When I first arrived here in Ufa, my immediate impressions were the following: it’s pretty cold, Russian is especially difficult to learn when your professor knows no English, there’s a lot of snow, this is such a busy place, confusing bus systems and the people will not so much as look at you on the streets. I now type this in my apartment in Ufa, having now been here nearing three weeks, and I realize that while these things have not changed, my initial perspective of them has. Yes, it’s still cold (by my native south Georgia standards), but one gets used to it quickly. The other day, it was in the 20s Fahrenheit and I was actually hot. Yes, Russian is difficult and one will embarrass herself countless times within the course of three weeks with her terrible language skills, but only patience and smiles have been given once a local sees my attempt. And my professor has gotten easier to understand. The snow is still here, but it looks like the famed fantasy world Narnia before the beloved character, Alsan, arrived to save the land. That is actually a good description of the city of Ufa. This city is a busy place and there are a lot of people here. People are everywhere-jammed together on that last minute bus, rushing across the streets before the light changes, grabbing a few items from the local stores. At a glance, they don’t seem to desire more than their usual daily pace. Behind the security of one’s home, however, a foreigner sees quickly that they desire much, much more in this life. They desire spring, in the spiritual sense. They are inspired-you can see that plainly by all the theaters here and their discussions on their latest readings. They are passionate-you can see that by the light in their eye when they speak on a subject that they care dearly for. They are curious-you can see that by the way heads turn my way once I begin to speak English. They are also loyal and kind-I have want for nothing since I have been here due in part of the locals and their desire to see that a stranger in their city is cared for. They are a people who desire spring, but who do not realize that this desire for spring is a desire for God. The people of Ufa have begun to tug on my heartstrings more and more each day. My only desire is to see these people come to spring-to come to a relationship with Christ. –Melissa M.