My Russian friend Anna

I just got and email from one of our translators, Anna. She is so sweet. She told me all about how much fun her time with us was and how much she missed us all.

I really wish that I got to know her better. There was always something about her that I liked but I'm not usually very outgoing around new people and it was much easier to talk to the other 20 people around me than to make new friends.

I did get to know Anna though when she was our translator at our special tea party. We picked strawberries and then ate them with our tea in a Russian home. It was one of my favorite experiences of the whole trip.

As for Anna I saw a seed planted in her this trip and hope to encourage her even though I'm thousands of miles away. Her email definitely encouraged me and I can see the beginnings of God's work in her life. I just pray that He will place someone in her life that will show her what God's is truly like.

He is still working even after we leave!

More thoughts on Russia - Tea

One of my most favorite things about Russia was the tea. We had a glass of hot tea after every meal. It's not that the tea was anything extraordinary but the way they drink their tea. You don't necessarily put sugar in it (unless you are American) but eat a chocolate while drinking your tea. It's absolutely wonderful!

I could sit there and imagine in the winter when it's -40 degrees outside and how warm and soothing the tea must be. So I've decided to try my own American version of this.

My version consists of a hot 93 degree day with my shop 'n save brand tea bag and a couple chocolate creme Nestle treasures. It's promising to be amazing!

If it's a success maybe I'll invite Lindsey and Heather to have tea later tonight when the temperature drops to a chilly 80.

The bus is here!

The following picture represents a little more than just the normal group picture. Notice that behind us there is a bus. All approximately 40 of us that you see in the picture crammed onto this bus twice a day for our 7 days in Shar'ya. It was a tight squeeze but definately a community builder.

This is our team and our bus driver in Shar'ya. 

Continuing Russia thoughts - Friends

So since I'm just waiting around for my Dad to come and get me so that we can go car shopping (whole 'nother story), I figured I'd continue to write about this trip I made to Russia. The topic for this posting: friends.

This was a great trip for the building of relationships. I made some amazing new friends. Most of the people I already knew but weren't close to. Like my friend Lindsey. Our greatest bond on this trip would have to be the tea. We both fell in love with hot tea which was served after every meal. :) There were also some good conversations there too and I can't wait to see how God uses her this next year. I just wish that I could be around for all of it.

Then there was Melissa who I bonded with by looking deep into her eyes. And there's Jenny who was forced to tell us about her new guy while waiting hours at the internet cafe. And picking strawberries with Melissa and Lindsey before our special tea time. And getting to help Erin with her foot. And having the privilege of scrubbing Heather's back. And being sick with Gretchen. All of these things were great.

I also enjoyed getting to know a brand new friend: Misty. She's a missionary in Russia and took Heather and I around town a couple of days. I love how she finds enjoyment in all of the little things around her. I hear that she has a rare personality but I guess there is just something that attracts me to those types of people.

Then there's a Mr. Wallace who I got to get to a deeper level with and it was great. We have a mutual appreciation for each other and I would love to serve with him somewhere overseas. If God called me that direction he is one of the people I would love to have on my missionary dream team.

Last but not least there's Tad. What can I say?

Initial Russia thoughts - Orthodoxy

Well I'm back from Russia and there are so many things to tell that there is no way I will be able to tell them all right now. I'm sure I'll post bits and pieces over the next few days.

My favorite thing about the trip was working with the Orthodox Church. I knew when we went over there that we would be doing this but I had no idea what it really meant. Let me just say that this was a HUGE deal. Apparently it never happens but God blessed us with a unique connection in Father Dimitry. He truly cares about the people of his church and wants them to know Jesus for themselves. He was also very open to us coming there.

We were also open to learning about Orthodoxy. I enjoyed that our group didn't have the mindset that they are wrong and we are right and we are here to make them like us. Instead there was a great respect for them even in things that we didn't quite understand completely. In being open to learn we all saw God in a whole new light. In case you didn't know, God is HOLY and should be feared.

I got to attend two Orthodox services in my long skirt and head covering. I had the opportunity to worship God in ways that I wouldn't have ever imagined by crossing myself and bowing and being covered with the sweet scent of incense.

I feel like this trip was about opening my mind to the hugeness, variety, and similarity of God (if that makes any sense). God is definitely not an either or type of guy but an AND type of guy. I have a feeling I'll be learning this one for awhile.

More thoughts on the Russia trip to come...