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February 24, 2006
“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” Psalm 39:7 (NASB)
February 4, 2006, Saturday – Went and taught Madina (who's about 14, and lost her younger brother, Marat, in the school massacre). She served plov, salad, bread, Ossetian cheese, chai... wow! Their family is so nice, and she is probably the best behaved girl that I know. The LORD blessed me to give her Da Truth's “Tha Faith” CD, and she was very appreciative. (Da Truth is a Christian rapper, very clear in speaking his faith.) She put it on and we listened to it in the background as we did our lesson. She said the songs are really good! God enabled me to tell her about the song Truth wrote about the girls that were martyred in the Columbine massacre... may The Lord use that song to also minister to Madina. I was also able to share some of my testimony with her, how I changed when I started reading The Bible for myself. “LORD, give her the desire to read and know Thy Word!” Later that day, Jambul taught again on why people don't “feel” blessed. After returning to my apt., I went down and visited w/ Mairbek and his family. They wanted me to rap again, so I brought my (still unfinished) disc down, and did two songs. Mairbek's great aunt asked if all the songs were about God, and I explained 4 of them. 'The first one is about how we think we're so smart, and have cell phones, computers... we think that we're God. The second one talks about how only God is worthy of glory. The 3rd one is about how He has grace, and mercy. And the last one's about where you'll go when you die.' Culturally, some things are very different here. The youth here sit with their family, sing karaoke, and don't realize how Americans would view that as quite boring and 'uncool.'
February 5, 2006, Sunday – Taught Atsa, Azam, and Madina guitar; wrote down four new chords for them – G, EM, AM, and Am, as well as an exercise. In our meeting today, we worshiped with 'Svyat' ('Holy') and 'Slava Tyebye' ('Glory to You') – 2 worship songs The Lord helped me write. Also distributed Heb 13:5 on small pieces of paper (in Ossetian and Russian) to be a sort of 'Scripture reminder card.' Jambul asked me to share some during the service, and I spoke on John 6:28-29... God's will. After service, one of the little girls locked herself in the bathroom; two young men had to bust through to get her out. (There are few boring days here.) I ate 'Sala' with Sasha (Sala is salted and chilled pig fat)! Later that night, one of the older ladies who has sort of adopted me here was in tears saying how she doesn't have joy in her life. God enabled me to briefly shared how joy can only be found in Jesus.
February 6, 2006, Monday – Some things can be so frustrating here – like when they change the days the internet club is open, but don't tell you, even though you go there most days of the week. Went to another computer club, but they don't have the net... the lady told me of another, which I found. The guy there said the internet was being used, and as he didn't seem like the most hospitable chap, I didn't feel like asking anything like, 'When will it be free?' Oh well – was close to the hot, fresh bread shop, and so bought some great lavazh (sort of like cooked pizza dough) - mmmmmm! Came back to the apt. and got a good bit of computer work done. Later went and taught Ruslan (my neighbor, who still has problems with his arm after being shot in the elbow during the terrorist attack) English. Afterwards, he helped me with some Ossetian; I asked him how to read Mark 8:36, and so went over it together a few times. I also read Heb. 13:5b to him. When I was leaving, his parents came home, and Rita gave me homemade soup to take and heat at my apt. Went and visited little Mairbek (who saw his mother killed in front of him) and his family. They asked a lot of questions about 9/11, and were shocked to learn more about what happened. Mairbek told me more about his time in the gym, though I couldn't understand a lot of what he said. He said that he was close to where the roof fell, and his clothing caught on fire – a soldier helped put it out. He told me that almost everyone in his class was killed in the school massacre. I told him that he was a miracle, and he asked, 'A miracle?' I said, 'You don't believe that?' He smiled and told me that he did. His dad came home and said that if I have any problems in the community, to let him know. Mairbek chimed in too on how he'd help me... he would use taekwando against my enemies. As I left and walked upstairs, he again called out, 'Don't open the door (at night)!'
February 7, 2006, Tuesday – Studied more Ossetian in the afternoon. Went and visited Khetag, Soslan, and Alla (her younger son, Timur, was killed in the school massacre). Alla was sick, as was Khetag. Since Khetag wasn't really sick, I still helped him with some of his English work. After, we talked about different things. He told me he was going to play in a soccer game outdoors tomorrow, against school number 3. I asked if his mom knew; he laughed, and said 'no.' I replied in jest, 'Maybe I should tell her?' He didn't think so. We also had tea and cookies together afterwards. Soslan (his father) got ready to walk with me to Karina's building, and as we were leaving, Alla asked me to pray for her brother, for Khetag, and for everything. She also asked me, 'Please pray so that God will raise Timur (her son that was killed in the massacre).' I said I would. She added, 'God can do everything, right?' I nodded my head in agreement. (There are some pretty tough situations to be in here... such as that one. Do I want God to bring back all the dead children, restoring them to their broken families? Absolutely. Can God do miracles even as amazing as that? Without question. But will such miracles happen? This is the hard thing to face.) Soslan and I went, and I visited with Karina. We had tea and food together, and then she and Kazik (her boyfriend and my landlord) walked me back to my apartment. Though already a bit late, my apt. phone rang – it was Mairbek. I wasn't sure why he called; it seemed like he wanted to ask me something, but was waiting, or couldn't because of whoever was near him. He asked me – 'Many people died in
February 8, 2006, Wednesday – Went to the building where the church meets, to teach guitar to Atsa and Azam, but they didn't show up. Worked out the music for 'Jesus,' and 'Glorify Your Son,' 2 songs God blessed me to write in Russian. Went and taught Madina (who lost her little brother, Marat, in the massacre). Zalina (Madina's mom) answered the door and told me that I've been there enough times – I don't need to knock; she called out to Madina, 'Your friend is here.' They served me chicken, spicy ajika (like thick tomato juice), and Armenian cheese, which is very salty and tasty. Zalina told me that Marat used to play chess, take karate, and wrestle. She told him that he should pick one thing and practice it every day. He replied by saying that it's necessary for a president to know about many things... he had wanted to be president. Afterwards, went to our Wed. evening meeting. Jambul had car trouble, and he had been delayed 'cos of the difficulties. So while we were waiting, I suggested that we read some from The Bible. Vova, Svyeta, Toma, and I read John 14. And I called our attention to the word translated 'Helper,' sharing that the idea is like that of an Advocate/Lawyer who will stand by your side and help you. I told them that I wanted to encourage them, 'cos as a newer believer, I was a little bit afraid about The Holy Spirit – that if I didn't speak in tongues, maybe I didn't have Him. I again tried to encourage them that the fruit/proof of The Holy Spirit is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, and Vova read the verses out loud. Later, Vova and I walked back to my apartment; he gave me a cassette of Russian reggae. (Sounds like a funny paradox, huh?!)
February 9, 2006, Thursday – Felt a bit overwhelmed this afternoon with so many things to do here; prayed, and God heard and greatly gave peace to my heart. Thanks and praise and glory be to Him! Tried to visit Zarina Albegova (who survived, but lost her younger sister in the terrorist attack), but no one was home. Left one of my dad's animation cels, the cross necklace Rhonda (CC Pittsburgh) gave me to give, and an “I love
Went and taught Zaur (who lost his 14 year-old brother, Khasan, in the attack) along with his mom, Rita. She told me that Khasan's favorite program was The Simpsons, and Bart was his favorite character. He also really liked Alf. When I asked Rita to talk about what she did today, she answered, 'I saw Kulayev, the terrorist.' (She had been in Vladikavkaz at the trial with other mothers as well. Kulayev is a Chechnyan terrorist that was captured at the school.) After the lesson, Rita and I had tea and talked. Zaur returned and talked with us, too. Rita told me how she tells Zaur to take out the trash but has to wait a long time for him to do it. She said that Khasan was different; he used to take it out right away (it was awkward to sit there with Zaur as his mom made that comparison.) When she found out that I really liked their Ossetian cheese, she gave me a big chunk to take home. Thank you, Yah! Went and visited with Valya, Karina, Byella, and Babushka (two families that have kind of 'adopted' me). I asked Karina is she was reading The Bible, and she showed me the Scripture cards that our friend, Raya, had given her. Karina also told me that the Kulayev trial ended today, and he may be given the death penalty. She said that
February 10, 2006, Friday – My 'shabbat' day. Studied 1st and 2nd Timothy. Went to visit my little friend/neighbor, Mairbek; I mostly just watched him play video games. Looked at some of their family photos. Saw a picture of Kristina (who I think is Mairbek's aunt) in School No. 1 when she was little... she also was in the school when the terrorists attacked, but by God's grace, she escaped on the first day. The photo, taken maybe 7 years ago or so, showed such a normal looking school. Also saw a few pictures of Angela (Mairbek's mom, who was killed in front of him during the school massacre).
Jesus... The Only Hope for Bsln.
In Him,
jason
jalazone7@yahoo.com |
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