A Trip to Russia

Today I joined with my brethren for a missionary journey to Russia. Only a few years ago, this would have been considered impossible.

I traveled with Bro. Ron Hicks of Washington, DC and Bro. Dean Brown of Indianapolis, IN. Ron works for an international banking fund and has visited Russia several times. Dean is an air controller and worked out this trip. For myself, I have a degree in Russian studies, speak some Russian and jumped at the chance of taking advantage of a special ticket arrangement worked out for me by Ron.

After a long international trip, we arrived at our Moscow hotel on January 29. The city was covered in snow but was not terribly cold (in the 20’s F).

Saturday – Moscow

The next morning we met Bro. Victor Sluczewski of Bryansk (a city of 500,000 about 225 miles southwest of Moscow). Bro. Victor spoke English very well. We had an exciting time getting to know him. He showed us some Christadelphian pamphlets he has translated into Russian.

After breakfast and more conversation, we were joined by Sergei Tarasov, an interested friend, who had recently translated Bible Basics by Duncan Heas­ter into Russian (see review 2/93, pg. 63). Victor introduced us to some members of the Esperanto Club and then we met and had talks with Vadim. He is head of the Blind Chess Club of Moscow.

We then took a tour of Moscow which included a meal at McDonald’s.

Sunday – Moscow

We gathered at Ron’s room for breaking of bread. This must have been a great delight for Victor because of his isolation. Then we met up with Valentin and Marina Starodubcev, two interested friends, for more touring around Moscow before meeting a group of contacts. They are led by Father Alexei, a dissident Orthodox priest. Finding the meeting place was far more difficult than I would have thought. In Russia, a home location is considered privileged information.

Finally we found it. We went up several flights of stairs and to a very crowded apartment. After lengthy introductions were made, we were served a meal. We asked if it would be okay if we prayed before eating. They agreed and after our prayer, they gave one of theirs — an animated musical prayer given both before and after the meal.

Now we resumed our talking. Ron and Dean, through Victor, gave a fairly concise outline of ourselves and our beliefs. As is common with Christadelphians, we cited a lot of scripture. Several in the group looked a bit irritated and confused at our ways and seemed to grow tired of looking up verses. They did seek good relations with us, however, and we left on a positive note.

We hurried off to meet another group which was more in central Moscow. Quite unexpectedly, we joined them as they were having a piano recital from several of their children. The playing was exquisite.

With the recital finished, we were invited to address the group about ourselves and our faith. With Victor’s able translation, Ron gave a beautiful introduction of both Christadelphians and basic Bible teachings. Dean then followed up, building on this and adding in some of his own perspectives. I, too, spoke in turn. Our words seem to have been well received.

The next stop was at Sergei’s apartment for a dinner meeting. Upon reaching his building, we ran up several flights of stairs to be warmly greeted by six excited and charming people. Here English was spoken and we found that a great relief. Conversation soon turned to Bible teaching. One point that was raised was the difficulty Russians have understanding the sole available version of Russian scripture. The words and spelling are old and obscure and it is like our trying to read the middle-English works of Chaucer.

The main hurdle for them in accepting the Truth is with Bible miracles. State indoctrination made it very tough for kids to accept them. Seventy years of atheism has left its mark.

Monday – Moscow

During the morning, we had a chance to talk with Vadim again. Valentin was there to help with translation. There was much interest in maintaining contact with Christadelphians and a week-long event was discussed. After that, a good deal of red tape was encountered buying a ticket to Bryansk. Ron and Dean left today and I was on my own to catch the overnight train to Bryansk where I was to be the guest of Victor and his family.

I was unable to sleep on the train as my compartment companions talked and smoked incessantly.

Tuesday – Bryansk

In Bryansk, I was met by Victor about 8 a.m. Off we went to his apartment where we meet his lovely wife, Larissa, and his friendly, kindergarten-aged son, Arsenii. A lovely person, Larissa is not yet interested in the Truth. Both Larissa and Victor work, although neither as much as they used to. The Truth has cost Victor as he is no longer head of a school but now works as a teacher, and only part time at that. Larissa is one of the many victims of the Chernobyl disaster. Her health is poor and this inhibits her work.

Soon we were off for a day of touring the city, including a museum and some nearby cathedrals. At the museum, our guide practiced her English on me as I was the first English speaker there in a year.

Then Victor took me across town, about a 30-minute bus trip, to stay with his mother, Evgenia Ivanivna, in her apartment. She made an excellent meal and prepared a hot bath for me which she insisted I take.

Wednesday – Bryansk

After a wonderful breakfast, Victor’s mother guided me to the proper bus for a return to Victor’s apartment. As Larissa was working, we spent the morning there with Arsenii. The Sluczewski’s have a color television so Arsenii was happy and occupied while Victor prepared our noon meal. The main course was a Uzbek rice and meat dish called ploy which must be fixed by a man. Along with the ploy, we had pickled tomatoes, bread, cream tubes and a strong coffee.

While we were eating, Yuri, a Bible correspondence course student arrived. He spoke a broken yet understandable English.

When Larissa arrived, Victor, Yuri and I left for Yuri’s bus, then Victor and I proceeded on foot for more sight-seeing. I was awed by the lovely cottages many having ornately carved trim about the windows. We walked on to a monastery and a beautiful view overlooking the river valley. Time to start back for Victor’s place and, much to his surprise, we came across an auto bus. He didn’t expect one so far from town. The whole area must be growing.

Returning to the apartment, Bible readings were done in English with Victor and a blind friend, Edvard. When evening came, we walked Edward to his bus and me to Victor’s mother Evgenia. More abundant food flowed, some coming from her garden plot outside of town.

Thursday – Bryansk

Yuri, the interested friend, was to join me for breakfast at Evgenias. While waiting for him, I watched some of the local TV. I saw an American children’s religious program, Magic Painter, all in English with no subtitles.

After breakfast and some shopping, Yuri needed to stop at the dentist’s office.

After the dentist, we went shopping again. No line and I found what I wanted. Next was a store where Yuri’s girlfriend worked. He asked me a lot about prices and how they compared with the U.S. They were generally about the same. The problem is their pay and the value of the ruble. Some get part of their pay in hard currency which helps.

We returned to Victor’s apartment for dinner. After reviewing Yuri’s Bible course answers, we bade him goodbye.

Then we went to the library for a meeting with an English class. I seemed to do most of the talking, answering questions about America, job, family, religious beliefs, etc.

Now it was time to leave Victor and family. He took me to the train station and saw me on board. This time I was to have an open bunk, which Victor said was a safer way to travel than second class. After we got rolling, I ignored everyone and slept facing the wall of my berth. Slept okay for a noisy open berth.

Friday – Moscow

Awoke early on the train. I removed the sheets and rolled up the bed for a woman attendant. After leaving the train I headed for an adjoining hotel. No talking was necessary therefore no problems!

At the hotel, I retrieved bags left there and got out the ad I was to give to Valentin for publication. I called up Victor to let him know all was well ($6 charge on Master Card).

I made connections with Valentin and he met me at the hotel to receive booklets sent to him from Victor. I treated for lunch at the hotel and mistakenly ordered twice what we could eat. The chef salads were terrible, having virtually no lettuce but lots of sliced meat and some cheese.

Spent the afternoon with Valentin at his apartment discussing this and that, including his English teaching aids. We listened to a clip of “My Fair Lady” on his reel to reel.

By now it was time to head for the airport. We arrived late and Russians love to make people wait in lines to show who has authority. Much dashing about, but British Airways held the flight until I staggered on board as we were too late to check my bags. Lots of empty seats available so I scattered my bags under several of them. For some reason, the woman next to me moved; maybe it was because I had not bathed for a few days!

Saturday – London, Washington

Because of the time changes,I ended up arriving at Washington Saturday afternoon. Ron met me and we talked long of Victor, the trip and future work in Russia. Sunday we phoned Victor to let him know all is well and then went to meeting in Adelphi, MD at the Washington ecclesia. All the way from Russia to here having enjoyed fellowship with those in Christ in both places with people I had never previously met. What a blessing!