Good Morning,
I truly hope that as you are reading this you are filled with the love of Jesus Christ today!
” That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with our father. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this so your joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declares to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1John1:1-5
I was going to only put down the last verse here, but I love what verses 1-5 are saying. We as a nation in the States have been richly blessed with how we have heard about Jesus Christ, how we have been able to have so many different resources, events, conferences to all better our Christian life. Many of us have seen Gods loving hand in as well as over our lives. Yet, I think ( at least I know I have), we sometimes forget that because of what we have seen, heard, and touched in regards to proclaiming the word of God, we forget our joy is complete through Him. That there is only LIGHT through God, nodarkness; even in a world that is full of darkness in Him we have Light! That is something to Praise the Lord about!! I had read this the other morning and felt like sharing:)
As I stated in the last letter, I worked this week by myself at the orphanage. It was a really wonderful week! God gave me His strength and protection daily! Typically I would meet up with some of the German volunteers at the train station and would ride the train to Pavlosk together as well as walk the 25-30 minute walk through the wooded park together . However, this week I was alone. It was a good time of reflect and communication with the Lord. Which I am thankful for! I have been reminded so often since I have been living in Russia, that I am being watched over and protected by the King himself, yet that doesn’t mean his version of protection and mine are the same. We are here to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory!
On Monday as I stated a boy who had turned 18 years old was transferred to an adult facility. To clarify for people who may not know. Here in Russia there are 3 types of orphanage. The first stage is from birth to 4 years old, the baby house as they are called. Then it is an orphanage for 4-7 years old and from there they go to an orphanage for 7- 18 years old. Those who are ill or disabled are sent to and adult facility where they will spend the rest of their lives… The orphanage I am at is also under the health department of the Russian government. Another clarification, in the last email I had sent there was a picture of a little boy and I said he was 15 years old..This was not a typo! Many of the children are very tiny and if you had to guess their age, you would most likely be years off…One of my girls were taken to the hospital where she will be for 2 weeks. She had had a temperature for a week..A lot of the medical staff here have the idea that the sick children will recover quicker if they aren’t touched unless for feedings, and any medical processors that need to be performed So the thought of this sweet little girl being in the hospital for 2 weeks without anyone holding her breaks my heart!
Another girl who has been at the hospital since I arrived here returned to our room on Monday. She has a NG tube ( Receives her feedings through her nose), she is 14 years old, I am not sure of her medical history, but her tiny body is all twisted. She cannot lay on her side or back, she is in a lot of pain and cries often. I have figured out a few ways to wrap her up to relieve and relax her tiny little body, however, it doesn’t last for long. She is so beautiful though, she has deep down eyes and dark hair!
I know I was a little concerned with what this week would hold with the caretakers in the room, but I am really blessed with nice caretakers! Even though some of them may yell and want to do things their way, it could be worse. For example, after I was done in my room one day I went into another room to see some of the kids and there was a boy who was crying. I was rubbing his tummy, and the caretaker came in and yelled, don’t touch him, leave him alone. You are making him worse, don’t you remember when you were young and you were touched how much you didn’t like it. ” I just smiled and complied all the while thinking, hmm.. I liked it and that is why I smile and you don’t.:) So my point is it can always be worse 🙂 I am grateful for the caretakers we have in our room.
My working hours have been longer this week since I was by myself. And as I was concerned I would not have time to play with the kids or take some outside, I was able to take one of the boys out for walk on Thursday and another girl to an art activity on Friday. Unfortunately since there are 10 kids and only one of me many times its taking turns with which children go outside or to the play room! Even when Helena ( the German who I work with), is here working it is often a ‘take turns’ with which child gets to go.
I was also able to go to global grounds café this past Wednesday evening. Global grounds café for those of you who do not know, is a café off the main island that was started by Christian Mission Alliance missionaries. On Wednesday night they have a English/Russian night. People who are Russian and want to learn English can come to a great environment to learn. It was a great experience to see how the C&MA team here have reached out into the community and offer different things here at the café. At my table there was 2 Russians and a gentleman from one of the former USSR countries.. One of the words of the night was Grace- we as Americans know what this word Grace means, we can define it, we can give examples where people have given us grace in our lives.. However, when asking those at the table to definegrace in Russian, they could not. They could not even think of the word for it- they told us that it is a word that is not used in the Russian culture today. It would only be used in ‘the church of old’as they said.. It was a great opportunity to share how God gives us Grace through his Son! At this table there was also a man who said he was an atheist, he was getting ready to go Kiev to be part of the protesting, so again just another great opportunity to share God’s love. With meeting new people at gatherings like these I am always asked ‘ so what do you do here?’ I tell those who ask what I am doing, and the next question is, wow that is really cool but how much do you get paid as an American?The door is wide open to share God’s love, when I say well this is why I am here and I am not getting paid.
One of the German girls asked about my purity ring. When I replied and told her what it was and why I had chosen a life of purity she said…Wow, I have never heard of that? How do you even do that? You can see it’s just amazing how many doors the Lord is opening for me to ministry and witness to. I praise the Lord and give him all the glory. I am so unworthy and unfit to be here yet through Him I have His strength and He is filling me with His holy spirit. Please pray that the Lord will continue to fill me and use me as he see’s fits, that he will continue to receive all the glory, honor, and praise!
Before I end this long letter, I can’t seem to stop once I start talking about the events of the week. The last two weeks I have been praying for the Lords direction and guidance as I have felt led to stay here in Russia longer to continue the work the Lord is allowing me to do. My biggest desire is to be where the Lord wants me! I miss so many things about my home. I miss my family, friends, my Newlife church family, I miss my bed and all my pillows, I miss when I leave for work getting in my own car instead of ridding hip to hip shoulder to shoulder with people, I miss taking a shower in a shower only one family uses instead of 8 families.I miss having ice in my drinks. The list of things I miss goes on and on, yet I know I am here for a reason and I am at peace and in a way feel at home here. I am not ready to even think about saying goodbye to the children in my room in April. Knowing once I am gone, the care they will receive will go downhill. As I said I want to be where the Lord wants me. Please keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lordwith staying here until the end of June or into July.. I have spoken with the director of the orphanage and they would be thrilled to have me stay, I have also spoken with the airlines and they have sets available and it will be at or just under $400.00 to change my tickets. If I were to stay I am not yet sure where I would be living after April 15th (but that is nothing to worry about, the Lord will provide me a place). To extend my health insurance into July will cost $500.00
Because of all of your prayers, support, and love I am here serving. You all have been so faithful in prayer and support before I left Ohio and Since I have been here in Saint Petersburg, I am truly grateful for every single one of you! Please feel free to contact me for more information about extending my stay here.
I pray as you finish your Sunday afternoon and start a new week that each one of you will feel the Lord’s love and grace in your lives! You are constant blessing to me! Thank you and God Bless you this day and in the coming!
Some information on the pictures below. The first one, this kid was loving his ride outside, he was smiling and laughing and every time I pulled my camera out to take a picture he would close his eyes.. The little stinker.. The girl in the yellow shirt is the 14 year old who came back to the room..she is also in the last pictures attached here all wrapped up in pillows. The next guys is 16 and he is another room down the hall. He was getting his grove on and moving his hands to the beat of the music. So precious! The next two picture are of the “art activity” I had mentioned. The two kids in this picture are 15 years old ( the boy) and the girl is 14 years old..She loves attention and will eat anything-so you have to watch out.. She will literally try to eat your clothes or hand sometimes..
Good Morning,
I truly hope that as you are reading this you are filled with the love of Jesus Christ today!
” That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with our father. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this so your joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declares to you; God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1John1:1-5
I was going to only put down the last verse here, but I love what verses 1-5 are saying. We as a nation in the States have been richly blessed with how we have heard about Jesus Christ, how we have been able to have so many different resources, events, conferences to all better our Christian life. Many of us have seen Gods loving hand in as well as over our lives. Yet, I think ( at least I know I have), we sometimes forget that because of what we have seen, heard, and touched in regards to proclaiming the word of God, we forget our joy is complete through Him. That there is only LIGHT through God, nodarkness; even in a world that is full of darkness in Him we have Light! That is something to Praise the Lord about!! I had read this the other morning and felt like sharing:)
As I stated in the last letter, I worked this week by myself at the orphanage. It was a really wonderful week! God gave me His strength and protection daily! Typically I would meet up with some of the German volunteers at the train station and would ride the train to Pavlosk together as well as walk the 25-30 minute walk through the wooded park together . However, this week I was alone. It was a good time of reflect and communication with the Lord. Which I am thankful for! I have been reminded so often since I have been living in Russia, that I am being watched over and protected by the King himself, yet that doesn’t mean his version of protection and mine are the same. We are here to serve the Lord and bring Him honor and glory!
On Monday as I stated a boy who had turned 18 years old was transferred to an adult facility. To clarify for people who may not know. Here in Russia there are 3 types of orphanage. The first stage is from birth to 4 years old, the baby house as they are called. Then it is an orphanage for 4-7 years old and from there they go to an orphanage for 7- 18 years old. Those who are ill or disabled are sent to and adult facility where they will spend the rest of their lives… The orphanage I am at is also under the health department of the Russian government. Another clarification, in the last email I had sent there was a picture of a little boy and I said he was 15 years old..This was not a typo! Many of the children are very tiny and if you had to guess their age, you would most likely be years off…One of my girls were taken to the hospital where she will be for 2 weeks. She had had a temperature for a week..A lot of the medical staff here have the idea that the sick children will recover quicker if they aren’t touched unless for feedings, and any medical processors that need to be performed So the thought of this sweet little girl being in the hospital for 2 weeks without anyone holding her breaks my heart!
Another girl who has been at the hospital since I arrived here returned to our room on Monday. She has a NG tube ( Receives her feedings through her nose), she is 14 years old, I am not sure of her medical history, but her tiny body is all twisted. She cannot lay on her side or back, she is in a lot of pain and cries often. I have figured out a few ways to wrap her up to relieve and relax her tiny little body, however, it doesn’t last for long. She is so beautiful though, she has deep down eyes and dark hair!
I know I was a little concerned with what this week would hold with the caretakers in the room, but I am really blessed with nice caretakers! Even though some of them may yell and want to do things their way, it could be worse. For example, after I was done in my room one day I went into another room to see some of the kids and there was a boy who was crying. I was rubbing his tummy, and the caretaker came in and yelled, don’t touch him, leave him alone. You are making him worse, don’t you remember when you were young and you were touched how much you didn’t like it. ” I just smiled and complied all the while thinking, hmm.. I liked it and that is why I smile and you don’t.:) So my point is it can always be worse 🙂 I am grateful for the caretakers we have in our room.
My working hours have been longer this week since I was by myself. And as I was concerned I would not have time to play with the kids or take some outside, I was able to take one of the boys out for walk on Thursday and another girl to an art activity on Friday. Unfortunately since there are 10 kids and only one of me many times its taking turns with which children go outside or to the play room! Even when Helena ( the German who I work with), is here working it is often a ‘take turns’ with which child gets to go.
I was also able to go to global grounds café this past Wednesday evening. Global grounds café for those of you who do not know, is a café off the main island that was started by Christian Mission Alliance missionaries. On Wednesday night they have a English/Russian night. People who are Russian and want to learn English can come to a great environment to learn. It was a great experience to see how the C&MA team here have reached out into the community and offer different things here at the café. At my table there was 2 Russians and a gentleman from one of the former USSR countries.. One of the words of the night was Grace- we as Americans know what this word Grace means, we can define it, we can give examples where people have given us grace in our lives.. However, when asking those at the table to definegrace in Russian, they could not. They could not even think of the word for it- they told us that it is a word that is not used in the Russian culture today. It would only be used in ‘the church of old’as they said.. It was a great opportunity to share how God gives us Grace through his Son! At this table there was also a man who said he was an atheist, he was getting ready to go Kiev to be part of the protesting, so again just another great opportunity to share God’s love. With meeting new people at gatherings like these I am always asked ‘ so what do you do here?’ I tell those who ask what I am doing, and the next question is, wow that is really cool but how much do you get paid as an American?The door is wide open to share God’s love, when I say well this is why I am here and I am not getting paid.
One of the German girls asked about my purity ring. When I replied and told her what it was and why I had chosen a life of purity she said…Wow, I have never heard of that? How do you even do that? You can see it’s just amazing how many doors the Lord is opening for me to ministry and witness to. I praise the Lord and give him all the glory. I am so unworthy and unfit to be here yet through Him I have His strength and He is filling me with His holy spirit. Please pray that the Lord will continue to fill me and use me as he see’s fits, that he will continue to receive all the glory, honor, and praise!
Before I end this long letter, I can’t seem to stop once I start talking about the events of the week. The last two weeks I have been praying for the Lords direction and guidance as I have felt led to stay here in Russia longer to continue the work the Lord is allowing me to do. My biggest desire is to be where the Lord wants me! I miss so many things about my home. I miss my family, friends, my Newlife church family, I miss my bed and all my pillows, I miss when I leave for work getting in my own car instead of ridding hip to hip shoulder to shoulder with people, I miss taking a shower in a shower only one family uses instead of 8 families.I miss having ice in my drinks. The list of things I miss goes on and on, yet I know I am here for a reason and I am at peace and in a way feel at home here. I am not ready to even think about saying goodbye to the children in my room in April. Knowing once I am gone, the care they will receive will go downhill. As I said I want to be where the Lord wants me. Please keep me in your prayers as I seek the Lordwith staying here until the end of June or into July.. I have spoken with the director of the orphanage and they would be thrilled to have me stay, I have also spoken with the airlines and they have sets available and it will be at or just under $400.00 to change my tickets. If I were to stay I am not yet sure where I would be living after April 15th (but that is nothing to worry about, the Lord will provide me a place). To extend my health insurance into July will cost $500.00
Because of all of your prayers, support, and love I am here serving. You all have been so faithful in prayer and support before I left Ohio and Since I have been here in Saint Petersburg, I am truly grateful for every single one of you! Please feel free to contact me for more information about extending my stay here.
I pray as you finish your Sunday afternoon and start a new week that each one of you will feel the Lord’s love and grace in your lives! You are constant blessing to me! Thank you and God Bless you this day and in the coming!
Some information on the pictures below. The first one, this kid was loving his ride outside, he was smiling and laughing and every time I pulled my camera out to take a picture he would close his eyes.. The little stinker.. The girl in the yellow shirt is the 14 year old who came back to the room..she is also in the last pictures attached here all wrapped up in pillows. The next guys is 16 and he is another room down the hall. He was getting his grove on and moving his hands to the beat of the music. So precious! The next two picture are of the “art activity” I had mentioned. The two kids in this picture are 15 years old ( the boy) and the girl is 14 years old..She loves attention and will eat anything-so you have to watch out.. She will literally try to eat your clothes or hand sometimes..
