Niko, Yegor and Yura

My Russian friends Niko, Yegor and Yura are coming over today - they have been so encouraging and kind to me during my months here (each is spiritually open in their own way - which is awesome!)

Here's to some good Russian fun! [You have to be able to laugh at yourself in these moments - as I will either butcher Russian in talking to them - or they butcher English in talking back :) ]

Regardless, love and friendship breach all obstacles, boundaries and cultures.

Maybe that's why God is love. And why Jesus made it evident on the cross that His love was available for all who would respond in faith...

Here's to that kind of love!

Be ready

So the Student Venture Russian National Director came to St. Pete tonite - he's staying in my flat!

I didn't doo too much:

I just swept all the floors.

Cleaned the bathroom.

Washed my clothes.

Swept the floors again.

Made a bed for him (while im still on the couch!)

Fixed some perfect burgers and fries (made from scratch...well as scratch as you can get here in Russia!)

cleaned the windows/mirrors

opened the windows to air out the place

and then, yes, swept the floors again (I never seem to be able to get ALL of the dirt at once)!



All that preparation for my national director!



Likewise, we as Christians should be preparing solely for the promise of one coming day: the return of our King.


Though the time and day are unknown of His second-coming, Jesus' commission to believers still resounds and rings true from his initial command to the Jews during the teachings of His first coming: 'Repent from your sins, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.' Jesus wanted Kingdom followers - disciples of his teachings - restored lives and unveiled souls. All because of the needed preparation for His future Kingdom...he needed pure hearts that would be ready.

Jesus echoes his desire and concerns in the Gospel accounts, asking if He would "find faith like this upon my return?"

He's calling for those who would be prepared for Him - to usher Him into His rightful Kingdom...

As believers, we must be ready.

And there is no more better time to start getting ready - than now!

So, I challenge you all, to join me...

Clear out the dark closets.

Clean the windows of your soul.

Sweep the dust-riddened sin away (this may have to happen a few times - see above!)

Restore your hearts.

Prepare for the King.

Because Jesus is coming back!

Oh for Pete(r)'s Sake

I set my schedule this morning. Got it all planned and laid out for the next few standard weeks. Go to bed at 11:30pm and wake up at 7am. Easy enough.

The time now is 2am. And I'm already behind on most of the things I laid out to do in my schedule.

Just yesterday there I was - proclaiming the turning over of a new page as far as priorities and diligence in responsibilities - boldy proclaiming that I'd get everything done as soon as I could. Focus. Focus. Focus.

I know my walk with the Lord is often times like that too - boldly claiming my allegiance to Christ and serving Him with my life - promising daily quiet times and hour long prayer commitments.

Oh, how I fall short.

I'm too much like Peter.

You remember Him? The one who pledged to follow Christ, yes follow Him even to death - and yet a day later was denying His Lord 3 times before the rooster crowed? His emotions had gotten the best of Him - and following Jesus' resurrection, Peter found Himself being confronted by the God of the Universe for his empty and unfulfilled claims (John 21). Passion and Emotions are often void of results.

I'm at that spot now.

3 months into my time in Russia. And i'm looking at it and saying - "well, so much for my emotion-filled cry to take this country by storm in the name of Jesus!"

Yet, regardless, underneath my emotion and passion (like Peter too) - I cannot deny my mistake-proned, yet unyielding love for Christ.

I feel like I'm sitting with him now by the fire with the fish as Peter did (John 21) - and he's asking me "Will, do you love me?".

Oh that I do. I do. I do. I do.

I love how the story is resolved - in that Jesus leaves Peter with the charge to "tend his sheep" - and then leaves Him with something else too...

Something to work in the midst of our emotions and passion (as Peter still showed the passion in Acts that often got him in trouble in the Gospel Accounts).

Jesus left Peter (and I, and all believers) the Holy Spirit!

A Counselor and Guide - God himself - planted in us, which provides the strength and perseverance to give us the needed endurance through emotional roller coaster rides - and the filter that drains out the US in the equation - and overflows and oozes out CHRIST!

That I would choose now to live by the Spirit. To walk with Him. Deny myself and my emotions. And choose Christ...

For Peter's sake :)

Wooohooo for More Blogs!

Now that i'm settled in my flat and kicking to stay connected with you all - I've decided to make my blogs daily (starting tomorrow - actually, today!)

This means more fun videos and things to hear about for you - and more time with the Lord and thought thinkings for me!

Here we go!

Finally!

I've finally found a place to settle in and move to!!! For some reason I have a peace about it - though it wasn't in the middle of the city like I wanted!


More details to come!

Thank You!

Always being ready

I'm pretty sure Jesus was good at these kinds of things. Actually, I'm positive He was.

He had a lesson for everything. Even more so, He had a knack for speaking truth on a moment's notice. Whether in the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17), the example of a withered fig tree (Mark 11), a wine-less wedding in need of a miracle (John 2), or a shortened nap marred by faithless disciples in stormy weather (Mark 4), Jesus was extraordinary at making the plain, edifying and the temporary, eternal.

I had a moment like this recently. A friend here in St. Petersburg asked me, "Will, what do you think of other religions?" Before I knew it, I had grabbed a pen, a folder - and I began to write.

For me, as a follower of Jesus, I yearn to be wise in my words. To walk in confession. In truth. For my heart to overflow with rivers of living water (John 7:38). I want to speak the words that Jesus spoke.

But more importantly, I want to always be ready.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15)

Prayer

A few prayer requests of areas where Myself (and my team) are still trusting God for over the next few weeks:

1. Settling in - All my things are still in my bags! Finding an apartment in Russia can be difficult as it requires you to go through an agent (who charges 1 month of rent) and it has also become frustrating finding a roommate who has a good enough budget to share a decent apartment with me!

2. Schools opening their doors for English Club - We have been initiating with teachers and administration - and we're hoping that over the next few weeks we'll be able to begin English Clubs at 5 schools around the city. It's through English Club that we hope to build the strongest relationships with high school students here.

3. Intentional relationships - really finding students who are spiritually open to talking about God. Our desire is to seek out those who are "FAT" (Faithful. Available. and Teachable) - and, in turn, pour truth into their lives.

4. Creativity in ministry - the sky is the limit for us as we seek what God would have us do with our time and skills here. Whether it be in partnering with other ministries (Orphanages, YoungLife, etc.), starting a Sports club outreach, or sharing English Short Film movies, the opportunities are endless for us.

5. Abiding in the Vine - knowing that without us growing in our own relationship with God and spending due time with Him, everything else we do is in vain. The struggles and fears that go with being in a new culture a world away from home are minute compared to the promises and faithfulness of the Lord that He will "never leave us nor forsake us". I daily need to remind myself of this.


Please be praying for us in these things. It's crazy to have been a month here already - and I know the last thing we want to do is to let the year fly by and we miss out on what the Lord could have for the youth of Russia through our ministry!

I don't know if you've ever INTENTIONALLY committed to pray for a specific ministry, but I would ask you to consider consistlently praying for my ministry with Russian youth.

And as you pray - I look forward to sharing with you what God does with your faith.

"The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Please. Please. Pray.

Meet the Team

Here's a video of an introduction to the team I'm serving with over here in St. Petersburg - I'm going to put it in my upcoming email update, but I figured you blog readers would like a special preview - so enjoy!

Oh. Boy.

I got stopped by a post man today. No not a mail man. A Russian military officer. Without giving many details - it's not a good situation to be in. What made it worse - is that I had none of my information on me.

No registration.

No passport.

No copies of anything.

I usually carried it all in my bookbag - but I was running late and we were all going bowling with some Russians and so I just left without it.

The conversation went something like this:

PMan: "Excuse me. Your information."
Me: (most likely turning pale/deathly white as I search my pockets and realize I don't have my paper work) "umm."
PMan: "Passport, please"
Me: "i. do. not. have. i. am. sorry. i. am. late. to. meeting. [speaking slowly, hoping he knew some english]
PMan: "Are you student?"
Me: (still in shock mode - but looking back I'm extremely thankful he could speak english!) "Yes. Here is my license." [i had my wallet on me]
PMan: "Your name is William Rush?"
Me: "Yes"
PMan: (After a long, seemingly eternal stare down...) "Ok, you may go."
Me: "Pazhaulsta, Spoceba! Pazhaulsta, Spoceba" (Excuse Me. Thank You! Excuse Me. Thank You!)

And just like that. I left.



Everyone i've talked to since - Russian and American - have considered it a miracle I got out of there unscathed.


Miracle or not. I am thankful - thankful indeed.

A Stop at the Metro

Here's a short video of my journey to pick up my friend Niko at the metro, with views of my apartment building and the area I live in...



Enjoy!

"Knowing someone who truly follows Jesus Christ"

Campus Crusade for Christ's mission is simple: "...to build spiritual movements everywhere, so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ".

I've read it many times. I've heard it many times. I've definitely said it many more times. But I think something I've really missed out on in my life is being able to experience and ask myself that question: "Do I know someone who truly follows Jesus?"

My first gut reaction is "of course I do!" And, to reassure my Christian friends out there who might be reading this, I'm pretty sure I can name off some who really do follow Jesus.

But, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I've NEVER been able to really focus on those around me and the way they've lived. I have great Christian friends from college and in Indianapolis. I have strong faith-based parents and family. I also have many spiritual mentors who I look up to and admire their faith and devotion to the Lord. I've always taken inspiration and wisdom from these Christians in my life, but rarely have I ever just sat back and watched how those people lived as followers of Christ.

Well, until now.

My current roommates name here in Russia is Andre Anokhin. I've lived with the guy for now 4 days - and he has already encouraged me and inspired me to walk closer to the Lord. Here are a few ways how:

• Daily disciplines of time with God (something I am not good at) - he takes time to study scripture, journal, meditate on the Word, and pray BOTH morning and night. Craziness.
• Devotion to prayer. So many times I've told and heard people tell me "I will pray for you" - or "I'll pray about it". But rarely have I ever seen anyone actually act upon it. I think I've prayed more times randomly in the day with Andre than ever in my life.
• Serving others. This guy is like a servant machine. Part of it is that here in Russia, the body of Christ relies on each other way more than in the states (we've had to help friends put up furniture and carry huge suitcases from the metro to their apartments). But it just has been encouraging for me to see his humility in helping others.
• Commitment to sharing the Gospel. Whether it has been online to random people he has initiated with to talking about God - or in handing old ladies "Knowing God Personally" and "4 Spiritual Law" booklets in the metro after helping them with their bags. It is obvious that his life has been changed by the Gospel - and he is passionate in getting the Word out!
  

I could probably list more - but I often have to catch myself from putting others up too high on a pedestal. I'm sure Andre has his struggles and he is no where near perfect. But it has been encouraging for me to see a peer who, despite being in a culture and country where there is a lot of intimidation and pressure against faith, loves God and truly follows Jesus Christ with his life.

I figured it was worth writing about.

So what about you? Do you know someone who truly follows Christ? If so, have you taken the time to watch them live (not stalkingly - nor facebookishly - but just living life..ishly)?

I encourage you to.

Here's another thing to be reminded of in this blog:

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Hebrews 12. The chapter before it talks about those in the Old Testament who had courageously given up their lives for God. And then Chapter 12 says:

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I love it because it encourages me, as a Christian, to know that I am surrounded by those who love God and follow Him...but most importantly it reminds me that I am not only to know of those around me, but to know more of He who is front of me: Jesus. Keep my eyes on Him. Be someone who truly follows Him.

Because in the end... it's all about Him.

Rubber Meets the Road

Cliche statements are either really cool or really lame.

Me and a friend (Seth Irby) actually tried to spend a whole day once saying only cliche statements, and nothing else...

obviously we were "in over our heads"... ... ...

so yeh.

Rubber Meets the Road. No clue where it originated from or when it started gaining some stature in the cliche-world.

But regardless, it usually refers to, in one way or another, when 'talking the talk' meets 'walking the walk' - or when your dreams come face to face with reality. When it's time to 'put up or shut up'. Make or break moments - if you will.

For me (in leaving for Russia in t-minus 1 hour) - I can't help but think that this is my first major 'rubber meets the road' moment in my life of faith.

I mean, sure there were some awesome moments when I made a decision to make Jesus my Lord - when I first shared my faith - when I decided to stop living the party lifestyle etc. etc.

But in all reality - if you were to continue to use that same general analogy here...I think those steps of faith were more just to get the engine going in my heart...revvin' up the motor a bit.

But I'm sure this is different. A year in a place that's totally outside of my comfort zone - where trials and temptations are a certain - and where there's little to no church...craziness of what it could do to a follower of Christ.

I think that's why I'm most excited about this year, though - total life transformation is possible.

It is my hope and prayer that I will be made more like Jesus in every aspect of my life - in character, in obedience, in trust, and in the details.

But a prayer is a prayer - and a hope is just a hope. They mean nothing unless faith-inspired works is the end result.

No telling what the next year will look like for me - but I do know one thing...

The rubber is about to meet the road

Down to the 'Nitty-Gritty'

With only a day left before our Mission Briefing in Colorado - and only 2 weeks before we fly off to Russia, there are still many things to be done and also others that our team is trusting God for!

1. Support still needs to be raised by some of the team.
2. Our team leaders (Tim and Sue Ehrhart) just had their house renter back out for the next year - so they're desperately looking for a new renter they can trust for the year while we are in Russia.
3. Details. We sent in our Visa Papers - and our hoping that no mistakes were made and that all will be cleared for us to enter the country.
4. Final Shopping Sprees - Russia is very cold, so that means lots of thermals and layers of clothes will be needed (and since i haven't bought new clothes since highschool - ill be taking my sister shopping with me!)
5. Preparing our hearts for the move - I don't know how I'll react to leaving - but I'm sure tears will be involved!

With all these things to be done - I am reminded of Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

How easy and quickly do we often just assume that this passage is for every Christian...in which it really isn't. It's only for those who 'love God'. To love God, as stated 1 John 5:3, is when you follow his commandments.


My prayer for my own walk with the Lord - is that I'd be a follower of Christ who would live in the grace of God - but that I'd also be one who walks in His commands.

With Russia on the near horizon and the core years of my life upcoming, I want nothing else more than to live as a lover of God - fleeing sin, walking in truth and drawing near to Him.

How great are the things He will have for me if I give up my life as a living sacrifice!!!

Psalm 33

A passage I have committed to memorize during my time in Russia. This psalm has already played a huge influence in leading our team to St. Petersburg! I ask that this passage too be your prayer as we seek the Lord's hand and are reminded that "...the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth."

Psalm 33

The Sovereignty of the LORD in Creation and History

¹ Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
² Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
³ Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

⁴ For the word of the LORD is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
⁵ He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

⁶ By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;^a]">[a]
He lays up the deep in storehouses.

⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
⁹ For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.

¹⁰ The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

¹³ The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
¹⁴ From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
¹⁵ He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.

¹⁶ No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
²² Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.