So I went to church on Sunday with the Pastor's son I'd met a few days before, the English service was full of Nigerians (woot) and their lively influence on worship. The Russian service was small, but about half of the people there, myself included, were invited to come home with the pastor and his sons afterwards. Three of the guys introduced me to a Russian banya (steam bath) complete with tree branch beatings. (that was actually the most relaxing part) It was a pretty sweet evening, just talking and hanging out. My Russian fails me and it's hard to follow most of the conversation, although I can always tell what's being talked about. Russian hospitality puts Americans to shame...
So the next day I get to go see two of the guys who stayed over play with their pretty legit rock band...it's a pretty openly Christian band, although that's all I can discern from the lyrics with my limited Russian. After the show the whole gang headed over to McDonald's to have a community meal of sorts...felt like youth group or the typical extended large family. The lead singer's family has adopted four strays included one kid who apparently lived alone with three dogs in an apartment for five years of his young life. Tina was another one of the names I got in my prayers, and my first thought was "I'm never gonna meet a Russian named Tina"...next I heard some of the guys talking about Tina and I thought, no way, maybe this will be an important person or a cute girl God has destined for me (I should have learned by now, but I always seem to consider that option when I know God's put a girl in my life for a reason). Turns out she's the lead singer's fiancée, and I got to help him translate one of his beautiful love songs that he wrote her into English! Although they look pretty punk (she's got Dreads, he's got long black hair), they're one of the most awesome couples I've met, so caring. So someday you're going to hear a love song sung by this Russian guy on the radio, and you'll think of me and go..."naw, couldn't be." :)
So the next day I get to go see two of the guys who stayed over play with their pretty legit rock band...it's a pretty openly Christian band, although that's all I can discern from the lyrics with my limited Russian. After the show the whole gang headed over to McDonald's to have a community meal of sorts...felt like youth group or the typical extended large family. The lead singer's family has adopted four strays included one kid who apparently lived alone with three dogs in an apartment for five years of his young life. Tina was another one of the names I got in my prayers, and my first thought was "I'm never gonna meet a Russian named Tina"...next I heard some of the guys talking about Tina and I thought, no way, maybe this will be an important person or a cute girl God has destined for me (I should have learned by now, but I always seem to consider that option when I know God's put a girl in my life for a reason). Turns out she's the lead singer's fiancée, and I got to help him translate one of his beautiful love songs that he wrote her into English! Although they look pretty punk (she's got Dreads, he's got long black hair), they're one of the most awesome couples I've met, so caring. So someday you're going to hear a love song sung by this Russian guy on the radio, and you'll think of me and go..."naw, couldn't be." :)
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