From Russia with LOVE

What a great trip!! God moved powerfully, new relationships formed & a new respect for Russia and the Ukraine.... awesome people!

I will try and give a condensed version of what took place on the trip... here goes...

BEFORE THE TRIP:

Before I even left on my trip, I was under attack... My daughter has type 1 diabetes... she was having bad stomach cramping, which led to someone calling CPS (Child Protective Services) on us... suspecting abuse... For 1 week straight, they harassed us and even threatened to take my daughter away from us! They questioned our kids at school and came after us in every way... very demonic... very exhausting...

DAY OF THE TRIP: (Monday - Pacific Time)

Very busy.. I was in Las Vegas, with my wife, for my sister-in-law's wedding....very cool.... however, we had to fly out early am and then I had to go home, pack real quick and then head off to pick up my Dad and Rod Stinson.

We arrived at the airport, ate some food and then went through customs to board the plane....

We finally boarded the plane and the fun began... We flew on Aeroflot... and the minute we boarded the plane, they didn't speak English. The stewardess was already getting annoyed with me, because trying to find a place for my acoustic guitar was a nightmare... and on top of that... my laptop bag wouldn't fit into any overhead bin...

Once that was settled, the seats were so crammed... that when a person leaned back, they were literally in your lap! Poor Rod, who is a tree, didn't fit... When we took off, I immediately scrammed to the exit row, which had 1 seat. They Russian sitting by himself, wasn't too happy with me smiling and asking if I could sit down...

So, the flight continued..... for 12 1/2 hours... We flew directly into Moscow. We went through customs, found our bags, exchanged monies and took a bus to the next terminal for our flight to Perm. The weather was cold, snowing and dreary...

We had a long layover, so we attempted to learn a few Russian words, ordered some beer (Which has a much higher alcohol content than American beer) and sat, ate and drank for many hours...

We finally checked-in and went upstairs to board our flight to Perm.... while going upstairs we met up with Pastor friends of Rods from the Vineyard. Most from the US... we talked and finally boarded our 2 1/2 hour flight to Perm.

We arrived at around 2am Moscow +5 time (Russia spans 8 time zones).... exhausted and hungry, we were driven to our final destination, a Flat (which is an apartment).

The first thing I noticed was, this was not Las Vegas... and surely was not the Palazo that my wife and I had stayed in the night before...

My dad and I shared a very small room, with 2 single beds (that we barely fit in), a small toilet and a shower that was really a pipe coming out of the wall in a closet! I couldn't believe and thought... oh, crap... what have I done!

We attempted to sleep for a couple of hours, but couldn't.... so we talked, I called Moniqua on my SAT phone and prayed outside for the conference.

WEDNESDAY (Russia is 1 day ahead of the US)

We went downstairs for breakfast (the meals were included)....and had a rude awakening...

Our meal consisted of an egg, shaped into a square, served cold. A piece of bread with cheese and butter, and a packet of coffee... Oh, boy.... where's the Russian buffet? I ate it and attempted to humble myself...hehe... attempted..

After breakfast, we were told what to do... we were going on a tour of Perm and had to lead a group that evening... Ok, no problem...

We went on our tour with a wonderful guide... Anya.. I haggled her the entire time and we ended up bonding with her and the other wonderful people that came along.... Mike, Rachael (from the UK), Keith (From the US), My Dad, Anya and I...

It was snowing all day, but we tasted authentic Russian food.... Pancakes with meat rolled inside, coffee, pastries, Solianka (My favorite soup now...) and other tidbits...

After that, we were driven to the meeting place. My dad was so tired (remember, we are still on Pacific time) that he asked me to lead the meeting... I was exhausted too, but tried to push through it... We worshiped, the Lord moved and people started opening up and really got touched by the Lord.

Feeling exited, we went back to our hotel and slept...

THURSDAY

Today is the day of the National Conference... We rested, ate a chicken wing and rice for breakfast and started our day.

The worship team arrived, so I helped them setup their sound system and tried to communicate the best I could..... actually I did more sign language than verbal communication.... I smiled, pointed and called myself a "stupid americansky".... they seemed to understand that! hehe...

I played drums that evening.... Robbie (A Vineyard Pastor from Chicago) spoke and ministered and we called it an evening..... honestly, I was so screwed up on time... I couldn't keep my eyes open.. and I wasn't even tired.... my body automatically went to sleep without me telling it.... You could tell the people from the USA.... at around 6pm everyone was closing there eyes... not because Robbie was boring... but because our time was jacked up!

FRIDAY

We ate breakfast, some type of mash with bread and cheese..... and of course... instant coffee...

I ran out early, and practiced for worship.... After the morning session, Rod was doing a workshop on the Father's love.... He did a great job, I sang at the end and did ministry type songs.... basically sang over people...... People were being very strongly ministered to..... a different dynamic than the conference.... more deep, personal ministry....

I had to run back, afterwards to lead worship again.... this time... I was playing electric guitar... Robbie spoke again and did a wonderful job..... I guess he called me up at the end to help him minister, but I was sleeping in the Foyer on the couch.... probably snoring... how embarrassing.... I couldn't help it! I didn't mean too.... Sorry Robbie.... ;)

SATURDAY

I co-led with the 3rd Russian team.... Played Electric and then acoustic.... There was such a great cohesive sense of unity.... no matter if we didn't understand each other... music binded us together and there was power in it... awesome...

Robbie ended the meeting with ministry.... it was such a wonderful time...

We ended up going out to lunch with a bunch of pastors and people... developed relationship and was able to minister even out on the town...

Once thing I realize...... no matter what area of the world...... all the churches are going through the same thing.... They are dry and exhausted from trying to be organized and doing things in their own energy... We were able to bring refreshment and ministry back to them again... it was worth it...

That evening, we packed up and moved into the Pastor of the Perm Vineyard's house. Him and his wife allowed the 3 of us to share their living room, which isn't very big..... We slept well...

SUNDAY

We awoke to a wonderful breakfast of toast, cheese and some good darn Russian coffee. The Pastor was awesome and funny... I haggled him and we clicked right off the bat.... He loves fishing, so we talked about fishing and laughed with each other for a while...

I was feeling pretty sick that morning. I got a bad cold, but still had to lead worship at his church... I arrived, setup, tried to find songs they could translate real quick... mostly old Vineyard songs.... and started worship.... The people easily engaged and you could immediately feel the Holy Spirit moving on these people.

Rod spoke and did a wonderful job.... He called for Ministry time and the Lord started moving very quickly. These people know they are dry.... unlike Americans who know they are dry, but hide it ..... these guys don't care how they look.... they were coming unglued.... I continued to play ministry songs and sing over the people... My dad and Rod ministered... it was powerful.

Afterwards, we said goodbye to the people of the Perm Vineyard and went out to Lunch/Dinner... We had a great time of joking around and eating great food. Our 3 translators went with us... so conversation was good... ;) I really love them and saw them come to life while we were there.... It's amazing when God's Love is released how people change... very quickly...

We then went back and got some sleep for our early flight back to Moscow...

That evening...something happened that confirmed we were effectively ministering God's Love and Purpose....

At around 2:00am... I know this sounds really weird... but a demon came into our room... I was awake.... I was stricken and couldn't move..... it leaned over me... and began to whisper in my ear... it could barely speak English it seemed.... and said this...... "leave now ...... or...... else".... it said it over and over very slowly.... I tried to rebuke it in my mind, because I couldn't speak.... since demons can't read your mind, only God can, I started to get frustrated......... it then started sticking it's finger into the middle of my back and repeated it's threat..... "Leave now.... or ....else"...... It wasn't until Rod rolled over in his bed, did it let me go... I immediately called out for Rod and my Dad and told them what happened...

MONDAY

We flew out really early in the morning... said goodbye to the Pastor and hopped on our plane back to Moscow... We had a short layover, went through customs and headed toward our next stop....... Kiev, in the Ukraine!

Upon arriving in the Ukraine (which now we are 3 ahead in time)... I was feeling very, very sick. We were picked up at the airport by a group of young adults... mostly in their 20's I think... They probably thought I was rude because I didn't talk much.... I was so sick... I couldn't and also didn't want to breathe on Rod or my dad...

We arrived at our Flat... which was much nicer than the previous one.... 2 bedrooms, a TV, a kitchen, a nice bathroom and a couch.... of course... I slept on the couch... but honestly, I didn't care... I was just happy to have my own space and to have our own little place...

The Pastor of the people that picked us up was Sierge (I hope I spelled it right)... they were all so full of energy... and came to find out... most of his church, which is a Vineyard, is musicians!

We rested the remainder of the day.....

TUESDAY

We awoke to them coming to the door......We went to lunch with them and had great food and conversation. Kiev was much nicer than Perm.... you could tell they were more Americanized and wealthier....

After lunch I went back to the room to sleep.... Rod and my Dad went on a tour.... I slept for a while...

Early evening, Rod, my Dad and I tried some Sala (Curred and Smoked Pork Fat) with bread and some good Russian Vodka (The Russians use vodka to cure everything.... the even put it on cuts and wounds!)

That evening we had a meeting.... I brought my guitar and we went on a trek to the meeting place. We went on their subway.... and to get there you go down the longest escalator I have ever seen..

We got there and Sierge led worship, I accompanied him... we bonded immediately..... Then, the 3 of us started getting words for people and ministering.... people were getting touched...

We then took the sub and trekked back towards our room... we stopped first to eat and then slept well that night.

WEDNESDAY

We awoke... our translator came and took us to lunch. She took us on a wonderful tour around Kiev.... we took lots of pics, bought souvenir's and enjoyed each others company. We answered questions about church, the Father's love and was able to minister to her and Sierge throughout the day...

That evening, we ministered at Sierge's church. He led worship, I played electric guitar.... we prayed for people late into the night... My dad spoke and did a wonderful job... people were so receptive.

Upon us saying goodbye, people were crying that we were leaving... they called us spiritual fathers.... God was awesome and He brought life again to them.... and a new focus on His Love...

We went to bed and prepared for our early morning bus ride to Kremenchek (In the Ukraine)

THURSDAY

Sierge took us to the bus stop, said goodbye and we were off on our 4 hour bus ride to our final destination..

We arrived in Kremenchek and met the Senior Pastor of the Kremenchek Vineyard and his associate pastor. They drove us to our flat, which was right near the meeting place they had rented for the Father Loves You Conference.

We settled in, and then he came and took us out on the town. We toured the sites, ate some great food, bought some more souvenirs and enjoyed Eugene's company.

He finally took us back to the room...... Rod and my dad went to a small group and ministered that evening while I stayed back and rested. I fixed myself some cheese, crackers and just enjoyed resting... I was still sick and needed to rest to get my voice back...

FRIDAY

We rested in the morning. In the afternoon Eugene and a few other guys came and picked us up... we walked to a great Armenian food joint..... and feasted like kings! We had Lamb, pickled veggies and other great dishes....... good food, good friends and good conversation!

We walked back and prepared for the first evening session of the conference..

That evening I went over early to meet the worship team and to setup. The people were so nice and so accommodating... I did a sound check and prayed before the meeting started.

The first nights meeting was a little rough. The building was big and very, very cold.... they furnace wasn't working! So people were literally freezing in their seats! As I went up to play during ministry time... my hands were so cold.... but the Lord began to move... and soon the Holy Spirit was warming them up!

We left a little discouraged and got some sleep... praying the next day would be better...

SATURDAY

The morning session was so much better.... they had Coffee, Tea and food right off the bat.... Rod did a great job and was back in the saddle.... Ministry time was awesome and the people began to open up...

We went to lunch, waited for over an hour, still didn't get our food and had to cancel our order to get back to do the workshops....

Rod, My Dad and I did different workshops.

In my workshop I had a great translator. I shared on Understanding Who You Are in the Kingdom of God... utilizing the Life of King David.... I explained that the enemy didn't want them to know who they were in the Kingdom of God... as Sons and Daughters... and that their purpose transcends this life and into when we rule and reign with Christ and even beyond that... when He creates a New Heaven and New Earth.... I shared about all of the obstacles leading up to my trip and even during it... from being sick, to Moniqua calling me that the truck was busted and it cost $1000 to fix..... to the demon coming in my room and telling me to leave!

They obviously got the point... Ministry was awesome... God was giving me words for people left and right.... People that seemed hard during the main sessions began to break and receive God's Love....

We all ended up doing our workshops 2X.... so that people could go to 2 workshops...

My last one ended up running late.... so they came and got me as I had to lead worship for the last session...

Worship was great. Sierge was there from Kiev, so I had him come up and play acoustic with me and the band.... I ended up having some words for people during worship and we began to minister before the message...

Rod came up and did a fantastic job.... people were so much more receptive now and their entire demeanour had changed.....

Ministry was awesome again.... it seemed to keep getting hotter, hotter and hotter as the days went on....

As the ministry was starting to wind down, people wanted to rejoice for what God had done... so I called up the band and played my song called ONE... people immediately responded and started dancing, singing and it was an awesome end to such a great week of God pouring out His Love, Mercy and showing people there purpose!

After wrapping things up, we were taken out to dinner with some pastors... We ate incredible food... I mean incredible.... Meats, Roasted Vegetables.... Mushrooms that were pickled and then roasted over fire... Tomatoes that were fire roasted... just awesome...

We went back to our room and slept like babies!

SUNDAY

We woke up and were taken to the Kremenchek Vineyard's meeting place. Rod spoke and did an incredible job, we ministered and said goodbye to the people of that Vineyard. They gave us gifts and thanked us over and over again... I was so humbled and honored to serve them...

We went to a huge lunch with Eugene and were told to prepare for our final adventure... the Bania!!!! I will tell you what that is in a minute... hilarious!

That evening, Eugene picked us up and took us to the Bania. We went to a guys house, a member of Eugen's church and witnessed a famous tradition.

His house was a nice house with a large back yard. In the back yard there was a separate house... kinda looked like a pool house. Once we entered, there was a room, with a picnic table and benches..... bear and salty fish laid out on the table.... a shower......and a door leading to a smaller room...

After being told to get naked..... which I didn't do of course.... I wore board short.... we were taken inside the inner bowls of the Bania.... You see, the Bania is a Sauna... HOT... with 3 levels to sit in...

So, we sat in the Bania for about an hour or so.... then came the real Bania experience....

On of the guys... bring in a large bucket with hot water..... along with 2 branches full of leaves... about the size of a broom without the handle...

Everyone gets out of the room.... He tells me to go in and prepare myself. I sit on the 3rd tier.. which of course is the Hottest place on earth! I stay in there for 15 minutes and he comes in... tells me to lay down on my stomach.... He take the water in the bucket... pours some on the red-hot coals... the place steams up like hades!!! It's so fricken hot..... then... comes the fun.....

He starts slapping my back with the 2 branches... pounding up and down my body like a drummer for some band... He's grunting and screaming here and there as he pounds me into oblivioun! I stay very still and quiet, but all along... I'm on FIRE!! I'm burning so bad.... I try to focus on pretty things, soft, nice things.... nope... didn't work... I'm getting 3rd degree burns!

He then flips me over on my back.......ARE YOU KIDDING!!! He starts pounding all over the front of me with those evil branches...... My eyes are closed... but now my back and my FRONT are on stinking fire!!!! It's like someone being in a bad fire.... with their skin falling off.... and then someone takes a whip and start whiping them! *&&^$%$#$%%^^ OOOOOOUUUUUCCCCHHH!!!!!!!

He flips me 4 times by the way...... then He yells at me and tells me to get out! He leads me outside.... BTW... it's starting to snow.... I'm in my board shorts..... He pours a whole large bucket of ice water over me......!!!!!!!! WOW! Steam is rising off of me..... then, he sprays me with a garden hose all over!!!!!

Now, either this is tradition........ or............... they do this to stupid Americanskies.... only! Hehe...

After this, I felt like I was drunk! I hadn't even had any beer!

He then starts cooking, naked by the way....hehe...... on the grill...... meat, veggies....and other great stuff...

We all get dressed, go inside and have a feast!

After all of that... we are just completely exhausted! We leave late in the evening... say our goodbyes....and head back to our flat for a couple of hours sleep before we have to take the 4 hour bus back to Kiev for our journey home...

MONDAY

We leave our flat at 12pm and hop on the bus to Kiev... saying goodbye to Eugene and His Associate Pastor...

4 Hours later we arrive at the Kiev Airport.... Go through security and hop on our 2 hour flight to Moscow.

Once arriving in Moscow, we eat a little and go through customs to await our final plane to the good old USA...

While waiting for our plane, I had to get some gifts for people. Rod and I searched around for real Russian Vodka to bring back.... however, on Aeroflot.... you can't bring Vodka on board!!! WWWWHHHHHAAAAAATTTTT!!!!!! No Way!

So, Rod and I questioned every duty free shop there.... everyone said the same thing..... Finally, Rod went to the security checkpoint, the last one before entering the gate, and asked the guy if we could bring Vodka on board... He said YES! Yahoo!!!!!!! However, we could only bring 3 bottles.... So I bought 3 and some chocolate and boarded the plane with happiness and contentment!

The flight home wasn't crowded... so we could sit wherever we wanted for the 12 1/2 hour flight back to LAX. The stewardess was nice this time around and the flight was a pleasant as could be!

MONDAY (I know I already have Monday, but remember.... we go BACK in time...)

We arrive at LAX around 5:30 and go through customs.... Man... the US has tight security.... very organized... They had a line just for US Citizens... they looked at my passport and said "Welcome Home Rob!" Man, I am proud to be an American!

I watched the Russians go through customs.... they made them do a Retinal Scan.... a Hand Scan and grilled them on tons of questions..... Dogs were sniffing for bombs and drugs..... 4 security checks before finally meeting up with my Father-In-Law and driving home...

FINAL WORD

This was an exhausting, but awesome trip... God did amazing things and confirmed His purpose for my life....

I am designed to reveal not only the Father's Love, but to teach people who they are in the Kingdom of God and to release them into their purpose... plain and simple!

I am so grateful for developing relationship with Rod again and even more working as a team with all 3 of them.... we worked so well with each other....

The people.... what can I say... I was honored and humbled to serve them and would go back to serve them again.... They have huge hearts and God is bringing them freedom in a huge way!

And.... thank you so much to my wife and kids for allowing me to be away for 2 weeks to serve these people.... I know it has cost us all a bunch.... Thank you from the bottom of my heart... I love you!


******* PICS COMING SOON ************