Russia Trip: Day 5

Even though clouds lurked all around us - we had beautiful (cool) weather - which made it so enjoyable to be outside in the sunshine. Monday was just as busy as the day before. Plus, we were able to spend some time working in the garden with the kids. The kids got to choose a partner and we worked together with them to pull weeds. The kids are serious about their work and were proud to show us how to do it right.




More VBS after pulling weeds, then lunch and afternoon nap (we can get very used to that!). We just spent more time hanging out with the kids and having fun.

Rachael & Susan worked on the cupcakes for the birthday party and some of us gathered up all the goodies we had brought to give the kids (balloons, party games, decorated pillowcases with balls, stuffed animals, hats, candy & toys.)




We ate dinner and then we had like 15 minutes while the kids ate dinner to decorate, get the games and presents ready. The kids waited outside with our translators and then we let them in....SURPRISE! (Even though we think they knew something about it.)



How wonderful to see the smiles on their faces. We told them how special we think they are and that God loves them very much. And since we wouldn't be with them on their actual birthday, we wanted to celebrate with them. We had such fun playing pin the tail on the donkey and making party hats. Then there was the fascinating game of duck-duck-goose that they would have played forever. Cupcakes were enjoyed by everyone and the night ended as we called each child's name and gave them a present. After everyone received a present we counted down and they opened them.















Everyone had fun at the party - the kids, the caregivers and our team. Who knew that the love of God could be shared with things like balloons, cupcakes and party games? That night was a turning point in our relationship with the kids. We were told that it was probably the best night that some of them had ever had.

Russia Trip: Day 4

Sunday started porridge and a bit of confusion with our schedule... Would we have a church service? Would we work in the garden with the kids? When would we have VBS? Where would we have VBS? All things fell into place and we started with name tags


and Yan led us in a great fun song (just ask us)


and then we split into 3 different groups and had VBS before lunch. It was great to see the older kids getting involved and interested. Chris D. & Susan H. led the Bible story, Ryan & Jeremy led recreation and Micky & Vivian led crafts.










After lunch, most of us took naps. The afternoon was spent playing with the kids - bubbles, jumprope, legos, connect four and some basketball & soccer with the older guys.

Russia Trip: Day 3

Saturday morning we loaded up the bus and headed out to be American tourists in Russia. We visited Catherine's Palace and saw many beautiful things.



We then went to lunch at Podvorye "Russia's most authentic restaurant" and enjoyed a 6 or 7 course meal (I can't remember, but it was a lot of food). We tasted things like pickles, cold meats, stuffed tomatoes, mushrooms in sour cream sauce, red borsch (beet soup), stuffed grape leaves and cabbage rolls, pancakes with ice cream and honey - with the beverage of choice being coke or coke light. Of course, this was all enhanced by the folk music, which we couldn't avoid.



While all this was fun, we were ready to get to the orphanage. We were met at the restaurant by the 4 translators .... Ishmail, Jenya, Vusala and Yan, who were going to the orphanage with us. After a 2 hour ride to the country we were almost there...
(this sign reads LOPUKHINKA - the name of the village were the orphanage is located).

As we pulled into the gates of the orphanage we were met by 2 of the kids. They helped us unload our bags and get settled in our rooms. This...



...would be home for the next week. This is the main building of the orphanage - it has the children's rooms, lounges/dens and different offices. Oh! It also has the shower rooms and toilet rooms, but that is whole other story.

As we unpacked and were getting familiar with where everything was....we could hear giggles and laughs - but we didn't see the children. We kept asking, "where are they?" And finally, one by one, they started coming out of their rooms and down the stairs. I couldn't tell who was more excited - them or us! We spent some time with introductions...thank goodness for translators!



And it didn't take very long for the older boys to get our guys involved in some futbol (soccer).



And Micky helped the kids make bracelets before dinner.


At some point, the kids showed us the woodshop and presented us each with their 'mascot'.



After dinner we spent time hanging out and having fun with the kids. At our team meeting that night we learned that we would start VBS tomorrow (Sunday). Then, we settled in for some sleep (this is a picture of the guys room), even though it was still light outside until about 11pm and the sun would rise some time about 4:30am.

Russia Trip: Days 1 & 2

We met on Thursday, July 24 at the airport. I think we were all excited and just couldn't believe that the trip we had waited for and planned for so long was finally here.



After everyone arrived, we checked in and then went through security. We had a few hours wait before we boarded for a flight that was almost 10 hours to Frankfurt, Germany. Yes, I said 10 hours! But the good news is that they fed us dinner and breakfast. Plus we watched a few movies (some were in German or French), read, talked and slept. But mostly, we sat and waited anxiously for what God had prepared for us.

When we arrived in Frankfurt it was 9:30am and we had a 4 hour layover. When it was finally time to board our plane for St. Petersburg, we played a little bit of musical airport and went to 3 different gates before they finally let us get on a shuttle bus that took us to our plane. We traveled for 3 hours and arrived in St. Petersberg around 6:30pm. We went through customs, met Natasha and headed off to dinner. After a quick bite to eat, we were taken to our hotel for a good night's rest. It was strange to think that were finally here! Only one more day until we got to meet the kids.

More pictures of the kids

NASTIA


DANIEL


ELDAR


EDWARD


MAXIM


EL'YA


JENYA


SASHA


VAGIF