Greetings from Pereslavl-Zalessky, two hours northeast of Moscow! I am spending most of my time here in “promo”, PR and advertising for my future visits in this area. The city is almost as old as Moscow and is known for its Christian culture and education. Apart from visiting its beautiful churches and monasteries on Plescheyevo Lake, I am making contacts with local teachers, priests, pastors, and lay leaders–making arrangements for my events in the fall. The interest is huge! Historically, the city has been somewhat isolated for many years by the railroad from Moscow bypassing it. As the legend has it, some local merchants, fearing the competition, bribed the construction company to plot the railroad away from their markets. In our days, there is a little more flexibility and freedom in public and private schools’ curriculum, and for scheduling what will potentially open doors for our ministry.
During my first week in Russia, I was teaching classes at a summer camp called “Brothers,” near a place known to every Russian called Borodino – the mail battlefield in the war against Napoleon in 1912.
The Emperor’s shadow followed me from the boulevards of Paris, where I had a half-day-long layover, and all the way to Pereslavl, where I dined at a French Café owned by a Parisien. My audiences in the camp were amazing – they never left the auditorium before asking me their all questions paying no attention to the dinner-bell ringing.
I barely managed to squeeze in the city of Voronezh in my schedule by traveling there and back for one day by overnight trains. I didn’t regret it! The youth camp was held on the Divnogorye Monastery grounds with a fantastic view over the Don-River valley. Their 150 campers seemed to be happy when the rain poured right after I finished my presentation and we all found shelter under the huge tent. Other activities were canceled, and they had me captive for almost three hours to answer questions.
I will be presenting one more time at the “Favor Center” in Moscow before leaving for the last week in Kyrgyzstan.
