Monday in St. Petersburg

It is a quiet Monday morning in St. Petersburg, but the past four days have been a whirlwind!

• LA-Atlanta-Moscow-St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday.
• Lost ALL checked luggage.
• Dinner on Nevsky Prospekt and a long walk on Friday night with some Brits, Russian students, and one of my roommates.
• Luggage found and trip to International airport to retrieve on Saturday.
• Shashlik (shish kabob barbecue) on the “beach” with a few Americans, Russians, and an Aussie on Saturday night.
• Church at a small Vineyard Church on Sunday afternoon. (Planning to attend a Calvary Chapel next Sunday evening.)

I am focusing on the Russian alphabet early this week.  It will make it so much easier to navigate the city on the Metro, buses, and on foot if I can actually READ signs.  Shopping will also be much easier.

The schedule will be light for the next couple of weeks.  Teaching will not start until September 8th at the earliest, possibly September 15th.  I am taking advantage of this time to focus on Russian language and to become a more proficient at shopping.

In late September, I will move into a smaller flat that is some distance from the large flat (apartment) that I am sharing with three other American guys.  I will finally be able to unpack then. It is probable that another American working in St. Petersburg will share the flat with me.  We are discussing the details now.

Weather in St. Petersburg is quite different than Salt Lake City.  So far it has been overcast most of the time with a chance of rain.  The humidity is high and the temperatures range between 55-65 degrees.  The constant daylight of June and July are gone, but it still gets light early and is not dark until about 10 PM.

I am thankful for the weather since the cold, damp, and dark days of winter will be here soon enough.

GREAT NEWS!

I already met a Russian Christ follower who is working with orphans in transition.  There may be some opportunity to with him.

Less that 72 Hours!

WOW!  After four weeks, it is time to leave.  My parents arrive on Tuesday for a couple of days of fun in LA and Orange County before the EARLY AM departure on Thursday.

I look forward to meeting to joining the rest of the Russia Team on Friday after the LONG flight from LAX and

arrive in St. Petersburg via Moscow on the afternoon of Friday, August 22 (my birthday).

Check out the photostream for some pictures of the Russia Team and larger CIS Team.  These are the people I have been spending a lot of time with for the past four weeks.

I look forward to staying in touch with you on the blog and by email as well. I hope to post again over the weekend after arriving in St. Petersburg.

Peace – Allen

ROCK & ROLL!!

You have probably heard the news about the LA-area earthquake on Tuesday.  We experienced about 15 seconds of “mellow” rolling and shaking during class.  There was no damage here.

TeachOverseas training has been a difficult but beneficial whirlwind experience so far.

Classes, practicum, and other events start at 8 AM and end after 9 PM Mon-Fri. On most Saturdays, we attend some type of team-building activity for part of the day.  Sundays begin

I am teaching Conversational English twice a week and trying to learn the Russian alphabet, some vocabulary and “must-know” conversational phrases all at once.

The best description of my work with TeachOverseas is:  “Sharing Christ’s love in a creative access nation (Russia) through teaching.”

I would appreciate your prayers and will be depending on your communication as I prepare to begin teaching in St. Petersburg.

Until next time – grace and peace!

Pasadena or bust!

Early on Friday morning, I depart for Pasadena, CA and a month of training.  Life feels very strange as I leave the normalcy and familiar surroundings, but I am excited and anticipate a great time of growth as well as new experiences and new friends in Pasadena and St. Petersburg.

Training will be a fun, but challenging experience including 12-hour days, a lot of ESL cramming, learning about cross-cultural adaptation, and the best part – learning and growing with a lot of fantastic people.

It is hard to believe that after 11 years, I am leaving Salt Lake City! There are way too many people   to mention, but many friends as well as pastors at Capital Church and K2: The Church have had a big impact on my decision to teach in Russia. 

I distinctly remember conversations with Ross, Troy, Eric, Jack, and the Sunday Night Group last summer.

So much has happened out of many people’s prayer and support:  the sale of my house, initial funding for Russia,  the beginning of a connection with some great people in Swaziland…

I look forward to posting often and adding pictures and pages so that you can experience this adventure with me. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

PLEASE pray and communicate often.

Grace and Peace!

24 Days!

It is hard to believe!  Twenty four days until departure for Pasadena and training with TeachOverseas. So much to do!  Selling furniture, electronics, and appliances; packing and moving.

June 30th is my last work day.  It seems strange leaving after more than ten years.

The hard work will pay off in July when I will have time to pack for St. Petersburg, bike, hike, and spend time with friends and family.

Stay tuned during the next year and share with me in this unique experience of teaching and living in St. Petersburg, Russia.