Saturday, August 15, we headed to Karosta to see the Russian cathedral that Aleks has been talking about since we got here. He as told us it is “very, very big” and we have to see it. So, arrangements were made for us to take a drive and check it out. As we drove through the area there were sites everywhere that reflected the Russian army during WWII. During that time, no one was allowed in the area and it was closed off from everyone. There were tall apartment building everywhere and most were now empty (no doors and no windows) and the ones that did have occupants were very run down, broken and falling apart. There were ruins of red brick buildings everywhere and places that appeared to have houses at one time, maybe large military homes. The sites around us were sad and lonely. The roads were filled with potholes.

In the center of it all, stood and giant cathedral. Aleks was right it was huge. As we walked up to the gate, we read a sign that told us to leave our evil thoughts behind, instructing us on how we needed to be dressed and things we could not bring into the building. 

As we walked up the large steps and into the large doorway, there was the smell of old and a little musty. There were several women walking in with head coverings and stopping at the door. It was a really big and open with hundreds of pictures of different saints. Each one had a candle and a place to pray to each one. The building was amazing; but cold, empty and lost. 

As we were heading to the door to leave, a elderly woman stopped Aleks and spoke to him in Russian, I think. I could see she was telling him how he needed use all the specific hand motions for prayer (I know it is called something, but don’t know what it is). I thought she was possibly giving him some historical lesson. As Aleks walked away, he had a strange expression on his face. When it was translated what was said to him, there was an overwhelming sadness deep in my heart and brokenness for  this woman. But not just that, I wanted to grab Aleks and hug him and tell him everything was okay now. You see, she stopped him to tell him that Jesus did not love him because his hair was spiked up (and very cute, I might add) and that he needed to ask for forgiveness. (that was why she was showing him how to make the cross covering with his hand) Well, you can imagine what I was feeling… As we walked outside the building, I was reminded how those people just do not know Jesus and if they did, they would know that he is not a judge of our outward appearance, but he looks at our heart.

Kevin was able to take a few minutes to talk to Aleks on God’s love for us and confirm in him that God loves him passionately-every part of him…and so do we. There are many people that are blinded by the laws of religion in every corner, and we must share the true person of Jesus Christ as we live our daily lives. I want to be that example to everyone He puts in my path on this journey…

We hopped back into the car for a ride to our next site…a long water brake and an amazing rain cloud….