MOSCOW, Russia — Tim Rhodes is used to the slow-paced lifestyle of small-town Toccoa and the north Georgia mountains. His wife, Beth, is slightly more adjusted to city living, having lived in Snellville, an Atlanta suburb, for several years.

What a difference a year makes.

Since last May 18 the young couple have been serving as International Service Corps volunteers in Moscow, population 10.5 million. That’s roughly 10,490,900 more neighbors than the 9,100 Tim had in Toccoa and, for Beth, about 10,480,000 more than the 20,000 she is used to rubbing shoulders with in Snellville.

The adjustments have been “interesting,” as the couple say over a lunchtime bowl of hot borscht soup and Russian tea.

“I’ve learned how to be more assertive here,” Tim Rhodes says. “The people are wonderful; they are not hostile, but their history and environment of harsh winters has ingrained them with a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality.

“It’s been a rather hostile world for them in many ways with their revolutions through the centuries … something Americans have never experienced. If we had their same experiences we might be a different people today.

“There are things you become acclimated to and take for granted, and then one day you realize how different the culture actually is. Few people have cars; everyone uses the Metro, which is extremely efficient and goes nearly everywhere you need to go. But that means literally lugging numerous shopping bags across town and several blocks to your apartment.”

Beth Rhodes agrees.

“You get used to doing without all the conveniences you took for granted back in the States. Things are very costly because Moscow is now the most expensive city in the world. I’m used to buying $12 jeans at Wal-Mart but when I go shopping now the most reasonable pair I can find have a $100 price tag,” she explains.

As ISC church planters serving through the International Mission Board, the couple are now laying a foundation for their ministry and have been assigned to a cell group of a church named Timi.

The church meets only once a month but the cell of four young couples meets weekly in an apartment. It will be a prototype for other Muscovite believers who are being mentored on how to break away when they have 10 members and start their own cell groups.

Eventually having a church building is out of the question due to high real estate costs. But that plays into the overall health of the congregation because it is not saddled with high maintenance costs and members can funnel more funds and energy into reaching their neighbors for Christ.

Some of the couple’s assimilation into Russian living is being aided through the use of an interpreter, Tanya Marina. The Moscow native helps the Rhodeses perfect their language skills and develop sensitivity to Russian values.

Some of that training occurred on a recent afternoon visit to Victory Park where Marina provided them with an overview of the nation’s role in World War II.

Many Americans do not realize that more Russians died in the five-year conflict than all other nations combined, and that massive numbers of her countrymen died in Nazi concentration camps, along with Jews and those of other nations.

The grand park is situated on the hill where Napoleon waited in vain to be given the keys to the city when his troops were surrounding Moscow in 1812. Monuments on the grand Soviet scale are placed strategically throughout the park and pay tribute to those who fell in wartime – citizens as well as soldiers.

Such outings help the Rhodes understand the scar the war left on the population since so much of it was fought on Russian soil. The tough Russian winter is the only thing, historians say, which brought the Nazis to defeat as they tried to capture Moscow and Stalingrad (now St. Petersburg).

The couple is praying that more Georgians will join them during the five-year partnership with Moscow and St. Petersburg that messengers approved at the recent annual convention meeting in November.

“There are so many opportunities for ministry here and the people are wonderful,” Beth Rhodes says. “We are hoping that more join us in serving Christ in Russia.”

 

 

Russia vision trip set for May

Pastors and church staff who would like to experience Moscow and St. Petersburg first-hand will want to participate in this spring’s vision trip to Russia.

Mike Gravette, who oversees the Missions Volunteers department for the Georgia Baptist Convention, said the 10-day trip will visit mission sites in both cities and provide an overview of how churches can be involved in the five-year partnership. Cost of the trip is estimated at $2,700. All airfare, lodging, meals, VISA costs, and ground transportation is included in the fee.

Gravette said March 1 is the firm deadline to register for the trip due to the lengthy time of getting a VISA issued.

For more information contact Gravette at mgravette@gabaptist.org or by calling (770) 455-0404.

 

Prayer requests of Tim and Beth Rhodes

Pray that …

• “We will learn the language quickly and learn it well.” – Tim

• “The Lord will provide opportunities for us to build relationships with those we meet. This is a difficult city in which to minister.” – Beth

• “For God to move in people’s hearts and be receptive to His Word. There are Church Planting Movements occurring all over the world but we see none of that here. We need a fresh movement of God.” – Tim

• “Perseverance, pure and simple. The burn-out rate here is very high.” – Beth

Georgia Baptists who want to be prayer partners with the Rhodeses can contact them at Rhodes@everyheart.net.