[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM ATLANTA]
Just a quick note to let everyone know that our flights have been changed and we were rerouted.
Here are the new flights:
Moscow to Atlanta
Flight DL47
Atlanta to SLC
Flight DL77
We don’t know when we’re landing in SLC – we’re guessing it’s going to be a late night. If you’re picking someone up from the airport you will want to log onto Delta and peek at the times.
Airbound,
Andy
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Well guys I’ve got an hour to kill so this will be it for that whole “update” thing.
Today is the last day and we’re taking in the sights and sounds of Moscow. Little city by the bay. The number two wealthiest city in the world and I’m reflecting on how the hotel managed to squeeze out another 40 bucks per person. Our reservation was a few rooms short. Oh well.
Anyway, thank God for hot showers! I think I can say that for the ENTIRE team. The journey was actually pretty sweet. The bus driver drove through the middle of some busy city to make a personal pick up, adding about 45 minutes to our already intense commute. When the translators asked him about the stop he then started screaming something about women not being allowed to question his “authority.” It was really cool when Andy laid the smack down and put him in his place. That was my personal highlight of the drive.
We then inhaled KFC and the group split, half going to Red Square, half passing out, after long hot showers of course.
Today started with the strangest breakfast I’ve seen since, well, Moscow last year. Cole slaw, Mayo, undercooked backon and un-pasteurized milk. No wonder no one smiles here. We then went to the open air market to buy you guys cool Russian stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed haggling one guy for a ram’s horn goblet. I know you’re jealous. Don’t be upset if you get a shirt that says, “I sponsored my son/daughter in Russia and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” like I said, there have been major price increases that were not calculated.
Everyone made it on the train to Red Square, even me. We ate authentic Russian Sbarro pizza and marveled at the throngs of Russians parading around in some “amazing” fashion “outfits.” everyone catch my drift with the quotation marks? Good.
We’re off now to the armory where all the czar’s jewels are kept. Pray for safe travels tomorrow. We’ll see you soon! Thank you for your love and diligence in prayer, and the grace to forgive all my misspelled words. God bless from Mother Russia.
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
I thought I’d try to get this update off before I passed out during the long drive to Moscow.
Yesterday was the last day with the kids and our hearts are swelled to capacity. It feels like God has been pouring a bucket into my small glass the last week. Every time he does, my heart grows more and I’m capable of loving more. Hindsight is always so clea, and it becomes so easy to understand the trials God gives us and His intent.
Children held hands and hearts spoke a language that needs no translators.
We finished the day with an increadible soccer game that ended with a tie, which the children HATE. I think its almost worse than the Americans winning. I am electing Keith as the all star American. He scored one goal from his goal, stopped countless shots., even left his goal and charged out much to the dismay of his team. Keith truly amazed all of us.
The highlight of the day had to be the awesome party we threw for the kids. Russian karaoke, soda, balloons, streamers and dancing made for an entertaining experience. Getting the Americans around the mic for Hotel California left me crying. Decorating picture frames and breakdancing filled our hearts with joy. The “DJ” was this old Russian dude who killed it at the accordian. If you have been keeping up with the quotation marks, you may notice that “DJ” a while back. He kept up with the classics, but I started to doubt his “training” when he unplugged the mic because it was feeding back. Then he smelled the mic cord. Questionable tactics I might say.
Today we all jumped into the bus and headed to the orphanage for the last time. It was bittersweet. Galina and Svieta, our amazing caretakers and hosts at the orphanage, presented is with gifts and kind words, and chocolate. I think there was vodka too. There’s always vodka. It feels more and more like family there. The weird family you only see once a year that does everything different, but family nonetheless.
Then came the goodbyes. It was so hard to finally say those words. I found it appropriate that it then began to rain. Even the sky is sad that we have to leave. I’ve come to a grand understanding of God’s love. God sent us to Russia to bless us. Jesus stretched our hearts to the way God loves us. We got a glimpse of His unconditiallity.
Anyway, we’ll be home soon to tell you all about it. Part of your duty as our friends and family is to help us tell of God’s love. Ask us to praise Him with you through stories of these children. If you do that, God will show you His heart.
Talk to you soon,
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Hello all!
Looking back at our records it seems that it has been a few days, and you are update-less. I’ll try and sort out that nonsense.
So today is the last full day with the kids and most of the team is really feeling the emotional draw from that realization. The fact that these kids, with whom we have fallen in love, will now once again be a sponsor letter away has taken its toll. We will see the kids briefly on Tuesday morning before the exodus to Moscow. I think Moses was the driver on the way to Yurievets. He too, got way lost.
Amazing breakthroughs happened yesterday!!! Praise God! The older girls who are the hardest to interact with are opening up to the women! Lisa M blessed so many girls with haircuts, I think it was just God’s way of blessing us. Giving us a glimpse at what he feels when he finds that one lost sheep after years of searching.
To see our American ladies holding the hands of these hardened, estranged, and sometimes violent girls is truely a testament to the power of God. I was starting to feel bad that they only shared with us, just yesterday (Sunday, maybe) but then God said, “what if they had never decided to share with you?” and I realized that it was His way of blessing the team.
I’m sorry for not updating as much as I’d like. It’s really hard physically to stay up ’til 3 am and journal. Andy did the last just because I passed out from sleep exhaustion.
So if today is Monday, we need to recap from…
… Saturday? Anyone have any objections? Good. Saturday was an increadible day. It was the day I was most looking forward to. We got to spend an awesome walk with the kids to the marina and hopped a boat ride to an island on the Volga. This walk was great! One of the girls, Dasha, was beaming as she explained how her father was returning on Tuesday to finally take her home. I used every ounce of energy to keep from crying and shouting out praise to God. (I didn’t want to scare her off, I needed to hear more) thank you Lord!
Once on the boat the team ate fish soup, or at least pretend to eat fish soup, followed by chicken skewers that were probably made of manna. Heaven. The team then enjoyed day of being blessed with the kids, catching frogs, playing volley ball, but most importantly, DEFEATING THE RUSSIANS IN SOCCER!!! Granted, it was only the first half and the game was played on a sandy beach, but wins are wins. I knew that today was my favorite day. Too bad Erik McHenry forgot me on the dock and I got left behind. I hope I don’t sound bitter, but I am. I looked him in the eye and said, “can I have the room key, I forgot my sunglasses, don’t forget me!”
Needless to say, the quote of the day was, “where’s Ian?” yeah, I missed the boat.
Sunday was also a great day. It felt like God was blessing us. We had an awesome picnic with the caregivers at this healing spring place. I was off running around taking artsy fartsy photos so I know nothing about this place. We elected the wrong person to write about Sunday. I got ants in my pants. Lots of ants in my pants. It was an increadible time to just relax and be blessed by Mother Russia.
Sorry this ones not that funny, Russia has no sense of humor and it’s been taxing on me. Maybe when we get to Moscow I will feel less Soviet. Thanks for praying!
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Greetings Again from Mother Russia!
It’s a little after midnight here in the Federation and I’m sitting in our dilapidated hostel listening to the distant thumping of the local disco bar playing some european dance music that sounds like a Mexican Mariache player ran straight into the lead guitarist from Prodigy. Translation: not really soothing for the soul this late at night. Well, at least the last call is around 5 a.m. It’s been a long day and I’m continually slapping myself in order to stay awake. If I come home with bruises, it’s self inflicted.
The day started off earlier than normal in order to make it to church. We were invited by the local preist to tour a beautiful Russian orthodox temple on the hillside (which required a long walk up a step hill – yet another chance for us to whine about being fat, lazy Americans). None the less, it was a stunning experience. The K2 women doned head scarves while the men made sure to wear their best jeans and button up shirts. The only exception was Ian who wore what he slept in. The preist’s wife met us at the church and spent about an hour walking us through the temple sharing about all the different icons that were represented. For those of you unfamiliar with the orthodox church, it’s customary to light a candle in front of one of many painting of different saints in order to have certain results in your prayers. These paintings are called icons. For instance, if you’re feeling a little under the weather from “too-much-in-door-smoking-which-hasn’t-been-banned-yet-in-Russia” you would light a candle in front of Saint Simon. Or if you found yourself wanting to pray on behalf of someone else you’d place one in front of Saint Peter. Since all of us were slightly uneasy about all of this… everyone made a bee-line for a huge cruxifix of Jesus and lit a candles there. It was quite funny. The entire left side of the auditorium/temple was glowing from the candles in front of Jesus while alll the other icons where hidden in the shadows. I guess there’s no mistaking who we love and value!
The rest of the day was filled with painting a fence at the orphanage, shooting video of Yurievets, playing soccer (it’s getting worse everyday – Russians 8, America 1), crafts and ending with our afternoon program time. John the Blonde passionately taught about Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethsada. He did an excellent job setting us up for our small group time. Speaking of which, there’s a group of really tough girls who routinely leave during the talk (which creates a spectacle), and then later come back in for our small group time. For some reason, they always seem to seek out me (Andy) and Eric McHenry to form a group. Today was an amazing time of planting great seeds for Christ and loving on these girls. Slowly, very slowly, I believe they’re starting to latch onto what we’re talking about. Please pray for these six girls who desparately have no hope for the future or peace for today. They’re tough, hard stone statues on the outside and completely crying out for justice and someone to love them on the inside. It’s breaks my heart. Especially in light of knowing that these precious little girls have been abandoned and rejected by their parents. It’s what we’ve come here for.
Thanks for all your prayers and continued support. The emails you’re sending are incredibly uplifting and encouraging, please keep them coming. The team is constantly asking… did I get email? Does someone back home love me? Do my creditors know I left the states? All great indicators that they love the communication.
If you’ve got about 5 minutes today, here are a few things that you can specifically pray for:
-Tomorrow we’ll have some beach time on the Volga River for 4 hours with the orphanage… pray for great conversation.
-Pray for team member, Quinn. He’s got some sort of bug that’s causing him to be consistently dizzy.
-Please for strength… folks are dog tired and that can lead to crankiness and frustration.
-Pray for Andy, Eric Lindquist and John the Blonde as they prayerfully decide the teaching schedule and discussion questions each day.
-Please continue to lift up the hearts of the kids… they really have very little concept of who Christ is and His power for their lives.
-Pray for our time with the Orphanage staff tomorrow. We’ve going to have a party with them at a local spring (no kids – adults only).
-Pray for Andy’s meeting with the town officials on Monday.
-Please pray for safety. A few of the guys on the team have had run-ins with inebriated Russians in the hostel and it’s been a little dicey at times. They like to pick fights.
-Finally, would you please pray for our translators. Pray that they would experience Christ’s love through us and understand the grace that He brings.
Alright, I’ve been slapping myself silly through this entire update!! I absolutely can’t keep my eyes open one moment longer. Thanks for hanging with us and supporting us from a distance. We feel the strength of your prayers and covet every one of them.
Until tomorrow (or should I say later today),
Andy
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
It is now 1:30 AM here in Yurievets. Odd, it’s still dark. Maybe the sunrise is still at the night club dancing with all the Russians across the hall. I’ll have to go find it and remind it to rise in thirty minutes. And tell them IT’S ONE AM!!! LET ME SLEEP! Oh wait, I like this song, you knowm the one from “Night at the Roxberry” with Will Ferrel and that other guy. The movie where they just move their heads side to side and have no luck with the ladies. Of course you remember!
Obviously it is four or five hours past my bed time. I’m talking to the computer and asking if it remembers some movie. I’m not right in the head and it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. I need to appologize ahead of time for this update. Jesus has seriously wrecked shop with our team in amazing ways. I honsetly believe today was a spiritual and emotional breakthrough day, so much that it may take a while for my scattered, exhausted, and sleep deprived brain to express. Andy offered to write tonight’s update, but I felt that this would help me process all of God’s greatness. I haven’t had the time to journal. Sadly, my brain is way faster than my pen so it helps to “brain dump” on the computer. You poor prayer warriors have to sit through this until I get to the good stuff. Sorry. And thank you.
Today felt like another day I had in Yurievets about a year ago. We as a group then, as we did today, agreed that it felt like we had been here way longer than three days. Or is it four? Three. Definitely three days.
Anyway, it was at this time last year that Satan began to effectively inflitrate the group. He is very cunning and very good at what he does. punk. I felt last year like I was not being used effectively. I thought I should be wrestling with the kids, cracking funny jokes and being the center of attention, selfishly. This time last year Eric L and Brian W confessed with great frustration that they too felt like they were out of place. It was simply satan wispering lies, trying to cast doubt and asking the question, “WHAT THE HECK (choose and explative of your choice. Four letter words work best) AM I DOING HERE?!?! What difference can I make? I can’t save the world and fix all their problems. I might as well eat dirt and leave.”
I told you, satan is good at what he does. But God, with his humility, grace and intense friendship fell upon us, calling upon the verse that speaks of His body. Some will teach, some heal etc. and reminded us, mercifully, that He is the head, our Papa, and we are His body. I wasn’t supposed to be the center of attention, like say, a hand, strutting around with all its fingers and opposable thumb. No, God called me to a more fitting role, like the elbow, which supports the hand, but also allows the hand (insert any other cool body part here, I just chose the hand beause hands can clap and snap and cool stuff like that) to reach to places it could normally not reach. But most amazingly, He helped me realize that as soon as I trusted God to let me be who He designed me to be, I became effective. The next day, when I filled my role and became part of the body, there were a dozen young boys scrambling just to be my friend and share their lives. YEAH GOD! I would have completely missed that opportunity if I had selfishly chased my desires. The most haunting aspect of this reflection is that satan attacked many of us today in the same manner.
It felt like today we had finally squandered the last of ourselves. We had run out of ways for us to be here. Projects were finished, crafts were created, games were played and items were checked off lists. Now, like a five year old who needs a nap, we begin to complain that we are not what we should be. Many of us, during devotional, shared that we felt ineffective. We as a body were not relying on Jesus for our purpose. Andy shared that he finally relented to God. He always wanted Yurievets to be his way of having boy time and be a guy. But now he has realized that he is here, not to shoot a video or befriend the mayor, but hold Katya, his sponsor child’s hand. To hug her, and to be here for her. Wendi S shared great humility in expressing that she felt like she did not belong. But how the team stepped in to squelch satan’s lie. God needed Wendi to simply be a hand to hold. A smile to shine. A heart to beat. Some of the best encouragement came from John the Blonde who said, “My words do not reach these kids. You, traveling across the globe to see them once a year, when their own parents won’t travel 15 minutes to see them once a decade, teaches these children how much Jesus loves them.”
You can take a moment too. I lost it. I haven’t cried so hard in my life. Yes, I am a 25 year old guy who was a blubbering fool. God blessed our hearts to know that our lives were seeing God’s friut. Whew, shake it off Ian. Be strong. I told myself I wouldn’t cry again *sniff*sniff*
God crammed us into that room and MOVED! I’m talking shook lives. He revealed our fears and reminded us that we are here NOT by chance, but by His will. So pray with me that satan has no strength. I am weak, but that means that God is so much stronger. Less of me means more of Jesus. I am an elbow, and satan can do nothing to stop me. Watch me bend. Andy is a shoulder to rest a head opon, and Wendi is a forearem. She gets to hold God’s children closest out of all of us, and let us praise HIM for it!!!
Sorry, got on that soap box and ran with it didn’t I? Too much? I’ll scale it back a notch. We’ll blame it on the lack of sleep. What was I doing? Oh yeah, updates. It feels like the relationships are only getting cooler. I swear, these kids have the biggest hearts. They love to make us smile and give. We went to an “art gallery” today. You may notice the quotation marks. Not really an art gallery, just like we don’t really stay in a “hotel.” It was filled with gorgeous watercolors from local artist. Very nice (add Borat accent as necessary) The walks with the children are awesome. They love to point out little tid bits of knowledge and share what they know with you. Such a blessing. It is very obvious that we have an increadible team in the states praying fervently. Thank you. You are making an indescribable difference. Know that you too are called to this humble position.
Some of the team decorated shirts and made boondoggle key chains. Not to brag, but I’m way good at boondoggle key chains. Just a side note, in case anyone was wondering. John the Blonde spoke in unison with the Spirit about David and Goliath and how through God, we can not only accomplish great things, but things we should never be able to accomplish. Many of the kids had cool input.
Well, we played soccer again, go figure. I probably should have started this novel with this amazing news, but, WE TIED! Oh you read that right. TIED. Same score when it was time to leave. In all fairness we had a kid from the orphanage on our team who scored every goal, but those are details that needn’t be factored. WE TIED. USA. USA. USA…and the Russian kid, who did all the work. We just get in the way. If anyone has any pointers on how to play soccer, please send them. ASAP.
We are heading up to the Russian Orthodox Church tomorrow, to be followed by a day of “sport,” whatever that means. Sport in Russia can mean anything. Needlepoint and macrame while sitting outside falls under the realm of “sport.” But we have long walks all day so be praying it up for those convos. Oh man, I shortened conversation to convo. It’s a sign that I need to hit the sack. Hopefully they’ll play some R&B across the hall to help me sleep. Maybe I’ll make a request. I hope the sun got out before those people started shouting again. Always with the shouting. There is not end to it. It’s like Russian much be spoken in shout. NICE SHIRT!!! IT LOOKS GREAT ON YOU! IS THAT A NEW HAT?!?! I LOVE IT. just like that.
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
…for about 15 seconds. Then we lost. By a lot.
Team USA did well for the first twenty minutes. Then our legs gave out and they ran circles around us, like they always do. I knew I should have started running five months ago to get in shape. The walk just to get to the soccer field had me gasping for air. Nonetheless, we will continue to try.
I appologize to those of you wanting updates on the spiritual gains and Godly triumphs of the team, we are playing soccer now, and you will just have to wait until we get past all the soccer highlights. Qwinn scored an awesome free kick from 10 feet out and Dave F and Zach G pretty much pushed their way into the goal. I think they fell. Either way, WE SCORED TWICE! Oh and pray for Andy, he endured two pretty deep cuts on the fingers after falling on some glass. Thank God for tetnis shots. He’s ok, it looked worse than it really was, so no need to fret Especially if Beth is reading this and he hasn’t told you yet. Ignore that last statement. Andy is fine, nothing happened…(I knew I said too much) WE SCORED TWICE yaaaaay
All kidding aside, today was an increadible day. God moved heavily in our YoungLife leader John the Blonde. He was dynamic, outgoing and no children left during the afternoon program (a K2 first, I think). He spoke with passion, charisma and clarity. I just have no idea what he said. I know the Lord is using him mightily because of the passion in John’s life. He truly lives with the Holy Spirit.
The women of the group expressed feeling immensely blessed after getting to spend so much time with the girls, who are starting to show their soft side and beginning to open up. Half the team went on a hike with the librarian. A few even said that this was the highlight of their day, being so blessed to share that time with the kids. Some of the boys even picked flowers for the women of the team. Note to self, pick flowers for girls, they like it. I think the English translation of the hill they hiked is “woman’s bellybutton.” I think I lost something in the translation though.
I am just so encouraged by the relationships formed all over the orphanage. Children are sharing their lives with us! They want us to know about their lives. How cool is our God?!? Please continue to pray for Andy’s meeting with the town officials which hasn’t been scheduled. We hope to get the OK to start shooting the video pronto. Ben and Taryn have 15 hours of film to shoot, which apparantly takes longer than 15 hours. I’m new at this filming “thing.”
We are going to celebrate the Russian Independence tomorrow with a boat ride to an actual destination. And there will be volleyball. Sweet. Don’t worry, we will be taking boats with engines so we will actually move. I mentioned last night that the walks with the kids are some of our greatest opportunities to interact with the children. We have a nice walk to the harbor, so keep those conversations in your prayers as well.
It feels like we’ve been in Yurievets for weeks now. Probably because the sun doesn’t really set and the days last for what seem to be ages. It’s hard to believe that we have only been here two days. My feet feel like they have been here for a month. However, the team is in great spirits which is almost alarming. Jet lag and long days usually take their toll, but most of the team still likes each other. Our nightly devotionals are bringing us as a team closer and closer.
Well my friends, the sun is rising and some intoxicated Russian men are agruing outside my window. I think one was upset at the other for being too sober for this time of night. Maybe not, Anyway, all that to say thank you for praying for the team. SEND MORE EMAILS! It totally rocks to get a message from the ones you love. And a reminder, do not reply to this message, PLEASE. We cannot view those messages. Send them to yurievets@comcast.net. God bless.
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Hi friends,
We like to get the ball rolling pretty early here on K2 mission trips. Our day started at the crack of 11 AM. Gven the fact that the sun sets at midnight, rises at 2 AM and we finally arrived at the “hotel” close to 3 AM, I think we did well.
I only mention the “hotel” because I am sitting, quite comfortably, with 70 year old lead pain on the walls, new and improved curtains straight out of the disco era, and a 12 foot crack on the ceiling that I’m pretty sure extends straight to the roof of the building. That being said, there is no place I’d rather be. We have nothing but praise to be given to our God as we discovered that the rules imposed on us wth the children did not apply. We were told previously that we would not be able to interact with children under the age of 12, ask the children about their lives, nor take pictures of the children. But since Yurievets is not explicitly a social orphanage but a educational center, these rules did not apply. Woo Hoo!!!
We were greeted by the children who IMMEDIATELY invited us in. For those of us returning from last year, this was a marked change and an increadible answer to prayers. We are seeing the fruit of the previous two years’ work here in Yurievets and the children are the evidence. Smiles, hugs, high-fives and laughs welcomed us to the orphanage. The greatest extension of God’s goodness was perhaps when the director of the orphanage said that Andy was family. Andy said he cried when he saw a picture of he and Beth on the wall in her office. I would have cried too. Our extended family just got a whole lot bigger with this warm welcome.
We are planning a boat ride to a local island in the next few days. I hear a crazy voleyball tournament is in the mix. Hopefully team America will triumph.There is also the annual sail boat race on the Vulga river this week. This is awesome, I think. Last year there was no wind so the boats didn’t go very fast, or far, or at all. I hear it’s great though. This is an awesome chance to hang with the kids and see what they like to do for fun. Most of the coolest conversations are on the walk to and from these adventures so keep praying for those opportunities.
A huge praise also to God for our YoungLife leader John the Blonde. Minor typo. He’s John, Not Tony. He has been annointed to teach these kids about how free they can be in Christ. John is a stellar guy who said some of the greatest words that blessed my heart. He said, “You guys are real, like Paul (the apostle), you are crazy by Jesus.” Pray that God falls on him heavily tomorrow and that the enemy has no hold on him. He has such an increadible opportunity to effect these children for eternity.
Thanks for listening to my update. I am so overwhelmed by His coolness.
Ian
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Let me start by thanking many of you who prayed for us today (and yesterday) as we were stuck at JFK. After fixing the brakes on our plane (apparently those are an important feature) we then sat for four hours and at one point were nunber 34th for take off. Gotta love New York.
After about 10 hours or so on the plane, we landed in Moscow and much to our surpirse found all of our luggage had arrived. A major victory for the Russian Federation!! We met up with Tony the Blonde, a Russian Young Life leader who joining our team, and jumped a chartered bus to head north.
This is where the day becomes REALLY hazy. We drove and drove and drove some more. I’m pretty sure we must be closing in on the North Pole at this point. It’s currently 1:15 in the moring (on Tuesday I think) and we still have another 2.5 hours till we reach Yurievets. About a half an hour ago we dropped off the Holuy team (now renamed the Minstry Center Team) in the town of Ivanovo. It was a quick goodbye as it was raining cats and dogs as we transfered the luggage from one vehicle to the next.
Now we’re back on the road driving northeast… probably approaching the Bering Straight would be my guess (I jest).
To kill the time, here are some exciting stats from the trip so far:
1 person threw up (they were happy afterwards)
2 Sunrises have been witnessed
5 Translators joined our bus ride to Yurievets
7 foot long sauages and 5 loaves of bread was consumed by 27 people
9 hours on a bus with 2.5 to go
10 people went into the Russian woods to go pee
and 54 peices of luggage arrived unscathed
What’s next on the agenda? We’ll check into our hostel in a few hours (3 or 4am), watch another sunrise (it’s starting right now) and sleep till 10 am. We’ll then walk across town and meet the orphanges for lunch!! Can’t wait.
Inside trader tip… the team would love to get personal emails from home. On past trips, it’s always been the highlight of the morning when we do mail call. We pass the Blackberry around and read… it’s fun to see the smiles break out. If you’d like to bless a particular team member, please feel free to write them a personal email at yurievets@comcast.net.
Blessings,
Andy
[SENT VIA EMAIL FROM RUSSIA]
Greetings friends!
After failed brakes on our plane and waiting over 4 hours at JFK to take off… We are now standing in the customs lines waiting to see if we’re welcomed in this glorious federation. I think we’re good to go.
Thanks for your prayers up to this point. Our next leg is a nine hour bus drive to our final destination.
We’ll continue to bring you updates daily.
Love to everyone,
Ian
