We call the next to last night of Pastor’s Seminar/Camp a fun night because we all go a little wacko. The goal is to be awed by the talent and laugh like crazy when we do something that is supposed to be funny. Scott Boerckel and I have led the fun/talent Night every year but one for the last ten or twelve years. The theme of this fun night was “Peaceful”. You can watch this video and see the way we started this crazy night of memories. The poor little tots in the front row had no idea!
Haven’t heard back for two weeks from the Gastroenterologist about the two little polyps he removed. Must be OK. I did have a few repercussions. You might want to look at this video. WARNING! Graphic! And for more interesting medical discussion about the Complete Colon Cleansing (CCC for short not to be confused with Campus Crusade for Christ) check out Dave Barry’s very interesting article. Here’s on the night before the CCC after drinking 3 liters of “GoLightly” massive laxative.
Imagine a creationist trying to become head of the Department of Evolutionary Biology at a public university. Imagine what it would be like for an avowed disciple of Jesus Christ to speak for three days at a Communist University. Imagine what an athiest thinks when he/she hears that a Christian pastor is going to deliver this year’s Leadership seminar. After almost four years, I will be teaching once again in Belarus. In the past, I spoke within a non-Christian context in Universities. In 2008, I will be working with a Christian campus group to teach and lead them for four days.
Sergei and ?? with Dr. Gehre and Tom
The IFES national student group invited me last year but I had to turn them down. I told them that if they would invite me again, I would all but guarantee I would come. Thus, at the end of January and the first week of February (Brrrr), I’ll be flying into Minsk, driving to Brest, and teaching leadership principles to about 60 university students from Belarus. Most are already Christians.
Teaching mostly Christians is a deviation from our plan, but it’s a way to get back to God’s call to help the people of Belarus. Belarusian people need hope. Alcoholism is rampant. Freedom of speech curtailed. Inflation high. Chances of advancement are very political. Yet, the rule of law and an acceptance of foreigners is great. Missionaries are still in the country, but not really effective. As one of our friends there says, “With all the evangelism done here since the early 90’s, people have enough conversion records to have 90% of the country saved. That’s a joke. Less than 1% attend a church each week. People just agree, but they don’t believe. It doesn’t make a difference.”
In 2005, we came during the national celebration of the end of WWII. 
and Independence Square were filled with drunken revelers. Later that year, 50,000 protesters gathered only to be beaten and arrested by the government. We know from meeting hundreds of people, the truth of the gospel is not far from people, yet belief is rare. Freedom of speech is rare. Freedom to practice one’s “religion” is strictly regulated.
I hope that by teaching people the ways of influence and the basic foundation of the gospel these few will be true leaders for Christ, shining examples of love and hope in a bleak environment and learn how to pass on the gospel of Christ more effectively in a repressive environment.
Everyone I meet is impressed with Nathan, our eleven year old. This doesn’t mean they are impressed by his ability to manipulate the Rubrik’s cube or do handstands. Something about him is intriguing, authentic and unspoiled. He connects with people. I’ve watched him hug older folks as though they are long lost grandparents. He is always smiling. He knows when he is wrong. He hates it when he’s caught. He swims hard in the pool. His muscles are ripped. His teachers know he’s focused, honest and dependable. He’s not a kid that hides in the corner or is irritating to their sensibilities. Nathan loves life. He wants to be liked. He’s impulsive and crazy, funny and well read. He surprises me when he wants to cook or mow the lawn.
Yet, school is a bi-polar subject. As I dropped him off on Tuesday, he saw a friend, Alex, going into school. As soon as his head left the car, he yelled out for Alex with a huge smile on his face. Alex turned and stopped, almost to the door. Nathan hurried to catch him. Alex best buddy. A comfort zone in the wild land of Middle School. Both had big backpacks and saxaphone cases in hand. I was corner dust, until Nathan looked in the car before slamming the door and yelled, “I love you dad!” Awesome! A piece of his heart is still with us.
