Transitioning from a week of family vacation in Northern Italy to ministry in Russia went smoothly. I didn’t even have to change my attire as the first few days in Moscow met me with the same nice weather and big-city dress code.
As usual, most of my events in September are held in churches, social gatherings, and media outlets. Schools, universities, and seminaries are still finalizing their schedules and will start inviting me again later in the school year. I did, however, teach two classes yesterday at Kolomna Theological Seminary where my courses have already become a regular part of the curriculum in Missions and Apologetics. An online class at Belgorod Seminary on the Arguments of the Existence of God in the afternoon made my day very full.
Thankfully, the hosts provided me with an overnight stay at their dorm, so I didn’t have to ride a two-and-a-half-hour train back to Moscow on the same day. Old Kolomna on my late-night walk was so beautiful!
Unfortunately, my super-nice projector broke, and I will now have to make special arrangements at each event to ensure they have the necessary equipment, compatible to my laptop and updated software. Due to the sanctions around the war in Ukraine, many hosts are unable to download software updates, and my files won’t even open on their computers. Most schools and colleges have smartboards but, again, I am not always able to plug in my laptop due to compatibility issues. So far, the Lord has provided creative solutions at every point, and I am praying He will at all my future events.
The plan for this trip is to stay within one time zone and travel north and south from my “base camp” in Moscow. A friend graciously gave me the keys to their empty apartment near a subway station, and all I needed was a camp-bed and basic household items. I will only come there at night, as my travel and teaching schedule is very full.
I will be leaving tomorrow for six days in Kursk to teach (and to do a professional video recording of) my new “Arguments” class at the TVS, and to preach at their Baptist churches. After stopping on my return only long enough to change trains in Moscow, I will then travel north to Petrozavodsk, for a couple of days of teaching in Karelia State University and local Orthodox church communities. For the last three days of the trip, I am set for a series of classes in and around Bryansk – again, with a quick stop in Moscow for a class at the National Volunteers’ Association training.
I am praying for the safety of my travel and the Lord’s blessing on all the souls I hope to touch with the truth of His Word on this trip.
