Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Days 3 through 6 - Wow am I behind

This post will cover two days in Vladimir at the ministry center, one day in Suzdal and one day in Pokrov.

We took the express train from Moscow to Vladimir this year to avoid traffic.  The train too less than two hours to go about 180 miles.  It was a smooth fast ride.  It was difficult to believe that the train was going so fast. 

We gathered at the ministry center and played a warm up game, then had lessons on anger and on finances, especially for those with children, then we had a ping pong tournament. We had a pizza dinner party.  The guys went off to the Banya and the ladies went to Olya's house. 

For me it was a good time with many kids that I have known for a long time, especially Klara and Dasha.  

I also talked with Valya on Saturday night.  One of the interpreters stayed late to help us.  We had a nice walk and it's amazing how much she's grown up in the four years since I saw her last. 

Sunday we went to church, then the ministry center, then dinner at Globus. 

Monday we went to Suzdal to sight see and then were off to Pokrov and saw someof the kids at the orphanage.  I played some soccer with Sasah, Yura, Ruslan, Ilya, Sasha.

Today we started lessons with English, crafts and then a performany by the orphanage kids for their victory day presentation that was done on May 9.   It was great, and I loved their performances.

I saw Luda today.  She was not around last year, so that was nice.  The warm up game worked really well.  I got to know a lot of new kids.

Arrived safel in Russia

We arrived safely today with no major issues.  All flights were on time and everyone arrived healthy.  We are all a bit tired, partly due to an itinerary that included two stops and a long layover in between the second and third leg, so sleeping was not easy. 

Going to bed around 11 p.m. and an early trip to Vladimir tomorrow.  More tomorrow with pictures.

Stay tuned.