” I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned that secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ” -Phil. 4:11-2
Greetings,
I truly hope that each one of you are having a wonderful Monday!! I am sending out an e-mail today and attaching some pictures, so you won’t have such a long e-mail at the end of the week from me 🙂
This weekend was filled with some fun traveling to Vyborg a city on the boarder of Finland and Russia. It was about 2.5 hr train each way around and only $15.00 around trip. Some of the German Volunteers and I went for the day. There is a castle that was built in 1293 there. I will also attach a picture of the castle. Old but still beautiful! Although I love Saint Petersburg, ( as country gal at heart) it was really nice to get out of the city for a little while! Being with the Germans so much I am learning a lot about Germany and their culture, which is really neat. Also the Lord is allowing me to witness to some of them through my life style.
Today at the orphanage I had all 11 children by myself. The German girl Helena that helps me was home sick today. So it was just me and the care taker, Olga ( who isn’t necessary my favorite one-she is harsh and rough with the kids). I was praying on the metro ride that it wouldn’t be Olga but God has other plans. It was a very busy day. Feeding the kids, dressing the kids, getting them into their chairs. Washing their faces, brushing their hair and teeth, putting cream on their hands and face. It took me over 3 hours just to get breakfast and the above done. Olga helped with the feeding but that was it. So today wasn’t much of a love on the kids day or play them..:( We are doing Olympic games all this week with all the kids for 35 minutes a day. I was able to take one of our boys who loves music. It was so fun to watch all the kids from the building in their chairs and teachers laps, smiling, laughing, clapping. Today was opening ceremonies with the teams coming in and raising the flag. It was all pretty cute and fun and different for the kids.. I will say the teachers and staff here are really good with the kids. They have a fast turn around, as you can imagine it can be pretty depressing-but the ones I have met and have observed working with the children are really good.. I feel like that is a blessing to these children.
Tomorrow Helena will be back which I am thankful for, because Tuesdays are bath day! The children love their bath time. I really like it when Helena and I are allowed to do all the work, because we work slower so the kids have more time in the bath as well as getting clean water for each new child. The caretakers, like to move fast and in the same water.. I believe the water therapy is so good for them especially since they spend so much time in the same position. Upon arriving this morning I walked into the room and smelled a very familiar smell in the orphanages all over Russia. The room reeked of pee. I went around saying good morning to the kids and I came to one of the girls and realized I also came to the source of the urine smell. She had soaked two diapers that were put on her, her pants, her two blankets on her bed, and her long wraparound pillow.. Walking into this, first thing this morning mad me really mad. There is no reason a child should have to lay in their own urine for as long as she did, given how wet she was….But praise the Lord I kept my cool and just said very nice to Olga that we need to change her as well as her bedding. Olga jumped right on it, would not let me change or clean her ( she thinks she does everything the best way), however, like most of the care takers when I child has urinated they do not wipe them with a wet wipe or warm wash cloth. Nothing…So I am glad tomorrow is bath day.
Sorry for always ending these e-mails the same, but I am truly grateful for all the prayers! I am truly humbled and honored that the Lord is allowing me to serve Him here. I am really falling in love with these children and the work I am doing- But the prayers for spiritual and physical strength are felt and needed daily!! Thank you all for the support and prayers! You are all apart of the work I am doing here:)
God Bless you! May you feel the Lord’s loving hands upon your life this week!
Much Love,
Katherine
