During a recent stop in Moscow, Russia, I had an interesting discussion with Pavel, a Georgian taxi driver. Not the Atlanta type but rather the Tbilisi type from the country of Georgia. After a while, Pavel asked me how I learned Russian and so I told him a bit of my story and where I had lived…out in Siberia in a placed called the Republic of Tuva. To my surprise, he knew the place well, not because of the missionary work or the unique people who live there but rather because of Tuva’s famous cash crop (marijuana) that he had helped to harvest during his younger “stupid-huligan days“. After we broke the ice with a discussion on his illegal involvement in Tuva’s marijuana industry, we could talk on just about anything!
So Pavel naturally asked me where I’m from.
Now, before I go into my response to Pavel, you must understand the thinking behind it. I am clearly and unashamedly an American, who is a proud resident of Alaska but also proud to have been born and raised in Iowa. However, during international travel through nations with a less-than-warm-relationship with the U.S.A., it is often advantageous to say that I am from Alaska as opposed to saying that I am from the U.S.A. or from America. In stating that you are from Alaska, American citizenship is clearly implied, but you often feel a very big difference in how you are received by others. You must also know that the word “America” almost always refers to the U.S.A. and is used in utter disregard for Canada, Mexico and other Central and South American nations. I offer my heart-felt condolences to the rest of the Americas. So now you understand that in foreign contexts, the word America communicates the U.S.A. and everything it stands for and against. But ALASKA…now that communicates something very different.
In my world travels, only four or five other states could brag about world fame and Iowa is unfortunately not one of them. In order of frequency they are 1) New York 2) California 3) Texas 4) Hawaii and possibly Florida. Let it be known that none of these states even holds a candle to the awe and reverence that the word “ALASKA” evokes. To the rest of the world ALASKA is way more than a place and it even transcends the realm of nouns. To the rest of the world ALASKA is a concept, a kingdom, a dream, an adjective, an ongoing action, an unattainable aura, a type of harmonious mountain nirvana and the fulness of all verb conjugations. ALASKA is!
So, I answered Pavel with a deliberate slowness saying, “I – am – from – A-LA-SKAhhhhhhhhh!”
It rolled nicely off of my tongue, even in Russian, and it was as if I had blown fairy dust in Pavel’s face. His eyes lit up! He couldn’t believe it! He had an ALASKAN in his taxi! As a matter of fact, he said, “You Alaskans are different from other Americans. We like you more. You are more independent and considerate of different nations. I knew you were Alaskan because you learned our language and you are pleasant.” Now, I was the first ALASKAN that Pavel had ever met, so I haven’t a clue from where he was pulling all of this stuff, but being from ALASKA made all the difference for him!
From the platform of ALASKAN residency, incredible conversational doors opened up to me! For the rest of our taxi ride, I openly communicated that I was a Christian and clearly communicated the gospel as I explained the missionary work in Siberia and Alaska. Pavel listened intently! All I know is that being from ALASKA opened an unexpected door of opportunity to demonstrate the heart of Christ to a Georgian taxi driver. As a matter of fact, when we got to the airport, he even refused a tip! Can you imagine that? A taxi driver, in Moscow, refusing a tip??? Inconceivable! Amazing things can happen during a taxi ride…when you’re from ALASKA!!!
Well, all this goes to show that it does makes some sense to launch global outreach from a local church in Anchorage, ALASKA! God has truly gone before us and prepared the way! By the way, you’re just in time to get involved in outreach at ChangePoint because we are actively recruiting ALASKANS!
Interested? Reply to this post, send me an e-mail at jimc@changepointalaska.com, go to our website at www.changepointalaska.com or give me a call at (907)350-1168.
Posted by jimcapaldo 
