“It is not cold enough for Oleg here in Minnesota, so he leaves for Siberia next Sunday. Let’s pray for him!” – announced our priest jokingly after the service. It is not, in fact, that much colder in Russia these days, and I feel well prepared for the trip. What does indeed give me the chills is the temperature of the political relations between our two countries that is most reminiscent of the Cold War years. I will have to be extra cautious not to engage in any potential confrontations or heated discussion with my audiences and to concentrate on the most important and meaningful subject of my presentations: the Word of God.
As of today, my travel seems to be relatively simple: one week in Kaluga, one in Krasnoyarsk, and one in and around Yaroslavl, with a quick stop in Moscow do teach a class at a prominent Christian University (PSTGU). In fact, most of my presentations and classes on this trip will take place in Christian colleges, schools, churches, and communities due to the quarantines having just become even more restrictive at state and public agencies and educational organizations. I might be able to do one or two teachers’ conferences in person if they are not switched to the online format in the last moment.
As always, I will appreciate your prayer support as I go.
