Litkovka, Russia
Natasha Sivko, the communications director for ELCUSFE, writes:
“We don't have any time to explain! We're going to Litkovka!
And, like a hurricane, a team of 7 people got together and flew away from Omsk to the far northern corner of the oblast (state), where the taiga and the swamp had not yet taken off their coat of snow. Through the kind of drifts that it is hard to imagine in March (though you find such interesting things on the road!) they arrived at their destination, a beloved and favorite place – the village of Litkovka. The word 'village' brings up a stereotypical image that tends to color our vision. What do you imagine a Russian village looks like these days? The harsh 1990s swept through villages with waves of destruction, leaving poverty in its wake. Then there were the 2000s, when unusual circumstances caused everyone to act with only short-term interests in mind. Youth did everything they could to move away to the the city. Many of those who couldn't find work (even if they were great workers before) turned to drinking. Times goes by and there are no changes for the better.... But all these stereotypes have nothing to do with Litkovko! Nothing at all!
It is a special place. Everyone who comes here understands that. I don't think that it is possible to use words to describe it. Naturally, as with all villages, there was a time when there were certain upheavals here. But you can call it a 'village' only if you remember all the positive things associated with this word. What's good in the village? Clean air! That's the first thing that comes to mind. And, yes, the air is really clean! It is a place so far from the city that even all the giant pipes blowing harmful waste into the air cannot reach it with their smoke. There is amazing natural beauty all around. Is it really possible to be in the village in the winter and not be enthralled by the huge, white snow drifts? From the early morning the bright sun reflecting that brilliant white fills up all space. You can't see this kind of light in the city. All those who love playing in the snow are filled with limitless delight. And then there's the amazing impression that one gets from fresh produce, better than in any gourmet restaurant. Wide streets, cleaned free of snow, are lined on both sides by rows of well-taken-care-of houses. There is a lot that can be said about the beauty of these places. But it is not the places that makes the person beautiful, as everyone knows, but just the opposite..
Charming people live in Litkovka. As you arrive you feel that you are coming into a big family. And in some sense that is really the case, since a large part of the population are members of the local Lutheran congregation, one of the biggest congregations in western Siberia. There is a great deal of mutual support, unity and fellowship. All of them are brothers and sisters in Christ, always praying, always with the Word of God.
The team of staff from the Omsk congregation was led by ELCUSFE Bishop Otto Schaude; they spent 3 days there in March with a full program – lessons and games with children and teenagers, Bible studies (on the “4 solos” of Lutheran theology) and worship. Through fellowship, prayer and song both the Litkovko congregation and the team from Omsk were strengthened.
If they say that in Litkovko, in the north of the Omsk oblast, there are no roads and no phone lines, that is true. But it will also be true to say that it is a special place, and that the Holy Spirit also dwells there.”
Natasha Sivko, the communications director for ELCUSFE, writes:
“We don't have any time to explain! We're going to Litkovka!
And, like a hurricane, a team of 7 people got together and flew away from Omsk to the far northern corner of the oblast (state), where the taiga and the swamp had not yet taken off their coat of snow. Through the kind of drifts that it is hard to imagine in March (though you find such interesting things on the road!) they arrived at their destination, a beloved and favorite place – the village of Litkovka. The word 'village' brings up a stereotypical image that tends to color our vision. What do you imagine a Russian village looks like these days? The harsh 1990s swept through villages with waves of destruction, leaving poverty in its wake. Then there were the 2000s, when unusual circumstances caused everyone to act with only short-term interests in mind. Youth did everything they could to move away to the the city. Many of those who couldn't find work (even if they were great workers before) turned to drinking. Times goes by and there are no changes for the better.... But all these stereotypes have nothing to do with Litkovko! Nothing at all!
It is a special place. Everyone who comes here understands that. I don't think that it is possible to use words to describe it. Naturally, as with all villages, there was a time when there were certain upheavals here. But you can call it a 'village' only if you remember all the positive things associated with this word. What's good in the village? Clean air! That's the first thing that comes to mind. And, yes, the air is really clean! It is a place so far from the city that even all the giant pipes blowing harmful waste into the air cannot reach it with their smoke. There is amazing natural beauty all around. Is it really possible to be in the village in the winter and not be enthralled by the huge, white snow drifts? From the early morning the bright sun reflecting that brilliant white fills up all space. You can't see this kind of light in the city. All those who love playing in the snow are filled with limitless delight. And then there's the amazing impression that one gets from fresh produce, better than in any gourmet restaurant. Wide streets, cleaned free of snow, are lined on both sides by rows of well-taken-care-of houses. There is a lot that can be said about the beauty of these places. But it is not the places that makes the person beautiful, as everyone knows, but just the opposite..
Charming people live in Litkovka. As you arrive you feel that you are coming into a big family. And in some sense that is really the case, since a large part of the population are members of the local Lutheran congregation, one of the biggest congregations in western Siberia. There is a great deal of mutual support, unity and fellowship. All of them are brothers and sisters in Christ, always praying, always with the Word of God.
The team of staff from the Omsk congregation was led by ELCUSFE Bishop Otto Schaude; they spent 3 days there in March with a full program – lessons and games with children and teenagers, Bible studies (on the “4 solos” of Lutheran theology) and worship. Through fellowship, prayer and song both the Litkovko congregation and the team from Omsk were strengthened.
If they say that in Litkovko, in the north of the Omsk oblast, there are no roads and no phone lines, that is true. But it will also be true to say that it is a special place, and that the Holy Spirit also dwells there.”
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