[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
