Retrospect
IMPRESSIONS FROM BASHKORTOSTAN
Prepared by Rinta Bruzevica (Translated from
Latvian to English by Gunars Iesalnieks)
During August 8-12, 2003, a team organized by the Latvian Evangelical Alliance, in partnership with Bridge Builders International and the Partners Foundation, organized a mission trip to Bashkortostan. Twelve persons representing four denominations, nine congregations and six Latvian cities participated in the trip.
The Republic of Bashkortostan is part of the Russian Federation and lies in the South Ural Mountains, next to Tatarstan, about 800 miles east of Moscow. It is 143,600 square km, the size of Iowa. For more information about Bashkortostan click here.
There are only some forty Christian congregations to serve the 4.5 million population of Bashkortostan, - 20 of these are Baptist. The others are Pentecostal. Some cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants are without any Christian congregations.
Bashkir Christians face various counter-forces and serious restrictions of religious freedoms. Only the Russian Orthodox Church is recognized at the Federal level. Others, such as Protestants denominations and Catholics are suppressed, sometimes even by the force of law.
The purpose of the trip was to assist a recently established ten-member congregation in Beloreck, and establish contact with the local population and government officials. The team conducted a Vacation Bible School with 130 children participating. Each evening there were events for the adults.
TRIP PARTICIPANT IMPRESSIONS
Peteris Eisans, Executive Director of the Latvian Evangelical Alliance, Pastor of Jelgava Baptist Church, Director of Church Parnterships for BBI/Partners, and the Group leader.
Sincerity of the local people was very perceptible and we greatly enjoyed it. We noted with interest that pastor with his wife, Sveta, and son, Alyosha, live in two small rooms above the sanctuary. They actually live in one of the rooms, while the other one is also used as Sunday School classroom. During the entire week our team of strangers occupied their small apartment. The women lived in rooms above the sanctuary, and the men slept downstairs on sanctuary benches. We were truly received as family members and never felt we were a burden to them.
We were particularly touched by a retired couple - grandpa Kostya and his wife. They arrived each morning to observe our work with the children. In the evening prior to our departure grandpa Kostya came and said he wanted to speak to the 'main chief'. He had bought provisions for our trip - two bottles of lemonade, a link of sausage and a loaf of white bread. With great affection he thanked us for having come to minister to them and strengthen them. Being aware of poverty of the area (average monthly pension of .00, and average wages of 6.00), we understood the magnitude of his sacrifice. It gave us a lot of food for thought.
Agnese Rancane, Gulbene Baptist Church.
I have always been enthusiastic about missions trips. During this trip I sensed God's special blessing and protection. The best part was that I could devote the time entirely to God. For the first time in my life, at the end of the day, I had a sense that not a moment had been wasted.
My most striking memory is that of a Muslim grandmother, whose grandson was the youngest child in the class. She told me she believed there is only one God, and good things are happening in this class. I had an opportunity to talk to her about Christ. Next day, during a Bible quiz, I asked her grandson a question, "how can we come into God's heavenly kingdom?"
I noticed the grandmother whispering in his ear and encouraged her to help him. Her answer was, "We come into God's heavenly kingdom, because Jesus died on the cross for our sins."
Her answer greatly strengthened me.
Agnese Dislere, The Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riga.
I enjoy traveling and go on several trips each year. When I came to the Lord four years ago, my traveling continued, but in a different manner. Now I am interested in other cultures, their value systems, thinking, and lifestyles. This trip was not an ordinary one. God's Spirit was present, and He united people of different ages and professions. I was astonished.
Prior to this mission trip, a question rang out, "why travel such a great distance, we have plenty to do here at home?" Such a question had never come to my mind. When foreign guests come, the locals also look at the congregation in a different light. As we went, we prayed that God would give us an attitude not to think that we are the ones who contribute to the success of the visit. Cultural differences, age, and various professions are insignificant. God's work is done at a higher level.
Renalda Ludvika, Riga Reformed Church.
During this trip I gained an understanding how good it is to lead a simple life; not only in the material sense, but spiritually as well - just come to God in simplicity. In daily lives we often cause our relationships to become shallow by emphasizing things and emotions.
Dace Supole, Marupe Reformed Church.
This was my first trip outside of Latvia. The first thing I sensed was the Christian love and humility of the people. Their attitude caused me to consider, "would I receive that many people in my home, sacrifice my time, quiet of the night and comfort for the sake of other people?"
In my opinion, it is important to understand that it is good to remain where you are, but, if you realize you are more urgently needed elsewhere - make a choice and return there.
Ilona Kovaleva, The Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riga.
Prior to the trip I wondered how well we would function as a team. The cooperation was fabulous. We lived as a family, supported each other, and had sense of humor. People of Beloreck congregation were openhearted. When they embraced us, we sensed genuine love without forced smiles. They really were expecting us.
We lived without the conveniences and did not get much sleep. But we had strength and smiles without grumbling.
Inta Asnevica, Vilandes Baptist Church in Riga.
The Bashkir children have very good singing voices. After only four days of practice, they were able to perform the songs very well. The children were well disciplined, and loved to memorize the golden verses - perhaps because their teacher Gunta presented them in such an interesting way. Thirty children entrusted their lives to Jesus. During the Bible School we had an opportunity to work with women from the local Christian church, enabling them to start Sunday School classes. The Bashkir children are deeply inscribed in our hearts.
Their lives are difficult. People live in poverty - average monthly pension of 50 to 60 dollars, and children's allowance of three dollars. We observed children in the market place, devouring discarded food from garbage bins. We also observed the pastor's little boy wearing old heavy winter boots in 85 degree F heat. If we come for another visit, we definitely must bring children's clothing and shoes because the need is so great.
FUTURE PLANS
Three teams for future trips to Bashkortostan are in the planning stages:
1. Return trip to Beloreck with a similar program,
2. A team has been invited to southern part of Bashkortostan, and
3. A team of men to build children's playgrounds for several congregations. We are already inviting people to participate. The missions ministry consists of participation in one or more of these three components: go with the teams, pray for the teams, and contribute financially.
For more information contact Peteris Eisans at peter.eisans@delfi.lv
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