What does this month look like to me? Well, driving up on the bus all us girls saw this long, unfinished building. Words came from all over saying we were just turning around, we passed our house, and so on. That was until the driver stopped along this bumpy road filled with rocks big and small, and said in his broken English, "This is where you get out." The thoughts in all our heads were pretty much same, "EXCUSE ME, WHAT?!?"
And so we did. We met our contact person, Julia, who is amazing and so on fire for the Lord. We then noticed a bunch of men walking around – mostly older men – mostly shirtless. Of course the question we all had is who are these men, and they don't live here too, do they?? Well yes, as a matter of fact they do.
We are staying at the Training Center, which is a project of the church we are working with that will have their new church building, as well as the building already up that will be bible study classrooms, classrooms that will teach trades like welding and carpentry, and so on. These men are not just random men, they are men the church has taken in for rehabilitation. All of these men have spent time in prison, for a range of years, and for a range of reasons.
Uhh.. let me tell you my first thoughts were something along the lines of, "This is a joke! Please tell me this is a joke!" But let me tell you, as we are going into our last week here, these men are true men of God. Whatever they spent time for in prison Jesus has completely cleansed them of. They are some of the hardest working men I have ever had the privailge to work along side of. They literally work sun up to sun down, and don't complain one bit. You can see the love and passion they have for this building, and it is truly inspiring.
I have had the privilege to work with a man names Dimetry, who came down from Russia to be a part of this project. His dry sense of humor and rough face has gradually been softened these past few weeks, and he is a true joy to be around. One of the younger guys, Cola, who lives here, and is also responsible for washing our clothes, I have found to be funny and hungry to learn as much English as he can. As a matter of fact, all of the men are.
Just the other day as myself and a few other girls pranked our squad leader Dan by putting his tent up on top of the showers, one of the guys higher up, Gregory, came and asked me why we did that. As I tried to explain what a prank was he whipped out his paper and pen and asked me to write it down. I laughed, but then thought to myself, why am I not more like this? Why am I not always ready and willing to learn not just from those around here, but God himself. It has opened my eyes, and truly inspired me to be more passionate about learning about the people and lessons God has put in my life.
But out of all the people I have met and worked with, the one I am most inspired by is the crew leader, Serigey. He is the exact image I would have of a Russian who spent 12 years in prison. Tall, stern face, tall stance with fist clenched, and no trace of a smile. Or at least that is what I saw the first day. Since then I have made it my mission to see this man smile, if only a little.
You can see his uncertainty of his ability to speak English, so when others are around he refuses to speak directly with us, but I have had a few opportunities to talk to him without a translator. As I watch this man out run half the men here, as well as supervising the work of 21 completely clueless women, I am in complete awe.
As I have talked more and more with him he has shared that he was a gangster and heavy into drugs, which lead to his spending time in jail. I can tell you he is not the same man that walked into prison all those years ago. As time has passed his smile grows bigger and becomes more frequent, his presence around us women is more and more welcoming, and not only that but he is nothing but complementary on the work we are doing. Let me remind you, we are 21 women who have seriously no idea what we are doing. We spend a whole day doing a job these men would probably do in hours, but at the same time we do it with a smile. With laughter. And often times with dancing.
The other day as my team and I were breaking mortar off bricks so they could be reused, he stopped to tell me how hard of workers we were. He said he had worked with many other groups of girls from America, but we were some of the hardest workers he'd seen. He even said that if he ever heard someone say American girls are not good workers he would tell they that they were wrong, because he got to see and work with a group that were very hard workers. My heart was totally filled in that moment. Words so sweet, coming from a man who seemed so hard, was one of those moments you remember forever.
But he didn't stop there. He went on to tell me how wonderful it was for me to be here and do God's work. He complemented my smile, saying it would bless others as it has him. Wow! He even said how God would continue to bless me and fill my heart more and more as I did more and more of His work. All of this coming from a man who before this had barely spoke any words to me directly. I was struck with awe. That conversation lasted barely 5 minutes, but is one I will remember a lifetime.
I am finding that MANY of the conversations here are ones that I cherish and hope to remember forever. Not just with the people I have met here, but with my team and the 2 others here with us this month. I have come to the conclusion that I am not just here to do God's work, but to build relationships with God's children. That goes for those who have strayed, as well as my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so blessed by all the friendships that have formed here this month, and am beyond excited to see what will come the next 9 months of ministry.
God is so good, and I thank Him daily for leading me here. Even amongst this construction site – the rubble, piles of dirt, and holes in the ground – I can see God's Kingdom. I can feel His presence by the breeze that is never ceasing. I can even hear His voice amongst the hammers banging, as well as the chatter and laughter in both Russian and English. I am so amazed at the beauty you can find in something by just looking past what first catches your eye. Thank you God, and thank you to all of my family and friends back home for your love and support that has made this all possible. I am beyond blessed.
Just an update: I still need $3,500 to meet my next financial by October 1st. If you are touch by God's work here in and through me please prayerfully consider supporting me financially. You can do so by clicking the "support me" link on my blog home page. It is only month 2 on the field, but I can already see God doing great things, and know that there is only more to come. I am blessed by any amount you can give, and know it will bless hundreds of others as well. Thank you all!!!
All my love,
Bri
