Our time in Georgia was split between three teams, two in Tbilisi and one in Batumi. The teams were each involved in very different forms of ministry and had varying opportunities that we were able to be a part of.
We began the month with a newly formed team, which was not able to join their ministry host for the first ten days of the month. During this time they worked on their team dynamics and looked for opportunities around the city of Tbilisi. Eastern Orthodox traditions celebrate Christmas and the New Year a little later than we do in the west, so at the beginning of the month we also got to enjoy Christmas lights, fireworks, and other festivities. We also took a walking tour of the city. If you’ve never taken a walking tour of a city, I highly recommend it! Most major cities have them, they are free (donation based), and you get to learn so much history and they take you to little-known, non-tourist places.
After we left this team, Emily, Emily, and I traveled north for a few days to see the countryside, rest, and work on a few administrative things. We stayed at a home with a family that spoke only Russian (we were just a few miles from the Russian border). Communication was interesting, but they were so kind and fed us many home cooked meals and even served us home-made wine from their vineyard in Tusheti National Park (we had to be polite and indulge…such a sacrifice). While we were in the region we took a 10 mile hike to the second oldest church in Georgia, now an active monastery.
The next team we visited was made up of 7 women from the squad (yes, I know how lucky I am). The women’s team was located in a different part of Tbilisi, a little more touristy area. This opened up the opportunity for them to do café and bar ministry. A few of the girls would go to coffee shops with the purpose of talking with strangers and engaging in conversation about Jesus. They would buy people’s coffee and speak with customers and workers alike. They also met some local Christians who had a ministry in a smaller town where many refugees were living. The women’s team has two nurses and a nutritionist on it, so they were able to set up a women’s health conference. They put together a slideshow that taught women about reproductive health, childhood nutrition, and general hygiene. The average woman in this region has had six abortions in her lifetime. A common question asked was, “how do I prevent my child’s teeth from rotting out?” with a follow up of, “their diet consists of mostly candy and soda.” Basic education is something that I am realizing we have taken for granted.
Before we headed to the other side of the country, we took a bus to what I would consider one of the most beautiful places in the world. High in the Caucasus Mountains we found Gergeti Trinity Church. There are infinite ways to experience God in this world, but this hike combined some of my favorites: the history of the church, the beauty of nature, and the joys of companionship.
The following day we boarded a train to Batumi, a city on the coast of the Black Sea, about 7 miles north of Turkey. The team there was partnered with YWAM (youth with a mission), so they were involved with Bible studies and prayer meetings with local college students. They also were doing some street ministry in their down time, and were able to befriend several local business owners. Some were Muslim, some Christian. The team had people over for dinner on a couple of occasions and were able to have great conversations about their faith. It was neat to see them bless people with great food and the kind of hospitality we have been shown so often on the Race.
We ended our time in Georgia with 4 days of debrief in Signagi, the “City of Love.” The city was beautiful, located in the middle of two mountain ranges and surrounded by a 300 year old city wall. The snowcapped horizon and hole-in-the-wall restaurants and wineries make it easy to see where the city gets its nickname. As squad leaders, it is our job to plan debriefs. This includes assessment of what the squad needs, and how to provide a restful yet productive space for people to reflect on what has happened over the last few months. We also use debriefs as a time for vision casting, and for people to speak to the squad about a variety of topics. A highlight of this debrief was an evangelism workshop led by several members of the squad. It was cool to see people who are passionate about evangelism get to share their gift with the rest of us.
I spent a good deal of my month working out details for the upcoming trip to Egypt. To assure safety, I asked an annoying amount of questions to our host, and made sure to know exactly where we would be, what we would be doing, and who would be with us. At times it felt like my job was to find a reason for us NOT to go to Egypt. I will also admit that there were times when I was hoping to find that reason. But, per usual, God showed up in tremendous ways throughout the process. In fact He showed up so much that I am writing this blog from Egypt, and the experiences have not disappointed…but that will be for the next blog!
