As evening descends on St. Petersburg, I find myself reflecting back to the last three weeks here and looking forward to the year ahead. A hint of fall is in the air with temperatures in the mid-50’s.
After meeting most of my students and connecting with Christ followers during the past three weeks, I am excited about what the year has in store. I really appreciate and need prayer support.
Teaching
University classes began on Monday. I will be teaching more than 120 students this year. One class includes linguistics students. The other nine are comprised of management students. The schedule is decent for a beginning teacher: Four classes on Monday, two on Tuesday, one class on Thursday and three classes on Friday. Only TWO lesson plans per week!
I will be teaching conversational English focused on listening and speaking. Business English is also a possibility. I am looking for a good textbook.
Most of my students are 18-20 years old. University begins after 11th grade in Russia, so most begin University at 16 or 17. Some speak in English quite well. A few speak almost no English. Most are women and most are from Russia, with a few from Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Opportunities
Most opportunities will come outside of class as I get the chance spend time with students. A local Vineyard church sponsors a “gym night” two Friday nights per month. We will be hosting a Bible study on two opposite Friday nights each month.
I will also be asking students to show me the city and help with shopping and other necessities as well as inviting students to my flat. It will be an adventure.
I am blessed to have the opportunity to have a positive influence in so many lives.
Church
I have visited a Calvary Chapel, a Vineyard and am planning to visit an Assemblies of God church next Sunday. There are few English-speaking churches in St. Petersburg. I have also been invited to a Thursday night Bible study for English speakers. Most are Aussies or Americans.
St. Petersburg (the Venice of the North)
CROWDED! More than 5.3 million people live within an area of 894 square miles. In comparison, Salt Lake County, Utah has a population of less than 2 million in an area of 2000 square miles.
St. Petersburg is a cultural and scientific center boasting approximately 120 museums, 40 theatres, 50 universities, and 400 scientific research organizations.
Water is everywhere! There are 93 rivers and canals with a total length of 300 kilometers, and over 100 lakes and ponds within its borders (The Venice of the North). There are more than 340 bridges in St. Petersburg (about 600 including the suburbs).
Living out of a suitcase
After three weeks, I am ready to move to my OWN flat. The owner of the flat leaves for New Jersey in a few weeks. I hope to be moved in before October 1. I have invited another American to share the flat with me. Nate arrives this weekend, and will be moving in as soon as we can take occupancy. He will be working with a group that does work in churches around Russia.
Before the end of September, the colors should be turning and I should have some nice pictures to post.
Peace and Grace
Hey Allen.
SOunds like you are having a good time. I am glad to hear it. THe weather sounds cold!! Here is feels so good to have the temps below 100. Hope to keep in touch.
Brooke
Yeah, it’s amazing how the weather differs so greatly when you move across the Atlantic. Here it is getting much colder than in SLC, but the winters are milder ( I think ). As for the shopping thing, you wouldn’t think it, but even finding the basic things needed for life are difficult to find when the cultures are so different. It’s good you have people to help you out in that aspect. Hope all goes well!
Hey Allen,
Praying for you.
It’s good to hear, in detail, how things are going. Thanks for sharing your blog address now I can bookmark it and share it with new candidates!
Hey glad to hear from you! You are always in our prayers- Keep us posted! Soon I am going to need a report from the museums- in particular The Hermitage- where Rembrandt’s famous Return of the Prodigal is that Henri Nouween wrote his book about!
Hi Allen,
Good to know you are beginning to relax!! We are praying for you brother.
continue to blog and updating us.
take care,
Alfred