A Week in Russia

We are in Russia!  The traveling process went smoothly.  Dan and I got to see the sunrise over the mountains in Greenland from the plane (Aaron was on a different plane), and it was such a beautiful depiction of God's majesty.  When we arrived in Moscow, we had to wait until our evening overnight train to the city, so we toured the city.  

Taken after over 24 hours of traveling.  Keeping our eyes open. 

The morning our train arrived in Liepetsk, camp began, so we hit the ground running.  It was a family retreat camp, meant to encourage and give rest to the pastors in the area.  Christian families were able to spend time having fellowship with each other and taking a break.  Dan, Aaron, and I helped out wherever help was needed, and have loved learning more about the culture and language.  We got to play with the kids, clean, organize crafts, and other random projects.  It was such a joy to be able to give these families (especially the parents) a week of physical and spiritual rest and rejuvenation in the Lord before they go back to their jobs.  The three of us were also blessed in seeing the joy of the Lord in these families, and getting to know them.  While the week was physically, emotionally, and spiritually stretching, there is not a doubt in any of our minds that this is where the Lord wants us right now, and we are enjoying Russia so much!

Some of the teenage girls at the camp.  They helped me with my Russian and I taught them some English.  This called for a lot of charades and laughs.

We are now in Tambov for 4 days of rest.  From here we will go into the villages for 10 days to do evangelism outreach.  Please pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed in truth as we go to these villages.  Pray for the Russian believers as they leave camp and go back to their lives, that they may be strengthened in the Lord.  Pray for health, strength, and joy on our team (there is already some sickness going around).  We cannot wait to see how God allows us to be a part of what He is doing here in Russia!  

One week.

It's hard to believe that a week from today, our team of three will be on a plane to Moscow.  I'm going to jot down a few things for anyone who wants to can be praying about as we prepare to leave.

• The attendees of the three camps we will be helping with (Youth English camp, youth discipleship camp, and family camp).
• The believers in the cities we will be going to, and the missionaries who are already there and who spend their lives dedicated to that region and those people. 
• The bonds of alcoholism and depression in the region. 
• The Gospel to establish light, hope, and peace to a dark land.
• All of the necessary preparations for our team as we go (buying all of the necessary craft supplies, the paperwork, and most importantly, spiritual preparation). 

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." 

The Contents of Prayer.

 "Our prayers for the evangelization of the world are but a bitter irony so long as we only give of our superfluity and draw back before the sacrifice of ourselves. " by M. Coillard in On the Threshold of Central Africa.  Influenced Amy.

I'm currently reading through Elisabeth Elliot's biography of Amy Carmichael (missionary to India), entitled A Chance to Die.  Something that has struck me as I have read this book is Amy's intense dedication to prayer.  Surprising, her letters home were not filled with all of the victories won on the field; but rather, all the sorrow.  In these stories of sorrow, she earnestly beseeched her friends and family at home to pray, because she believed in its power.  The contents of her prayer requests have been rather surprising to me.  Instead of primarily asking people to pray for her strength, health, peace, etc, she asked them to pray for the country, the people, the lost, the spiritual warfare, and the like.  She was so focused on the greater missions of bringing glory to God that all of her concerns and needs were overshadowed and swallowed up by the greater need of reaching the lost and discipling them into being mature believers in Christ.  She was intently focused on her purpose, so much so that she truly did sacrifice her needs and even her prayer requests so that other needs and prayers could be lifted up on behalf of God's ultimate purpose.  It is with this in mind that I include this quote from the book.  It was a quote that Amy counted as very dear to her, and she truly did model self-sacrifice.

This book has taught me that I spend far too much time praying for myself, and thus allow the needs of the world to be put on my secondary prayer list.  Prayer for others must be primary, and I am sure one will find personal growth and personal peace when one does practice self-sacrifice. In light of this, I have a request.  Please, pray for Russia.  Pray for the students, children, and families my team will be working with.  Pray for the believers there - that they would be discipled, and would thrive as a visible body of Christ to the Russians.  Pray that the light of Christ pervades the hurting country of Russia.  Pray.

Transparency.

Growing up, I loved reading missionary biographies.  I would read about Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, and the like with amazement over their passion for serving God at all costs.

Since that time, I have told myself I will count the cost too.  When I would get scared at this thought, I would simply think to myself, "I don't have to deal with that yet, and when I do, God will give me the grace."  If I may be completely honest for a moment, I can no longer tell myself that.  The time to go (both short-term and long-term) is getting closer.  The fear of missions sometimes strikes me in new ways, and I am scared to death about counting the cost.  I wonder why I can't have the missionary gusto of people like Amy Carmichael, or many other missionaries I know who, although had many struggles, seemed so bold and fearless in the process.  I don't have any profound answers to this, all I know is that the fear I am facing is real.  When I think about moving overseas, I'm terrified of being away from my family and so many of the securities I have.

However, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God will give me grace.  I have wrongly taken this God-given grace, however, to mean that the pain of missing family and counting the cost goes away.  Although I am a novice at all of this, I no longer believe the pain will go away.  The pain will be there, but God will also be there.  Always.  In the midst of my fear, I stand on the promises of God, knowing He does all things for the good of His name, Kingdom. and children.

So, maybe this post was to ask for prayer.  Maybe it was to get feedback and see what other people think about this topic.  Maybe it was to finally be transparent about the fact that while I am extremely excited about missions, there are times where I am scared too, but I dare not mention to that people.  Oops, I just did.  I'm going to post a song that has been incredibly encouraging to me during this time.  Hope it encourages you to share the Gospel, knowing the Lord guides your path, protects you, and empowers you to do all He has called you to do.  Oh yeah, and Psalm 32.  That's all.

Letter.

Because this blog will have all of my updates from Russia, I have decided to post my prayer letter that I sent out last week.  I hope it gives people a better idea of how to pray for me during this time.  Here it is, and thanks for your support!


Здравствуйте! (Hello!)

Did you know that only 1.2% of Russia is evangelical Christian?  This coming summer (June 23-August 6), God has given me the opportunity to put my Moody education into practice in the beautiful, yet hurting country of Russia.  I will be going to the city of Тамбов (Tambov), Russia for 6 weeks with SEND International to do a missions internship.  During my time in Russia, I will be part of a team putting on an English camp, a youth discipleship camp, and a family evangelistic camp, along with contributing to daily ministry tasks.  I will be able to utilize my major of evangelism and discipleship in a very practical way.  In order to go on this trip and live out what I have learned in the classroom at Moody, I need to raise a total of $4,710.  I strongly feel that this trip is something God has had planned for my life since before my birth.

The internship will also be my official vision trip with SEND International, which means that it is the first step in going to Russia with SEND full time post-Moody.  The country of Russia is a place God has been making me passionate about for over 2 years.  I pray that my time there will serve to confirm His calling on my life for full time ministry, and enable me to learn more about how to minister to the wonderful people of Russia.  In order for this trip to be made possible, I must rely on friends and family who support the cause of global missions.  I ask that you would pray and consider making a financial investment in this trip and the Russian people.

Perhaps even more important than my financial need is the necessity of prayer.  Jesus says in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing."  I know that I am insufficient for the task of spreading His great name among the nations, and thus, I need much prayer that God will work through me to expand His kingdom.  Would you please consider being a financial donor and a prayer warrior for this cause of eternal value?  Words cannot express the value each and every one of you has in my life.  You have all played a significant role in shaping me into who I am today, and I thank the Lord for the investments you have already placed in my life.  May God bless your generosity, and may you continue to serve Him faithfully in the ways that He may call you.      

In the love of Christ,

Courtney Mellinger

Preamble.

This week officially commenced the support raising process for my internship in Russia this summer.  I recently found out the specific price of the trip, allowing me to send out letters soon with all the details.  Due to that, this blog is largely going to be about Russia these next few months.  I hope to use it to post prayer requests, and give updates on the whole process (especially while I am there).  That being said, I want to share a few thoughts about trust as I begin this journey that could largely determine future plans post-Moody.  

E.M. Bounds has a quote on trust that has challenged my perspective about planning this trip.

"Trust is faith that has become absolute, approved, and accomplished. When all is said and done, there is a sort of risk in faith and its exercise. But trust is firm belief; it is faith in full bloom. Trust is a conscious act, a fact of which we are aware. " 

My trust in God about this trip ought to be something that is absolute, approved, and accomplished.  In other words, as I am raising money, I ought to trust God that He has already absolutely accomplished everything that needs to happen in order for me to board a plane for Russia.  My trust in God ought to be out of a firm belief in His provision and purpose.  Whew, I am severely lacking in such belief.  I too often take things into my own hands and make lists and accomplish tasks that reflect my distrust in God.  Those things are not bad in and of themselves, but when done in one's inability to rely on God's strength, they are sinful and meaningless.  Due to this, my theme prayer in this whole process must be Mark 9:24:

"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" 

God has called us to believe firmly in Him, because in doing so, we are able to go deeper and deeper into the depths of who He is and greatly strengthen out relationship with Him.  This is why God says in Isaiah 41:10, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  We are not to fear because He is with us.  As a professor recently pointed out, the verse does not say, "fear not, for I am sovereign," or, "fear not for I am trustworthy."  While these things are absolutely true and wonderful, the verse says we are not to fear because God is WITH us, in relationship with us, working on our behalf for His glory.  Such a relational, loving God who is always with us can certainly be trusted for all things.  

A perspective shift must occur in my mindset about this trip as I begin.  I must stop viewing it as something to be accomplished, and start viewing as a way to more deeply interact with my Creator God who is already with me and eager to provide me with all I need so I can accomplish His purpose.  This is absolute, approved, and accomplished trust.  Lord, in my moments of unbelief, help my unbelief and give me the ability to trust you more.  

Childish.

Today I am going to post another video.  I barely know anything about this girl, but one thing I do know: she seems to be the epitome of sweet childlike faith.  She is so sure that God delights in answering her prayers, and that He will answer.  She also has a deep desire at such a young age to encourage other people in Christ.  Watch and be challenged in your childlike faith.

"But Jesus called the children to Him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it." Luke 8:16-17.

This concept of childlike faith will be fresh on my heart in these coming months.  In June, I will go to Russia for 7 weeks to do an internship with SEND International.  This trip will suffice as a vision trip, which means it will lay the foundation for future fill time ministry with SEND in Russia, if that is where God is leading.  That being said, this blog may have a lot of entries related to that trip such as support letters, prayer letters, and updates from the field.  May I approach this trip with faith like a child regarding raising funds, etc.  May I allow God to use my filthy rags however He sees fit.

P.S.- Special shout-out to my friend Leah Gordon for putting my blog in her post.  Leah has ben my friend since middle school, and even though we no longer talk every day, when we do, she encourages me in the Lord.  Thank the Lord for friends He has given you who have shaped your walk in with Christ and molded into who you are today.  Leah's blog can be read here.