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- TeamUfa
- We are a team of people trying to reach people in Ufa and Bashkortostan in Russia. It is no small task and we want your support!
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011
"It's Good To Read This Text"
7:59 PM | Posted by
TeamUfa
I'm working with IBT (Institute for Bible Translation) for a few years now. And during some of these years, my parents were unhappy with me. Because they thought that I had been working on translating a "Russian book" into the Bashkir language and the Bashkir people do not need it.
Once I forgot the Bashkir language draft of the Gospel of Luke at my parents' home. After a year or more I was back in the village and was doing field testing there of the draft. I read out loud to my aunt the book of Ephesians and asked a question that I'd prepared. Hearing this, my stepmother (who was nearby and doing her staff, but listening us) told me: "Oh, your father gave me almost the same thing. Some text about God. I think he took it from your room. He told me to read it." At first I did not pay any attention to her words, as I was too busy with field testing. Then she told me one more time. I was still busy. Then one more time. And finally I asked her: "Mom, what are you talking about? Please could you show me what you are talking about?" It was the draft of the Gospel of Luke, which I had forgotten and accidentally left behind. "Yes, Mom, father is right. You need to read it. It's good for both of you to read this text."
Reilya Y.
Once I forgot the Bashkir language draft of the Gospel of Luke at my parents' home. After a year or more I was back in the village and was doing field testing there of the draft. I read out loud to my aunt the book of Ephesians and asked a question that I'd prepared. Hearing this, my stepmother (who was nearby and doing her staff, but listening us) told me: "Oh, your father gave me almost the same thing. Some text about God. I think he took it from your room. He told me to read it." At first I did not pay any attention to her words, as I was too busy with field testing. Then she told me one more time. I was still busy. Then one more time. And finally I asked her: "Mom, what are you talking about? Please could you show me what you are talking about?" It was the draft of the Gospel of Luke, which I had forgotten and accidentally left behind. "Yes, Mom, father is right. You need to read it. It's good for both of you to read this text."
Reilya Y.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
English Clubs in Ufa: Gaining Life Experience In A Family Atmosphere
I have attend the English Clubs since around 2008, during which time I learned a lot, and not only about the English language. Every time I go to Chris’ place, I get some kind of life experience. Sometimes I hear stories that reach into the very depths of my soul! Everyone who participates in the English Clubs is very friendly and always helpful.
I remember the first time I came to the English club---I felt a certain uneasiness. I did not know anyone, did not know what to do, where to go, and how the Club was conducted. You could even say that I was hesitant and shy, but then Eileen came and explained everything in Russian language, and I went to join her group at the "beginner" level. I have met here with different interesting people. And, the next day I wanted so much to go back to the Club--I really wanted to feel that family atmosphere again. Everyone who comes to these clubs just understands that this will help them to obtain knowledge and skills to communicate in English and even more.
In the Clubs, we just meet and talk about different things that happen every day with each of us; we also talk about what new things are happening in our lives, in the lives of our family, and in the lives of our friends. Sometimes, we share about what we are feeling and why. English Club is not just a ‘club’; it’s a meeting of friends who have been waiting the whole week to see each other again, learn from each other, and experience something new. Chris and his family have become very real friends to me, and this is due to the fact that I always get to come to the Club meetings, no matter how far it might be from where I live!
Ufa! I’ve lived in Ufa since my childhood, and I’ve studied in this city for a very long time. Further, when I was little, I went to my Mom's work, and it was for me a big adventure. Ufa is a beautiful city, especially in the evening hours. In Ufa, there are a lot of monuments and tourist attractions. I really like my town!
I remember the first time I came to the English club---I felt a certain uneasiness. I did not know anyone, did not know what to do, where to go, and how the Club was conducted. You could even say that I was hesitant and shy, but then Eileen came and explained everything in Russian language, and I went to join her group at the "beginner" level. I have met here with different interesting people. And, the next day I wanted so much to go back to the Club--I really wanted to feel that family atmosphere again. Everyone who comes to these clubs just understands that this will help them to obtain knowledge and skills to communicate in English and even more.
In the Clubs, we just meet and talk about different things that happen every day with each of us; we also talk about what new things are happening in our lives, in the lives of our family, and in the lives of our friends. Sometimes, we share about what we are feeling and why. English Club is not just a ‘club’; it’s a meeting of friends who have been waiting the whole week to see each other again, learn from each other, and experience something new. Chris and his family have become very real friends to me, and this is due to the fact that I always get to come to the Club meetings, no matter how far it might be from where I live!
Ufa! I’ve lived in Ufa since my childhood, and I’ve studied in this city for a very long time. Further, when I was little, I went to my Mom's work, and it was for me a big adventure. Ufa is a beautiful city, especially in the evening hours. In Ufa, there are a lot of monuments and tourist attractions. I really like my town!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
First Impressions Part 2
First Impressions of Ufa
It’s funny how first impressions of a country can be completely different than first impressions of a city within that country. My first encounter with a Russian was in the St. Petersburg airport. Rachel and I were just trying to figure out what to do to switch terminals. The woman we had to talk to was very rude, but I kept an open mind for Ufa. I didn’t let her attitude affect my view of Ufa before I even got there. Plus, she may have just been having a bad day. It happens to all of us at some point.
My first impression of Ufa was definitely a good one. I spent most of the first day at Kelly’s apartment until my apartment was ready. One of the first things I remember Kelly telling us was that there were a few of her friends who wanted to meet us as soon as possible, even that night if we were up for it, which we were. They are some great people who we have already gotten to hang out with a few times since then.
There have been so many opportunities to meet people, and they all seem interested in getting to know us. They like practicing English with us, and they also like when we practice our Russian with them. I am blown away at how easy it has been to connect with people.
Going into this trip, I thought of Russia as a cold climate culture. Cold climate means that people tend to stick more to a schedule- they are always on time, people are more independent, etc. I’m sure parts of Russia are very much fit into this category of a cold climate, but for Ufa I get the impression that it is somewhere in between a hot climate (more relationship and time oriented) and a cold climate. In public, it seems more of a cold climate. People don’t tend to smile often in public; they just don’t. They all know where they are going and their goal is to get there. People tend to keep to themselves a lot. But when gathered with friends, it is the complete opposite, at least in my experiences so far.
I’m really enjoying being here in Ufa. I am excited to continue to get to know the people I have already met and can’t wait to meet more people once school starts.
Shannon S.
Friday, September 2, 2011
First Impressions
Shannon and I are a little over a week into our 4 month stay in Ufa now. What has my initial impression of Ufa been?...BIG! I am from a small town. Ufa is more than 100 times bigger than my hometown. But to the people here, Ufa is more like a town than a big city. I have definitely noticed some differences between life here and life in America. Where I come from in Texas, there is very little public transportation, but here, everyone uses trams and busses. I definitely should be in much better shape after 4 months with all the walking and climbing many flights of stairs that we will be doing. I can also already tell that my personal space “bubble” is certainly going to be tested and possibly shrink during our time here. So far though, the cultural differences have not been too overwhelming. I am so very thankful for Chris and Eileen and their family! They have welcomed us in and made us feel at home even though we are thousands of miles away from everything familiar.
We have had the privilege of meeting quite a few people by now and they are all very friendly and welcoming. Everyone wants to make sure we have a good impression of their city. So far, we have found that most people are very excited to meet us and want to attempt to talk with us so that they can learn more English (We, of course, also need to practice our Russian!).
In general, my overall impression of Ufa (and Russia) is that there are less of America’s modern conveniences here. Elevators are rare, not nearly as many people have their own cars, apartments are smaller, fold-out couches are often used as beds, and people go for walks to hang out, rather than watching TV or spending $4 on a cup of coffee. Right now, I can’t even remember how this conversation got started, but at some point in the last week, Chris said something that has been making me think. In America specifically, modern conveniences have made our lives so much easier, and we are constantly trying to figure out new ways to make life easier still. This mentality may very well be seeping into our spiritual lives as well and making us think that the Christian life should also be easy and that we can come up with ways that make it easier or more comfortable, but that’s not how God intended for us to follow Him. He never told us that being a Christian would be easy. In fact, He told us it would be difficult and that we would face trials. Perhaps it has taken a trip to Russia to show me that I do not need to be striving to make my Christian life as easy as I can, but instead I need to be willing to follow Christ no matter how difficult the road may be.
-Rachel
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