Kushva.

In Kushva we were met in the early early hours of the morning at the train station by three people who were not only extremely excited to see us, but who would be spending the majority of their awake hours with our team:

Mischa:

Is the town’s local pastor, who was oh so much more than just a pastor.  We could all see the excitement in Mischa’s eyes when we arrived in Kushva that morning and the sadness in his eyes when we left.  He and his church had been saving for months so that when we arrived they could take care of all our transportation costs.  His church has about 40 people and we used a taxi a lot.  I could see Mischa’s heart on his face, he knew the impact that this team could have on his community and was excited to see what God was going to do while we were there, but more so after we left. 

We felt the power of the Orthodox church in Kushva, where they saw any other branch of Christianity as a cult.  Mischa told us that when his small church opened the local Orthodox priest distributed pamphlets saying that he and his church were a cult.  People can’t see past the labels, and trying to fight a label like ‘cult’ in small town Russia must be tough.  There were times when we could see Mischa was torn, he so wished that we could simply tell all we wanted to tell, but in Kushva we couldn’t preach the gospel, rather, we were the gospel.

We didn’t have the opportunity to share in dressing rooms with men and children alike in this place, but I don’t doubt for one second that we didn’t plant seeds in the town of Kushva.  We were told that during our games fans were talking about how we were missionaries.  We had two different sources come to us and do interviews on our team, and our mission to put in the local newspapers; I don’t doubt for a second that people’s minds will be fraught with questions after we leave. 

After I rejoined the team in Russia, Glen told me that there was a song on his heart for this trip: Tear down the walls.  I listened to it every night before I went to bed, and while I was standing in net during our first game in Kushva, with thousands of people watching, and shivers running down my spine, the lyrics kept coming to mind. 

For all the sons and daughters who are walking in the darkness, You are calling us to lead them back to you.  We will see Your spirit rising as the lost come out of hiding, every heart will see this hope we have in You…

In Kushva the lost came out of hiding…to come watch some good Canadian hockey.  Their stereotypes about ‘cult Christians’ could have been shattered when they learned about who we are and why we visited their small town. Some one asked us about our ‘numbers’ the other day, how many people we’ve shared the gospel with, how many people have come to Christ because of us.  I don’t know; we don’t know.  But I don’t doubt for one moment that lives will be affected because of our four days in Kushva.

Mischa told us that his church lives in daily fear of being shut down; and one day a police man came to question Mischa about what was going on in his church, he though that could’ve been the day where his doors were closed.  But for some reason hockey came up instead and Mischa shared that he was the one who invited YWAM Hockey to come to Kushva two years earlier; that officers frown turned right upside down.  He had been at the games, he came to visit us with his daughter and her friends this time around bearing gifts, Mischa and his church were given a second chance because of YWAM hockey.  Crazy? I think so.

Alexi:

The town’s main sports administrator; Alexi is in charge of 26 different sports in Kushva, his favourite…hockey.  Two years ago Alexi met YWAM hockey with intrepidation, he told them that all he wanted was the hockey, not their religion.  This year, he proudly showed Glen the cross he wears around his neck.  Mischa told us that Alexi is a changed man, he doesn’t attend Mischa’s church, rather the local Orthodox church, but it’s a step in the right direction.  He wanted to hear what he has to say, and having a leader like Alexi on our side, on Mischa’s side; is an incredible thing. 

I liked Alexi right from the get go; but it was apparent his doubt in the skills of two female hockey players, he openly doubted whether Yasmine and I could really play hockey.  So far Alexi has had two changes of heart; first for God, second for women playing hockey.  Game one Alexi played against us and had a smirk on his face when we went to play because I think he really believed I might just stand there and possibly cry if I ever got hit with a puck, but after a hefty win in our first game, and Yasmine playing solid our second game (another W) he threw a little respect our way.  I look forward to hearing how God shapes the life of this man in the future, I know He will.

Tamara:

A smiley Russian lady in a giant fur coat and hat.  She was always friendly, but a little apprehensive.  She isn’t a believer and at times you could tell that translating what we were saying made her just a bit uncomfortable.  But we loved her.  The evening of our last game we said our goodbyes, she spoke kind words to each of us and I could tell that her view about who “Christians” are/were had changed.  The whole idea of being the gospel was evident with Tamara.  It was sad to say goodbye.  The next morning as we were packing, Tamara showed up, she didn’t have to come; after all we had already said our goodbyes, but she knew when and where we were leaving and came to give one last hug.  She told me she was proud of me and that I was like a lion :) Nice lady. 

I just want to share the lyrics from the whole song of “Tear Down the Walls” because although it’s the unofficial theme song of our whole journey; in Kushva especially I felt the words rang especially true.

Tear down the walls see the world, is there something we’ve missed.  Turn from ourselves, look beyond, there is so much more than this.

And I don’t need to see it to believe it, I don’t need to see it to believe it, cause I can’t shake this fire burning deep inside my heart.

Look to the skies hope arise, see His majesty revealed – more than this life there is love, there is hope and this is real

This life is Yours and hope is rising, as Your glory floods our hearts – Let love tear down these walls that creation would come back to You, it’s all for You

Your name is glorious, glorious, Your love is changing us, calling us.

To worship in spirit and in truth as all creation returns to You

Oh for all the sons and daughters who are walking in the darkness You are calling us to lead them back to You

We will see Your spirit rising as the lost come out of hiding – Every heart will see this hope we have in You

This life is Yours and hope is rising as Your glory floods our hearts let love tear down these walls that all creation would come back to You, it’s all for You

In Kushva we were given the opportunity to speak into the lives of many people through our actions; we were given the opportunity to change the way people see Believers.  Even though we had doors closed on us in Kushva, it is a place where I firmly believe questions will be asked, and lives will be changed.  It might not have happened in the four days we were there; but our four day visit to Kushva will have a lasting effect.

(and it was COLD. very. very cold.)