[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
