Report with Pictures!!!

I've had so much trouble trying to post pictures on here. Mainly it was my failing electronics, but I have now posted reports complete with pictures on both Russia and France! Just click on the tab labeled "Summer 2013 Report". Thank you all again for your generous support that helped this all happen!!!

Week 3 update

This week we stayed at a large encampment that was hosting the orphanage we were working with as well as families, a Judo team, a cycling team, and other groups. We had the privilege of meeting a Christian high school group from Illinois that was doing outreach on the campground while staying there. We had fun fellowshipping with them and joining in on their Bible studies.

The children we worked with this week have behavioral problems and are labeled as having mental problems or are there with their siblings who have these problems. Most of these "problems", though, are minor like hyperactivity, and could be fixed with consistent discipline, a family environment, and love. (Discipline is very lax with this orphanage).

One of the boys, Kolya, cannot talk. He communicates through the noises he can make and by motioning, but understands Russian perfectly and is just as smart as your average 10 year old. In other circumstances he would have been taught sign language, but no one has taken the time to make an investment in him like that.

One of our team members left last night so she can get back home to work at a camp. The rest of us will be going to the hospital (children's shelter) in the mornings Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, and then everyone flies out on Thursday. Most of them have VBS and other summer activities waiting for them, and I will be starting my second adventure in France! To have gone on a foreign mission trip and actually be able to go back to the same place and work with some of the same people is very exciting.

I'll never forget my month here in Russia. I've tried to journal and take lots of pictures so that the details won't be lost by the passing of time. I've tried to soak in every minute, knowing that I may never have the opportunity to return, and that ever seeing these same kids again would take a miracle.

Week 2 Update

WEDNESDAY 6.12.13
Our patience has been tried a little more this week. When we arrived on Monday, we found out that the kids would not arrive at their camp until the next day. Later on that day we were told that they would not arrive until Wednesday. They arrived this evening (Wednesday), and we got to meet a few of them before supper. Most of them weren't very receptive, but I hope that will change tomorrow. They are from the city and this is their summer location. One of the girls said she doesn't like it at the summer location, that she feels like it's a prison.

One good thing that came out of the messed up schedule was that we got to work with another orphanage while waiting for our kids to arrive. While there, we saw two familiar faces; two of the children we had met at the "hospital" during our first weekend in St. Petersburg. (The hospital is where the children are first taken after being removed from their homes.) They "happened" to be placed in the orphanage we "weren't supposed to" work with.

The food at this place isn't as good nor as plentiful as the orphanage we stayed at last week. Also, it was nice to have all week with the kids last week, and stay in the same building as them. We got to form deeper relationships and were treated as guests. The place we're staying this week is a summer camp for kids with families. There wasn't room for us where our kids are staying, but it's just right down the road. We're treated a little more like intruders here except by a few of the kids that treat us like celebrities because we're Americans. We share two bathrooms with all of the kids and can't shower until they are all done, and the warm water is turned off as soon as it is our turn to shower. It's one thing if there is no hot water - we had to take cold baths our first weekend and I was fine with it, it felt like I was on an adventure - it's another when they turn the hot water off knowing we still have to shower...

We're a 10 minute walk from the Bay of Finland. We've been there twice and have taken some cool pictures and waded in the water. Hopefully I'll be able to upload some of the pictures when I get to France, if not before.

THURSDAY 6.13.13
Today went a little smoother than yesterday. We got to know the kids better and several of them actually seem to like us! Wish we had more than one more day with them. I also got a little warm water for my shower tonight! It got turned on just as I was about to get in the shower. I guess someone important needed it turned on.

FRIDAY 6.14.13
Well, we just left our 2nd week orphanages. I think we all got a hard dose of reality this week. It seems like nothing went like we planned, but I know none of it was a surprise to God. I'm very proud of my team! It's very humbling to be in a group with 6 amazing team members who are all 2-6 years younger than I am.

We did get some good conversations going with the kids. The group that was late arriving is used to a Buckner group coming every year and they had lots of questions about the Bible stories. Pray for all the kids that we've worked with - that God would send more laborers to follow up with them and continue to teach them about Christ's love for them - that they will one day trust Him as their Savior.

 I briefly mentioned Peter in the post I did last weekend. He is a great example for all the kids at the 1st orphanage. He is a big brother to all of them. He had a lot of good questions and we did our best to answer them. He's so close to trusting Christ, but is still mulling it over in his mind. I think we've all been praying for his salvation, not just for his sake, but also because we know what an amazing impact Christ would have on the entire orphanage through Peter. If you've been wanting something specific to pray for, pray for Peter to realize his need for a Savior, to recognize Christ as the only one that can fill that position, and to put his trust in Him.

From Russia with Love

This week 55 orphans stole my heart. They ranged in age from 2 years old to a remarkable young man of almost 17 named Peter.

The orphanage we went to is fairly well run. The children are given chores, tend their garden, and, when guests are there, behave well. It does have its downfalls, though. Many of the children smoke, give themselves tattoos, and know more about evolution than of creation.

Pasha took to us instantly. He's 13 years old and has a very sweet disposition. We used charades to communicate with him when there wasn't a translator around. He was always coming in our rooms and enjoyed wrestling with Zheynya (one of our translators).

Ten of the kids went off to a camp Wednesday morning. Pasha and Igor, another of our favorites, went with them. This was our first set of goodbyes.

Wednesday-Friday we became closer with Peter, Andre, Nadia, Sasha, Timoor, and Igrik. We also had more time to play with the little kids and better learn their names.

Wednesday afternoon I had 8 children surrounding me, all waiting for a chance to whistle on the piece of grass I held between my thumbs. The giggles I heard brought joy to my heart.

We played our hearts out yesterday. We knew we were about to say goodbye and didn't want to hold back any love we could give these kids.

The internet here is unpredictable but I hope I can upload some pictures soon!

Update 5-21-13

Well, another $430 came in this week, I wasn't expecting that!



Look at how close the plane is to France!

Update 5-10-13

     Again, I am just so amazed at everyone's support. Donations are still coming in!

Update 4-30-13

     The donations are still trickling in! We're almost to $5,000!

     With us getting so close to the goal, some of you might be wondering what I will do if donations exceed the amount I need for these trips. Well, this may not be my last adventure in missions. I will keep any extra money in the account the church has it in, and use it wisely for any future mission endeavors of mine. If I don't ever do another mission trip (highly unlikely), I will donate it to a missions organization like Buckner or Samaritan's Purse. So don't worry! All the money will go to good use!

     Here are some more pictures from Buckner of Russian Orphans.

     Have a great week, everyone!

Update 4-22-13

Oh my goodness, people! If y'all keep on like this, we may just reach my goal! You all have blessed me so much!

This picture of 8 freshly-baptized new believers in Christ was taken after the France church's baptisms in August, 2012. They got to be baptized in the Mediterranean Sea - how cool is that!

Update 4-15-13

Wow! We are more than halfway to my fundraising goal. I am humbled at everyone's generosity, and amazed by the ways God provides! Thank you!

Update 4-8-13

We're almost a third of the way there, and oh so close to that $2,000 mark!

     Here is a picture Buckner sent me of one of the Russian orphan girls who came to VBS last year. Remember, these trips are not about me, they're about these kids in Russia and the people of France who need Christ.

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Update 4-1-13

     Congratulations! My fundraising airplane meter is over the Atlantic! We're 20% of the way there. I very much appreciate everyone who has donated so far! Your love and support mean so much!

Update - March 29th

The donations have started - keep 'em comin'! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We still have a long way to go, but it's looking good.

First Donation

My progress so far: $75, a donation my Aunt Christine gave me for Christmas after I told her about my trip plans!
I plan on at least starting on sending out my support letters this week, so hopefully more donations will start pouring in soon!