Ministry From The Far Sidetag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-2168222017-01-29T21:25:45-06:00Life in ministry on the far side of the world.TypePadI Agreetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e201b7c8cfd375970b2017-01-29T21:25:45-06:002017-01-29T21:25:45-06:00It has probably been a year since I even opened up my blog. There has been so much activity in our lives over the last year that it has been the farthest from my mind. But my ONE goal for this 2017 is to establish a daily writing pattern. I...RaatzPermitstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e201b7c80794f2970b2016-01-14T11:20:38-06:002016-01-14T11:20:38-06:00One of the huge challenges for many nations of in Eurasia, Russia included, is the issue of visas and permits. We all live with the looming question, "How are we going to stay and minister here?" That challenge remains in both friendly and unfriendly countries, developed and undeveloped areas. Our...RaatzParenting From a Distancetag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e201a511fb74cc970c2014-08-22T14:17:09-05:002014-08-22T14:17:09-05:00It is Friday night in St. Petersburg. I am sitting in our living room, writing these few thoughts while Natalie and Lauren sleep in the other room. The house is quiet, the city is slowing down, and the rain showers start and stop upon the hour. At the same time,...RaatzSiberiatag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e201a73d7b9a58970d2014-02-19T06:05:10-06:002014-02-19T06:05:10-06:00I've been pleasantly surprised by our move to Russia. Of course, there are always surprises about any move, especially to another country. We had already spent over ten years in Moldova, and I knew the system, the markets, and nearly every road. I'd eaten countless Moldovan meals, picnicked with friends,...Raatz2014tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2019b03bb4b0c970d2013-12-27T01:03:46-06:002013-12-27T01:03:46-06:00With the switch to the new responsibility in Russia, I have found that one task that has been laid aside was my writing. The learning curve has been steep, and I've still not learned the scheduling for time with my new travel demands. My goal in 2014 is to amend...RaatzDreamingtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017eea02c6a6970d2013-04-05T13:52:16-05:002013-04-05T13:58:25-05:00Russia. The switch has not been many months, but I am starting to get excited. The needs are enormous. The possibilities are immense. But God is so much bigger. I just got back from a week-long trip to Russia, traveling to Krasnodar and to Khabarovsk. I met with our workers...RaatzPerceptiontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017c37d89f05970b2013-03-18T06:23:59-05:002013-03-18T06:23:59-05:00Perception is 9/10 of reality. Isn't that the saying? The problem is that perception is NOT reality, and is often incorrect. I merely mention this fact because it is a constant struggle with those who serve in missions. We often live in "exotic" places, and our travels take us to...RaatzTransitiontag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017d40921b61970c2013-01-29T13:07:27-06:002013-01-29T13:07:27-06:00We are flying back home to Moldova on Friday, only three days from the day I'm writing this post. It's been a month in the US, and we are all ready to be home. We came for the World Missions Summit, then needed to add time to get our Russia...RaatzAll I Want For Christmas....tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017d3ee1785b970c2012-12-17T04:15:37-06:002012-12-17T04:15:37-06:00I am sure it is a part of getting older, but it is hard to make out a Christmas Wish List for myself now. Amazon.com makes it nicer (with those wish lists on the side). And yes, I do have one, mostly with some camping or photography wishes. Many of...RaatzTime Passes On...tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017d3ed84033970c2012-12-16T00:14:56-06:002012-12-16T00:14:56-06:00Celebrating Nancy's birthday today, another year gone by. It isn't a major milestone, but once again, I'm reminded of the swiftness of time and the need to savor the moment. Too often I find myself flying through a day, never stopping to look around and fix the memory of the...RaatzBrokennesstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017c32f5c8d0970b2012-10-31T07:06:47-05:002012-10-31T07:06:47-05:00The theme of brokenness and being poor in the spirit has been echoing around me for a number of years. A great friend of both us and the work here is Kyle Miller, a counsellor that has been a great support to Freedom Home. His main teaching centers on the...RaatzPastortag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834519e0d69e2017ee46ee910970d2012-10-25T05:55:07-05:002012-10-25T05:55:07-05:00In my heart, I think I'll always be a pastor. I'm not a pastor in the formal, liturgical way. But I'm a pastor in the way I think, in my desire to see people grow spiritually, finding their purpose in the body of Christ. One way that comes out is...Raatz