This morning as our team studied Hebrews 6:1-3 with John Piper :), we were reminded of the amazing grace that God lavishes on us, even in spite of our hatred towards Him. All the blessings we encounter in life are because God permits them, each and every one. I want to tell you of the great blessing God lavished upon me today.
This blessing started before I even arrived at Tracy and Carla’s apartment. I was on route to their place in the trolley when I heard “Amerikanka,” which means American female, behind me. Turning around, I found a guy about my age that was inquiring where I was from. His name was Maksat. The conversation went much like this: M: “Amerikanka?” H: “Yes.” M: “What state?” H: “Minnesota.” M: “Do you know ‘New Life’.” H: “No.” M: “Do you know Campus Crusade?” H: “Ah! Yes.” M: “You a believer?” H: “Yes! Are you?” M: “Yes! We have a New Life meeting tonight and you should come.” H: “Ah… yes… well… I'll have to see. I’m not sure what my schedule holds for tonight. (What a lie! I knew I had nothing to do! I’ve had nothing to do for the last three weeks!) Where is it and what time is it at?” So, he proceeded to tell me very quickly where it was at and then headed off the trolley at the next stop! And he was gone, just like that!
Okay… so I debated all day whether I should go or not. Why didn’t I want to go? Because I didn’t know how to get there, I didn’t know anyone, I don’t know Russian, I didn’t know where to go once I did get there, I knew I’d be the only non-native, etc. Excuses, excuses. Thankfully, I decided to go! I found the place just fine and seemed to be escorted exactly to the right room by the grace of God. It was held in the National Library, so there were many-a-places it could have been. Just as I had expected, I was the only non-native, but every other excuse I had proposed failed miserably. The students each welcomed me so graciously and warmly. Some knew pieces of English, others used translators. A lady named Dina translated for me, who I later found out had studied in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for a semester about ten years ago and had actually traveled to Rochester! What a small world! I also met two other girls named Gulya and Vicka who live in my exact same apartment complex, so I was able to travel home with them!
It was such a blessing to be there. I’m learning that I have a lot of unreasonable fears and make a lot of excuses. I’m learning to trust in the love of Christ and His protection, and simply receive the blessings that He has in store for me! I’m learning to stop asking “What if?” and just live in the grace of God. Today was only one of the many blessings He has graced me with!
Pray for me… I teach my first class on Saturday! It should be good, but I’d appreciate prayer for peace, confidence, and clarity, both in my own thoughts and as I present them!
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