Reflections

How does one write a summary of a multifaceted experience?  I think it is impossible, but I am going to try to use my rambling words to give those of you who prayed for me and supported me a little glimpse of what God did in Russia and the things He taught me.

There were seemingly two parts to this internship.  In one sense, I was there to serve and help wherever there was a need.  I was there to support the missionaries and the local church by using whatever gifts God has given me to help with their summer ministries.  This included planning and doing crafts, kayaking with teens, helping with games at camp, mopping floors and cleaning, partaking in informal hang-out events to draw youth in to the Church, and trying to live out and demonstrate the Gospel to the Russian people.  The other part of the internship was being a student.  I was there to learn by asking loads of questions, observing, reading, praying, and immersing myself in the culture.  Dan and I spent a lot of time praying and talking about our future in Russia.  We have been seeking out whether or not that is somewhere God wants us to be.  Being in the position of a learner also meant God taught me a lot of lessons.  Through various experiences like getting sick, getting lost, missing my Grandma's funeral, and being stuck in the Moscow airport for two extra days, God stretched me, guided me, comforted me, and restored me.  I learned so much more about His faithfulness, love, and sovereignty over every situation.

It has been incredible to see how God took these two portions of the trip and used them with each other for His perfect plan.  As He stretched me and took me out of my comfort zone, I was able to find out I could serve and survive in situations I never thought were possible.  In this way, I was able to be a better helper.  On the other hand, as I was trying to help more and serve, I continued learning lessons about myself, Russia, and God.  There was a lot of conviction of pride, lack of trust, selfishness and fear that was mingled with gratitude for God's ability to teach me, grow me, and allow me to still serve despite those sins.  God is a wonderful God who uses our filthy rags and turns them into something for His glory and kingdom.  It has been an incredible journey to experience this and watch it happen.

Thank-you for your prayers and support.  I definitely could not have done this trip had it not been for the people who financially supported me, encouraged me, and prayed for me.  God is doing wonderful things in Russia.  People were brought into the family of God, lives were changed, Christians were refreshed, and future plans for Dan and me were solidified even more.  I ask that you continue to pray for the country of Russia and for the missionaries and believers there as they continue to do God's work.

As for Dan and I, we are now looking ahead to these next few years that hold marriage, graduate school, and perhaps some support raising to go the country we have fallen in love with :)

Tambov

Full Moon over the city of Tambov

Waving goodbye to our friends at the train station

Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow

Back in Red Square

Such a blessing to be a part of this team

My roommates/supervisors/translators/etc. 

The first day our flight was cancelled.  Sitting in the Moscow airport.

Our two cancelled flights ended up leading us to the Swiss Alps as we made a connection in Geneva.

Enjoyed a wonderful week at the beach with family after returning. 

Condense.

These past two and a half weeks have been filled with many ups and downs, and all that is in between.  There have moments of intense joy and praise, like during invitation night at camp when many of the campers made a decision to follow Christ, and moments of intense grief and pain, like losing my Grandma during my time at camp.  Here are a few of the noteworthy ways in which God has been at work in my life and in Russia.

Camp was an incredible experience.  Nastia ended up attending (see previous blog post), and she brought another friend along with her.  It was so fun getting to build more of a relationship with them throughout the week and have some spiritual conversations.  Please pray that they continue to meditate on the Gospel message that they heard at camp.  We plan to meet with them one more time before we head to Moscow on the 4th.  Here they are on the final night of camp enjoying the bonfire.  

Remember the girl I shared about with the difficult home life?  The pastor of the church here decided that although she was too young to attend camp, she would come and stay with the workers to get away from her home life.  She helped me with crafts all week and it was great getting to have fun with her.  On the last night of camp, she repented and stepped into the family of God.  Praise God that she understood the Gospel and has now been adopted into His family!  Thank-you for your prayers regarding this sweet girl.  Please continue to pray that this commitment takes hold in her life and that she is able to impact her family for Jesus.  

Camp was very busy and tiring.  Dan taught guitar and frisbee gold, Aaron taught English lessons and a low ropes course, and I taught kayaking and crafts.  Dan and Aaron were also asked to be a part of the morning and evening worship band with Dan on drums and Aaron on guitar.  We helped out with the daily camp games like relays and capture the flag and spent our free time preparing for scavenger hunts and playing UNO or Dutch Blitz with the campers.  Throughout all of this, God gave us the energy we needed, and it was so worth it to see some of the campers receive Christ as their personal Savior on the last night of camp.  God did great things, and we feel so privileged that we got to witness Him at work.  Please continue to pray for the campers, that they would grow in their new relationship with Christ and that they would be a bold witness to others.  

Roasting meat at the bonfire on the last night of camp. 

I got to do this twice a day every day.  Can't describe how happy this made me.   

One of the campers. 

Some of these girls are the worker's kids.  The girl on the far left side of the picture was a young camper.  This was taken not long after she repented!

Another unexpected thing happened while I was at camp. My Grandma went to be with Jesus after a battle with Alzheimers. While I would have never chosen to miss the funeral of a woman who made such a big impact on my life, I know that this was part of God's ultimate plan. She was perhaps my biggest encourager and prayer warrior for missions, and I know I would not be in Russia now had it not been for her constant support and prayer. God was so gracious in giving me peace beyond understanding and a close sense of His presence through the grieving process. I have been so blessed to have a Grandma like her and I am rejoicing that she is now with Jesus in glory. This picture was taken a week before I came to Russia, on their 60th wedding anniversary.

Well, this was my attempt to condense things into a short blog post.  God has done wonderful things here, and our team has loved getting to experience them.  We have a couple more days in Tambov before we head up to Moscow on the 4th.  In Moscow we will do some tourism before flying home for debriefing in Michigan on the 6th.  Thank-you for your prayers.  Please keep praying for Russia.  God is expanding His Kingdom.  To Him be the glory!