This marks the end of day four after our arrival here in Moscow, Russia! My boss and his wife from ISpeak have been exceptionally kind in helping us get on our feet here. They even had a kitchen full of groceries waiting for us when we arrived. When we laid eyes our apartment for the first time I was very pleased. It's small, but clean and came furnished. It even has a washing machine- which means we don't have to wash clothes in the sink (which I was originally expecting to have to do.) Lexi is just happy being with mommy and daddy and is beside herself crawling around everywhere on the wood floors. It's already cold here. I haven't gone anywhere outside without my fleece on and apparently every Russian child that draws breath MUST wear a hat at all times. I'm sure the babushkas think we're bad parents having Lexi's strawberry-blonde locks blowing freely in the breeze. We spent a full day at IKEA picking up things for the apartment that were lacking. We managed to score a pretty nice bed for a good price and Lexi got a new toy to keep her occupied. Oh, and we got threatened by a trolley-bus driver while sitting in traffic. Apparently we didn't move our car fast enough out of his way or something.
I won't actually start teaching until the 17th because the office has been terribly behind with most of the staff having been gone over the summer. However, we're having a meet and greet tomorrow on Saturday so I will hopefully be able to meet some of my future students then. Exciting times!
Blessings.
--Matthew
Friday, September 7, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Our Story Devo. style:
In case you missed it, here's our story. My family and I are moving to Russia to live as missionaries for the next season of life.
Matthew 28:16-20, known as the great commission, was preached often when I was in college. It seems like I heard it at least once a week. The scene opens with eleven disciples hanging out on the mountain, after Jesus’ death. They are waiting for Him to get there, because He said He’d meet them on that mountain. I imagine, like any employee today, one of them asking “is this where the meeting is scheduled? Are you sure?”
Even after seeing him resurrected, some still doubted. Sometimes, I’m that doubter. Do you know that Jesus said the same thing to the doubters as he did to those who were firm in faith? The scripture reads: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
These were Jesus’ disciples, and now He is telling them to go make disciples. In the book of Acts and other New Testament books you read a lot about Jesus’ disciples making disciples!
"It is an incredible feat that because 12 men obeyed, you and I are Christians. Imagine that!"
My husband and I were at a crossroads in life in 2010, when I found out the ministry I was working for would be relocating to California. We prayed and sought the Lord for about a month about whether we were to follow the ministry to California. The answer was “no.” So, we simply asked God, “what next?”
In 2011, we embarked on a two week misson trip to Russia, and as soon as we hit America we felt the Lord calling us back to Russia. Now we, Christians, know satisfaction doesn’t come from the American Dream, but from obeying God’s calling on your life. The pursuit of happiness is not a scripture verse, lest we forget. I laugh now, having to remind myself of this, and how much God loves humor (he did create it). But, recall that the greatest commandment is to love Him, and the second greatest is to love others like you love yourself (Matt. 22:37-39).
In 2012, my family and I are answering the call of God on our lives and committing ourselves to the great commission. We have rented out our home, sold some furniture, stored other items and will take 3 suitcases, a pack-n-play, and our 8 month old to Russia. First, we will complete a month of missions and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training with TeachOverseas.org . Maybe we’ll see you in Moscow!
Following Jesus,
Rhonda
In case you missed it, here's our story. My family and I are moving to Russia to live as missionaries for the next season of life.
Matthew 28:16-20, known as the great commission, was preached often when I was in college. It seems like I heard it at least once a week. The scene opens with eleven disciples hanging out on the mountain, after Jesus’ death. They are waiting for Him to get there, because He said He’d meet them on that mountain. I imagine, like any employee today, one of them asking “is this where the meeting is scheduled? Are you sure?”
Even after seeing him resurrected, some still doubted. Sometimes, I’m that doubter. Do you know that Jesus said the same thing to the doubters as he did to those who were firm in faith? The scripture reads: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
These were Jesus’ disciples, and now He is telling them to go make disciples. In the book of Acts and other New Testament books you read a lot about Jesus’ disciples making disciples!
"It is an incredible feat that because 12 men obeyed, you and I are Christians. Imagine that!"
My husband and I were at a crossroads in life in 2010, when I found out the ministry I was working for would be relocating to California. We prayed and sought the Lord for about a month about whether we were to follow the ministry to California. The answer was “no.” So, we simply asked God, “what next?”
In 2011, we embarked on a two week misson trip to Russia, and as soon as we hit America we felt the Lord calling us back to Russia. Now we, Christians, know satisfaction doesn’t come from the American Dream, but from obeying God’s calling on your life. The pursuit of happiness is not a scripture verse, lest we forget. I laugh now, having to remind myself of this, and how much God loves humor (he did create it). But, recall that the greatest commandment is to love Him, and the second greatest is to love others like you love yourself (Matt. 22:37-39).
In 2012, my family and I are answering the call of God on our lives and committing ourselves to the great commission. We have rented out our home, sold some furniture, stored other items and will take 3 suitcases, a pack-n-play, and our 8 month old to Russia. First, we will complete a month of missions and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training with TeachOverseas.org . Maybe we’ll see you in Moscow!
Following Jesus,Rhonda
Update 8-21-12
Training is finally over! I was beginning to wonder if it would every end! TeachOverseas had our time scheduled from sunrise to sunset and between TEFL courses and culture training sessions our days were kept full. It was encouraging to meet so many other people who share the same desire in serving the world through teaching. I'm amazed at how our G-d was able to take complete strangers and quickly knit their hearts together in love. On only the second day of training one of my teammates remarked ,"I can't believe it's only day TWO! I feel like I've known you for years."
Lexi's crawling all over the place now. Any free moment I have is spent prying something out of her hands that she's not supposed to have! She can "somewhat" feed herself her snacks now, although I did witness her try to put a cracker in her ear. I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually.
Rhonda and I are currently staying with a friend in Camarillo, CA until we depart for Russia on 9/3. Oh, and I get to meet the Power Team today. More on that later. Maybe I can get their autograph on a ripped phone book or something?
--Matthew
--Matthew
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Week 1 of Training: July 28, 2012
Have you ever had a week that felt more like a month?
That is what training is like. On our second day one of our teammates remarked, " I feel like I've already been here an entire week!" I whole-heartedly agree. Each day is crammed packed with new information and experiences. The schedule is as follows:
7AM: breakfast
8AM: Discovery/discussion group with everyone who is going to the former Soviet countries (CIS).
9AM-12PM: Classes for TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language)
1:30-3:30: Cultural training
3:30-5:00: Lesson planning
6:30-9:30: Practicum and debriefing time
I am learning so much. We're only given an hour and a half to prepare a lesson plan before being expected to teach it to a class that evening.
I thank God for helping me grow as a teacher and for energy to get through each day. We are also praying for our friends and family to be energized and thanking God that they have the strength they need for each day!
Love in Christ,
Matthew
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Russia 2012
As many of you know Rhonda and I traveled to Russia last fall (2011). We have felt in our hearts for quite a while now that we were called to the mission field. Our intention for the last trip was to “spy out the land,” so we wouldn't jump into anything too soon and find ourselves in over our heads! While we were in Russia we fell in love with the country and it’s people. We were actually a little surprised at how well we “fit” into life there. We know it's a little bit crazy, but we can't resist this calling to Russia any longer.
After seeking the Lord in prayer, we felt led to join ourselves with the Christian organization TeachOverseas which specializes in sending Christians as ‘teachers’ to nations that are ‘closed’ to the Gospel. I will be teaching English as a second language to adults at a private language school in Moscow while Rhonda will be a full-time mommy! In addition to teaching we will have ample ministry opportunities among Moscow's 14 million inhabitants.
A tremendous spiritual need exists in Russia today. Of it’s population of over 140 million people less than 2% claim to be born again Christians. Any religion other than the state-supported Orthodox Church is often looked upon by the general populace with suspicion. This overall distrust has caused changes within the government in the past few years making it impossible for foreigners to enter the country as missionaries long-term. This being the case our only options were either 1. finding secular employment within the country or 2. entering the country on a student visa.
We are in need of finances to make this dream a reality. We need to raise a total of $32,000 in gifts and monthly pledges by July 21st.
This trip will require a lot of support and will significantly stretch our faith! We are in need of supporters who will give on a monthly basis. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to reach the lost in Russia?
If you wish your donation to be tax-deductible please make checks payable to Hope International. Please do NOT put the McDaniel’s name in the memo line. Instead, write “Russia.”
Mail to: Hope International
PO Box 218
Catoosa, OK 74015
After seeking the Lord in prayer, we felt led to join ourselves with the Christian organization TeachOverseas which specializes in sending Christians as ‘teachers’ to nations that are ‘closed’ to the Gospel. I will be teaching English as a second language to adults at a private language school in Moscow while Rhonda will be a full-time mommy! In addition to teaching we will have ample ministry opportunities among Moscow's 14 million inhabitants.
A tremendous spiritual need exists in Russia today. Of it’s population of over 140 million people less than 2% claim to be born again Christians. Any religion other than the state-supported Orthodox Church is often looked upon by the general populace with suspicion. This overall distrust has caused changes within the government in the past few years making it impossible for foreigners to enter the country as missionaries long-term. This being the case our only options were either 1. finding secular employment within the country or 2. entering the country on a student visa.
We are in need of finances to make this dream a reality. We need to raise a total of $32,000 in gifts and monthly pledges by July 21st.
This trip will require a lot of support and will significantly stretch our faith! We are in need of supporters who will give on a monthly basis. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to reach the lost in Russia?
If you wish your donation to be tax-deductible please make checks payable to Hope International. Please do NOT put the McDaniel’s name in the memo line. Instead, write “Russia.”
Mail to: Hope International
PO Box 218
Catoosa, OK 74015
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