teen Challenge that the church supports! You guys wouldn't believe how many this one church supports! Teen Challenge is a drug rehad center that is centered around Christ, for those of you that don't know. We got to meet sooooo many people that have been free from herion addiction. There are also a couple of homes for the homeless. Most of those men are older and were alcoholics for years. My generation is the generation with the drug problem. HIV is spreading faster here than anywhere else. There are used needles almost everywhere. We have a problem in the states but it is not near the intensity that it is here. The city I am living in is pretty big. It is about 600,000! Novokuznetsk is the English spelling. We are about 250 miles or so north of Mongolia if anyone wants to look at a map.

There are so many things that are different. The toilet is in a seperate room from the shower. There is no air conditioning and a couple of days we actually needed it. It is kinda rainy and cool now. But nothing I can't handle. I have been mistaken for a Russian several times, which was my goal, to blend. But then I don't know what they are saying so, I look either rude or stupid. HAHAHA I can understand some of what is being said to me and of course, I can understand more than I can speak. Luckily there is a Canadian girl living here for about a month that took 3 years at a University and is helping me with grammar. There is no cinnamon gum here so, it was requested that I get some more..... The cars, depending on where they are from, have the steering wheel on the right and on the left but they drive on the same side of the road as us........ I live right next to a fruit market..... All the apartment buildings look exactly the same, communist style!...... It is absolutely beauitful scenery......... The elevators only hold 4 people and feel like they will break down at any minute....... Nothing is as it seems. The buildings on the outside look really old but on the inside are brand new stores and shops........Instead of open hot dog stands there are closed ice cream, beer & soda and little burger stands.......There is no dryer so, I am hanging my laundry all through the apartment and on the tiny balcony. I kinda like that. Everything just feels so different and cool. I am trying to think of all the little odd things that we don't have but I can't think........ Oh yeah, they serve instant coffee here everywhere. The food is soooo good. I kinda don't miss Mexican at all right now. Weird. That will probably change after a month or so here.

I was sitting in the kitchen the other day and it hit me. I am actually in Russia. How awesome!

Well, that is all I can think of at the moment. Next week I start with the kids. Also, today I am going to finally sit down with Ilya and talk about all of what I am going to be doing here. He mentioned me getting involved in one of the ministries which I think would be soooooo great!!!!!!

I just wrote something but the computer messed up. Sorry, guess I will write back when I can.


Today we are going to the largest drug district again. We are going to play soccer with the kids. I am so excited!!! You would not believe the conditions these children live in and what they are exposed to. Our trailor parks at home are mansions compareв to this place. God is doing amazing things in the hearts of so many men who were on herion for years. We have gotten to visit several Teen Challenge centers. The light and life they have in their eyes is amazing. And you know it can only come from God. He has brought them out of some of the darkest pits that I will never understand but it is amazing!

I will write more when I can! Don't be mad but I love this place. I do miss y'all but my heart loves these people!

Every new beginning.........

Starts from some other beginnings end. That is where I am. My 7 year itch has come upon me and I am taking a break from the drama that is the world of hairstyling. As of Friday Aug. 8th, I will be on my way to Novokuznetsk, Russia. I am not exactly sure what is in store for me yet but I bet there won't be any Starbucks.