Last night I returned from a short-term missions trip to Baja, Mexico. I and 14 other fellow youths headed out after the Christmas service to San Diego, spent the night, and at 4am left for Tijuana. We traveled to Tijuana, Rosarita, and Ensenada while there. We did outdoor evangelism - shared the gospel and sang christmas carols in Spanish, then handed out humanitarian aid such as food, clothing, and gifts for the children. My most memorable moment would have to have been when, during a smaller evangelism, we sat around with a bunch of local teen guys to talk about the gospel (the meaning of life, God, Jesus, etc.) and one kid sat next to Duka. What I noticed was that they both had the exact same pair of shoes on; same color, same brand, same size. Only Duka's were newer and less worn. The other kid's shoes were dirty and falling apart. Duka asked him to switch shoes. I felt like this was an awesome example of how the Holy Spirit calls to act in certain ways. I would think about this small act for some time afterwards. Paul called us to consider others better than ourself in Philipians 2:3 and Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 that "whatever we did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." This was a beautiful example for me. Not did Duka sacrifice a pair of new shoes, but he took on the used, worn ones as a trade. This not only respects the other kid (with a new pair), but also humbles the one with the older shoes. Yet through all of this, both remain equals.
My first impressions of Mexico was like with any other country. Everytime I enter a new country there dawns on me this realization that "things are different here" - the systems, culture, language, standards of living, laws, worldview, etc. In some ways Mexico is just like the US. It has nicely paved roads (where they exist), the same brands of clothing, milk, sodas, candy bars, jeans, hoodies, shoes, cars!!! I was surprised to notice more cars in Mexico than in Ukraine, a supposedly second-world country. They build houses from brick and concrete, just like in Ukraine. They have electrical outlets and posts just like in the US. Their machinery is just like in the US. The way the construct their sidewalks is just like in the US. They are more laidback than people in Ukraine and in the US. On several occasions I was expecting getting chewed out by some people (i.e. security gaurds, police, soldiers, store owners, street vendors, etc) as with previous experiences in Ukraine, but was pleasantly surprised that some of these people just wanted to chat and say hi. So hopefully I will be getting pictures up somewhere. It's too bad that I don't own a digital camera. I think this won't be the last I see of Mexico.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Fin?
I just finished my last final for my last class of my undergraduate academic career. That's one small step for me - one giant leap for my familykind. No one in my immediate family has went on to pursue a master's level degree. So this should be interesting.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Trust in God
So tonight we had Youth Nights as usual. The band took on the ambitious goal of playing 9 songs (we usually play about 5) and God made it happen, honestly.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hard Times
I am having a hard time. "Why" you might ask. I have learned so much since I've come to FPU and I feel like I am at a different place than my peers. I've come a long way in my journey and I'm not sure how many people know this or who should. Some people grow up in general comfort or happiness; others are not so fortunate. I, on the other hand, have had the opportunity to see both sides personally. That's probably something I should save for when I write a book about my experience or something of that nature. The point being that I grew up in a large family, but also have been on my own since 18; been in small towns (100,000 pop. for 9 years) and big cities (5mill. pop. for 1 year); been to many parts of the US and the world (West Coast, East Coast, Eastern Europe, Western Europe); been in(volved in) many different churches (immigrant congregations varying from 20 people to 800 - Evangelical Christian churches in Ukraine 30-600); worked in many places (Starbucks, Marriage and Family Coalition of Fresno, Roofing construction, Retirement Care Center, Admissions office at a university); lived on meager terms (life in a large, one-income family) and on fairly well-off terms (student life in Ukraine with the finances of an American construction worker); and I could go on.
I suppose what I'm trying to say, if it's not obvious by now, is that I've been through a lot (depending on what one would define as "a lot") despite my age... and what I've brought up isn't nearly all of it.
Although I'm not one of those guys whose been through an amazing recovery moment (from drug addiction to God addiction) or anything of the sort, I've always had the desire to serve God and I remember even to this day when I was much younger (9-16ish) how I would pray every night before bed that God would make out of me a person who would serve him wholeheartedly and that he would be make a man of God out of me. I remember even praying for wisdom and for the right "one" if ya'll know what I'm talking about ;) This was the "standard" prayer that I would pray every night. I would always pray for my family (each and every person individually). And some time later I would begin to add in that I would like to learn the Russian language.
God has answered so many of my prayers. If you were to tell me 6 years ago that I would know/speak Russian well one day, I would have doubted you. If you were to say that I would be able to attend my first choice college, I wouldn't have believed you. But these are just two of the many prayers that God has answered for me. I hope I'm not coming off as the guy who gets it all good from God and if you don't get what you ask for, then too bad for you.
What I mean to say through all of this is not that I'm better than you or anyone else. What I think I want to say is that we've all been somewhere, experienced much, and learned much from God in one way or another, whether we realize it or not. I have come to find that I experienced a culture shock when I moved to Ukraine for a year. But not only did that happen in Ukraine, but also when I returned "home" to the US. I questioned much about what we do and why we do it. My heart has always been in finding out more about God, myself, the way the world works, the way people work, and the like. This lead me to many questions and, consequently, doubts.
Topics such as salvation, sin, the inerrancy of the bible, God's grace, the implications of being a Christian in the 21st century, etc. brought about so much conversation for me. And now that I have experienced so much and God has opened up so much for me, I feel like I am a heretic. Because I've ended up in a place different from what most Christians (especially those surrounding me) believe and likewise where I used to be.
I am at times outraged at the ways people misinterpret the Hebrew Scriptures and the New testament to cheapen God's desire for people and the rest of his creation. I've noticed a tendency to "spiritualize" (if it can be put in those terms) the good news and make something half as good. I am of the opinion that God not only desires to save us from our sins and transform us, but he also desires to transform and renew all of creation (Romans 8:19-22).
I was listening to a person speak in my church recently and he mentioned the story of when Jesus and the disciples were in a storm on a boat. Jesus is asleep in the boat and the disciples are scared for their lives. They wake up Jesus and he calms the storm and asks, "where is your faith?". And then this person said, if you find storms in your life, then let Jesus take charge and calm those raging seas (or something along those lines). To me, this is a bogus and unfair interpretation of the text. Although it may be very true to say that Jesus calms the perpetual storms of sin in our lives, it is not safe to say that in relation to this text (Luke 8:22-25). In antiquity, people believed that still waters (i.e. Oceans, seas, lakes) were the abyss (perhaps in this context, hades or death). Nobody has control over the abyss except for God. This is why the disciples are taken aback by Jesus' action in verse 25. He can control the sea. "Who is this? He commands even the winds and water, and they obey him." The point of this text is to show that Jesus is God, not that he calms "spiritual storms" in your heart. This is just one example of what I mean by spiritualizing the gospel. We can miss out on so much if we don't look at context and interpret it to our modern terms.
Maybe I am just talking too much. Maybe I don't have it all down. I suppose I should rather say that we should just be open to God revealing more about himself, not only through the Bible, but also through our relationships with one another. However, I don't find this too often with Christians. We believe we have it all down. So I this is why I say, I am having a hard time.
I suppose what I'm trying to say, if it's not obvious by now, is that I've been through a lot (depending on what one would define as "a lot") despite my age... and what I've brought up isn't nearly all of it.
Although I'm not one of those guys whose been through an amazing recovery moment (from drug addiction to God addiction) or anything of the sort, I've always had the desire to serve God and I remember even to this day when I was much younger (9-16ish) how I would pray every night before bed that God would make out of me a person who would serve him wholeheartedly and that he would be make a man of God out of me. I remember even praying for wisdom and for the right "one" if ya'll know what I'm talking about ;) This was the "standard" prayer that I would pray every night. I would always pray for my family (each and every person individually). And some time later I would begin to add in that I would like to learn the Russian language.
God has answered so many of my prayers. If you were to tell me 6 years ago that I would know/speak Russian well one day, I would have doubted you. If you were to say that I would be able to attend my first choice college, I wouldn't have believed you. But these are just two of the many prayers that God has answered for me. I hope I'm not coming off as the guy who gets it all good from God and if you don't get what you ask for, then too bad for you.
What I mean to say through all of this is not that I'm better than you or anyone else. What I think I want to say is that we've all been somewhere, experienced much, and learned much from God in one way or another, whether we realize it or not. I have come to find that I experienced a culture shock when I moved to Ukraine for a year. But not only did that happen in Ukraine, but also when I returned "home" to the US. I questioned much about what we do and why we do it. My heart has always been in finding out more about God, myself, the way the world works, the way people work, and the like. This lead me to many questions and, consequently, doubts.
Topics such as salvation, sin, the inerrancy of the bible, God's grace, the implications of being a Christian in the 21st century, etc. brought about so much conversation for me. And now that I have experienced so much and God has opened up so much for me, I feel like I am a heretic. Because I've ended up in a place different from what most Christians (especially those surrounding me) believe and likewise where I used to be.
I am at times outraged at the ways people misinterpret the Hebrew Scriptures and the New testament to cheapen God's desire for people and the rest of his creation. I've noticed a tendency to "spiritualize" (if it can be put in those terms) the good news and make something half as good. I am of the opinion that God not only desires to save us from our sins and transform us, but he also desires to transform and renew all of creation (Romans 8:19-22).
I was listening to a person speak in my church recently and he mentioned the story of when Jesus and the disciples were in a storm on a boat. Jesus is asleep in the boat and the disciples are scared for their lives. They wake up Jesus and he calms the storm and asks, "where is your faith?". And then this person said, if you find storms in your life, then let Jesus take charge and calm those raging seas (or something along those lines). To me, this is a bogus and unfair interpretation of the text. Although it may be very true to say that Jesus calms the perpetual storms of sin in our lives, it is not safe to say that in relation to this text (Luke 8:22-25). In antiquity, people believed that still waters (i.e. Oceans, seas, lakes) were the abyss (perhaps in this context, hades or death). Nobody has control over the abyss except for God. This is why the disciples are taken aback by Jesus' action in verse 25. He can control the sea. "Who is this? He commands even the winds and water, and they obey him." The point of this text is to show that Jesus is God, not that he calms "spiritual storms" in your heart. This is just one example of what I mean by spiritualizing the gospel. We can miss out on so much if we don't look at context and interpret it to our modern terms.
Maybe I am just talking too much. Maybe I don't have it all down. I suppose I should rather say that we should just be open to God revealing more about himself, not only through the Bible, but also through our relationships with one another. However, I don't find this too often with Christians. We believe we have it all down. So I this is why I say, I am having a hard time.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Puzzle 2004 - Кийлов, Украина
Hey all! I thought I would share some of my past with you. I found some old pictures online from when I used to live in Ukraine. I was serving at a church called "Добрая Пристань" and our youth group went to a camp in the winter. The conference was called "Puzzle" and it was named this because three different churches joined forces to create this conference/camp and it was pretty sweet. We had a good time. One of my most memorable times from this trip was getting to take a hike at night through the village nearby. Kinda spooky, but very beautiful, considering no electricity ran through the village at night, so the stars were very bright.
I was 18 when these pictures were taken, so I suppose you'll notice I look a little different. Plus, I lived in a country where sunshine only showed up in the Spring and Summer seasons, so my hair looks incredibly dark. Besides my physical appearance, I believe I was going through a long depression due to many things. My family had just moved across the entire U.S. and were starting life anew. I didn't get to be a part of that. It was my first time leaving the house on my own, my first time being away for more that a week, it was the first time I ever left the country, AND I was all alone. Besides that, 1-2 weeks before I headed out for Ukraine, I was baptized. So I suppose there could have been a spiritual aspect to my depression (attacks maybe).
I was 18 when these pictures were taken, so I suppose you'll notice I look a little different. Plus, I lived in a country where sunshine only showed up in the Spring and Summer seasons, so my hair looks incredibly dark. Besides my physical appearance, I believe I was going through a long depression due to many things. My family had just moved across the entire U.S. and were starting life anew. I didn't get to be a part of that. It was my first time leaving the house on my own, my first time being away for more that a week, it was the first time I ever left the country, AND I was all alone. Besides that, 1-2 weeks before I headed out for Ukraine, I was baptized. So I suppose there could have been a spiritual aspect to my depression (attacks maybe).
Monday, June 2, 2008
10 America
I got this idea from Jackie. I felt that since she shared the many things she's noticed about Italy/Europe, I thought I would share about the country I live in. So here's my ten observations (I've made them into an easy-to-read, even-numbered, short list, just like Americans like.)
1. Americans eat larger portions for their meals than they should.
2. Americans typically do not eat a three-course meal. Of course this has been just my experience on the West Coast as well as in New England regions.
3. There are more opportunities for financial and economic success in America. This is a reflection of a capitalist society - everyone gets the chance to succeed/perform to his/her abilities.
4. A lot of American food/drink has corn in it. Try looking on the ingredients portion: for drinks - "high fructose corn syrup", for food "vegetable oil - contains corn and/or soybean..." (For more info on this, check out the documentary "King Corn")
5. Americans tend to complain (sometimes justifiably).
6. The US is the fattest country in the world... that means there are fat people here... unnaturally fat.
7. I've only found Root Beer in America.
8. I've only found In N' Out in America.
9. Hence, I've found that that combination only works in America.
10. Americans are unfortunately less-satisfied with life than most people in Cuba.
p.s. There are two words in Russian "жить" and "существовать" which mean "to live" and "to exist", respectively. Many opinions of immigrants, visitors, tourists, etc. (to which I would agree) state that the people in America "exist"; they do not "live".
Saturday, May 3, 2008
End of the Year reflection
Esther, my sister, sent me a letter at the beginning of the school year and this is what it says:
"Dear Vasily,
Just wanted to send you a note and say good luck in this next school year. I wish you all the best in school and your ministry, may God bless everything that you do. Have a fun year, make new friends, make new memories and don't forget to atend classes and finnish your education.
Love, Esther.
P.S. Enjoy our picture :) "
1. God has blessed my school - Got 4 A's and 1 B last semester and I feel confident in my grades this semester as well.
2. My ministry has been blessed with changes, developments, a new pastor, leadership challenges, etc.
3. I have had a fun year, although I did not realize it until last night. I was watching the slideshow from last night's Slaviklub Meeting and have realized that I've done a lot, been many places, and enjoyed much with my friends and loved ones.
4. I've definately made new friends: Sim, Kayla, Jackie, Taisa, Chris, Max, Sanya, Dima Frai, Jiku, Adriana, Oxana J, May Tag, Ben Carr, Slavik Grinko, and even some professors.
5. Memories have definately been made and have yet to be made.
6. I haven't been bad on attending my classes actually. And I feel this helped me to do good in them, thankfully.
7. I'm on track to finish education next semester. Thank God.
This post is really a way for me to get to thank God and share with ya'll my blessings... something we don't do too often. Usually it's about what I/we need/lack and are struggling in. I see the benefits in counting one's blessings.
Last night Slavik Club had an end-of-the-year meeting to say goodbye to our graduating seniors. I really enjoyed it and I hope everyone else had a good time. The majority of our youth came and even our pastor and his wife came for a little. Slavik Gladysh helped out in handing out the diploma's we made, which I'm pretty proud of if I do say so myself. Thanks, God.
Tomorrow is the graduation commencement ceremony. How fast four years go by...
"Dear Vasily,
Just wanted to send you a note and say good luck in this next school year. I wish you all the best in school and your ministry, may God bless everything that you do. Have a fun year, make new friends, make new memories and don't forget to atend classes and finnish your education.
Love, Esther.
P.S. Enjoy our picture :) "
1. God has blessed my school - Got 4 A's and 1 B last semester and I feel confident in my grades this semester as well.
2. My ministry has been blessed with changes, developments, a new pastor, leadership challenges, etc.
3. I have had a fun year, although I did not realize it until last night. I was watching the slideshow from last night's Slaviklub Meeting and have realized that I've done a lot, been many places, and enjoyed much with my friends and loved ones.
4. I've definately made new friends: Sim, Kayla, Jackie, Taisa, Chris, Max, Sanya, Dima Frai, Jiku, Adriana, Oxana J, May Tag, Ben Carr, Slavik Grinko, and even some professors.
5. Memories have definately been made and have yet to be made.
6. I haven't been bad on attending my classes actually. And I feel this helped me to do good in them, thankfully.
7. I'm on track to finish education next semester. Thank God.
This post is really a way for me to get to thank God and share with ya'll my blessings... something we don't do too often. Usually it's about what I/we need/lack and are struggling in. I see the benefits in counting one's blessings.
Last night Slavik Club had an end-of-the-year meeting to say goodbye to our graduating seniors. I really enjoyed it and I hope everyone else had a good time. The majority of our youth came and even our pastor and his wife came for a little. Slavik Gladysh helped out in handing out the diploma's we made, which I'm pretty proud of if I do say so myself. Thanks, God.
Tomorrow is the graduation commencement ceremony. How fast four years go by...
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Pictures from Parties
Robin's 21st Birthday. Black & White themed.
Anna Glukhaya's Sweet 16. Not themed, just a lot of Russians. Lots of fun too.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
In between
So I forgot to post this up last semester. This was meant to be a general updating of what's going on with me:
"I'm sitting in my Medieval & Modern Civilizations class now - which starts at 7:45 am. We're learning about the Italian Renaissance. I'm trying to figure out what to type up. I wish I had something interesting to say. Last week the new guys played for musical worship at youth night. This week the band Everfound from Colorado will be playing at our church. I feel blessed to have Slavik as our youth leader. I have gotten student worker of the week awarded to me this week. I am trying to pick up the accordion and learn it more. I am trying to get a good place to live on-campus next semester/year."
It's ironic how we think everything is so important the moment they come up. And now, I live in an apartment I am very pleased with on-campus. Slavik is still great as ever. I got an A in Med/Mod Civ class. Everfound played and went along their merry way and it was a good ole time. My workplace no longer hands out student worker of the week anymore.
p.s. I am looking to now buy an accordion. A stinkin' sick one that has electric hook-up capabilities :D Hopefully that will be as good as I make it sound to be.
"I'm sitting in my Medieval & Modern Civilizations class now - which starts at 7:45 am. We're learning about the Italian Renaissance. I'm trying to figure out what to type up. I wish I had something interesting to say. Last week the new guys played for musical worship at youth night. This week the band Everfound from Colorado will be playing at our church. I feel blessed to have Slavik as our youth leader. I have gotten student worker of the week awarded to me this week. I am trying to pick up the accordion and learn it more. I am trying to get a good place to live on-campus next semester/year."
It's ironic how we think everything is so important the moment they come up. And now, I live in an apartment I am very pleased with on-campus. Slavik is still great as ever. I got an A in Med/Mod Civ class. Everfound played and went along their merry way and it was a good ole time. My workplace no longer hands out student worker of the week anymore.
p.s. I am looking to now buy an accordion. A stinkin' sick one that has electric hook-up capabilities :D Hopefully that will be as good as I make it sound to be.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Eve of Easter Morning - Praise & Worship gathering
The service on Saturday was a blessing. Since our church celebrated Maundy Thursday (Страстный Четверг), the youth did not have a gathering for themselves. I felt called to do this a couple of weeks ago, partially because I only then realized that Easter was coming on us quickly, but also because I'd like to continue a new tradition that we've started a only a few years ago. Besides, it's a great way to see those who do not typically attend our church, see old friends and companions, praise Jesus for His faithfulness to living a life like ours, putting himself down, taking on sin to death and rising from that death to prove He's more powerful than the evil/injustice that exists on earth, and worship God together in that knowledge and in our community.
We had a guest speaker, Brian Schultz, a Biblical Studies professor from Fresno Pacific University, who lived in Israel 12 years before coming to teach/work here in the States starting 6 months ago. He spoke of the ressurection "via the backdoor", reading from Jeremiah, Habbakuk, and John. Hope you all enjoy listening. If you have any suggestions for this ministry or any ideas, leave a comment.
We had a guest speaker, Brian Schultz, a Biblical Studies professor from Fresno Pacific University, who lived in Israel 12 years before coming to teach/work here in the States starting 6 months ago. He spoke of the ressurection "via the backdoor", reading from Jeremiah, Habbakuk, and John. Hope you all enjoy listening. If you have any suggestions for this ministry or any ideas, leave a comment.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The value of silence
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
One thing brought to my attention at this past youth night is the value of silence. Our lives seem too busy to sit still, be quiet, listen, be patient... The loud morning alarm-clock, the bustling cafeteria, the busy workplace, the classroom, the drive to church, music in the car, cars rushing by, music in the church, music driving back home, music when you go to sleep... God is not only where we look for him, but also where we don't. God can be found in the silence. It is perhaps the silence that speaks the most of God.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
One thing brought to my attention at this past youth night is the value of silence. Our lives seem too busy to sit still, be quiet, listen, be patient... The loud morning alarm-clock, the bustling cafeteria, the busy workplace, the classroom, the drive to church, music in the car, cars rushing by, music in the church, music driving back home, music when you go to sleep... God is not only where we look for him, but also where we don't. God can be found in the silence. It is perhaps the silence that speaks the most of God.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Youth Night 3/6
Here's some of the musical worship that was performed this Thursday night. Because it is Spring Break for FPU, a lot of our musicians are gone (hint hint, Fresno locals). So we were running low on supply in regard to musicians. So Ilusha, Igor and myself decided to do an acoustic set, with the help of a sweet keyboard. Take a listen.
My thoughts: I was a little (perhaps I'm underexaggerating) disappointed about tonight. I expected to come to practice today with everything in place. I wanted everyone to put aside their stress, busy work day, concerns, many thoughts, and focus on God. I wished we could have spent more time in prayer (especially before practice). The sound guys came at 7pm (when we are supposed to stop practicing), so that got me really ticked off. It just seems like nobody takes their ministry/service seriously. Hopefully things change for the better. Today just seemed like a real test on my patience. Maybe I expect too much of people? Am I just that big of a jerk?
My thoughts: I was a little (perhaps I'm underexaggerating) disappointed about tonight. I expected to come to practice today with everything in place. I wanted everyone to put aside their stress, busy work day, concerns, many thoughts, and focus on God. I wished we could have spent more time in prayer (especially before practice). The sound guys came at 7pm (when we are supposed to stop practicing), so that got me really ticked off. It just seems like nobody takes their ministry/service seriously. Hopefully things change for the better. Today just seemed like a real test on my patience. Maybe I expect too much of people? Am I just that big of a jerk?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
House of the Gospel Youth - Thursday, February 29th, 2008
This week's Thursday Youth night was a great evening. We had a guest speaker come from Russia to speak to us about relationships. Instead of me talking about it, I decided to post the audio recordings I made of the evening for the reader (you) to listen to.
Worship Band:
Ilusha Rud - Guitar/Vocals
Natalia Datsko - Vocals
Vasya Todoriko - Bass Guitar
Misha Borisov - Electric Guitar
Anton Trofimenko - Drums
Speaker:
Ilya Ivanenko. Originally from Maikop, Russia (Krasnodar Oblast, a short ferry and bus ride from where I was born and raised), Ilya serves as a missionary based out of Novorosiysk, Russia, where he is participating in raising up a church. The topic of tonight is "What to do before you consider getting engaged".
Enjoy, my friends. Hope this helps to get a little of our church's youth life out to the rest of "the world".
Worship Band:
Ilusha Rud - Guitar/Vocals
Natalia Datsko - Vocals
Vasya Todoriko - Bass Guitar
Misha Borisov - Electric Guitar
Anton Trofimenko - Drums
Speaker:
Ilya Ivanenko. Originally from Maikop, Russia (Krasnodar Oblast, a short ferry and bus ride from where I was born and raised), Ilya serves as a missionary based out of Novorosiysk, Russia, where he is participating in raising up a church. The topic of tonight is "What to do before you consider getting engaged".
Enjoy, my friends. Hope this helps to get a little of our church's youth life out to the rest of "the world".
Friday, February 22, 2008
Loaded 2008 - Medford, OR and Miscellaneous updates
Medford was great. Whoever missed out, shame on you. Shame! It took place February 14-17th. Anton, Syr, Natalia and myself headed out from Fresno around noonish on Thursday. We arrived in Medford around 8 or 9pm. We were apparently supposed to lead a music set on Thursday night, but were not informed until about 2 hours before it started, and we were still on the road.
What was it about?
The name of the conference was "Loaded". It dealt with the reality of being loaded with something. We are either loaded by God, or we take on our own load (values, responsibilities, etc). When God loads us with something it is a blessing. That blessing is something we should be willing to give to others. I see this as obedience to the greatest commandment.
What did it look like?
There were a lot less people this year. I see a few factors coming into play here. First, the focus of the conference itself is shifting from kids camps ministry to youth ministry and church ministry in general. Second, the flu bug has been going around, so a lot of people were/are sick. Third, some churches did not allow for their youths or any of their members to attend. Fourth, Johannes Reimer was not at the conference this year. He has fell ill and has been on strict doctors orders not to do any traveling. It's a serious circumstance. Reimer is typically the main attraction at this conference because he's such a dynamic speaker - one you could listen to for hours upon hours. And lastly, I believe this year's conference was very poorly advertised. So far most of the people I've asked said they didn't hear about any conference until I mentioned it to them (which was obviously after the conference was long over).
The conference is geared more towards equipping church workers in their ministries. So there were many speakers and lectures going on simultaneously. Most of the speakers were from out-of-country - Russia, Germany, Canada, etc.
The weather was merciful to us. Sunny and mild. There was a different crowd that attended this year - a large group of youth from the ukrainian church in sacramento came, as well as a chunk from Tacoma, WA.
What did I think?
I enjoyed my time at the conference. The effort was evident on the part of the conference organizers, especially in the amount of creative elements in the conference. Postmodern approaches to ministry, worship, and "doing church". What I enjoyed the most was the relationship that I formed and the relationships that were made stronger throughout the conference. I spoke with two fellow band members on separate occasions... good talks. I'm so glad that both of them felt comfortable enough to open up to me. I met a pastor from Moscow who has a passion for youth ministry and is a psychologist. By the end of the conference, we were hugging and wishing we had more time. He really encouraged me.
I learned the importance of the development of leaders in ministry. I know that I need to be taught leadership skills. I know that I need outside sources to give advice, tips, mentor, and critique my "work" as a leader. I know I need a lot of things. It just doesn't seem to be happening... Sorry, I don't mean to sound depressing or anything.
I don't have pictures of the conference, which is one thing you'll notice about this blog... no pictures. I don't have a camera :(
I've started painting randomly. I used to do it in high school, now I have discovered a set of brushes and paints. So far I'm just painting for fun. Nothing that's taking me more than 1 hour to complete. I've grown a strong desire to learn the accordion and perhaps even purchase one, but man they are so expensive. A used, old one will cost around 400 dollars. The new ones range in price from brand name to size and quality. I've been slacking lately. Sleeping in, not showing up to a few classes, etc. The weather isn't helping either. It's been rainy and cloudy and cold recently. Hopefully this is just a stage.
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Heres some of the music I recorded over my Zen from the conference. I played on the electric guitar and the accordion, also some backup vocals (atleast in these recordings). Just click on any one of the files and it should play. Enjoy.
What was it about?
The name of the conference was "Loaded". It dealt with the reality of being loaded with something. We are either loaded by God, or we take on our own load (values, responsibilities, etc). When God loads us with something it is a blessing. That blessing is something we should be willing to give to others. I see this as obedience to the greatest commandment.
What did it look like?
There were a lot less people this year. I see a few factors coming into play here. First, the focus of the conference itself is shifting from kids camps ministry to youth ministry and church ministry in general. Second, the flu bug has been going around, so a lot of people were/are sick. Third, some churches did not allow for their youths or any of their members to attend. Fourth, Johannes Reimer was not at the conference this year. He has fell ill and has been on strict doctors orders not to do any traveling. It's a serious circumstance. Reimer is typically the main attraction at this conference because he's such a dynamic speaker - one you could listen to for hours upon hours. And lastly, I believe this year's conference was very poorly advertised. So far most of the people I've asked said they didn't hear about any conference until I mentioned it to them (which was obviously after the conference was long over).
The conference is geared more towards equipping church workers in their ministries. So there were many speakers and lectures going on simultaneously. Most of the speakers were from out-of-country - Russia, Germany, Canada, etc.
The weather was merciful to us. Sunny and mild. There was a different crowd that attended this year - a large group of youth from the ukrainian church in sacramento came, as well as a chunk from Tacoma, WA.
What did I think?
I enjoyed my time at the conference. The effort was evident on the part of the conference organizers, especially in the amount of creative elements in the conference. Postmodern approaches to ministry, worship, and "doing church". What I enjoyed the most was the relationship that I formed and the relationships that were made stronger throughout the conference. I spoke with two fellow band members on separate occasions... good talks. I'm so glad that both of them felt comfortable enough to open up to me. I met a pastor from Moscow who has a passion for youth ministry and is a psychologist. By the end of the conference, we were hugging and wishing we had more time. He really encouraged me.
I learned the importance of the development of leaders in ministry. I know that I need to be taught leadership skills. I know that I need outside sources to give advice, tips, mentor, and critique my "work" as a leader. I know I need a lot of things. It just doesn't seem to be happening... Sorry, I don't mean to sound depressing or anything.
I don't have pictures of the conference, which is one thing you'll notice about this blog... no pictures. I don't have a camera :(
I've started painting randomly. I used to do it in high school, now I have discovered a set of brushes and paints. So far I'm just painting for fun. Nothing that's taking me more than 1 hour to complete. I've grown a strong desire to learn the accordion and perhaps even purchase one, but man they are so expensive. A used, old one will cost around 400 dollars. The new ones range in price from brand name to size and quality. I've been slacking lately. Sleeping in, not showing up to a few classes, etc. The weather isn't helping either. It's been rainy and cloudy and cold recently. Hopefully this is just a stage.
____________________________________________________
Heres some of the music I recorded over my Zen from the conference. I played on the electric guitar and the accordion, also some backup vocals (atleast in these recordings). Just click on any one of the files and it should play. Enjoy.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Medford Conference tomorrow!!!
Tomorrow at 10am I meet up with Anton, Sanya Ivanov (Syr), and Natalia to load up the sound equipment from church and then at 11am, drive up to Medford, Oregon for 4 fun-filled days conference-ing it up. It should be fun. We have a good music team gathered (of which I am a part). I will be "leading worship" for Friday, but other than that, I will be playing the electric guitar (right alongside one of the guitar greats, Stiopa Chesnokov) and occasionally the accordion. FYI: you should check out a myspace band, of which I am also a part, at www.myspace.com/slaviklubband . I play accordion in one of the songs there and sing/guitar in others. It's a slavic worship team that was created to perform at our University's College Hour (kinda like chapel/devotional time)...
Pray for us. Call us. Encourage us. Send us chocolates. And by "us" I mean, the music team that is participating in the conference.
Pray for us. Call us. Encourage us. Send us chocolates. And by "us" I mean, the music team that is participating in the conference.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Busy Tuesday turns sweet
Typically my Tuesdays are swamped. I wake up around 6:50ish in order to make it to my first class at 7:45am. Then my next class right away at 9:30am. Then work at 11:15 till 1:15. Then class at 2:00 till 3:15. Then more work from 3:15 till 5:15. But today I was also asked to teach a course, whose material I have learned in the past, for the internship I am doing. So I thought the class started at 7pm and that I had to be there at 6 (one hour earlier). I come to the place, Yosemite Middle School, out in the rundown, mad ghetto part of Fresno. Nobody is there. I walk around the dark school grounds and it looks like the school janitor is closing up for the day. After asking around, I found out that the lesson already took place from 4-6pm. Unfortunately, I was in work at the time. So its 7pm, dark, lonely, and I'm walking around poverty-stricken Fresno.
I decided to go to church because my supervisor for my internship called and said that we have been warned by the city to take down our signs advertising our lessons (it's basically a class that teaches communication/reinforcing Marriage skills. very good thing). And I remembered I put some signs up by our church.
So I drive up to the church (another poor part of town) to take them down. When I got there, I felt the strong urge to take a walk... which I did. It's funny the things one notices when one walks. It reminded me a lot of Ukraine. Not only the walking part, but also the poverty, tight quarters, smells of kitchen preparations, dogs barking, etc. It really reminded me of Ukraine. When I got back to my car, I realized that this is what the church needs to do. Atleast our church. I know I have experience in repairing roofs. I know a lot of roofs need reparations in that part of town. Should I do that? Can that be my ministry? Maybe have the owners pay for materials, and I work for free? I wonder what that would look like. The more I walked, the more I realized that we as people (human race) are similar than dissimilar. Hispanics remind me a lot of Slavics. Community, family, food... I just wonder how much would change if our church just decided to talk a walk around the neighborhood for one of their sunday services... instead of listening to a sermon, watching it take place. No words. No music. No sounds. Just life. I wonder how much more that would speak to the people.
As I got back to my car, I turned on "Came to the Rescue" by Hillsong United. The chorus in the song says, "I called. You answered. And You came to my rescue and I want to be where You are." I wonder how much would change if we sang, "You called. I answered. And I came to the rescue and You want to be where we are"... maybe it's time for Christians to not ask for rescue, but rather be the rescue everyone is looking for.
I decided to go to church because my supervisor for my internship called and said that we have been warned by the city to take down our signs advertising our lessons (it's basically a class that teaches communication/reinforcing Marriage skills. very good thing). And I remembered I put some signs up by our church.
So I drive up to the church (another poor part of town) to take them down. When I got there, I felt the strong urge to take a walk... which I did. It's funny the things one notices when one walks. It reminded me a lot of Ukraine. Not only the walking part, but also the poverty, tight quarters, smells of kitchen preparations, dogs barking, etc. It really reminded me of Ukraine. When I got back to my car, I realized that this is what the church needs to do. Atleast our church. I know I have experience in repairing roofs. I know a lot of roofs need reparations in that part of town. Should I do that? Can that be my ministry? Maybe have the owners pay for materials, and I work for free? I wonder what that would look like. The more I walked, the more I realized that we as people (human race) are similar than dissimilar. Hispanics remind me a lot of Slavics. Community, family, food... I just wonder how much would change if our church just decided to talk a walk around the neighborhood for one of their sunday services... instead of listening to a sermon, watching it take place. No words. No music. No sounds. Just life. I wonder how much more that would speak to the people.
As I got back to my car, I turned on "Came to the Rescue" by Hillsong United. The chorus in the song says, "I called. You answered. And You came to my rescue and I want to be where You are." I wonder how much would change if we sang, "You called. I answered. And I came to the rescue and You want to be where we are"... maybe it's time for Christians to not ask for rescue, but rather be the rescue everyone is looking for.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The reason...
Well here I am. So many thoughts going through my head. I wish I did a blog a long time ago... to track my experiences in far off lands (ie. my year spent studying in Ukraine, my summers in Rhode Island, my tourist experience in Germany), and also to keep track of my daily life here in Fresno (ie. college, church, friends, work, etc). So busy - so many things going on in my life. Sometimes I wonder if my expectations of studying in fresno in the past are the realities of living here today. Looking back, I never thought I would be doing so much in my future (currently present) in Fresno. There's lots of blessings as well as many areas in my life I realize could use improvement. The purpose of this blog is to really keep track of where my life is going, my thoughts along the way, the things happening in my life, and the reflections of my past. Sounds pretty boring, I know. I wont have as many pictures as other people do on their blogs, but I will try to be good about making my posts interesting.
To give you an idea of what my life looks like here:
- I am a full-time students (taking 18 units) - 3 major courses and 3 G.E. courses
- I am working part-time (10 hours) at FPU's Admissions Office as an Transfer Student Counselor
- I am involved at an internship (part-time) with the Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno County.
- I am volunteering in church ministry (Director of Worship Ministries, which basically means I now attend committee meetings, etc)
I've noticed Tuesdays I am SUPER busy - 7am to 11pm non-stop. no joke.
Fridays are perhaps the most relaxed. Every Saturday I've had to wake up at 7-8am for various obligations (internship, work, class requirements, etc). Actually tomorrow I have to wake up at 7am to be at VORP training (Victim Offender Reconciliation Program).
Quick note: about the meaning behind my sn xkerchx. Kerch is the city I was from in Ukraine. And the two "x"s at the ends of the name signify a movement which I considered myself to agree with called Straight Edge. The idea came from an 80's punk band, Minor Threat's, song "Straight Edge" which basically rebelled against the rock n' roll slogan of "sex, drugs, and rock n roll". Straight Edge teaches to stray away from smoking, drinking, drug use, and adultery.
To give you an idea of what my life looks like here:
- I am a full-time students (taking 18 units) - 3 major courses and 3 G.E. courses
- I am working part-time (10 hours) at FPU's Admissions Office as an Transfer Student Counselor
- I am involved at an internship (part-time) with the Healthy Marriage Coalition of Fresno County.
- I am volunteering in church ministry (Director of Worship Ministries, which basically means I now attend committee meetings, etc)
I've noticed Tuesdays I am SUPER busy - 7am to 11pm non-stop. no joke.
Fridays are perhaps the most relaxed. Every Saturday I've had to wake up at 7-8am for various obligations (internship, work, class requirements, etc). Actually tomorrow I have to wake up at 7am to be at VORP training (Victim Offender Reconciliation Program).
Quick note: about the meaning behind my sn xkerchx. Kerch is the city I was from in Ukraine. And the two "x"s at the ends of the name signify a movement which I considered myself to agree with called Straight Edge. The idea came from an 80's punk band, Minor Threat's, song "Straight Edge" which basically rebelled against the rock n' roll slogan of "sex, drugs, and rock n roll". Straight Edge teaches to stray away from smoking, drinking, drug use, and adultery.
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