Back to the abnormal...

We left Tbilisi at 5:10 am, and landed in Wilmington last night at 7 pm. Back in the states. It seems surreal. Back into the orderly... smooth streets, hot showers, convenience stores on every block, tidy suburban homes, 800 channels, instant information. Did I mention hot showers? All that we have come to expect as our 'existence' in the US.

The first thing we wanted to do (aside from a hot shower...) was some American food. OK, what I mean is some ethnic food, but made in America. We go to On The Border and get fajitas... and I immediately notice how much food comes.

The culture dichotomy between the US and the Republic of Georgia is immediately noticeable. We have, well, MUCH. They have so little. What we consider normal is completely abnormal for them. When you think about it, it's pretty abnormal for most.

I think that they most noticeable thing for me is that we in the US have so much, we expect so much, that a week or so with little is a really good thing. When I am around the people in Georgia, I sense that the most important thing to them are their relationships. Family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, God. And whatever they have, they freely share with their guests. I just love that about the Georgian people!

Our trip was wonderful. The travel was uneventful, if long (its about 24 hours total travel each way). The DTS school had a new cadre of students, some Georgian, some Russian, some from Azerbaijan. Some of the students from our last trip there are now on staff (Jenny, Diana, Ira), and it was really cool seeing them. The teaching went really well, and we got some really nice letters and cards from the students that told us how they had been changed by the teaching of the word of God... awesome!

One of the nights was Azerbaijan night, and we got to enjoy Azerbaijan food and dance! Azer, one of the staff, is from Baku, a large city on the Caspian Sea (thats him in the too-cool garb. his wife, Anya, from Moskow, is in white). He told us about the history of Azerbaijan, how it used to be a Christian (legend has it Bartholomew brought the gospel to the country),but now is mostly Muslim. Christians are persecuted there. And yet Azer has a heart for his people and wants to see as many as possible come to Christ. I am going to stay in touch with Azer and see what God does!

We also got the chance to visit the family of Maia, one of the students. Maia lives about 1.5 hours drive from Tbilisi, in a small village. Her family was so honored that we came to visit, they put out a spread of food fit for a king. Literally, you could not see the table fro all the food! In Georgia, when guests come, you honor them with the best that you have. Her brother and wife came, cousins from the village came, it was wonderful! They are some of the sweetest people I have ever been around!

What was the highlight? There were many, but I will list two:

• Worshiping with the students. Their worship just seems... sweet, humble, heartfelt. It was beauty to be there as they opened their hearts to the Lord
• Watching their faces as the truth of God's word illuminated their hearts. I detected a sense of wonder as the word opened up the truth of God to them. Wonder of who God is. Wonder that He would know them and love them. Wonder that they are His.

Wonder is a word that I think will be on my heart for a while. I will miss the people of Georgia.

PS - If you would like to hear more about our trip, and what God is doing in Tbilisi, we will give a talking about the trip on Wednesday night, March 12th, 7 pm.

If you would like to look at some pictures from our trip, CLICK HERE.

Pastor Clay