The Roberts family continues to receive the blessing of God in Far East Russia. Throughout the month of March the Lord opened many doors for us. It is a privilege to live in a place like Kamchatka and be able to serve the Lord here. This month’s newsletter will be a little different. We will give a ministry update and then answer the questions that were sent to us by many of our prayer partners. We sent out a request to all of our partners and asked them to submit questions that they would like answered. This month will be Q&A.
Ministry opportunities for March:
• We were invited to our First Russian birthday feast. This is very different from the states where only family and really close friends are invited and the host puts on a big feast. It was a great opportunity for us to strengthen relationships with a family in Petropavlovsk.
• We were able to travel to an orphanage in PK and minister to over 55 children. Praise the Lord, the director has asked us to return on a regular basis. Please pray that God does a great work in the lives of the children there. Many of the children will also be part of the summer camps.
• We were able to travel to village “E” this month. An 1160 km round trip on a dirt road. This is where we plan to live after we complete our language study. We were able to assist with an evangelism event and a home church service. We had 20 people attend the house church meeting (PTL). Please make this a matter of prayer. Village “E” currently does not have a Church. Pray that this will be the start of a great work there.
• Marty had the opportunity to preach at several places this month: Central Church, Elizovo Church, Immanuel Church, and at the house church service in village “E”.
• This month there were four new brothers added to the kingdom. Praise the Lord. One man around 45 and three teen age (15-18 yr old) boys. Please pray for these as they begin their walk with the Lord.
New Experiences for March: (A couple of funny stories)• A month of bites: Learning the Russian language is difficult. However I learned a word this month that I will never forget. I was walking home one day and I heard a young lady behind me yell, “NELZYA!” I kept walking because I was a great distance in front of her. The next thing I knew was that a German shepherd had me around the ankle. The young lady continued to yell, NELZYA. Once I freed myself from the dog and the lady apologized to me I headed home and looked up the word that means, “it is impossible, no, not able, stop.”
• We made a pit stop on the way home from village “E” in the middle of nowhere at one of the out houses along the dirt road. To our surprise there were 2 very pretty bay horses wandering around there. They were very friendly and we all petted them. Suzanne was petting one of them and the other became a little jealous and wanted something to eat and gave her a nip on the back of her arm. She used that famous word, “NELZYA.” I’m not sure if the horse knew this word because he made an attempt to get into the van with us. He was probably confuse because of the use of English and Russian combined, “go on, stop, NELZYA, no, get, get). Finally we were able to close the side door of the van and pull away. Praise the Lord neither of us suffered blood loss and both incidents make for a great laugh now.
• Our colleagues, the Putnam’s, are currently out of PK for 90 days for Visa purposes. We were able to use their van for travel in their absence. I, Marty, drove this month for the first time since we left the states. I sit on the wrong side of the van to drive, I mean right side. Driving in the city of PK is a lot different than driving in Wheeler.
• I parked one afternoon and come out later to find myself blocked in by a stranger. I knew only one thing to do. I shook his car with my hands and made his car alarm go off. When he came out side I received my first Russian “chewing out” because he said I took his parking place. I thought it was funny and told him in broken Russian, God bless you brother, I’m sorry, I did not know that you bought that piece of ground to park on.” He shrugged his shoulders and jumped in his car and pulled up just enough to let me out. Of course, I had to sit there long enough to let my vehicle warm up before I pulled away so he could back into his place. He probably cooled off a little sitting in his car in a short sleeve shirt while it was -13 outside. I now wave at him every time I pass him on the road. Pray that God allows us the opportunity to share our faith with him.
Questions Submitted by our prayer partners (rope holders). We will answer these questions based on what little knowledge we have about the people of the Far East. As one might suspect there are many differences between city folk and village folk. This proves to be true around the World.
Questions about the people and culture:
What kinds of occupations do Russians have? In the city of PK where over 200,000 people call home there are many different jobs. PK has a large fish canning factory and many are employed there. The city also has public transportation such as buses, taxis, marshrupes, that employ people. Schools, stores, postal services, mechanics, snow slope, garbage men, and the military base all provide work for people in PK.
However, in the village there are only a few stores, (kind of like an old country store) and three saw mills. The saw mills are the largest employer in the village. Many native people make their living by hunting, fishing and herding reindeer.
Do the women work or stay home with kids?In the city many of the women work in the locations listed above. In the village a great majority of the women are stay at home moms and tend the green houses and children while the men are out hunting, trapping or fishing.
Do the Russian people live in individual homes or high rise apartments?In PK people live in apartments. The majority of apartment buildings are only 5 stories due to the many earth quakes. Earth quakes are cause by the 26 volcanoes that are in close proximity to the city.
In the villages people live in a small wood home or either in a log cabin. Most homes are heated by hot water. Of course in the village there are some that must heat their water by burning wood.
Do the outlying village people still live in igloos?The native reindeer herders are nomadic and they live in a “yurta.” A yurta looks a lot like a teepee. They have a fire pit or a stove in the center and put evergreen branches on the ground and cover the floor with reindeer hides. Most herders will only move their cloth and hides for the yurta and at each camp site they store additional poles that they have previously used to erect the yurta.
Is there any farming or agriculture or personal gardens?
Many of the people who live in the city of PK have a spot of ground outside the city with a small house called a dacha. There they will plant a garden and usually have a green house. In the village the majority of homes have green houses. There is farming in the Far East but planting does not take place until June. There is a lot of light during the months of June, July and August so the crop is planted and harvested quickly.
What are the most common foods?Russians have many different dishes. Many we really enjoy and some ….well………..we always leave plenty for them. The staple food for a Russian would be potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, pasta, rice, tea (served hot in a cup, called chi pronounced with a long i) and fresh bread baked daily.
Do Russians eat three meals a day?
Russians usually eat three meals a day but the big meal is late. The kids at school have what is called second breakfast. Daily eating schedule
Zavtrak – breakfast – Somewhere between 8 am and 10 am, the meal usually consists of kasha. A Russian hot cereal made from either, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal or some other grain. Our favorite is rice kasha which is like rice pudding. They may also have blini which is a very thin pancake and a piece of cold ham or a sunny side up egg and a cup of hot tea.
Obed – lunch – This is also known as chi. It is more of a snack than a meal usually eaten around 2pm. Russians will put on the table things such as, pickles, jams, sweets, processed meats, canned fish and other pickled vegetables with fresh baked bread and cheese. And don’t forget a cup of hot tea. Most meals are eaten without drinking then the tea is served.
Yooshzen – dinner, supper - This meal is typically the large meal of the day. It is usually served between 8 and 9 pm. It usually consists of some type of soup, a salad (which is totally different from what Americans think of salad) a main course with potatoes and maybe a little something sweet and of course of cup or maybe two of hot tea.
What language is spoken is it easy or hard and are there any dialects that make it more confusing?
The language that is spoken here is Russian. There are some native languages that are in the villages but they typically speak only Russian. The Russian dialects are as different here as people from the deep south and from the far north in America. The Russian language is ranked as one of the top 5 most difficult languages in the world to learn. The Russian language has many different endings for each word that in some cases drastically changes the entire meaning of the word. For example, the word for go is (hodeet, edeet, or poete). Now that really means to go by foot, if you are going by vehicle it is different, or by plane or bus etc… Now, under each of those three words there are over 30 different endings and prefixes that can be applied to make it mean different things. The Russian language is very difficult to learn but most people are very gracious and patient when listening and are very appreciative that you are making the effort to learn their language that they know is so difficult.
Are Russians typically friendly, wary, sad, happy or discouraged?All of the above, just like people in America. Typically most Russian people are skeptical of you until they get to know you. Think of the history, you would be skeptical also. Once they have become your friends they are friends that have a special bond. Russian friends typically do everything together and often that means doing nothing but drinking a cup of hot tea and talking about life. They are not an event oriented people like Americans. Americans have friends that they go to church with, friends they fish with, friends they sew with etc, friends that attend sporting events together, friends that do this or that together…..Russians just have friends but only a few very close friends. They are content to just sit a listen to each other talk….I am still learning a lot about the relationship of friends and family in Russia.
What is the attitude toward Americans and/or America?We have been very well received everywhere we have been. Personally, I, Marty, have only had one conflict with anyone who talked down to us for being an American. He was drunk and was at the bunya (local Russian bath house) or sauna room. After a few minutes of stares and conversation he shook my hand and we parted company.
Questions about Church:
Are there many converts?One person has made the statement about the work in Russia, “we are plowing concrete.” However, just this week we saw three young men pray to receive Christ. I have done mission work in South America and it is very different there. People in South America will come looking for you to hear the Gospel. Here, it is much different. People have been lied to over and over again about religious matters. God is opening the heart of many and is giving us new opportunities each day. The Bible is true and teaches us that God’s Word will never return void. What we need help in doing is broad sowing the Gospel so that those who have not heard will hear.
Where are Bible studies and worship services held and how often do the churches meet?In PK Immanuel Church meets at the local library on Sunday evenings at 5pm and Central Church meets on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am in a small rented building. Elizovo church meets at 10:30 am on Sunday morning; they have a small building and have plans to add on this summer. Their sanctuary is currently about the size of the average American Sunday School class room. Thursday night youth group meetings are held in the Putnam’s home.
What types of songs are sung during worship?Before we could recognize any of the Russian Words we were able to recognize many songs from the tune. Russian Baptist sing a lot of songs found in the Baptist Hymnal, other songs I have no idea but enjoy, and occasionally they sing a praise song.
Are their particular passages that Russians are interested in or ask about?
Russian pastors tend to preach primarily from the New Testament and the majority of sermons come from Paul’s letters. A person on the street likes to strike up a conversation concerning the book of Revelation.
What do Russians believe about God?The majority of Russians would tell you that they do believe in God. However, many do not understand salvation, grace, faith, or how to have a personal relationship with Christ. I took a survey on the street one day and asked many the questions, “What more do you think the church could do for Petropavlovsk?” The answer was, “Nothing. They have built a new building. What more could the church do?” The people are content to look across the hill and see a building with 5 huge gold balls on top of it and think about good thoughts. They think about the sacraments inside and remember that soon they need to stop by and burn a candle. Yes, they have heard God’s name but the majority do not have a relationship with Christ.
Have any children received Christ since we have been here?
Just this week we saw three teenage boys make decisions for Christ. Praise the Lord. There are many summer activities coming up with kids and we have now been invited to do some work in the children’s home. Pray for other children to receive Christ as they hear the Gospel in a simple, true and understandable way.
Questions about family:
How were ya‘ll called to be missionaries?
Suzanne surrendered here life to missions when she was in the 11th grade. I was attending seminary at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary when I surrendered my life to the call of missions. While pasturing in Mississippi God allowed many opportunities for missions. We were involved in missions, promoted missions, taught about missions, and preached about missions. It was then that God allowed us to be the example of much of our teaching and allowed us the opportunity to serve Him as IMB missionaries.
When will ya’ll be on furlough?Furlough is now called state side assignment. We will be on State Side assignment in 2 ½ years. We hope to be able to see each of our prayer partner churches while we are in the states and share with them about the great things that God is doing and will do in the Far East.
What is a typical work day/week for ya’ll?
The number one word in the life of a missionary is flexibility. A day for us can change as quickly as the wind. One must learn to be flexible. Suzanne and I spend 40 or more hours each week in language study. We attend and help with morning services and evening services in the churches mentioned above. We help with language club on Saturday’s, Lee is part of the youth group on Thursday’s, and we make as many contacts with people as possible throughout each week. To be honest there is no way to have typical day here. We simply live our lives here for the honor and glory of God and tell as many as will listen about the greatest person we know, Jesus.
How many colleagues are in the Far East and how large of an area do ya’ll cover?Currently we have 4 units who live in the Far East that make up a total of 7 adults and 6 children. The Kamchatka Peninsula is 1,250 kilometers long, with an area of 472, 300 kilometers square. The population for the Kamchatka Peninsula is 402,500. As you can see we are on the edge where one must fly in, no roads lead to Kamchatka and there are a few trying to reach many. As Jesus stated, please pray for laborers…………..the harvest is ready.
What is the biggest surprise about living there, (good or bad)?One of the bad things that caught us by surprise is the price of food and clothes here. Because of the remote location everything here is twice the price of stuff in the states.
A good surprise was how well and quickly our family adjusted to living in a climate where most of the year has enormous amounts of snow.
In their own words could Lee and Emma tell us what it is like for them to be a part of a missionary family?
Lee: For me it was difficult at first because I couldn’t speak to anyone. That meant I couldn’t make friends. Now I can talk a little and have made a lot of new friends. They can speak a little English and I can speak a little Russian, so we can carry on a good conversation. I am homeschooled and like it a lot. It is a lot harder than public school but I am learning a lot more a lot faster. The Russian kids go to what we would call public school. They only go through the 11th grade but go one more year of college than Americans do. I like living in Russia because I get to experience a lot of things that a lot of kids don’t. What I miss the most is family, friends and baseball.
Emma: I like living in Russia because we have lots of snow. I get to play in the snow almost every day. I have made lots of friends. One afternoon this week I played with Katia and we spoke only Russian. I like home school and I am learning lots of new things. I like Russian school but I don’t understand very much because my teacher can only say, “What is your name,” in English. What I miss most: friends, family and mamaw’s dog Maggie.
Thanks so much for holding the rope!!!
