BANYA

Have you ever heard the Russian word "Banya"? You've probably at least heard of a Turkish bath. The Russians have built a whole cultural event around this concept, and I recently had the privilege of joining some men from a Ukrainian church in their monthly activity. I wasn't sure, however, if I would be ready to bare my soul (and body) with this group of guys!

In our case, eight men met on Saturday evening in the baths and disrobed, armed themselves with a towel, slippers, sometimes a hat (the top of your head can get too hot), and nothing else! They took showers and sat around in a sauna (without any steam). After coming to a serious sweat (which didn't take too long!), they went into the next room, where there was a small 7x7x7 foot COLD pool -- just large enough to jump in, SCREAM, and climb out! After that, they sat around a few minutes and drank a little something (water or soft drink or beer), ate a little dried fish (complete with heads), and repeated the process. They would also beat each other with dampened birch branches to increase circulation. This went on for two hours.

The Russian cultural model tends to associate such fellowship at the "banya" with vodka and perhaps course talk, but with this group, the conversation mostly gravitated to -- of all things -- Theology! Imagine being baked, frozen, and then theologically grilled for 2 hours! It was so wonderful to see these men, from teens to late middle age, sharing in Christian fellowship, building wholesome relationships, sharing their testimonies and struggles, and being strengthened by one another. But, I'll admit, I wouldn't be anxious to do it every month.  :)