Hristos Voskres! Christ is Risen!

Hristos voskres! Chris is risen! Voistinu voskres! He is risen indeed! Easter is here, and on this Resurrection Sunday (the Russian word for Sunday is "Voscresenie", which means resurrection), the beautiful spring weather testifies powerfully to Christ's victory over sin and death! What a great day to be alive!

While I could elaborate on many details of ministry here in Moscow this past month, I have decided to keep it simple, because simplifying is exactly what God has been doing through a painful, humbling process in my heart in recent days. Essentially, He's been teaching me how Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation we have, the only Solid Rock. He's shown me just how quickly I entertain the hundreds of lies that the enemy throws my way and how deep-seeded worry and fear can be in my heart. "Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!" (John 20:26b). In reading this verse yesterday, I was struck by how Jesus broke through the barriers of the disciples' fears and appeared in their midst, tangibly bringing peace to them by His presence. That same peace is what He longs to bring to all of our hearts, if we will just rest in Him. If you want to know one single, simple prayer to pray for me during these last two months of school, it is that my soul would find my rest in Christ alone (that He only would be my all in all, that I would seek Him for Him, not for His blessings).

No hymn better captures what God is doing in my heart recently than "The Solid Rock" does:

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Amen! In other news/ways to pray, here's the quick summary:

• Join with us in praying and believing that the government committee will see our application for a quota book for 2010, find favor with us, and grant us the book for 2010 (the more urgent one) and 2011 as well! The committee will be meeting here in early April.
• Praise God I was able to return to the country on my new visa without trouble. Making a two-day trip over Spring Break was a blessing and a timely way to navigate these uncertain days with our visa situation.
• Easter Fair this Saturday! Please join in praying for our biggest English Cafe of the year. It will be from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 10 (11:00 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Pray that people would encounter the living God through the different stations, activities, discussions, and testimonies that will be shared!
• The next Alpha Course weekend away (retreat) will be on April 23-25. Join me in praying for God to anoint this time with His Holy Spirit, especially in the hearts of those who are searching for truth.

Check out these pictures below of various events from the past three months:

Here my 5th graders are, standing in front of the cosmonaut museum. We went there as a culmination of our space unit in science class - what an amazing place!

One morning in the past couple weeks, my students noticed how the sunlight was shining through the translucent yellow sun on the window and then casting the yellow light on the picture of the cross and broken shackles that we have on the white board. The kids said, "Mr. Hays, it's a God Sighting!" I'd certainly say so!

During the space unit, I had the kids act out the stages of a star's life and death. Here one student is becoming a white dwarf (which is what our sun will become in 5 billion more years, if the Lord tarries).

A protostar, the second stage of stellar evolution.

Celebrating Pi Day on Friday, March 12. We enjoyed some delicious pies as we honored Archimedes' great discovery.

I challenged this student to break the class record of 100 digits of pi memorized...here he is reciting 150! What an dazzling display it was!

About a month ago, the school threw a big "mega shower" for the three couples who will be getting married this coming July. All three of us guys are living together in the same flat this year, and rumors are going around about something being in the water! The mega shower was so much fun, as we played "The Almost Newlywed Game" and had a cake cutting/eating time. We were amazed by the generosity of everyone in the Hinkson community - praise God! From left to right are Luke and Lindsey, Russell and Sarah, and Chris and Caitlin.

When Lindsey asked me if I wanted to "go messy" with the cake feeding (practice for the wedding day), I didn't hesitate to say yes. We got a bit carried away!

Karaoke/Open Mic night at the English Cafe.

Go Huskies! Middle school basketball - 4 of the 5 boys clad in blue are former students of mine!

Speaking in elementary chapel in early March...the elephant costume was part of Spirit Week. On that particular Friday, the elementary kids/teachers had to dress up as animals (and I love elephants). Amazingly, the kids listened well, in spite of my ridiculous attire!

Bible character day...I dressed up as a shipwrecked apostle Paul, ripped shirt, wet hair, and all.

Wacky Tacky Day! Yikes!

Book/Movie Character Day

English Cafe at Moscow First. We've had three meetings so far, all with about ten people. The discussions have been good, and we're trusting God to continue working in the hearts of those who come. Thanks for your continued prayers! Our last two Cafes of the semester will be on April 24 and May 15.

Cross country skiing with Lindsey and a bunch of other friends from Hinkson during Winter Break in February. It was quite a workout!

Mr. Hays and the four fifth grade girls during a class sledding party

My middle school boys pictured with some of the kids at the orphanage that we try to visit about once a month

Lindsey and I at the first Burger King to open in Moscow...the lines are pretty long, and Whoppers still taste the same in Russia!

On test day for our ancient Greece unit, many of my students decided to dress up as Greek gods/goddesses/heroes/heroines. They are so creative!