Farewell!

Valya is amazing at braiding hair. This hair-do sweeps in circles and is my final fancy braiding before I get on the train. She told me that she learned to braid hair when she lived at an orphanage for a short time.  She came to know Christ as a teenager, and now she is serving as a missionary.  I told you the story earlier about how I discovered a hole in the arm pit of one of my sweaters. Seeing that she was wearing a similar style of sweater, I asked Valya, "Would you like this sweater? Do you know how to sew and fix it?" She grinned and explained (through Anya), "Sewing is my profession!" I laughed and expressed that I would have no idea how to fix it myself. She joked, "God was preparing that sweater for me!" Then she added,  "There are no accidents with God!"  Not ten minutes later, Rader's new friend Edward stopped by to give him a video that he had made at the orphanage.  Before he left, he said, "It was very good to meet you. There are no accidents with God!"  It is so neat how God has bonded us to these friends in such a short time, especially considering that we don't even speak their language.  I'm learning that God can speak a great deal in just our actions...a hug, a smile, a willingness to braid hair, doing a craft together, singing a song in another language, even playing funny games together. I am so thankful for my time here. The word Jen came up with was AVAILABLE! Just making yourself available can speak volumes. I hope that lesson translates to my life back at home.

Our final dinner in a little bit, then we're getting on the train for a ten-hour ride through the night. Because we're crossing time zones, tomorrow will be 34 hours long, but Lord willing, we will arrive home just before midnight on the 12th. We appreciate your prayers for safety in traveling! Keep praying for the ministry of Jen, Jim, and Larry...God is doing some cool things here!

My last blog??? I may have to comment from home.  But, this will be the last one that I type from Russia.  Jen, you're on!

Megan