• A Formula for Bedlam
• Mission Must Be Flexible
• Down-Home Suggestions
• Signs of Serendipity

But when he invited United Methodists to help host more than 2000 visiting Russians in their homes and communities last summer, he didn't reckon on the depth of personal connection these American hosts would make with their Russian guests during a dizzying succession of 10-day visits. Nor could he have predicted the copious tears that would fall when the Vanyas and Alexandras said goodbye to the Johns and Marys at airports all over the United States.

"We're not so different after all," these hosts and visitors discovered. "We don't have to be afraid of one another."

The Librarian of Congress may not know everything. But he knew a viable partner when he saw one, and he engaged the United Methodist Russia Initiative as one of two major hosting organizations (Rotary International was the other). Each organization placed more than 700 Russians in host homes and communities between July 23 and September 30. Other agencies placed lesser numbers, bringing the visitor total to nearly 2000.

• Dr. Billington floated his proposal for this program–the most ambitious exchange program in the United States in many decades--in a magazine article published in the summer of 1998. The idea was to develop cultural and political links between Americans and Russians, particularly younger Russians who held or would be running for political offices locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Among those who read the article was Dr. Robert Harman, Deputy General Secretary at the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Harman sent a copy to Dr. R. Bruce Weaver, director of the GBGM's Russia Initiative, with a simple query: "Can we do this?"
• In December 1998, Harman and Weaver secured a meeting with Billington and his staff. Billington listened carefully as they explained the Russia Initiative's successes--dating to 1991--in linking American United Methodists with Russians through Supporting Congregations, Partner Churches, and Volunteers In Mission teams.
• In February 1999, Billington was the featured speaker for the Russia Initiative's seventh annual consultation in Dallas, Texas. No more than six people knew what to expect. But as church news outlets later reported, the Librarian of Congress electrified the several hundred participants with his vision of bringing present and potential Russian leaders to the United States--and doing it with United Methodists' help. A resolution adopted the next day said, in effect: "Count us in!"
• Enthusiasm is no substitute for funds. Not until May 1, 1999, could Billington report to Weaver and others that it looked as if the US Congress would join with the Library of Congress in sponsoring the exchange. But word of the actual $10 million go-ahead from Congress didn't come until May 21. And the first group of visitors was scheduled to leave Russia only six weeks later, on July 4!

Mission Must Be Flexible

No one knows how many times the elasticity came close to snapping or the flexibility almost froze. But Weaver recruited short-term staffers–including J. William Matthews, a retired missionary and veteran communicator, and laywoman Ilona O'Brien from the Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, which has been an active, heavy-hitting participant in the Russia Initiative. Their jobs were essentially to locate churches willing to host about four Russian visitors and an interpreter for 10 days and to schedule arrivals, itineraries, and departures.

After hurried, earnest letters and "cold calls" on everyone they could think of and through ads and stories in The United Methodist Reporter, the Russian Leadership Exchange team became flooded with responses.

Weaver grins as he recalls some of the responses. One New Yorker was eager to host some Russians--but not until October 2000. A California layperson described herself as a "terrific hostess" because she knew a lot about wine and vodka. A layperson from southwest Texas objected to "bringing all those Communists to this country, especially when you know the KGB will be right in the middle of them."

The American Council for International Education administered the program in Russia--selecting participants, buying tickets, and seeing the visitors off at airports. Not until the Russians reached their airports did they know where exactly in the United States they were going. And their hosts—families, churches, and communities—almost never had more than five to seven days' notice of who was coming or when. (See Bulletin Inserts, for some memorable stories about hosts' and guests' adventures during the visit.)

Down-Home Suggestions

• On the first day, give Russians a house tour; explain strange night noises (air conditioners, etc.).

• View kitchen appliances; invite guests to cook a meal if they wish.
• Explain security systems, locks, pet shelters, and equipment such as tools and mowers found in the garage or home shop.
• Demonstrate the washing machine; invite guests to assist with chores in the yard or garage.
• Do a perception check midway through the visit. Are guests' expectations being met? Are any changes needed?

The "any changes" question actually overlaid the entire program. Instead of only the Russian political leaders and leader-aspirants that Billington originally envisioned, community leaders such as nongovernmental officials and university faculty members also were invited. Weaver explained the switch: Russian elections were coming up in September 1999, and some Russians either holding or aspiring to office needed to spend those 10 days at home rather than in the United States.

Signs of Serendipity

Weaver summed up the experience in the October 1999 issue of the Russia Initiative's newsletter, Update! He wrote:

"The Russian Leadership Program, like an old-time [summer] 'revival,' stormed through the Russia Initiative, led by Dr. James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress. Since early June it has devoured time and energy, yet it generated publicity and excitement. Described as a 'work in progress,' it was almost a 'wreck in progress.' But even with an impossible time frame, frustrations, and language barriers, it has emerged as a grand experience. Host families will treasure intimate moments with Russian visitors. We say, 'Thank you, Dr. Billington, for having the dream and including us.'"

Perhaps the person least surprised by the summer 1999 exchange's success was Weaver himself. In 1992, when the United Methodist Russia Initiative was in its infancy, he made an eight-hour trip from Moscow to Samara, Russia. There he offered leaders of the Russian Peace Foundation the Partner Church idea.

"What if teams from the United States came to your city," he asked, "and together you and they decided on the needs in your city? Then a covenant to work together could be arranged for several years. The visiting teams could also invite you to the United States, because mission is a two- way street."

Mission is indeed a two-way street, and it's also elastic, flexible, and sometimes messy. Bruce Weaver may not be Librarian of Congress but he knows United Methodists and he knows mission. All he needed this time was a partner. And James Billington, the scholar of Russian history and culture from Washington, filled the bill.