Message from Pastor James in Siberia

Greetings from Siberia!   I am in my last week here in Kurgan, Russia. I have missed you more than I can say. I appreciate those who sent words of encouragement. I wasn't able to answer every note, but I have prayed for your prayer requests from Sundays on Tuesdays and for the many requests that have come via email. And of course I am praying for our Russia team in St. Petersburg!   I am still in the second grade in terms of learning Russian. I have a functional vocabulary of maybe 300 words. I can recognize another couple hundred or so words in context as I read or listen to conversations. I still speak very slowly. If a native Russian doesn't slow down for me, I'm lost after half a sentence. But I have made a good start and I have some modest success stories. For example, I bought 3 bananas yesterday. I made myself understood: "Please give me three bananas. No, I don't want a bag. How much does it cost? Here is the change. Thank you." I understood exactly the price and the small change the seller wanted to make her job easier. You can read between my statements and guess hers. It doesn't sound like much, but I was pleased because I have had to just hold out a handful of change on some previous occasions. I have gained a solid foundation for continuing my studies. My teacher at the language institute has been pleased.   One purpose of a sabbatical is to come back to work with renewed vision. I am really looking forward to being back in Salt Lake City and I am eager to be back at work! I count every day at Good Shepherd as a privilege. It is sometimes hard to remember that in the trenches. It is crystal clear from here! I love being one of your pastors!   I look forward to seeing you on June 24.   Peace from Siberia,   P. James