Overcoming the Darkness

On Christmas Eve, a small group of believers gathered in the conference room of our residence in Kabul to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. We were small in number, but mighty in spirit. The text below is a 'paraphrase' of the message that I felt led to deliver that evening in a land far away from home.

Overcoming the Darkness

For those of us who are familiar with the Christmas story, we know it begins in the literal darkness of the night. However, at that time, there was also the darkness of oppression, for God's people were a conquered people. They were a beaten and a defeated people. There was the darkness of persecution. Indeed, it was a despised universal taxation that brought the participants in the story together on that fateful night. There was the darkness of disillusionment. There was an ever-increasing number who felt that violence, not faith, was the most effective path. Yes, on that first Christmas, the mood of all the people was one of despair and resignation.

Thus it was then and thus it is now. We too still live in a world of darkness, don't we? There are wars and rumors of wars, hunger, disease and unemployment, racism, loneliness, and a sense of emptiness. I don't have to tell any of you about the darkness, because in one form or another, at one time or another, it has touched the life of each person here - each of us has our own reasons for coming to this place.

At some time in our lives, we all have been acquainted with the night. We have unexpectedly lost loved ones or lost jobs or been part of a broken marriage or have been wronged by someone we loved….Each of us has our own story of our time within the darkness of despair and pain. Thus, we do not come here this evening to naively deny the existence of the darkness. And nowhere in scriptures do we receive a pep talk and an argument that things aren't really as bad as they seem. Rather, the scriptures affirm for us time and time again that the darkness is real and it is present.

But, scripture also affirms that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “people who walk in darkness have seen a great light.” Luke’s Gospel records: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Thus, in a few moments, we come together to sing again the words:

“Silent night holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light,
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus Lord at thy birth.”

Brothers and sisters, the good news of Christmas is that in the midst of a deep darkness there came a light, and the darkness was not able to overcome that light. It was not just a temporary flicker. It was an eternal flame. We need to remember that. There are times, in the events of the world and in the events of our own personal lives, when we feel that the light will be snuffed out. But the Christmas story affirms that whatever happens, the light still shines.

As we heard from several of our scripture readings tonight, the ancient Hebrews were afraid of the darkness. They were particularly afraid of a place they called the outer darkness. To them creation began when God said: Let there be light. To them, where there was darkness there was only void and emptiness. What great meaning and hope it must have been for them when they heard Jesus refer to himself as the “light of the world”.

I believe we need to hear these words this Christmas as the families of Afghanistan and Iraq and Sudan and Somalia are suffering. We need to hear these words as the families of war torn Israel and Gaza, both Jewish and Palestinian, are overwhelmed with grief. We need to hear these words as the families of our men and women of our military long for their loved ones to be home this season. Yes, the darkness of this world is very real. But because of the miracle of Christmas, it will never get so dark that we can't see the light.

Into the darkness of this world, God sends an eternal light. As you walk outside this evening, notice that the darkness does not intrude upon the light. On the contrary, it is the light that intrudes upon the darkness. Light is always stronger than darkness. And the forces of light are stronger than the forces of darkness.

The greatest need in our mixed up and confused world this day is to let people know that there is hope. We need to share with our families and friends that life is worth living no matter what. We should never be discouraged to the point of despair. In Jesus Christ, we shall cling to the hope the life overcomes death, that love conquers hate, and that truth will prevail over falsehood. We are the people of light and we must share that light in a dark and a dreary land.

Why do you think that God chose to use a star to guide the Wisemen to Bethlehem? I am convinced that it was not by accident. It was an eternal reminder to them and to us that in a sea of darkness, it is the light that keeps us going forward. It is the light of hope and the light of Christ that leads the way and dispels the gloom.

It is my prayer that the light of Christmas will shine and enlighten the dark corners of your life and that you, too, will discover the pathway to Bethlehem. It is my prayer this Christmas that the light of Christ will strengthen you and lift you up to overcome the darkness of this world. It is my prayer tonight that the Eternal of Jesus Christ always shines forth from your spirit for all to see – that this world may one day overcome the darkness once and for all.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Russ

Being Who God Made Us To Be

Pastor Rick Warren has a very successful book entitled "The Purpose Driven Life" and it's companion book "The Purpose Driven Church". I've read both and have gleened lots of good points for my ministry and my life. I have come to the conclusion that I need to live my life as I understand God wants me to live my life. That is to say that I must strive to be who God made me to be.

And as I am more aware of that calling and desire, I become more aware of others around me who are doing exactly the same thing. Thus, this posting will be focused on a certain young lady from New Hampshire who just spend six weeks here with us as part of our engineering team. However, her presence here had a far more reaching impact on me and on others than just her considerable engineering talents. I believe that Jessica had such an impact on so many of us because she is geniune - the real deal - and because she was being exactly what God made her to be.

Jessica is a Civil Engineer. Being a female in the traditionally male dominated engineering profession in the US is tough enough, but to come to Afghanistan where women are not usually even encouraged to hold any job outside the home....well, that should tell you immediately what this young lady is made of. I must admit that I was a bit worried when I found out that we were having a twenty-something young lady join us in this environment, but once I met Jessica all my preconceived notions and misconceptions went right out the window.

Not only does she have the engineering skills necessary to make our work here very successful, she has the interpersonal skills and humble attitudes to show our all male Afghan engineering team that a woman can be just as effective an engineer as a man. It did not take long at all for our Afghan staff to accept her - it became quickly obvious that they respected her to the point where they wanted to work with her. In a very short period of time, she was 'adopted' and gained several new fathers and brothers - and not just from the Afghan staff either!

I believe with all my heart that she was just being who God made her to be. Nothing more, nothing less. When we do that without any pretense, without any labels, without any masks - people see our hearts and our spirits. We don't need to speak the same language, live in the same culture or even practice the same religion to love our neighbor.

Jessica was only here for six weeks as a short term technical assistant, but she touched so many lives. It was emotionally obvious when our Afghan engineering staff began to present her with several gifts during her last week here. Not just once or twice, but several times they brought pashminas, shawls, traditional shirts and presented them to her as a token of their respect and affection.....just because Jessica was being who God made her to be.

The last event before she returned home brought it all out into the light and touched me so very deeply that I must share it. Engineering Omar is a man in his fifties who has experienced so much pain and war in his lifetime, but I truly believe in his heart that he has truly adpoted Jessica as his third daughter.

Our engineering team was invited to his home for a traditional Afghan dinner shortly before Jessica was leaving the country. The dinner was fabulous and the company was even better. But what happened after dinner will be forever etched in my memory and my heart. Omar and his wife presented Jessica with beautiful gifts...jewelry, a shawl, a shirt, but it wasn't the gifts that made the moment - it was the look on Omar's face. It was a look of love...all made possible because Jessica chose to be who God made her to be.

In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandment. Jesus replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

When we give ourselves over to God - heart, soul and mind - we can't help but be filled with His love, gentleness and compassion. When we show that love, gentleness and compassion to our neighbors - no matter who or where they are- we show them the love of God. In other words, when we are living our lives in His presence, we are being who God made us to be.

Jessica has done that and she has made a lasting impression on many of us....but the story doesn't end there. At the end of her six week deployment, Jessica made it clear she really didn't want to leave - and that she definitely wanted to come back. In addition to my written request to the home office requesting her return, every engineering staff member in our Kabul office made it very clear they also wanted her back.

The home office concurred ... and sometime after the Christmas holidays, we will welcome Jessica back to Afghanistan for at least an additional six weeks!

Blessings to one and all this most Holy Christmas season. May God touch every and every one of you in a very special way. May each of us feel led to live our lives as God made us to be.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Russ

It's the Little Things That Make the Difference

I'm finding that sometimes, as Americans, we have a tendancy to overlook many of the moments in our lives that can be the most fulfilling. We hustle here and there, try to cram more and more in to our work days and yet miss so much...

This time I'm spending in Afghanistan seems to have heightened my awareness level of some of those moments. Moments that I just plain do not seem to see back home. Those moments when you kinda sit back and say, "Wow, what did I just witness?!"

There are a couple of those "little things" I've witnessed recently that I'd like to share with you in this posting. I pray that perhaps in reading them, you may find yourself seeking to to be more aware of those special moments that God puts in our lives...and to be willing to be a witness to His love in return.

The first instance is one that I will not forget anytime soon. It happened one morning in our office at work. Our Afghan receptionist, Farzana, has a sweet tooth (much like the rest of us in the engineering office I might add!). She loves it when we bring in pastries or cookies from one of the local bakeries, or better yet - when we get homemade goodies from home. It just so happens that the counter where we place them is right next to my desk. When she comes in for here tea, I always make sure to offer her some pastries.

I'm guessing that Farzana is in her early twenties, the same age as my daughters, and I know she not only works in our office, but is also taking college courses. She is a somewhat quiet and reserved, as is the custom in this culture, but recently she has started to feel comfortable enough to have short conversations with me as she chooses her morning sweets from the box next to my desk.

On this particular morning as she came in, before she poured her tea, I asked her if she liked hot cocoa or hot chocolate. She replied that she didn't know - because she had never had any before. After I got over the bit of a shock at her statement, I told her if she would like to try it, we had some that had been shipped over from America. After a moment, she said she would.

I showed her how to rip open the packet, pour in the hot water and stir it. Then I asked her if she wanted some marshmallows to put in it. She looked at me, with her head slightly tilted and asked, "What are marshmallows?". I had to think a moment because the question really caught me off guard - how do you explain to sometime what marshmallows are?!

So, I told her they were soft, very sweet like sugar and they floated and melted on the top of hot chocolate. Her eyes got big and she said, "Really? Yes, I'd like to try some please." I told her to help herself to the bag. As she put some in (they were the miniature ones), she asked "How many?", to which I replied, "As many of you wish." She once again gave me a look of astonishment and replied, "Really?" and I just shook my head 'yes' with a huge grin on my face.

When she finished preparing it, she lifted it and took just a small sip. As she tasted it, she started to smile, then broke into a broader smile and then she looked right at me with eyes that sparkled and shined. She said, in a slow clear voice, "This is wonderful, thank you so much !!!".

Brothers and sisters, it's the little things that make the difference...

The other moment I want to share is even more meaningful to me. This moment involved Rios. Rios also works in our office. He is a cleaner and maintenance person. I don't know what his salary is, but I do know that he is not paid much nor is it even near what he is worth. He is a small young man, but works tirelessly. Rios has been learning English and has prided himself in being able to converse with us as he learned more and more.

Conversely, several of us in the office have been trying to learn some basic conversational phrases in Dari, so we can share more with many of our Afghan staff in their native tongue. As Rios shares with us some of his English skills as he goes about his chores, several of us have asked him to also give us the Dari translation so we could learn too.

Not only did he agree to, but if you looked at his face closely you could see a transformation in it. He relished the thought that we valued him enough to ask for his help. So, each morning as he comes in to prepare our coffee, sweep the floors, empty wastebaskets - he never fails to greet us first in English, and then in Dari - and immediately helps us with our pronunciation as we struggle with the appropriate reply. And all the time - with a huge wide grin on his face.

Then, a week or so ago, I had a thought come to me. (Yes, it does happen occasionally!) Since we want to learn more Dari and Rios is always helping us with it, why not ask him to teach us formally as a group? Several of us discussed it and agreed it was a great idea - and that each of us would pay him a nominal fee for his time. I volunteered to speak with him to make the proposal and the offer.

So I stopped him one day and said I'd like to speak with him about something. We set a time near the end of the work day, as he was getting ready to leave. When the appointed time arrived, we sat on a couch in the lobby and I told him of our proposal and that we wanted to pay him for his time.

The look on his face and in his eyes I will never forget. After a moment, he said he would like to help us but he was not a teacher. I told him we didn't want a teacher, we wanted him to continue to teach us just as he was doing everyday - only as a group, at a table together.

Then he said that he couldn't take our money to do it. I told him that his time was valuable and we wanted to pay him. I also told him that the group agreed if he would not take the money, then we would not go forward with the class. He protested one more time that the money was too much, but I would not back down.

Then I saw the tears well up in his eyes as he told me, "I am so honored that you have asked me to do this thing. I am forever grateful to you." As I fought back the lump in my own throat (and my own tears), I replied, "The honor is ours my friend."

Brothers and sisters, it's the little things that make the difference....

As children of God, we are all called to make a difference in this world. You don't need to come to Afghanistan to make a difference in someone's life. You can do it right in your own home, at your workplace, at your church, at the supermarket...the list could go one forever. It is just a matter of being open to God's love and being more aware of the opportunities He gives you to share it with others.

So, I'd like to challenge you. I challenge you to seek out just one opportunity to make a meaningful difference on someone's life today. And then do it again tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that - until it becomes part of who you are.

Brothers and sisters, it really is the little things that make the difference...

Pastor Russ

The Children

As the time draws closer for Thanksgiving, followed by Advent and Christmas, I've been feeling just a bit of homesickness - as well as recovering from a nasty sinus infection. I've been thinking a lot more about the 'closeness' of our family, especially during the holiday times. I've been thinking about the turkey dinner and how full our table is every year. I've been thinking about the Advent season and how we used to do the morning Advent devotional readings together at the breakfast table. And all the family Christmas traditions - too many to list in this small space. I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself too, since I won't be there this year for the very first time in more than 28 years of marriage and raising a family. I suppose it's natural and at the same time just a bit painful too.

And then, when I was kinda questioning how committed I really was to this opportunity and whether I should perhaps consider heading home...I looked directly into the eyes of an Afghan child on the streets of Kabul.

They say that there are an estimated 60,000 'street children' in Kabul. Many of them are homeless. Many of them have homes - but must beg for money and food for themselves and their families. Many of them are sick, cold and hungry. And winter is not too far away.

Each day on our way to and from the office in our secure vehicles, we see them. Many of them stand right in the streets, near the stop lights. When the traffic stops, they seek out the vehicles that may contain a sympathetic Westerner and begin to wipe the dust from the windows - in hopes for a small tip. Even when the traffic begins to move, they continue to run alongside until they can't keep up.

And when we go shopping in town, they find us and follow us. They try to sell us everything from gum to cell phone cards. They offer to be our 'bodyguards'. They know that we have money to spend on rugs and scarves and wood carvings - and they are hoping that we will spend just a little on them.

We've been instructed by our security folks not to pay attention to them nor to buy anything from them. If we do, we are only encouraging them and more will come - perhaps even putting themselves and us in danger. Many children have been hit by cars and others have reportedly been abducted for slave labor.

Then, today, as I was leaving the local shopping center after taking a significant amount of cash from the ATM to pay my monthly food and laundry bill, I encountered a little boy whom looked to be 7 or 8 years old. His clothes were tattered and he had well worn sandals on his feet, but no socks. He was carrying what looked to be an old soup can on a piece of rope, swinging it back and forth as he approached me. I noticed wisps of smoke rising from the can . As he got closer, I could smell a sweet aroma of incense as well.

As he drew near, I heard him say, "Mister, you like the smell? You give me dollar for food?" and as I looked him eye to eye, I replied "Na" (Dari for 'no') and waved my hand away from me, as our security people have taught us to do. Just then my personal security guard opened the car door and indicated for me to get in.

The little boy continued to walk beside me, no longer saying anything, but still waving the sweet incense can until I entered the vehicle. As the door shut, I looked at him again through the window - eye to eye.

What I saw in his eyes was emptiness. No feeling. No pain. He was numb in his mind and in his spirit. Then, just as quickly, the glance was gone as he turned to seek out another person on the street.

What I then felt in my chest was a heaviness of shame and a powerful conflict in my spirit. How could I be so heartless?! How could I let the current circumstances in war torn Kabul justify my actions? What harm could have come from handing him just a single dollar? or taking the time to buy a piece of grilled lamb or chicken and fresh baked bread from a nearby vendor to give to him?

The Bible, the Quran and the Torah all call for us as people of God to care for his children. And, yet, so many times we turn away from them. So many times, by our actions, we act like they don't matter. But they do matter. They matter to God. And, thus, they must matter to us as Christians, Muslims and Jews alike.

In the coming days, I am going to fervently seek out opportunities to help the children of Kabul. There are aid organizations here in Kabul who are working to provide meals and housing for these very street children. I am going to seek them out and offer to help in any way I can.

I am not going to do this as an act of guilt for my actions of today with that boy. I am going to do it because that's what Jesus Christ calls us to do. That encounter with that little boy today - a boy I may never even see again - was an opportunity. An opportunity not to continue down the path I was on.

The children, my brothers and sisters - what we are doing for the children?

Pastor Russ <'///><

Why I Am Here...

That question has crossed my mind more than once these past few days..."Why am I here?"

I'm not referring to the "big" picture of why I am alive, I already know the answer to that. I am alive to fulfill God's purposes for my life and to worship His greatness.

Instead, why am I here - in Kabul, Afghanistan, in the fall of 2008? As I explore these thoughts in my prayer and meditation time each day, I see God reveal things to me in subtle but yet very profound ways.

The elections in the US were on everybody's minds this past week. Many of our Afghan friends asked questions about who each of us supported, who we voted for, why we voted the way we did, etc. Many of them were not just interested in my personal views, but were far more interested in the process of democracy and freedom.

And they became even more interested when I shared with them that my choice for President did not win, but that I was praying for the man who did win. I told them that I was praying for God's anointing and presence on his soul, that he would be a good leader and he would seek God's guidance and strength in the days and years ahead. First, the quizzical looks on their faces, then the moment when they realized what I was saying to them - that my love for my fellow man transcended my political fervor.....that's when I knew why I am here.

Then there was the conversation with the young lady who is the office receptionist in our Kabul office. She overheard me talking about my own children, how they have all gone to college and are now starting their own families. She specifically then asked me about my three daughters: did I approve of their education? what did they each study? were they going to have full time careers? did they vote in the election?... I shared with her how Anne and I have encouraged each of our children to seek their own dreams and to become active citizens in their country. I told her how every one of them had voted in the election, but not all for the same candidate that I did - and how proud I am of them for having their own opinions and strengths. I noticed how her smile widened and her eyes glimmered with understanding....and that's when I knew why I am here.

And then there are the children. Each day as I ride to the office from our residence, we pass many children on their way to school. The boys do not look much different than the children in our own hometowns: T-shirts, jeans, sneakers and backpacks. The girls all dress in black slacks, black long sleeve blouses and white head scarves. They attend separate schools - but they are all going to school willingly, excitedly and enthusiastically. They will someday grow up and be the future leaders of this country. Much of our work here is centered around providing for that future...that's why I am here.

I know God has a purpose for my life....a purpose that has brought me to this place, at this time. I give Him all the honor, glory and praise for all that He provides. I pray daily that He will continue to provide opportunities for conversation, for service, for awareness...that's why I am here.

"Salam aleikom"

"Salam aleikom",

This traditional Afghan greeting translates as "Peace be with you" and it is so very appropriate to open with this update to the blog. That traditional greeting means so much to me. Not only because it is one of the first Dari phrases that I learned, but because so many of my new Afghan friends truly seek that peace in a land where it is so hard to find.

It is hard to believe that I have been in Afghanistan for three weeks. The time as flown by from the time I received the call to deploy, to being put on hold, then told to mobilize again, to actually landing in Kabul. And then, once I got here, we rolled up our sleeves and went right to work.

From the perspective of my work committment, we are moving forward with the design of new government district and training centers in several of the provinces where the government, until now, has been somewhat non-existent. We hope to be able to complete topographic surveys and conduct geo-technical testing on many of the sites in the next couple months, with the hope to break ground in the early spring. Several of the sites will actually be snowbound from December to March, but others we may be able to proceed right through the winter.

From the perspective of my spiritual journey and committment, I see and feel things that are new and different but at the same time deeply familiar. We don't always have the opportunity to attend worship services, due to security concerns, but that doesn't stop us from being in the presence of the spirit of God.

There are also some of the elements of the Islamic faith of many of my Afghan co-workers and friends that I have experienced in a bold new way. They exhibit their faith committment openly. They have a gentle spirit. They faithfully answer the call to prayer five times per day. Prior to their prayer time, they complete a physical and spiritual cleansing. First, they wash their face, hands and feet to present a clean body before God. Then, they invite the spirit of God to cleanse their spirit, moving their hands in an inviting motion ovr their head in a symbolic washing of their soul. As they enter their prayer time, they fall to their knees on a prayer rug - a rug whose only purpose is for prayer - and bow before God in a act of total submission, petitioning His forgiveness and His compassion. Many of my friends have had the same prayer rug for many years - so many years that the spots where their knees and foreheads touch the rug are worn and bare.

On their holy day, which is Friday, many of the Muslim faithful fast from sun up to sun down, again as an act of cleansing and submission to the will of God. During the season of Ramadon, usually a month long observance in September to October, they fast during daylight hours everyday for a month, then end with the festival of Eid, a multi-day celebration of God's omnipotence and faithfulness.

In reflection, that's quite a bit of a different picture of the Islamic faith than what we see on the nightly news back home, isn't it? I now believe that to fully experience the depth of faith that many, many Muslims feel, one must spend some time in the culture and be open to a deeper understanding of their committment.

This experience has only strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, while at the same time helped me to examine some of those elements of Muslim worship that I believe Christians could benefit from in our own faith walk.

How many of us set aside time in our busy lives to lock out the rest of the world, to cleanse our body & spirit, to fall prostrate before our God in submission and enter into direct conversation with Him - not just once per day but five times EVERY day?

I know some of my brothers and sisters in Christ who might give up a little something up during Lent, or might even entering into a brief time of fasting occasionally - but how many of us would consider doing it one day a week for our entire lives? or for an entire month? It's a humbling thought, isn't it? Perhaps, eye opening as well?

I just finished reading a book called "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Relin (I highly recommend it!). It's the story of Greg's committment to build schools in some of the most impoverished areas of Pakistan beginning in the 1990's and continuing thru to present day. I hope each of us takes some time to reflect on the words and our own perspectives - and how we might choose to see things just a bit differently if we open our hearts to the possibilities.

I'll close this blog entry with a quote from that book. In that quote, Mortenson is quoting a speech given by a powerful Islamic Shite cleric in September 14, 2001 at the dedication of a new school in Kuardu, Pakistan - just three days after the events of September 11th.

"We share in the sorrow as people weep and suffer in America today...those who committed this evil act against the innocent, the women and children, to create thousands of widows and orphans do not do so in the name of Islam...For this tragedy, I humbly ask Mr. George and Dr. Grg Shaib, for their forgiveness....These two Christian men have come halfway around the world to show our Muslim children the light of education." He continued, "I request that America look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But, today, another candle of knowledge has been lit. In the name of Allah the Almighty, may it light our way out of the darkness we find ourselves in."

Each morning now when I do my morning devotions and prayer time, I light a candle. A candle to remind me that through God - Jehovah - Yahweh - Allah - all things are possible. I truly believe the work we are doing here in Afghanistan is another candle being lit to bring a nation into the light.

Peace,

Pastor Russ

Answering the Call

Grace and Peace to you in the Name of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord,

By the time many of you read his month’s posting, I will probably be in Kabul, Afghanistan. Now that may come as a shock to most of you, but I hope not all of you.

First, allow me to explain my “cover” story. (Bear with me on this, hopefully you’ll see the light by the time you finish reading this message.) My full time job is in the architectural/engineering business and the parent company that I work for is a Fortune 100 company with 8000 employees and 350 offices worldwide. Late last winter, I saw an internal job posting for an overseas deployment. After discussions with my family and lots of prayer, we decided to submit my name for consideration fully believing that nothing would ever come of it.

Now fast forward to this June. I received a call to inform me that I was now one of four individuals under serious consideration for the job and was asked if I was still interested. Again, after discussions with my wife – and lots more prayer – I said, “Yes, leave my name in the hat.” I have to say that the still small voice in my head was starting to get just a bit louder that this opportunity just might actually become a reality.

A few weeks ago, while acting as Camp Chaplin at Camp Aldersgate in the Adirondacks, I received another call that said I was the guy they wanted. I needed to make a decision if I wanted to start the process towards deployment. After discussing it with Anne one more time and spending much time in prayer by the lake, I heard God’s call loud and clear this time and said ‘Yes’.

At the beginning of this message I mentioned that this job is my “cover” story. I truly believe that.

During my prayer times and my discernment meditations, I began to realize that this was far less about a job opportunity and far more about a ministry opportunity as a United Methodist pastor in an Islamic country. Yes, my company is going to be paying me to oversee many important construction projects.

However, I also know God is calling each and every one of us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross and follow Him where He leads us. This verse from Matthew 16:24 has been echoing in my mind – and my heart – throughout this very tough decision process.

During this process, I came to understand what denying myself may look like. I have resigned my seat as the President Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Board of Education. I have had to turn over my responsibilities to our Boy Scout Troop 95 to another member of our church. I have had to examine what this opportunity means to my position as the Pastor of Ledyard UMC. And I have had agonize about a difficult extended separation from my wife and children.

And yet through it all, I knew that my Savior, Jesus Christ, was calling me to discipleship. He was opening a door to me and telling me to follow Him.

He is reminding me that my call to ministry happened while I was in the mission field in Guatemala. He is reminding me that He pulled me out of the hell being an alcoholic. He is reminding me that He has blessed me with a loving wife of 28 years and four wonderful children who also know Him as their Lord and Savior.

So why do I say that the job opportunity is just a ‘cover story’? It is because I know that I am going to Afghanistan as a disciple of Jesus Christ cleverly disguised as a Project Manager overseeing construction projects!

These construction projects will change the lives of many, many people. These buildings are government buildings that will – for the very first time in Afghanistan’s storied history – provide basic medical, educational and legal services in many towns and villages throughout the country.

I know that I can not evangelize and proselytize in this country. It would be foolish and very dangerous. But I can be the hands and feet of Christ to help improve the lives of all God’s children. I can work side by side with Afghan engineers in our Kabul office who are experiencing – perhaps for the first time in their lives – the right to choose whom they work for and who are committed to bringing the infrastructure of their country into this century and give their people a chance at better lives. The average life expectancy of people in Afghanistan is 42 years. 1 in 4 infants don’t live to experience their 2nd birthday. Many women are still denied basic rights. In many areas of the country, people still live in fear of the brutality of the Taliban.

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe that with all that I am in my heart, mind and spirit. And I believe also that God has called me to this endeavor – and if He has truly called me, He will give me the tools I need to be His disciple.

My deployment is currently slated for 3 to 6 months. I will be in regular contact as often as possible and will be monitoring the church website for updates on our ministries.

I will be putting my thoughts and pictures here when I can. I encourage you to check it often and then share what you find with others.

Until we are together again, I bid you
“Shabbat Shalom”.

Pastor Russ <’///><

Ledyard UMC - Memorial Window Dedication Ceremony

Today I'd like to share my remarks from our 175th Anniversary Celebration this past Sunday. These remarks are specifically addressing our new Memorial Windows that were dedicated and are based on Matthew 5:14-16. Your thoughts and comments are encouraged!

"Friends,

As we gather here in this beautiful setting today to dedicate these Memorial Windows, we are indeed letting our light shine before others…as the generations who came before us have done on this holy ground for the past 175 years.

As we gather here today, not just as the Ledyard United Methodist church – but as Christ’s church universal…as a community of believers (and perhaps seekers)…we are indeed a city on a hill that can not be hidden.

As we gather here today, we share the light from our lamp stand with an extended community who celebrate with us and who remember with us.

We remember the saints in whose memories we dedicate these windows. Those who lived long and fruitful lives, as well as those who were called home not in our time, but in God’s chosen time…and while we miss them all, we acknowledge they belonged to God before they belonged to us…and to God they returned.

In these windows, we see beautiful renditions of some of God’s awesome creation…and in these images we remember…memories of laughter, memories of love, memories of hugs and of tears…memories that will live on thru the generations to come as we pass them along to our children and their children, just as the ancient Hebrew tribes did for generations…

These past Friday evening, July 4th, I had the opportunity to attend a worship and remembrance service at the Washington DC Hebrew Temple…a service of a mixture of the melodic Hebrew chants and choruses, blended with patriotic hymns….at was uplifting….I felt like I had both stepped back into the past, while celebrating the present and looking to the future.

But the moment of the service that brought tears to my eyes was the moment when they shared the names of those no longer in their midst who had left this world for the next within the past year….and after each name was spoken the congregation responded “Shabbat Shalom”…Hebrew for “Sabbath Peace”…while they missed their friends and family, they entrusted them into God’s hands and wished them an eternal Sabbath peace…

Today, in a similar way, we do the same. Before we dedicate these windows to the glory of God, we can gaze on them and remember our family and friends…and entrust them to God rest in an eternal Sabbath peace…

I would invite you now to raise aloud any names of friends and family who have gone home to the Lord, recently or in your past, that you wish to remember today….and after all names have been raised that you wish to raise, I will pronounce the words “Shabbat Shalom” and I invite you to respond with the same words.....persons lift up the names of those they wish to remember…

“Shabbat Shalom”

Amen.

New Blog

Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

I am planning to start this blog as an outreach ministry to the world. It is my prayer that all who visit this blog will find blessings and joy.....and perhaps an opportunity to explore their faith in a meaningful way.

At least once a week I will be posting a scripture selection and discussions/comments/personal insights associated with that scripture.

I encourage your feedback and insights as well. I picture myself as a 'teaching' style pastor and I realize that not only do I not have all the answers - I know that I haven't even begun to uncover all the questions!

I also encourage you to email me with questions or thoughts that you might not want to share on the blog. As I said, I want this to be an outreach ministry to the world, so don't be shy and perhaps together we can move to deeper levels in our faith.

May Christ's light always shine on the paths of your life. May He lead you where he needs you - and may you always be willing to follow!

In His Service,

Pastor Russ <'///><