Banya Bonding

  The process of making friends here has proven to be challenging so far, so when I received an invitation to the Banya (bathouse/sauna) I figured I should go.  The guys all enter in their speedos (or less) but I wear trunks.... my cultural assimilation only goes so far!  It's very hot and you stay in there as long as you can stand it.  When you are dripping sweat you then run outside to roll around in the snow.  After you repeat this process a few times, you lie face down and receive a Russian "massage", which means getting beaten with tree branches all over your body.  Then they dump ice cold water on you.  It is an invigorating experience, I'll say that much.  I had some horrific nightmares about big ugly men with hairy backs after the first time I went, but I recovered sufficiently to go again.  I would prefer my male bonding over Monday Night Football, but I guess you have to go where the locals go.  The atmosphere is definitely less formal than an office or church Bible Study, and as a result of this "Banya Bonding" I have received an invitation to preach and visit an orphanage.  It is also good language practice (I've certainly learned some new words) and fellowship, so I trust God is using it! 

Stuck

I was taking our dog outside for a walk. I chose to use the elevator because Gabe saw a big, fat rat in the stairwell and I would rather not run into one. Fortunately, I've never seen one in there but I've see many right outside our apartment entrance. Our elevators work about half the time but I never thought I would end up getting stuck in one! The elevator stopped between the 4th and 5th floor. I tried to open the doors but to no avail. My next option was to call Gabe and NOT panic because that never helps the situation. I was glad that Esther was sleeping and that she wasn't stuck with us. It was cold as I could see my own breath. Gabe tried to find someone to ask who to call.  One man helpfully told Gabe the elevator didn't work.  Gabe told him that yes we know, and asked what to do since I was stuck in it.  The man just shrugged & left....thanks so much. Gabe went back to grab a crowbar to pry open the doors but that didn't work. I pushed the old, rusted "call" button not thinking someone would answer. She asked, "what happened?" I realized quite quickly that I have no idea how to say, "I'm stuck in the elevator". I told her that the elevator didn't work. She kept saying something else to me so I assumed she wanted me to describe the situation more. I told her that, "I not open the door." I should've said that I couldn't open the door but oh well, she understood me and sent a guy to come help! So Hanjik and I were in there for about 30 minutes.  Next time, I think I'll risk the rats.