Day 2 with Natalie

Welcome back to our interview with Natalie, who is a Grace church missionary with her husband and 2 boys in Samara Russia. Today we will hear more about Russia and how they got there!

MP: Tell us about how you became a missionary to Russia.
Natalie: Our journey to Russia began in 1992. As a college student Jon spent a whole summer in Moscow doing ministry. Even though he didn’t know at the time, I think this is where God instilled in Jon’s heart a love for this country. Initially we were headed to Samara along with Kevin Edwards and John Snyder after that investigative trip in November of 1999, but the Lord had other plans and we began attending a smaller church in the area and actually ended up being sent out by this other church to Novosbirsk, Russia in Septemer of 2004. Due to some major problems with this church we only served in Novosibirsk for one school year, returned to California, and then returned again to Grace Community Church. At that time we didn’t have a clue about what we were going to do. Jon searched high and low for ministry opportunities as an associate pastor in the States but nothing ever came up. The Lord had a plan for our lives though because in December of that year we were asked to go to Samara temporarily to replace a family who had come off the field. After being in Samara for a few weeks we realized that this is where God wanted us. Jon has been affectionately called Jonah by some of the men here because God intended for him to come here from the beginning.

MP: How long have you and your husband served in Samara? What is Samara like as a place to live?
Natalie: We have been in Samara since January of 2006. Samara is like any other city in Russia, but because I have lived in another part of Russia before I do have something to compare it to. We live on the outskirts of the city center a midst blocks and blocks of Soviet style concrete apartment buildings. There is a McDonalds here and some real great shopping malls. For the most part Samara is a city of transitions and a lot of contrasts. On one block there may be a brand new apartment building but around the corner there will be a dilapidated house. There is a lot of poverty here but a lot of rich entrepreneurs who have made a ton of money right after the fall of the Soviet Union. For example you may see a super old Russian car on the street but behind it there will be a brand new Range Rover. There are also a lot of drunkards around, a lot of youth getting intro trouble, and a lot of babushkas (grandmas) that sit around and probably talk about the way it used to be.
*Natalie has several "tours" of Samara where you can see pictures of what Samara is like:

 here, here, and here

MP: Tell us about your husband’s ministry and what he does?
Natalie: Jon serves on our church council {Which is like an elder board} of which he is the oldest! He has opportunities to preach in our church, as well as leads a couple’s bible study from our church. This church is located in an area with people that are really difficult to reach with the gospel. Our pastor is Victor Puzankov and he is a graduate of the Samara Theological Seminary. There are basically 5 local churches in the area with 3 of these churches all being pastored by graduates of the Seminary. The main church is Transfiguration Baptist Church and it serves as the central church. This is pastored by Victor Ryaguzov the Baptist Union Samara Regional leader and rector of the Seminary. There are several graduates that serve in this church as co-pastors.

Here is Jon with the Church Council

This is the "Good News Church" where they attend

This is Jon preaching at the "Good News Church"

Jon is also the Theology professor at the Samara Theological Seminary. The Samara Theological Seminary is a three-year, full-time, semester-based Master of Divinity program designed to equip Russian nationals to be disciplined exegetes, effective expositors, and influential leaders and trainers in the church in Russia. An intense academic program is balanced with ministry internships, where students gain valuable experience alongside other pastors in the area of preaching, discipleship, evangelism, and spiritual leadership.

This is a picture of the 1st and 3rd year Seminary students

Here is Jon teaching in the Seminary

With students

As they study very hard...

The Samara preacher's institute

MP: Tell us about your ministry?
Natalie: My first and foremost ministry is the home of course. Then there is the ministry of hospitality. I lead a small group for some of the single and newly married girls from our church. I also have the opportunity to teach once in a while at our monthly Seminary Wives meeting.

*Check here for Natalie's post with picture about her Seminary Wives meeting!

MP: What are some unique challenges you face?
Natalie: Winter is probably the biggest challenge that we face. It lasts for about 6 months and for a good 5 months of this we are covered in snow and ice. This means that the sidewalks are also covered in snow and ice making it a bit difficult to get around with small kids. The language is also a huge challenge. Russian isn’t an easy language to learn so as you can imagine it has taken us quite a bit to be able to communicate effectively. I don’t understand a whole lot so this is a challenge of course in church, social events, etc. It can get a bit lonely too not being able to communicate well. For example at the park, I would love to just start up a friendly conversation with another mom but the language barrier is there. Other challenges would include raising your children in a Godless nation, missing family and friends, missing church, and for me personally sometimes I feel guilty for not being able to give my children all the great opportunities that I had as a child growing up in America.

Thank you Natalie for telling us about you and your husband's vital ministry in Russia! Come back tomorrow to hear specifically how we can pray for this family, ministry, and country!