Monday, July 24, 2017
Monday, July 10, 2017
Monday, May 30, 2016
First few days of Trip 2016
To those of you following, I apologize for the delay. It's hard to believe that we left four days ago and are almost halfway through our trip. Of course, two days of travel doesn't help.
After an almost 3 hour delay in Denver, which made us come very close to missing a connection in Minneapolis, the trip has gone pretty smoothly.
We arrived on time Friday afternoon and spent Friday evening checking into the hotel, eating dinner and getting much needed sleep.
Saturday was a full day with our train ride to Vladimir. Then a quick check in at the hotel and lunch, then off to the ministry center. Don spoke to the grads about forgiveness and why it's so important in healing relationships as well as allowing ourselves to heal from hurt so we can go on with our lives.
We spent a lot of free time with the kids, catching up on what has been going on in our lives. Several of the "kids" are no longer kids. Nastya K had a daughter this year and she and her husband are doing well. Dima E's wife is pregnant. Klara B. had been with her boyfriend for three years and they recently purchased their own apartment.
It was great to see Sergei, who I have not seen since he left the orphanage about five years ago. He was an average sized kid at that time. He is now pursuing MMA competition and is huge. His voice is like Sylvester Stalone and when he got green paint on him, he looked like the Hulk.
On Sunday, some of us went to the Orthodox church with five of the boys. We didn't have time to talk with them as we went straight to the Wesleyan Church for services. Two of the boys joined us there.
Many of the kids joined us for a Burger King lunch and then we went to a local festival of paint throwing. The event seemed like a concert designed only to sell a lot of high priced powdered "paint," but the kids had a lot of fun. Adam and Justin got involved. I even got myself painted in the end.
Back to the ministry center for more social time/games and a skit about God's love for us through the story of Noah and then off to dinner at Globus. The day went too fast and soon we were leaving our grads and wishing them well.
Monday's ride to the orphanage was surprisingly smooth and we arrived in Pokrov even earlier than planned. The English lesson was a hit, and I made a new friend. Alina, who has been in the orphanage about 3 months, attached herself to me because she knows a little English and wanted to practice. I helped her with her t-shirt at craft time. She's 11.
Much of the rest of the day was spent in free time getting to know the kids. Today begins more formal time. The week has some fun in store with more English lessons, a skit, a relay race, a talent show and I'm sure surprise events planned by the orphanage staff.
Overall, the age of the kids at the orphanage is lower and the numbers fewer. The good news is that the orphanage staff is doing a good job of getting kids placed in homes. The orphanage staff is also now involved in training foster parents and preparing them for the challenges of bringing orphans into their families. While this means fewer children for us to meet and to minister to, it is great for the kids to have families and help as they develop family relationships.
After an almost 3 hour delay in Denver, which made us come very close to missing a connection in Minneapolis, the trip has gone pretty smoothly.
We arrived on time Friday afternoon and spent Friday evening checking into the hotel, eating dinner and getting much needed sleep.
Saturday was a full day with our train ride to Vladimir. Then a quick check in at the hotel and lunch, then off to the ministry center. Don spoke to the grads about forgiveness and why it's so important in healing relationships as well as allowing ourselves to heal from hurt so we can go on with our lives.
We spent a lot of free time with the kids, catching up on what has been going on in our lives. Several of the "kids" are no longer kids. Nastya K had a daughter this year and she and her husband are doing well. Dima E's wife is pregnant. Klara B. had been with her boyfriend for three years and they recently purchased their own apartment.
It was great to see Sergei, who I have not seen since he left the orphanage about five years ago. He was an average sized kid at that time. He is now pursuing MMA competition and is huge. His voice is like Sylvester Stalone and when he got green paint on him, he looked like the Hulk.
On Sunday, some of us went to the Orthodox church with five of the boys. We didn't have time to talk with them as we went straight to the Wesleyan Church for services. Two of the boys joined us there.
Many of the kids joined us for a Burger King lunch and then we went to a local festival of paint throwing. The event seemed like a concert designed only to sell a lot of high priced powdered "paint," but the kids had a lot of fun. Adam and Justin got involved. I even got myself painted in the end.
Back to the ministry center for more social time/games and a skit about God's love for us through the story of Noah and then off to dinner at Globus. The day went too fast and soon we were leaving our grads and wishing them well.
Monday's ride to the orphanage was surprisingly smooth and we arrived in Pokrov even earlier than planned. The English lesson was a hit, and I made a new friend. Alina, who has been in the orphanage about 3 months, attached herself to me because she knows a little English and wanted to practice. I helped her with her t-shirt at craft time. She's 11.
Much of the rest of the day was spent in free time getting to know the kids. Today begins more formal time. The week has some fun in store with more English lessons, a skit, a relay race, a talent show and I'm sure surprise events planned by the orphanage staff.
Overall, the age of the kids at the orphanage is lower and the numbers fewer. The good news is that the orphanage staff is doing a good job of getting kids placed in homes. The orphanage staff is also now involved in training foster parents and preparing them for the challenges of bringing orphans into their families. While this means fewer children for us to meet and to minister to, it is great for the kids to have families and help as they develop family relationships.
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.
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.
Going to bed around 11 p.m. and an early trip to Vladimir tomorrow. More tomorrow with pictures.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Posts for Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Wow, we have been so busy that I've been too tired to write. Here is a brief summary.
Thursday, we had big plans, but the weather was so hot that many of the kids took off for the lake for the afternoon. We did some crafts and played some games with kids who were left, but our organized program was largely lost. We had fun, but it was a bit disappointing.
Friday, plans went pretty well. We decided that because the kids wanted to go to the lake, we would go with them. So, after a great trip to the Alexandrov Kremlin, which was built by Ivan the Great in order to avoid problems in Moscow, we went to the lake with the kids. I did part of our program out by the lake. We returned for dinner, and a video that the kids put together with our help. Then we said our goodbyes.
Saturday morning included more good buys, an uneventful trip to Moscow, a trip to the Izmailvo market, a viewing of the Tretavdov Gallery and sinner and shopping on Arbat Street.
Now. It's late and I need to get to bed.
Thursday, we had big plans, but the weather was so hot that many of the kids took off for the lake for the afternoon. We did some crafts and played some games with kids who were left, but our organized program was largely lost. We had fun, but it was a bit disappointing.
Friday, plans went pretty well. We decided that because the kids wanted to go to the lake, we would go with them. So, after a great trip to the Alexandrov Kremlin, which was built by Ivan the Great in order to avoid problems in Moscow, we went to the lake with the kids. I did part of our program out by the lake. We returned for dinner, and a video that the kids put together with our help. Then we said our goodbyes.
Saturday morning included more good buys, an uneventful trip to Moscow, a trip to the Izmailvo market, a viewing of the Tretavdov Gallery and sinner and shopping on Arbat Street.
Now. It's late and I need to get to bed.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Pokrov - Day 6
Today we split up and some of us went to see a convent and others went to Svetlana's dacha.
We also worked in a lesson on respect and an English lesson. All in all what felt like a good day, but a slow day. Kids were coming and going and so it was a bit frustrating trying to relate with them.
It was also very hot and so tiring.
Tomorrow we'll be at the orphanage all day for a lot of games, teaching and more English.
We also worked in a lesson on respect and an English lesson. All in all what felt like a good day, but a slow day. Kids were coming and going and so it was a bit frustrating trying to relate with them.
It was also very hot and so tiring.
Tomorrow we'll be at the orphanage all day for a lot of games, teaching and more English.
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