Russia Trip: Days 8 & 9

Thursday: We loaded our luggage and said our final goodbyes. Who could have known that our hearts would be so deeply touched with these dear kids? We are amazed at the relationships formed in such a short time. We stand in awe that God chose to work through us to touch these lives.




Slava (that big Russian teddy bear of a man), the husband of the orphanage director


Cheryl & Daniel


Phillip & Olga (the garden lady)


Micky & Karina


Vivian and one of the caregivers


Shaun and Nastia


Maxim and Jenya with Ishmael (our translator and Director of the Follow-Up team in St. Petersburg)


We traveled about 30 minutes to the town of Lomonosov and visited a Baby Home that housed about 90 children. The house was very clean and well stocked with furniture and toys for the children. And even though there were many caregivers, you can imagine that these children are greatly deprived from loving, physical touch. This is a place where Buckner has begun the Grandmother Program - having people come and just hold the children. We played and loved on these kids for only a short time, but they left a deep impression on each of us.




















We headed back to St. Petersburg, had lunch and then visited orphanage #15 - the hospital. This is where children are brought when they first enter the orphanage system. While not all the children were sick, this is where they receive medical care and attention before being sent to the different orphanages. It was fun to just play with the kids - coloring, playing with balloons, nail painting, making things and running around.













On Friday, we visited Orphanage #2 in the middle of the city. The orphanage was amongst many apartment buildings, but had great play areas. This is an orphanage where Buckner has had a presence for about 14 years. We found out that many of children who are adopted through Buckner come from this orphanage. It was a fun morning playing with the children.










That evening we enjoyed a great Russian tradition and went to the ballet - Swan Lake. Jeremy said that it was 'time I'll never get back' while others reported it was 'simply breath-taking'.

Russia Trip: Day 7

Wednesday: Some brave souls on our team got up at 5:30am to give a warm send off to the children heading to camp.



There were 10 kids left with us - 8 boys and 2 girls. We decided to forego our VBS plans for the today and simply focus on spending lots of time with them. It was a relaxing and quiet day. This one-on-one time allowed for some great conversations and interactions with each of them.

Some bracelet making (gifts for the caregivers)


Maxim & Jenya made custom bandana/charm bracelets & necklaces for each of the ladies on our team.


Some card playing (Uno)


and some more Jenga with 'wishes'


After dinner, we were all able to gather in one of the lounge rooms/dens for a Christmas party with these 10 kids.

Chris (through our translator, Vusala) shared the story of Christ's birth and why we so desparately need a Savior.



I was sitting at the back of the room during this time and it was incredible to watch the interest and focus on each of their faces. The more Chris talked, the more obvious it was that they were truly interested in hearing this message. And to think that some of the kids were very closed to even talking about the Bible and God when we were first arrived. As the night continued, it became more evident why God had arranged 1) a smaller number of kids at the orphanage this week and 2) the younger children to leave a day early. There is no way we could have had this experience with 60 kids.



We had some small presents for each of them. We enjoyed popcorn, soda, Russian cookies and watched a Christian movie for teenagers in Russian.


While we didn't know exactly what was being said in the movie, it was obvious that the kids were hearing the message. At one point, when a character from the movie was being put in jail, one of the boys turned and asked the translator, "If I reject Christ, will that happen to me?" I can only imagine the thoughts going through the heads of the other kids. Continue to pray for these great kids and for God's mercy to fall on them - leading to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Back Row: El'Ya, Edward, Jenya, Eldar
Middle Row: Maxim, (Jeremy - he's one of us), Alexander, Jenya, Karina
Front: Nastia and Daniel


After the party, everyone headed out to take showers. Our team intended to meet for some sharing time. But, to our surprise, the kids came back to the room. So, for the next few hours we sit and talked and laughed and just enjoyed being with each other.


While fun was being had by some, two of the boys (Eldar and Jenya) were having a pretty serious conversation about spiritual things with the translators (Vusala and Jenya).


After all the other boys had left, our team gathered together and began praying in English for what was taking place in that very room and in the hearts of all the kids. God's plans for the day were way bigger than anything we could have imagined! The connections we made with the kids went deeper than we ever thought would happen on this first trip. Praise God for our ability to put aside our plans and simply walk in the Spirit, following His guidance.

Russia Trip: Day 6

The weather on Tuesday continued to be nice but a little overcast and cooler. Everyone was certain it would rain on us. They kept saying how hot and yucky it was, while we were enjoying being outside and not end up dripping with sweat.

Our activities for the day were much like what we did on Monday. In the morning we had VBS with kids and then worked in the garden. "Flexibility" continued to be our theme song and it was during this time that I was informed that half of the kids would be leaving on Wednesday morning to go to camp. This is a great opportunity for them, but left us a little saddened. Shaun, our Buckner team leader, was worried what our team would think. We prayed and talked about alternatives and came to the decision that our team would leave a day early (on Thursday instead of Friday) and visit several other orphanages in and around St. Petersburg. We wanted to make sure the team had a good experience, since they had so much invested into this trip.

Before lunch, we had to break that news to our team. That was really hard to do! And I'm sure it was hard to hear too. There were mixed emotions from all of us. Several of our people had made such strong connections with the kids, we knew that the 'goodbyes' would be hard. I don't think you are ever truly prepared to do that. After the initial shock we decided to walk in trust that God knew had things in His control and knew why this was happening. We wanted to make the most of our time left with the kids. So, instead of our afternoon nap - we spent time playing ball, playing games and hanging out with the kids.

The guys got a little creative in their picture taking.













On this day, we met this sweet little girl. She is the granddaughter of one of the caregivers and she spent the day with us. We all remember her, because of they called her "busy little sausage". What a term of endearment!







In preparation for our big Texas party, we also had things for the kids to do - decorate western bandanas, make horseshoe necklaces and bead bracelets with western charms. These kids really love to do crafts and are very particular and precise with them.




That night after dinner, we all put on bandanas and had a great time! The kids did things like
....haulin'




....seed spittin'



.....horse racin'



....jumpin' (sack races)














....runnin' (three-leg race)













Then we had some good fun with a bubble gum contest...



We had just gone inside for some music and dancin' and then the kids were told they had to take showers and head to bed. Some of them would be leaving at 5:30am the next morning and going to camp. We gave each child a sack filled with Texas goodies - corn nuts, sunflower seeds, Big Red gum, and beef jerky. Good-byes were said through tears and hugs, although the kids who were leaving in the morning were really excited to be able to to go camp. We all went to bed with some heavy hearts -wishing that our time with them could have been longer and wondering if we had said and done the right things. By the way, it rained that night. Isn't it amazing that all week it was cloudy, but it didn't rain until we had finished our outdoor activities with the kids? It was a really fun day with the kids.

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.