A letter from Al Smith serving in Germany/Russia
November 19, 2014 - A Visit to Russia—and No Bears
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I WENT TO RUSSIA AND SAW VARIOUS ANIMALS, BUT … NO BEARS
Some seasons of the year are inextricably linked in our minds with the activities we associate with them: Christmas comes in December, the Kentucky Derby on the first weekend in May, the Super Bowl in early February. For the past nine years early November has been associated in my mind with the Roma Leadership Conference in Russia. I wasn’t there for the first conference, but, except for the year we were on Interpretation Assignment in the States, I have been at every conference since. We used to move the conference from one city to another, but we have long since settled on Kursk because of the availability of meeting space and lodgings at the seminary there.
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They never mentioned this part in Mission Orientation
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I just pull the wagon, thank you very much
This year’s conference took place November 7-9. My friend and colleague Andrey Beskorovainiy asked that I arrive in Kursk by November 2 so we could take care of some of the organizational details ahead of time. Things are a bit complicated for Andrey these days: he is taking care of his own congregation, working as a watchman part-time, coordinating Roma ministry over a wide territory, and doing all of the myriad of chores involved in running a small farming operation. Plus, he currently has a number of family members staying with him during the unrest in Ukraine. Even with his son and daughter-in-law working, finances are always tight, and so is time. The day before the conference started Andrey asked if I was ready to do some work. He didn’t specify what kind of work, so, after agreeing, I asked. The agenda for the day was straightforward: (1) Neuter a piglet and (2) Move seven wagonloads of mixed manure from point A to point B with the assistance of the family horse. The photos show part of the pile that was moved and give some idea of the horse’s outlook on the whole project. (The piglet did not wish to be photographed.) I have concluded that I am not made of stern enough stuff to live full-time in the Russian countryside. Fortunately for the Roma ministry, Andrey and his family are up to the task.
Once the conference itself got under way, I had the opportunity to renew old acquaintances from past conferences and reconnect with some of the youth who were present for the summer camp. Andrey lined up Ken Bresser, an American missionary who has been serving in Kursk for the past 10 years, as the featured speaker. Ken led a total of six sessions, focusing on God’s love for us and our love for each other; there were many questions about how to demonstrate love in concrete situations. Additionally there were many praise and worship sessions, as well as informal singing, sometimes well after I retired for the night.
Another aspect of the conference is planning for the future of Roma outreach. Andrey is planning for a series of three programs for children and youth over the Christmas holidays. Planning is already under way for next summer’s camp for Roma children, and Andrey is hoping to be able to have a separate camp for older youth as well. More immediate financial needs include money to be contributed for a new tent for the camp ministry, as well as money to pay off the loan that financed the van Andrey uses for mission-related travel.
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Andrey Beskorovainiy and his family at the Roma Leadership Conference
Ellen and I are frequently asked about travel to Russia during these rather unsettled times for Russian-American relations. People want to know whether we feel safe, or whether we have encountered any problems. The simple answer is that we feel very safe—our brothers and sisters in Russia take excellent care of us. In some cases we undoubtedly have different perspectives on recent events, but we do not allow that to interfere with our Christian witness. I know of at least two Russian Baptist churches involved in Roma ministry who are deeply interested in a partnership relation with an American church; if your church has an interest in partnering with one of them, please get in touch.
As 2014 draws to a close, I would like to thank all of you for your continuing support and prayers. All of the Roma outreach in Russia, as well as the costs of keeping our family serving here in mission, are financed through the contributions made to the work by churches and individuals moved by the Spirit. We know and believe that the Lord can work through miraculous means, but more frequently works through God’s people and church. Please keep us and our Russian partners in your prayers.
With best wishes for the holiday season and the upcoming year,
Alan Smith
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Al, p. 312, 320
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Ellen, p. 320
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 333
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