Orphans

Every place we visit is unique.  Today we visited a large orphanage located in Goreloe where many special needs children live.  Anya fortunately/unfortunately prior to leaving shared too much information with this "bug phobe"--Kathy Tarbet are you reading this???  She talked about lice and scabies and the need to change her clothing after spending time there, told us to bring hand sanitizer--she uses it on her hands and her face when she leaves.  Don't get me wrong---she loves these kids.  She serves them faithfully.  It freaked me out--I don't "do" bugs.  Aye, Yie, Yie! 

I had an incredibly hard time "letting my hair down" and there isn't much of it!  But, God is so good He sent Megan and Anya - our resident "mothers" to go and hug and love on these children.  Megan got a 10 minute hug (this little fella wasn't about to let go) from at 14 year old boy named Sasha--I'll let her tell the story. God bless the workers in this orphanage. It is a job that few could do, and they need our prayers. Pray for the church members who go to serve at the orphanage. What an opportunity, yet it would be easy to get discouraged as this is such a dismal place.

It's my turn to have "the cold" and I am losing my voice--it is getting harder and harder to sing.  It is amazing to me to see God use all of us so differently--to watch another star shine--Megan, who thinks she doesn't have a nice voice, sang like and angel in church--I lost the words listening to her--AWESOME.  The entire group sang well--Jim included, Marsha--you would have been so proud of him.  Our Russian brothers and sisters seem to be encouraged by our ability to sing a song in their language.  Music--what a bridge.

Megan and Rader will be leaving soon and I will be sad to see them go.  I am looking forward to Jim's teaching and some concentrated time in God's word.  I haven't been spending much time in my Bible since we arrived-- life moves so fast here right now--our entire day is ordered until evening and by then....

I haven't been running the last couple mornings--mom pray for me--I am tired.

Please pray for us.....
  1.  Stamina/endurance for Jim, Larry and Jen in our final week in Russia
  2.  Preparation of the hearts who will receive God's word and truth
  3.  Safe travels for Megan and Rader on their return and strength to return to daily life upon landing
  4.  Sweet dreams
  5.  Health

--Jen