From Camp

We arrived in Tambov Saturday morning and departed right away for camp. New Year’s Eve was spent in a party with the camp staff and their families. We played Twister (pictures to come), Dutch Blitz, and Mexican Trains (a version of Dominoes). To make sure we know we’re in Russia where the theme is “flexibility” Vadim spontaneously asked us to lead samples of camp games during the party. We proved a good time can be had by ages 5-62. The party ended with a Midnight prayer circle and a special cake.

To my delight I got 11 hours sleep after the party–nice after 41 hours of travel from home to camp. Megan and Jen also got a good night of sleep and we’re pretty well adjusted to the 11 hour time difference. Jen has survived asthma attacks triggered by the cat who lives in the building. This cute little black feline has been nicknamed “Satan.”

While we relaxed on New Year’s Day waiting for campers to arrive I committed my first Russian language faux pas for this trip. While Misha (our translator) was not available I asked one of our cooks if a cute 6-year old was her son. I described him by the color sweatshirt he was wearing and unknowingly used an idiom which cast a cloud on his sexual orientation. His mom was very good natured about it, giving me full credit for trying to speak Russian.

We’re learning to sing “What Child Is This?” phonetically with Jenni Myers as our coach. Our debut performance will be at an orphanage in the city of Michurinsk on Thursday.

I’m amazed at the details of planning for games, crafts, and all the logistics of camp. Sasha (regional youth pastor) and his wife Ina, Jenni, Misha and Vadim have put in endless hours.

The first full day of camp (Monday) showed off Megan and Jen’s gifts during games and crafts. They’re worth their weight in gold to make those things happen so the Russians can concentrate on the things only they can do.

The things provided by special gifts from members of the coalition have been HUGE hits. Two donors stepped up to provide ice skates, so twice as many were purchased as first requested. You’ll see pictures when we get internet. The video camera some of you contributed to has been in use constantly since we arrived. By Monday night they had produced a great video of the first day of camp.

We won’t be able to post more blog entries until January 5, after camp and after our first day of Immanuel’s Child events. It took a special trip from camp into the city of Lipetsk to be able to post this entry. Watch for an avalanche of blogs when Megan and Jen get their chance.

–Jim

Farewell, USA!

Friends! It's our last hour in the U.S. for awhile, so to where did we make
a bee line!?

Here's a hint:
Tall, 1%, extra hot, cinnamon dolce half caf. latte...
Yeah! Starbucks!!!!! The official fuel of Team Tambov.

P.S. Jen needed a warm pick me up after her morning shock at the ticket counter.
Megan packed 2 fifty pound suitcases. Cost: 1 free, 1 extra bag for $70.
Jen packed one 70 pound suitcase. Cost: 1 bag NOT free, $400 overweight charge!
The lady informed us that if we took one pound out of the bag and made it 69 pounds,
that's only a $200 charge! Should we consider that a favor?

Well, the blog will be silent for awhile now! Hopefully you'll see some more posts from us on Saturday morning!!! Thanks for your travel prayers!! --Megan

Travel Buddies!

Here we are in the air!!! We appreciate your prayers for safety in travel!
The first leg went smoothly...it's 45 degrees and sunny in Chicago! Thank You,
Lord! We enjoyed a team lunch at Chili's once we landed at Chicago O' hare.
We have about an hour left of our layover, and then it's the long jaunt over the ocean.

Team Bus!

Here's a shout out to Larry, who VOLUNTEERED to get up at 4:00 in the morning to pick up each and every team member who needed a ride to the airport! We will miss having Larry along for this year's trip, but we appreciate his sacrifice of sleep! (A top quality required for travel to Russia!)

Launched!

From O'Hare airport: I actually get a word in before Megan and Jen get hold of the computer to start blogging. In God's wonderful goodness He saw to it that there's no port on my computer for receiving photos from Megan's memory card, so she had to go find a piece of equipment.

Oops . . . She's back! She'll provide the photo evidence, but it's true we are on our way. Enjoying a layover in Chicago, then to London for a few hours, then to Moscow. Lord willing we will touch down in Moscow about 6:30 AM Friday, Boise time.

Thanks for praying for us!

Jim

Pray for Pastor Paul!

On Friday, December 2, Paul Guay was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on a couple of vertebrae in his lower back. He had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible without endangering the spinal cord or fluid, and to install steel rods to provide strength and stability where the bones are damaged. The surgery was successful and Paul is feeling remarkably well.
He will be hospitalized for about a week, then to physical therapy. When he is able (3 weeks?) he will begin radiation treatments to attack the remainder of the tumor. Paul has had cancer (salivary glands) twice but has been cancer free for a few years. For obvious reasons, Paul will no longer be able to travel to Russia with us in a few weeks. He will be missed! Please pray for his full recovery!

Gearing up!

Our visa applications are in the mail! We're gearing up for another Christmas season of serving in the Tambov region of Russia.  Jim, Jen, and Megan will leave for Winter Camp on December 29, 2011.  Paul and Todd will join us on January 4, 2012, for Immanuel's Child outreaches.  Below, we've posted the team video from last year's trip. It will give you a good idea of some of the ways that we will be serving when we return!  We will miss having Larry and Rader along for this year's trip.  New additions to the Christmas team (but not new to Russian ministry) are Paul Guay and Todd Sawyer.  Thanks for praying for the preparation process and the many who will hear about the love of Jesus Christ for the first time!