love: everlasting, unconditional, beautiful, leaves me speechless, friendship, family, warm, magnificent
Recently I logged onto facebook and had an invite from Doc Reid at Southeastern Seminary for a conference being held there. The conference is called Kaleo, to be called, and is for college and some highschool students feeling a call on their life for vocational ministry. Now, I have no aspirations; nor do I feel it is my place, to be a deacon or pastor, but I do know God has given me a heart for the people of Russia and a passion to learn the language. So, to make a long story short I discussed this with my parents, called my good friend Caitlin, and it is officially a road trip. I am ecstatic. I get to spend a weekend learning about God's call on my life and how I can use the gifts he has given me.
Please be praying that the details fall into place, gas prices go down, and God's perfect will is done in this situation.
As for my title: I miss Russia and I am sad to be done blogging about my trip exclusively, but the beautiful country is never forgotten in my heart.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The last is always the hardest
Going three times doesn't make the last day any easier. During Saturday, the last day at the orphanage, three local churches put on a cookout in celebration of "Friends Day." It's a new holiday that the orphanage started so that every year the kids can remember everyone who has helped them.
On Saturday morning we got a tour of the entire orphanage grounds and all the different separate buildings on the grounds. One of the saddest parts was seeing the greenhouse that is no longer in use because the government won't pay to fix it or do any repairs. The greenhouse usesd to supply the orphanage with a lot of fruits and vegetables, but now they just buy them for more or go without
After the tour we set up the awana store for the kids to trade in their "grapes" from memorizing verses in order to buy toys, jewelry, and sports equipment.
The last part of the afternoon was set up so that the pastor of the church had his band play Christian music and perform a gospel presentation within a dramatic skit. Then the kids performed their usual skit. After all of this the orphanage presented some gifts and we presented all of our gifts to the kids, including t-shirts, goodie bags, and bibles.
All of this always leads to the tearful goodbyes. I never forget the looks on the faces of the kids when we leave. They are so precious and it is a blessing beyond comprehension to realize that if God keeps me from ever going back then I will undoubtely see those children in heaven!!
So, that is the orphanage details, I will post a bit about what we did the rest of the time we were there.
On Saturday morning we got a tour of the entire orphanage grounds and all the different separate buildings on the grounds. One of the saddest parts was seeing the greenhouse that is no longer in use because the government won't pay to fix it or do any repairs. The greenhouse usesd to supply the orphanage with a lot of fruits and vegetables, but now they just buy them for more or go without
After the tour we set up the awana store for the kids to trade in their "grapes" from memorizing verses in order to buy toys, jewelry, and sports equipment.
The last part of the afternoon was set up so that the pastor of the church had his band play Christian music and perform a gospel presentation within a dramatic skit. Then the kids performed their usual skit. After all of this the orphanage presented some gifts and we presented all of our gifts to the kids, including t-shirts, goodie bags, and bibles.
All of this always leads to the tearful goodbyes. I never forget the looks on the faces of the kids when we leave. They are so precious and it is a blessing beyond comprehension to realize that if God keeps me from ever going back then I will undoubtely see those children in heaven!!
So, that is the orphanage details, I will post a bit about what we did the rest of the time we were there.
Friday, July 4, 2008
день три
Look how on top of things I am, Day 3 only two days after Day 2.
Our third day at the orphanage was Friday, the day I was responsible for teaching the bible lesson. We opened the day up with a general assembly with a skit, some music, and a testimony. The skit corresponded with my Bible lesson, The Widow's Mite. The skit went really well.
When I taught the three different age groups I asked someone or different people to tell me what happened during the skit they saw earlier. It was soo amazing to see these kids rattle off all the details of the skit, WITH ENTHUSIASIM. I didn't really have to do much explaining of the Bible lesson because they already knew the details. I just asked questions and made a connection of how even though they do not have a lot of material things God only wants their heart. To remphasize the point I gave each of them ONE piece of candy and asked them to not keep it, but give it away to a friend in the orphanage. I hope they did, I don't know for sure, but I know God worked in their hearts.
The rest of the day was fun; I played outside with the kids for awhile, and took cool pictures with my new camera. That evening for dinner we went to the workers homes. I went with the Masseys and Nealeys. The lady's home we went to is a Night Caretaker, so basically she makes sure the kids stay in their room and she gets them all in bed at night. We found out one of the boys who graduated last year is staying with her while he is in school, Praise God for people like her to make sure these kids stay on track!!! He is going to mechanic school and then will be able to get a job and make something of himself despite his situation.
Our third day at the orphanage was Friday, the day I was responsible for teaching the bible lesson. We opened the day up with a general assembly with a skit, some music, and a testimony. The skit corresponded with my Bible lesson, The Widow's Mite. The skit went really well.
When I taught the three different age groups I asked someone or different people to tell me what happened during the skit they saw earlier. It was soo amazing to see these kids rattle off all the details of the skit, WITH ENTHUSIASIM. I didn't really have to do much explaining of the Bible lesson because they already knew the details. I just asked questions and made a connection of how even though they do not have a lot of material things God only wants their heart. To remphasize the point I gave each of them ONE piece of candy and asked them to not keep it, but give it away to a friend in the orphanage. I hope they did, I don't know for sure, but I know God worked in their hearts.
The rest of the day was fun; I played outside with the kids for awhile, and took cool pictures with my new camera. That evening for dinner we went to the workers homes. I went with the Masseys and Nealeys. The lady's home we went to is a Night Caretaker, so basically she makes sure the kids stay in their room and she gets them all in bed at night. We found out one of the boys who graduated last year is staying with her while he is in school, Praise God for people like her to make sure these kids stay on track!!! He is going to mechanic school and then will be able to get a job and make something of himself despite his situation.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The long awaited Day 2
So, for those that read this, thank Lindsey for making me actually finish.
Day two started with me sharing a devotion on the way to the orphange! It went really well. At the end of the school year I had been challenged by Megan to memorize an entire chapter of scripture, I chose Psalm 18. So, during my devotion I shared some thoughts on the first few verses. The first two verses talk about different characteristics of God: strength, delieverer, fortress, rock/refuge, shield, and ultimately our salvation. Anyways, I shared how God was those things specifically on our trip. Everyone really liked it and it was great to get a glimpse of what I'll do every week leading my bible study with Anna Beth for Crusade!
During the second day I stayed in music to help with the kids. It was great because I actually used my Russian! I could remember certain phrases and words to at least get the kids to do something. In the afternoon during the tea with the orphanage teachers and caregivers I shared my testimony. It was great sharing my heart about God's everlasting love. Despite all of my worrying God used my words to speak to this girl who was a grandaughter of one of the workers. Later we talked and I learned that she went through similar stuff after a boy broke up with her and her world fell apart.
I was able to talk to one of the translators and learn about her, where she learned English, what she does, and her family. It is neat to develop a relationship with the ladies in Russia, she even invited me to stay with her family next year if I stay in Russia longer.
After dinner I learned a few more things about Eliza. She will be 13 in July, in the 4th grade, and during the summer she goes to camp and spends a week or so with her family. (She has a mom, sister, nephew, and grandmother still living).
Thursday was also the sad day my camera deleted a ton of pictures, but I made up for it and took plenty more!
Well that was Thursday, enjoy!
Day two started with me sharing a devotion on the way to the orphange! It went really well. At the end of the school year I had been challenged by Megan to memorize an entire chapter of scripture, I chose Psalm 18. So, during my devotion I shared some thoughts on the first few verses. The first two verses talk about different characteristics of God: strength, delieverer, fortress, rock/refuge, shield, and ultimately our salvation. Anyways, I shared how God was those things specifically on our trip. Everyone really liked it and it was great to get a glimpse of what I'll do every week leading my bible study with Anna Beth for Crusade!
During the second day I stayed in music to help with the kids. It was great because I actually used my Russian! I could remember certain phrases and words to at least get the kids to do something. In the afternoon during the tea with the orphanage teachers and caregivers I shared my testimony. It was great sharing my heart about God's everlasting love. Despite all of my worrying God used my words to speak to this girl who was a grandaughter of one of the workers. Later we talked and I learned that she went through similar stuff after a boy broke up with her and her world fell apart.
I was able to talk to one of the translators and learn about her, where she learned English, what she does, and her family. It is neat to develop a relationship with the ladies in Russia, she even invited me to stay with her family next year if I stay in Russia longer.
After dinner I learned a few more things about Eliza. She will be 13 in July, in the 4th grade, and during the summer she goes to camp and spends a week or so with her family. (She has a mom, sister, nephew, and grandmother still living).
Thursday was also the sad day my camera deleted a ton of pictures, but I made up for it and took plenty more!
Well that was Thursday, enjoy!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Russia, Day 1
The first day at the orphanage was incredible. Sarah (my roomie) and I only had a few minutes to get ready Wednesday though because my alarm clock didn't go off. Someone woke us up once the bus was already there.
Anyways once we got to the orphanage for some reason the kids were still in class, so we stalled a little and then had the general assembly. We performed the skit that corresponded with the bible lesson, The Good Samaritan, that was being taught later that day. The kids really enjoyed the skit and answered all the questions that Sandy asked them! Throughout the day I stayed in music, which was really great and my Russian was actually helpful!
One really neat thing that we got to do this year was create a memory verse booklet, like VBS, that contained 17 memory verses for the kids to memorize. Well we created this giant vine and each kid had a leaf with their name on it and each time they passed off a memory verse they got a grape to go on their leaf! This was truly amazing to watch these kids memorize verses and be excited about it; not to mention I had the privledge of listening to them recite their verses.
More to come later, that is only one day out of many.
Anyways once we got to the orphanage for some reason the kids were still in class, so we stalled a little and then had the general assembly. We performed the skit that corresponded with the bible lesson, The Good Samaritan, that was being taught later that day. The kids really enjoyed the skit and answered all the questions that Sandy asked them! Throughout the day I stayed in music, which was really great and my Russian was actually helpful!
One really neat thing that we got to do this year was create a memory verse booklet, like VBS, that contained 17 memory verses for the kids to memorize. Well we created this giant vine and each kid had a leaf with their name on it and each time they passed off a memory verse they got a grape to go on their leaf! This was truly amazing to watch these kids memorize verses and be excited about it; not to mention I had the privledge of listening to them recite their verses.
More to come later, that is only one day out of many.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
the day after today
8:24 PM, Smolensk, Russia
Tomorrow...that's right, I get to be in my sweet, beautiful, Russia tomorrow (well, I leave tomorrow..get there Tuesday). I am beyond excited, but in a way that is wierd for me because 7 months ago I told my parents I was not going to Russia, God had different plans. God has big plans for Russia and I am a part of that and I don't know why I even considered not going this year.
There are different areas you can be prayinf for the team if you would like. Thanks! Pray for traveling safety, boldness to share the gospel, wisdom, patience, obedience in God's will, and good health for us all. Pray for the children, that their hearts and minds would be open to our stories, bible lessons, testimonies, and our hearts. Most of the children are christians, so it is important that there is growth in their lives. Pray for the orphanage workers so that they can see God loves them too and salvation is not just for the children. Pray for the church we will be attending, that they will be encouraged by seeing us there, supporting them and they will have the daily boldness to stand up for Christ in a desperate land. So, до свидания, (goodbye), я люблю Вас, (I love you!)
Tomorrow...that's right, I get to be in my sweet, beautiful, Russia tomorrow (well, I leave tomorrow..get there Tuesday). I am beyond excited, but in a way that is wierd for me because 7 months ago I told my parents I was not going to Russia, God had different plans. God has big plans for Russia and I am a part of that and I don't know why I even considered not going this year.
There are different areas you can be prayinf for the team if you would like. Thanks! Pray for traveling safety, boldness to share the gospel, wisdom, patience, obedience in God's will, and good health for us all. Pray for the children, that their hearts and minds would be open to our stories, bible lessons, testimonies, and our hearts. Most of the children are christians, so it is important that there is growth in their lives. Pray for the orphanage workers so that they can see God loves them too and salvation is not just for the children. Pray for the church we will be attending, that they will be encouraged by seeing us there, supporting them and they will have the daily boldness to stand up for Christ in a desperate land. So, до свидания, (goodbye), я люблю Вас, (I love you!)
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