Having decided to take our Sabbath on Saturday, 
we began our day by catching up on some much needed rest. After a late breakfast, we headed to a local souvenir market to purchase gifts for our loved ones back home (and a few for ourselves, as well). Our team really enjoyed bargaining with the local vendors and immersing ourselves in the culture. We ate dinner at our favorite Russian café and enjoyed a relaxing evening of team bonding over popcorn.
Sunday marked the beginning of our last week of camp, this time consisting of seven consecutive days at the Transit Center (prayers are appreciated). We purposefully planned this so that we could celebrate Sasha’s birthday prior to her leaving for the orphanage on Monday. It was a bittersweet day, as many of the ladies on our team had developed a close bond with Sasha—Stephanie in particular. At one point, while Stephanie was comforting a tearful Sasha, Sasha said she wished Stephanie was her mother. 
This comment broke our hearts, as it seems unfathomable to us that these beautiful, intelligent, and wonderfully unique children are unwanted by their families and society.
Sasha’s absence was felt by all the next day, but had we cause for celebration as it was Jenya’s birthday, a little boy who turned nine. We watched Kung Fu Panda as a group and enjoyed chips and soda—a rare treat for the kids. It was another rainy day in St. Petersburg, so were unable to take the kids outside to the park afterwards, but we were able to play fun indoor games in the gym. It was funny to see many of the younger boys try to mimic kung fu moves. Later that evening we headed off to downtown St. Petersburg to get in some shopping at Lenta—the Russian version of Walmart. We were able to purchase gifts for the kids, which we will be distributing on Saturday, our last day at the Center.
Today we began a new lesson topic on respect with the kiddies. Stephanie, Shannon, Carley, and Lauren were able to have a really good talk with the older girls about what it means to respect others and our bodies. We were able to share various parts of our testimonies with the girls and deep conversation (a first!) resulted. The experience really rejuvenated our spirits and encouraged our ministry efforts. As a group, we designed tie-dye shirts, using the craft as an object lesson relating to respecting the difference in others. The kids really took pleasure in creating their own clothing.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to three more children—a family of two teenage girls and a young boy who are being sent to the orphanage. Pray that we would be able to send them off well, and that the seeds we planted would continue to be watered in their new home environment. Pray for the strength and energy to finish our time here well, and that the Father would continue to break our hearts for these children.
In Love, CBU Russia Team, written by Lauren and Stephanie
Hey Russia C! I was on Russia B and am so thankful for you all to be able to continue the Lord’s work through SunErgos. As you know, SunErgos is an absolutely amazing ministry and God is truly working greatly within it. I know this last stretch is hard, and I know I don’t have all the answers but I would love to share with you some advice and encouragement that really helped me through my own last few days of being there. 1) Don’t blink. Take everything in, take every opportunity, take every advantage. These last few days will go by in a blink of an eye and there’s nothing worse than looking back and feeling like you missed some great opportunities. 2) Stay focused on what and who is in front of you. It is so easy to think about home and the first food you are going to eat when you get home (in-n-out? jamba juice? pizza hut?) and what movie you are going to watch first (mine was Emperor’s New Groove)… but even thinking about those things and planning for those things will undoubtedly stray your focus from the children and friends God has placed before you, no matter how innocent it may seem. 3) WHAT YOU ARE DOING COUNTS. Don’t ever fall into the trap of thinking that what you are doing for these children is not going to matter, that three weeks doesn’t hold any lasting weight. Each and every one of you were hand chosen by God to serve on this mission of touching these children’s lives for a very specific and radical purpose. Through the power of God, YOU are changing lives. You may not be able to see the fruit of your labor, and maybe you will, but the beauty of our God is that you can completely trust in Him to reap the harvest and to carry these children forward. These precious children are held tightly in the hands of God, what better place is there for them to be? What you are doing will stay with these children for the rest of their lives. and 4) Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
You are all warriors! Go fight win!
Good Job to everyone. Keep up the good work. May God keep blessing you and all these children.
Praying for you guys!! I miss Russia and loved this update. Im curious what are the names of the kids that are leaving, the two girls and the boy. Just curious to see if they were with our group as well.
It is so good to hear that the kids are enjoying their time with you and that yall have been given many opportunities to share God’s love. I miss them all so much, my heart was truly left at that transit center. I was on Russia A with Jenny, and im curious too, was it vika, julia, and nikita who left?
I pray that you continue to take in all that God has taught you as you come back home.