Going, Going, Gone! (October 2013 Update)
I know what you are thinking! I have baseball on my mind — I wish! Maybe if the Cincinnati Reds hadn’t been swept by the Pirates at the end of the season (and in the wild card playoff), I might be thinking baseball. But even if they were in the World Series, I would probably be thinking about something else — verbs of motion in Russian.
This is something that English does not have and it makes learning Russian very complicated for English speakers. It will be impossible for me to explain fully, but I’ll try (in a very simple terms). In English, we can say we are going somewhere using just one word. In Russian, there are at least 14 major different verbs expressing this idea (not to mention the various prefixes which seem endless). Each of these verbs has different aspects depending on whether the action is singular or multiple, imperfect or perfect, one direction or multiple, a process or a regular action, determinate or indeterminate, and of course there are some bi-aspectual verbs just to keep everything interesting! Each verb also has at least 6 different forms (conjugations) and 3 tenses. In short, that means you only have to choose between 28-108 options in the few seconds it takes to formulate your sentence. Sometimes, it’s made easier in conversation if the Russian speaker asks you a question — you just use the verbal form that he used to answer back–if you are listening carefully!
But, for me, verbs of motions are not the hardest part. They follow fairly logical rules (not “English” logic, but still they are consistent) so, with time, they can be understood and used properly. What is still giving me the most trouble is the cases. Here we have various prepositions that all require correct case endings to be used to be properly understood. We have 6 cases with 3 genders (most with 2-3 different endings) and numerous prepositions. And many of the same prepositions use a different case depending on the question implied (to where or where or from where, singular motion or multiple motion). Anyway, this for me is the hardest. But I am making progress.
I am in Russian lessons for 4 hours every day and then I usually have 3-4 hours of homework. It is much harder for me than the other students because they have all had at least 3 years of Russian. I have to scramble each evening to learn what they already know just to be ready for the next day. But my progress has been really good. It’s just that I have no free time any more. I have heard people criticize missionaries for taking two years of language school before doing any ministry. I fully understand why it is so important for them to concentrate only on language school and I constantly wish I had done this in the beginning!
Ministry
In addition to the Russian lessons, Katya and I continue to be involved in our work at the seminary. She has been doing her regular work as well as training Zhenya to serve as Register when she goes on maternity leave in December. She’s feeling great and actually looks pregnant now! I continue to teach classes at the seminary and I’m working on a number of projects and even taking an online course on how to construct online courses. I taught Christology in September and I am still working on papers from that class. I’m also preparing to teach a Talbot master’s level class in December and World History in January.
Additionally, we are preparing our “Key to the Heart” seminar for our church that takes place in November. Weekly, we are involved in our small group, and I am working each Thursday night with an English Club at Schevenko University. I also did an English Club this month at Kiev Polytechnic Institute. It is difficult to fit everything in and we are constantly wishing for some rest. But when we see what God is doing through these ministries, we are encouraged even in our tiredness.
It’s November now; I would not say it is my favorite month but it is my favorite NAME for a month. In Ukrainian, November is Листопад, or “leaves fall.” The Ukrainian months have pictures names for their months, but this one is my favorite!
Thanks so much for your prayers and support! We know that our strength comes from the Lord and we know that your faithfulness in praying for us gives us the strength to minister here in Ukraine. May the Lord bless you as you celebrate Thanksgiving this year! We give thanks to the Lord for you and for His hand in our lives!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Here are two Soviet era pictures I see every day in the Metro. They are a great reminder to me of how the Word of God has prevailed over communism!
Teaching Resources International 