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On Corruption in Russia

January 3, 2012

A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times gave an interesting look into the issue of corruption.

I found this quote especially interesting:

“Russian bureaucracy is such a giant beast that what is sometimes termed as corruption is just a misconception that actually has more to do with the heavy bureaucratic structure where there is an unwillingness to accept responsibility. It’s easier to say no than it is to say yes because saying no doesn’t carry any risk.” (emphasis mine)

There is no doubt about the existence of corruption in the Russian government, yet in day-to-day life I try to think the best of people and see them as humans rather as The Machine. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been a victim of corruption, and I’m not sure I would catch on if I were being encouraged to pay a bribe.

Who is corrupt?

I came across my residency permit honestly, although it took a lot of sweat, blood, and tears. As I look around at the other people in the Immigration Office, I see their sweat and tears (literally) as well, and it’s hard to believe any of them are offering bribes. Who is, then? I remember a couple of times when there were line-jumpers. Someone barges in with a baby or some other sort of diversion, and the next thing you know he’s in with the Inspector and doesn’t come out for an hour, while everyone else is still waiting out in the hallway. Did money change hands for him to get into The Room, or was it just a case of being pushy? Did the The Inspector act illegally? Hard to say.
(more…)

Men Meeting Above the Arctic Circle

December 24, 2011

Yura Belonozhkin, serving near Murmansk, writes about a men’s retreat in last summer –

Dear friends,

After returning from Finland, I only had a week to complete the preparations for the men’s camp, and it was very busy time. I spent much time walking and hauling equipment to the campsite; we built a large tent for the meetings. There was a guy from our group in Polyarny who helped a lot.

So, in the morning Aug 19th we all met at the intersection from where we headed to the camp. There were 19 of us, and 2 more guys were going to join later that night. We successfully got to the place where we left our cars and started walking. I reduced the distance to only 5 km, and it was good, because some of our guys were in senior age and had some problems walking. But everybody got there safe and fine. We walked on fairly flat terrain along the system of lakes connected with creeks. The weather was very warm, unusually warm, even hot. We rarely have this kind of weather here, but this year it was not only warm, but the period of this warmth was strangely long.

About us: There were 21 men, very different men: 3 of us including me were with the sons. One guy was with his father-in-law. So we had two 10 year old boys and a teenager, 3 guys over 60 years old, We were from 7 towns of the Murmansk Region and 2 towns of Sweden. 3 Swedes and 18 Russians; 1 police officer, 1 bodyguard of a serious businessman, a few elders from different churches, 3 engineers, a whole bunch of former drug addicts and criminals. And despite that enormous difference we were a team. There were not closed circles or single individuals, we acted as a team all the time.

The problems started when we arrived. (more…)

Welcome to Yura Belonozhkin

December 24, 2011

We are very happy to welcome Yura Belonozhkin into the Stoneworks family. Yura, his wife Masha and their children live above the arctic circle; he told me today that the sun will rise on January 20th! He does great work, and we’re very glad to have him as a part of our team.

Board member Larry Heller makes the introduction:

Yura has been interpreting and ministering with American short-term mission teams to Russia continuously since 2000. About five years ago, Yura, his wife Masha and their two young boys were commissioned by their church in St. Petersburg to go to the northernmost reaches of Russia – to the region near Murmansk.

Yura, 2nd from R, with a short-term mission team from San Antonio

His church discontinued support less than a year later, but he continued on, being convicted about the need and encouraged by the fruit of the work. Part of his ministry now is to the men in this remote place. Without Jesus, many of the men are (or will soon become) drug addicted and without hope.

Yura has been translating into Russian a CD audio series about men taking leadership in their families and presenting it to the men. (The Quest for authentic Manhood, by Robert Lewis.) Attendance grows steadily.

A growing part of Yura’s ministry is organizing and mobilizing men’s spiritual retreats. Yura sets the agenda, makes the logistical arrangements, lines up the speakers and teachers (often in partnership with Swedish pastors) and commits the event to prayer.

The Lord continues to increase our ministry through the relationships that He ordains. We are very happy that Yura and his family are being set as living stones with us. You can support his work by visiting our Support page and choosing Far Northern Russia from the drop down menu.

More from Alina

December 23, 2011

Here’s an update from Alina Pizhova, a Russian foster parent. You can support her by visiting the Stoneworks support page:

Hello friends!

How are you these days? Busy before the holidays?!!

We are doing alright in general; finishing the semester at school. Danik is really enjoying the courses of French language. It took us about 340 dollars to pay for the two months fee and the text book (they required the first payment for two months) and further on we are going to pay 135 dollars for each month. I am working a lot these days and have almost finished the script, hopefully soon and will be able to pay the debts we had to borrow in order for Danik to be able to take the course on French.

He really likes the courses on French, he is really happy he fell in love with France. Their teacher tells them a lot about France and history, they learn songs in French and he has already learned some phrases and is able to speak a little bit, so the courses are really good. At the end of this school year they have a task at school to write an essey. He taked to the French teacher and decided to write on a subject ” The Language influenced by history” on the basis of English and French. So personally I think that he is very gifted to study languages and this course is what he needs.

My mum is coming to visit with us for the New Year. And How are you going to celebrate Christmas and a New Year’s Eve? We are going to celebrate Christmas with the church and did some rehearsing during our homegroup. Nastya is going to sing and I will help her. Danik was also singing for us.

On our shopping list we have winter boots and a winter hat for Anastasia. Praise God it is quite warm these days and winter is not rushing to come.

Wishing blessings to you all! Thank you so much for your prayers!!

Hugs from us

Alina

Danik and Anastasia

Belarus: Alesya’s Last Update

December 21, 2011

Greetings dear friends,

Merry Christmas!!! Happy New Year!! May God be with you during this season and all through the year of 2012. May you know His presence, joy and peace in your Life every day. Thank you so very much for being with us in 2011 and making so many kids smile. We love you.

The Goncharenko family — Olga, Yasha, Thomas, Stephanie and Erika.

Here is an update from Alesya Kuleshova. Many of you know her personally. Besides being my sister, she’s been with Spring of Revival for almost 10 years serving in many different ways: as an interpreter, as a counselor, a clown, a teacher and as a Minsk Family Home counselor for the last couple of years. (Alesya is second from right below)

Hello dear friends,

This is my last newsletter as a counselor of Minsk Family Home as I am leaving this ministry and moving away. In March I am getting married to a nice guy named David from Florida. So in January I am leaving Minsk Family Home. It has been an honor and a privilege to be there and I love the girls deeply. They have grown up a lot and now of of they will care out the responsibilities of a counselor in MFH.

This month of December MFH celebrated two birthdays. It was Alla’s birthday and also it was Nastya’s birthday (she is the one who comes for the weekends).

For Nastya’s birthday we had a nice day out. We went bowling and we had some pizza after that. It was a big surprise for Nastya who did not know that we were planning for her.

And for Alla’s birthday we invited some friends over and made sushi for them. It was a first time girls made sushi. Both Alla and Nastya had great birthdays.

And now we have a visitor in MFH. That is Jill Tyson who came for two weeks to teach English to some students. In the evenings she is also working on improving English skills of the girls from MFH. We are enjoying having her here.

December is a Christmas season and we are preparing our hearts to do good things for other people. In Our church we had a Women’s conference dedicated to that topic. Spring of Revival had a table there with all our information on how people can help in our work with orphans. Olga made a presentation with photos and MFH girls made many cards to sell. It was a great time and many people showed interest in our work.

Our orphanage and shelter visits were dedicated to preparations for Christmas. We shared with the kids what is Christmas, we learned how to make small pies, cakes and cookies. We made Christmas cards and decorations. What gives us a lot of pleasure is that we now haveenough belarusian volunteers to go with us, so that we can divide our team into 5 groups and go to all the orphan groups at one orphanages at the same time.