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

We're Back!

It is Sunday afternoon, August 3 and we are back in Houston. If you happen to see some people who look a little tired and are saying things like "spasiba" (thank you) and are rambling on about some really precious children - then it is probably someone from our team. Through everything that happened during our trip, we are certain of one thing - God has plans that are way bigger and better than we could ever imagine! Even though we may not why things worked the way they did, we were so blessed to be His vessels and instruments of love and to be able to meet so many of His precious creations that He has not forgotten.

In the days ahead, we fully intend to add more posts to this blog giving you pictures and insight into each day of our trip. (We weren't able to do this throughout the week because we didn't have internet connection and our communication with our friends back home was limited.) So, stay tuned for some amazing stories and be praying about how God might have you involved in this ministry to orphans in Russia.

Coming Home..

We got this from Susan early this morning:

It is 815 and we are in Frankfurt Germany I guess that means it is a little after midnight there. Please tell everyone how sad we were to leave Russia but how anxious we are to share with you what God is doing there. Keep praying about our continued ministry with these beautiful children and what God would have you do. This trip may be coming to an end but our journey is just beginning. I am so proud to be a part of this humble hearted team of servants. We have had a great time with much laughter and joy amid tears for the kids. Each person played an important role and it was obvious why each was on the team.
Love to all.