Charles: A few more reflections from July 10

Some random thoughts and reflections so far:

-- It's funny how much we notice marketing when its in another language (billboards, over-dramatized commercials on signs and TV, product names in multiple languages, etc.). We get bombarded in America with it (no matter how much TV and radio we listen to), but I think we get a little numb to it. When it's everywhere, in many languages (even in Red Square there's a McDonald's and a shopping mall, etc.!), it seems to stick out. American products do well here. Even "Mr Clean" (the household cleaning stuff) is here, and the label reads: "Mr. Proper." Funny....

-- There is a strong identity among all Russians with the Russian Orthodox Church, even though a vast majority really don't attend church or have any religious affiliation. It reminds me of the dangers of an overly-nationalistic religion. America struggles with this sometimes, but it is a big part of Russian life. Even a Russian Nazarene we met said, "I am a Christian and a Nazarene, but I don't see any way that I am not at least partly Russian Orthodox." This is the general feeling among Russians. The government favors Russian Orthodoxy a lot, and the churches celebrate not only martyrs and heroes of the faith, but also Russian military and political heroes. They, too, are sometimes on stained glass windows and in statues. It often causes the Church here to lose some of its relevance, prophetic voice, and deeper spirituality. Let that be a lesson to us!

-- The effects of Communism were drastic. The mass produced buildings and items are very compact and "industrial" looking, but they aren't always the most convenient or people friendly. Also, so many people were left with little or no motivation that many people seem to have lost the will to do much more than the bear minimum. Also, the family systems have been devastated here with no faith-based guidance. Many men, women, and children stuggle in ways that you almost have to see to believe. They are hungry for hope.

-- After saying that, I have also learned that unbridled capitalism is as deadly and draining as unbridled communism. As one of our hosts told me, an old Russian woman once told him, "At least in oppression, we came together." Now, we have an individualism that seeks more money and less community! The bottom line is that a human-made system will not ultimately answer the deepest needs of the human heart. Only God can do that.

Blessings,
Charles