From Russia With Love...

a.k.a. Letters from Sis. Lynes in Russia

Letter #14: From the Mission Field in Russia

Subject: #14
Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 07:20:00 +0600
From: Shirley Lynes <gma@jacklynes.com>
To: jlynes@jacklynes.com

Hello, Everyone!
I can't believe another week has come and gone. One day just runs right into the next, and before I know it, it's the weekend again. I guess the biggest news this week is that all the missionaries were invited to a picnic celebrating July 4th on Saturday afternoon by the American Consulate. Their office is kitty-corner from Rosy, and the Consulate General is a member of the Church, and has lectured at Rosy many times. He served hamburgers and hot dogs, and homemade peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies. Peanut butter and chocolate chips are very hard to get here in Russia. They had set up in the parking lot of the consulate, with a charcoal grill. Good eating! When we were through with that, we came home and got out bags and went to Chelyabinsk. It was an uneventful trip this time. No drunks, and the gypsies didn't bother us either. Last week I saw a sight that made me so sad. At the bus station in Chely (where the gypsies are) there was a gypsy mother sitting against a wall nursing a little baby, and in front of her was a little tiny boy, just big enough to walk, walking back and forth with his little hand out. And they look as though they have never seen a drop of bath water. On the bus going out to where we stay in Chely, we went on an overpass, and just happened to look down. Under the bridges, there is a gypsy camp. People just living in squalor under the bridges. So sad, and such a waste. We did have something happen this week. Our lease was up, and our landlord wanted to raise the rent. He tries that every time the lease is up for renewal. We pay $300 per month (American money, not rubles). That is more than 3 times the average Russian monthly salary. And he wanted to raise it $50. Pres. Hall refuses to pay more than that--his usual top amount for a missionary apartment is $200, and that is being generous. But, by Russian standards, we have a nice apartment (and we ARE seniors). We held our ground, thinking we were going to have to find another apartment and move, but the landlord came around. We have a 6 month lease, so we have 6 months before we have to go through that again. He would have a hard time renting it to a Russian for that amount, and he knows it. Sis. Jenkins' dental work is coming along nicely. The dentist plans to have everything finished by the middle of July. I think the "hurting part" is over. She had to have one tooth pulled, and a root canal on another one. And, yes, she had her dental examination before she sent in her mission papers. I guess these things just happen. I was thinking yesterday on the bus trip that I haven't seen any road kill on the highway. It may be because we aren't out early in the morning--it's always late afternoon. I mentioned not seeing any road kill to Sis. Jenkins, and she said "Don't you remember that dead cow?" No, I didn't see that; that happened before I got here. They have open range for the cattle--not fenced in. Sometimes we see a cow tied out not far from the road eating the grass/weeds. But for the most part, they just roam free like they used to in Berkeley County. But I haven't seen any small animals killed on the road. I still haven't seen or heard any song birds. The Russians love flowers, and right now the flower I'm seeing being carried around most is peonies. I had never seen a peony. They don't grow in the south. Sis. Jenkins says there is too much humidity, but I don't know. She grew up with them in her yard in Ohio. Peonies are absolutely beautiful. And I've seen white, light pink, rose colored, and deep red ones. And they smell just divine! One of the ladies in Sis. Jenkins class brought her a big bouquet from her garden. Yekat has taught me one lesson: Always carry an umbrella. The weather is so changeable here! And it still isn't summer. It wasn't warm in Chelyabinsk this weekend, either. We are still wearing heavy sweaters any time we go out, and I am still sleeping under 2 wool blankets. At least we're not suffering with the heat. We didn't have much rain till June, then it seemed to rain every day. Not an all day kind of rain, just showers on and off. There is a lot of building going on here. >From the window at Rosy, I can see 5 large cranes that they use building large buildings. And the Russian Orthodox Church, about 2 blocks from Rosy, is remodeling, and putting gold on their domes. For so long, the people here couldn'teven say the word "God". So it's good to see them rebuilding their old churches. They are quite ornate. But they don't do much for the people's religious lives, and they don't have any kind of youth programs. Rosy has become a community center. We not only teach English, but we also have a computer class, a class to help people get better jobs, ping pong, miniature golf, chess, French classes, piano lessons, music conducting classes, and more things being planned. So we stay pretty busy there. Pres. Hall had talked about sending Sis. Jenkins and me to Tyumen, but I think he has changed his mind. I hope so! They really don't have anyone else to run Rosy. Have I told you that the Russians wear their wedding rings on their ring finger of their right hand? Just an observation. Did I tell you that we have a new tenant on the ground floor at Rosy (remember, we are on the third floor)? It is a bank. They have done some remodeling and repainted the outside of our building. The building really looks good. It wasn't in bad need of paint, but it looks nicer. They must not have any kind of automobile inspections here. I see so many cars, and even buses, with cracked windshields. Well, it's getting late, and I'm just rambling. It has been a long day. I need to get some rest before Monday comes down on top of me again! I really appreciate all the email and prayers. Please keep both coming. We need all the help we can get. I know this is the Lord's work. The people here are so special. I hope to see the work really take off and lots of baptisms happen. Do svidonia (till next time).

Love,
Mom, Grandma, Greatgrandma, Shirley, sister, aunt, cousin,
friend, acquaintance, (did I cover everything?)
(Choose one)