The Catholic Youth Conference “octave” (eight days) in Ussuriysk exceeded all my expectations and nearly drowned my energy resources. At first, they had only asked me to be their keynote speaker with one or two teaching sessions per day. And, of course, to lead the small group discussion session on each day’s topic. And, if I don’t mind, please also teach a Bible Class in the afternoon. And, to fill in for the leader of one of the three Creative Groups, who was responsible for the final overview article on the Conference in their diocese’ newspaper.

The whole trip from Minnesota to Vladivostok went very smoothly, including the most worrisome part of it – the border crossing. My bus was only delayed by an hour-and-a-half which is considered to be “on time” by the Russian standards I am very familiar with. In fact, most of my first week went by “Russian style”: uncertainty, delays, endless “confirmations,” and last-minute cancelations.