Monday In Pokrov

We had a good flight. Everything went smoothly and most of us were able to sleep on the plane.

Sunday afternoon we drove to Pokrov and unpacked, met our translators and had a wonderful dinner. The surprise treat was that a professional choir was eating in the restaurant as well. They sang three songs while we were finishing dinner. They were amazing.

Today is almost over. Many of the kids were in Moscow for a Russian holiday. I visited Nadya's grave, which was a very emotional experience for me. Nadya committed suicide in November, and I had become very close to her over the past four and a half years. As I knelt by her grave and looked into her eyes (in the photograph on the grave), I remembered the good times and smiled, but also cried as I knew that it was really true. I would not see her again.

We played some games arranged by the orphanage's sports teacher. The Russians beat us in almost every game.

We played ultimate frisbee and even got some of the girls to play with us.

We also managed to get in our program of a Bible lesson and some Russian praise songs. All of the kids who were here at the orphanage participated. I have to go now as the bus just pulled up. I'll try to update you tomorrow.