Won't you help?

The next time I see BJ Alexander will be in NYC on our layover to get to Moscow.  BJ will be meeting us there.  The next time I see Vovo, will be in Vladimir.

We are still about $4,000 short of our fundraising goal.  This places a huge burden on our team.  If you are able to help support us, any amount will do.  If you can't give a lot now, but would be willing to commit to helping us fill in our deficit over time, you can make a monthly commitment at www.covenant-pres.org.  Click to donate, then add a credit card and make a monthly commitment for the next six months.  If you'd like to make an ongoing commitment to our trips, that would be even better.

We go to give hope and encouragement and training to orphans and orphan graduates.  We teach about life skills and character development.  This year one of our activities will be a panel discussion about interacting appropriately with the opposite sex.

Please consider a gift, won't you?

Yoga in Pokrov

While we did far more than yoga today, that was the big hit.  Julieanna Keenan, a high school student and new member of our team,  decided to try a yoga class just for girls today.  It was our way of connecting and also encouraging the girls to exercise.  It was standing room only in the yoga room with barely enough room for all of the mats.  Tomorrow we will likely have more girls as Julieanna was a HIT.  

The day begin with our teams being set up and developing their slogans and their posters.  I was asked to write the text of our poster in English.   The kids decorated the poster in English.  The theme for the week is a positive attitude and the theme for today was do a good deed.  We were encouraged by the orphanage staff to do a good deed and to also compliment people, especially orphanage staff. 

We also played soccer and did crafts.  We didn't have time to do our lesson, but Chari thinks that she can get two skits into one lesson and combine the two themes. 

We also had an orthodox priest come to the orphanage today.  Some of our team members met with him and some kids and had an interesting time learning more about the orthodox faith.  In addition, some went to the local Grace home.  The Grace home is an apartment, supervised by Svetlana and her husband.  Five boys live in this transitional housing apartment while they adjust to their new roles in college, technical schools and universities. 

So, now we have to make plans for the talent show on Friday.  We have to provide 5 acts.  I have to find one.  ARGH.

On your mark, get set...

Well, we are only a day and a half away. We will be in Russia soon. Tonight we had our last meeting to pack and to pray for each other and to make sure that everyone gets to the airport on time.

It is exciting, yet scary. There is so much to do at home, and yet so much need to travel to Russia. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. We have new team members coming and experienced ones as well.

So, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs, we are almost gone. We just need to get to the airport on Thursday morning on time with all of our passports.

Then...GO.