Siberia: Why We Went…

February 20, 2006 | 3:01 AM

Why do you go? The easiest and hardest question asked.

We were allowed to go. That’s why we went. It’s that simple, and it’s just as complex. I could tell you all the reasons we went- the lack of a substantial Christian witness in Village S, among the Buryats, and throughout Siberia. To go to an extreme location. To see people God created- on the other side of the world. To help the team over there. To provide relief for our brothers and sisters. To experience the mission of Christ. All legitimate reasons. All good reasons. All REAL reasons.

But we went for the kids. Village S has a large orphanage and school, and many kids come from surrounding villages during the summer when the Buryat team holds its weeklong camp. The last couple years it’s been Olympics-themed. About a hundred kids came in, some from Village S, others from the surrounding villages, every morning to spend the day learning English and singing songs, making crafts and getting art lessons, and playing some wicked sports out on the field where cows previously roamed.

These are among the first generation of kids born outside the reign of the Communist Soviets. Where the state was god and Shamanism was practiced quietly in the shadows, there was no Christ. But now there is freedom. These kids have freedom. No longer are they forced to eradicate religion from their lives. They have a choice. But they don’t know what their choices are. They do not see true Christianity- they barely see the Russian Orthodox Church outside of the larger cities- and those aren’t exactly next door. They have only as many choices as they are offered. And we brought a new one. A life of love, compassion, and community. I’ve told you about these kids before- some are abused and most boys will grow up to become alcohol-dependent. This is not a bright future. We were there to show the kids a different way of life. Even if it was only for a week.

This was part three of the Siberia Series.

1. Siberia: The Final Frontier…
2. Siberia: The People of Village S…
3. Siberia: Why We Went…