A Week in Russia

We are in Russia!  The traveling process went smoothly.  Dan and I got to see the sunrise over the mountains in Greenland from the plane (Aaron was on a different plane), and it was such a beautiful depiction of God's majesty.  When we arrived in Moscow, we had to wait until our evening overnight train to the city, so we toured the city.  

Taken after over 24 hours of traveling.  Keeping our eyes open. 

The morning our train arrived in Liepetsk, camp began, so we hit the ground running.  It was a family retreat camp, meant to encourage and give rest to the pastors in the area.  Christian families were able to spend time having fellowship with each other and taking a break.  Dan, Aaron, and I helped out wherever help was needed, and have loved learning more about the culture and language.  We got to play with the kids, clean, organize crafts, and other random projects.  It was such a joy to be able to give these families (especially the parents) a week of physical and spiritual rest and rejuvenation in the Lord before they go back to their jobs.  The three of us were also blessed in seeing the joy of the Lord in these families, and getting to know them.  While the week was physically, emotionally, and spiritually stretching, there is not a doubt in any of our minds that this is where the Lord wants us right now, and we are enjoying Russia so much!

Some of the teenage girls at the camp.  They helped me with my Russian and I taught them some English.  This called for a lot of charades and laughs.

We are now in Tambov for 4 days of rest.  From here we will go into the villages for 10 days to do evangelism outreach.  Please pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed in truth as we go to these villages.  Pray for the Russian believers as they leave camp and go back to their lives, that they may be strengthened in the Lord.  Pray for health, strength, and joy on our team (there is already some sickness going around).  We cannot wait to see how God allows us to be a part of what He is doing here in Russia!