Broken

I’m sitting here……with orders from “headquarters” (you all KNOW who I’m talking about) to BLOG. Todd is directly in front of me (sitting on our couch) and Megan has just proceeded to wander over to him to check HIS screen she has given him similar instructions and now she is following up to make sure he is on task instead of answering one of his several hundred messages in his INBOX. What do I say….what do I tell you all….what information would you like reported? Well, let me tell you this……IT’S JUST NOT THE SAME.

Last year was such an intense experience for me that the challenge for this year rests somewhere within the realm of “expectations”. I’m going to be honest…..don’t judge me! I returned to Russia feeling like I had accomplished something of worth last year….forged bonds with people that I hoped to see again and can I tell you….I was surprised by the initial reaction……expectations.

So………………here is my report! I hope you all find some value in it…may it find you all well and resting in the peace the only Jesus Christ gives.

We arrived in Russia, we took the train (without incident Larry….NO STRANGERS for this girl IN THE NIGHT)----Jim practically stamped cabin 5 on my forehead!

The minute we set foot on Tambov soil…..everything changed! It continues to change every minute, every hour, of every day. One of the highlights of this trip was a visit to Jar Pizza…..SWEET….totally scored a “fist pump” on that one. Where in Boise can you order a cappuccino, veggie tray, pizza, fruit tray, soup, salad and ice cream I ask????? AWESOME!!!!

Change of plans…..no…..you will not relax after your 40 + solid hours of travel you will get your butts back into the car and get to CAMP! So, off we go……..2 more hours in a little green car, down a bumpy highway, where I caught such serious air in the back seat that I promptly BUCKLED UP in order to avoid a neck injury.

Well, we did arrive safely thanks to our fantastic American driver Jenni. This girl is AMAZING!!! Wow!! You cannot help but know that she has been called by the Master to this mission field and I have seen with my own eyes now how faithfully and effectively she serves. If you are among those who support her....know that the sacrifice you make to help her is well worth its weight in GOLD. The relationships she has forged with these campers and her ability to communicate with them simply amazes me! If you want the details we'll have to chat later.....or better yet.....come to Russia and see it for yourself!

How does one condense these past days.....best if I highlight.....
1.) A black cat! I am incredibly allergic to cats. I popped Zytec, prayed my BUTT OFF and huffed Albuterol trying simply to breath--funny oxygen is pretty important! Thank you LORD for HELPING ME!!!! You knew all along that Satan would show up to alarm and discourage me. My fellow teamates had my 6:00 the entire time...eventually satan was locked away somewhere else (heeheehee)...so sorry to you cat lovers out there....just simply not a fan!

2.) A sweet mattress! I dubbed it my metal hammock, well, because...yes it was METAL but it had the added benefit of a slight lift on both ends...super special to try and sleep on/in??? People my hips are BROKEN and my back is killing me! The last night of camp I cried out in pain as I tried to turn over on my side....BROKEN!!!!!! Megan offered to trade beds with me....yes (another FIST PUMP earned)....I drug my BROKEN self over and dropped down onto her wooden platform adorned with disgusting mattress (eweeee!!!!)people it was beautiful (at this point it felt like a featherbed...my standards being quite low at the moment) until I started wheezing and yes.....UP ALL NIGHT having an allergic reactions to SOMETHING...probably everything at this point. But, nevertheless, God is good! My friend was UP ALL NIGHT TOO...she was rolled into a ball, freezing cold on my metal bed without the willpower to get up and close the window that we had been leaving open every hour, every day, and every night so that I might obtain that SWEET OXYGEN I spoke of earlier! Good company Megan is! A ready laugh in times of hardship! I can't tell you how many times we have laughed ourselves stupid on this trip!

3.) Community SHOWERS!!!! This was a special treat. Nope, I will not elaborate!

4.) The camp building.....hmmmmmm.....it needs work. Vadim asked us at breakfast what we thought of having camp at TCC verses Truth Church. I preferred the church for purely selfish reasons. At Truth Church....I had a room away from all the noise and bustle to sit down and do crafts with campers. Yah, uh....NO...imagine this if you will....music playing constantly at a level that one might expect at any moment to rupture an ear drum....then, imagine trying to talk to people while you sit and do something that is suppose to be QUIET, RESTFUL, and encourage people to open up because their hands are busy doing something that distracts them from the discomfort of STARTING a conversation, add in a language barrier....RIGHT!.....expectations! But God is good, this is an opportunity to see what God wills for this place...much as I've said needs to be done....consider praying about the opportunities for growth this place might afford if the Russians were able to fund its completion.

This is not all I have to say but Jim has just rushed in to warn us that "we" are burning up our time quickly and and he is on the phone....que....get off....SEE YA! More to come! JEN