This post is written by Margaret McBride, affectionately known by the children and our Team as "Nana"
Shortly after returning from our mission trip to Russia,I flew to Tulsa for a family reunion. It was a bittersweet trip because my brother's cancer is advancing quickly and it is heartbreaking to see him so debilitated. However, there is comfort and joy in knowing that because my brother, Wayne, belongs to Jesus, that "those who live in the Lord never have to say goodbye for the last time"!!
As I think about that quote, it comes to mind once again for me to pray that God will bring a harvest of souls from the trip we just made to Russia. Though even now I am planning to go to Russia again next year with the Grand Parkway team, the hard reality is that we may never get to see the children, caregivers, or the Christian brothers and sisters we met in Russia again here on earth. It was SO hard to leave the children at Lopukhinka, even though we had been with them such a short time.
Several people have asked me, "Why did you go? Could it really make a difference to be there such a short time?" As I continue to reflect on this mission trip, one of the most humbling things about it was to see God so visibly at work, and to be reminded that our God is the God of "INCREASE"! As a team of 11 from Grand
Parkway, it was a little daunting to think we needed to minister to 60+ children who didn't speak English. What a wonderful surprise to see that our Lord brought 5 college-aged interns from Texas to work with us!
Then, God further increased our number by adding 6 beautiful Russian Christian interpreters. Wow--the number on the team increased from 11 to 22 people who loved the Lord and wanted to share that love with everyone at Lopukhinka! The faith, enthusiasm, and energy of those 11 co-laborers added so much to all VBS activities, games, sports, and parties!
On Sunday, our third day on the trip, Pastor Andre and two woman from the small Christian church in Lomonosov (a town about 45 minutes from Lopukhinka) came to bring gifts to children who had birthdays and those who had just graduated. They were so loving and it was clear they have drawn close to the children in their ministry there.
Shortly after returning from our mission trip to Russia,I flew to Tulsa for a family reunion. It was a bittersweet trip because my brother's cancer is advancing quickly and it is heartbreaking to see him so debilitated. However, there is comfort and joy in knowing that because my brother, Wayne, belongs to Jesus, that "those who live in the Lord never have to say goodbye for the last time"!!
As I think about that quote, it comes to mind once again for me to pray that God will bring a harvest of souls from the trip we just made to Russia. Though even now I am planning to go to Russia again next year with the Grand Parkway team, the hard reality is that we may never get to see the children, caregivers, or the Christian brothers and sisters we met in Russia again here on earth. It was SO hard to leave the children at Lopukhinka, even though we had been with them such a short time.
Several people have asked me, "Why did you go? Could it really make a difference to be there such a short time?" As I continue to reflect on this mission trip, one of the most humbling things about it was to see God so visibly at work, and to be reminded that our God is the God of "INCREASE"! As a team of 11 from Grand
Parkway, it was a little daunting to think we needed to minister to 60+ children who didn't speak English. What a wonderful surprise to see that our Lord brought 5 college-aged interns from Texas to work with us!
Then, God further increased our number by adding 6 beautiful Russian Christian interpreters. Wow--the number on the team increased from 11 to 22 people who loved the Lord and wanted to share that love with everyone at Lopukhinka! The faith, enthusiasm, and energy of those 11 co-laborers added so much to all VBS activities, games, sports, and parties!
On Sunday, our third day on the trip, Pastor Andre and two woman from the small Christian church in Lomonosov (a town about 45 minutes from Lopukhinka) came to bring gifts to children who had birthdays and those who had just graduated. They were so loving and it was clear they have drawn close to the children in their ministry there.
Because government officials were to visit the orphanage on Monday, our team needed to leave, so we travelled by bus to visit Pastor Andre at his church in Lomonosov. What an inspiration that little church is!! 
With only 55 members, they do so much to advance the Gospel and minister to orphans and offer a live-in rehabilitation center for up to 8 woman addicted to alcohol or drugs! What a privilege to partner with this church and see God's "INCREASE" in the kingdom in a dark place.
Last fall, when I first started praying about going on one of the mission trips in 2009, I wondered if I was too old to have anything to contribute. Then as I felt drawn to go to Russia to work with orphans, I wondered if I had the stamina to make that long trip and keep up with the much younger team members and all the kids!
Early on, one of the interns told me I reminded her of her grandmother. When I told her I am "Nana" to my grandchildren, she immediately asked it they could call me that------so with pleasure, I became Nana to everyone on the team! I am so grateful I have the opportunity to serve in missions through Grand Parkway in the "mature" season of my life--what a wonderful church and leaders we have!
The blessings of participating in this trip keep multiplying: God has brought "INCREASE" in my faith as I watched Him work in miraculous ways; INCREASE in fellowship with my wonderful Grand Parkway team members; INCREASE in my compassion for the hardships our Russian Christian friends endure for the faith; INCREASE in my respect for the Buckner organization; INCREASE in my love for the children at Lopukhinka who won't know about relationship with Jesus, unless we tell them; INCREASE in thankfulness for the blessings God bestows on us in America; INCREASE in my shame that I haven't done more; and INCREASE in my desire to go next year to see how God brings INCREASE in what has been started there!!!
Where will you go???
With only 55 members, they do so much to advance the Gospel and minister to orphans and offer a live-in rehabilitation center for up to 8 woman addicted to alcohol or drugs! What a privilege to partner with this church and see God's "INCREASE" in the kingdom in a dark place.Last fall, when I first started praying about going on one of the mission trips in 2009, I wondered if I was too old to have anything to contribute. Then as I felt drawn to go to Russia to work with orphans, I wondered if I had the stamina to make that long trip and keep up with the much younger team members and all the kids!
Early on, one of the interns told me I reminded her of her grandmother. When I told her I am "Nana" to my grandchildren, she immediately asked it they could call me that------so with pleasure, I became Nana to everyone on the team! I am so grateful I have the opportunity to serve in missions through Grand Parkway in the "mature" season of my life--what a wonderful church and leaders we have!
The blessings of participating in this trip keep multiplying: God has brought "INCREASE" in my faith as I watched Him work in miraculous ways; INCREASE in fellowship with my wonderful Grand Parkway team members; INCREASE in my compassion for the hardships our Russian Christian friends endure for the faith; INCREASE in my respect for the Buckner organization; INCREASE in my love for the children at Lopukhinka who won't know about relationship with Jesus, unless we tell them; INCREASE in thankfulness for the blessings God bestows on us in America; INCREASE in my shame that I haven't done more; and INCREASE in my desire to go next year to see how God brings INCREASE in what has been started there!!!
Where will you go???
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