The past few days have been such an adventure…we haven’t even had the time to update this blog on time 🙂
On Wednesday at the orphanage, a group of musicians came to play for the children and teach them a bit about different instruments and sounds. The children had a blast! After the children’s dinner, we took them to a park nearby and had a group kicking around a soccer ball and a group picking flowers and making “flower crowns” for the girls. While there, we learned a few Russian games that the children love to play.
On Thursday, we were able to go back to the “baby orphanage” and had such an awesome time with the kids. They were significantly more open and comfortable with us, and that made it so much more special to simply love on them as much as we could. The kids were just as sad to say goodbye as we were, but we are excited to go back next Tuesday! At the orphanage, the younger children had a chalk drawing contest while the older kids played some fun games like Uno and Jenga, and played a unique question game that allowed for exponential growth and openness with our team. While playing that game, one of the boys, German, said “Wow, you’re just like me”, and that lead to an amazing conversation about his life and struggles.
Now Friday was an altogether amazing day for a completely different reason. I was able to spend my 22nd birthday here in Russia with my team, and I could not have had a better day. Not only did my team sing to me at midnight, Marina and Ksusha (one of our translators) decorated the church with balloons, signs, and stickers. Marina also gave me the most beautiful bouquet of my favorite flowers! After dinner, we not only had a traditional Russian birthday dessert, but they also made me a birthday cake with candles! I have never felt so spoiled and so loved than I did by these amazing people who have quickly turned into my family. It made me miss home more than I did the entire trip, but I honestly could not have been given anything greater that what my “Russian family” gave me here 🙂
Today was a fun day of sight-seeing and new experiences for us! We toured the Kremlin fortress in the morning, and in the afternoon we went to a Russian Veteran memorial service to celebrate the victory of World War II. While there, we were able to give flowers to five Veterans, and Robyn was able to give a small speech to honor their service! This evening, we were able to experience a “banya” – a Russian bath house with steam rooms, ice baths, and “super team bonding”. Lastly, tonight while some of us ventured to a McDonald’s, the rest of the team went to Novgorod’s best cafe and enjoyed the best ice cream and lattes we’ve undoubtedly ever had!
Thank you all so much for your encouragement that you’ve been leaving on our blogs. We have been able to read them pretty consistently and we LOVE hearing from our friends and family! Please continue to pray for the children and teens we are working with, especially as we head into the last week we will have with them. Please also pray for revitalization within ourselves, good health, and above all to follow after Jesus in every situation. We love and miss you all!
– written by Megan 🙂 (Russia B Team)
Beautifully said, Megan. We are so thankful that all of you are doing well, staying healthy, and experiencing and enjoying the Russian culture. It is awesome to hear how the kids are responding to you with such positive responses – you are obviously doing a great job in loving those kids. Kudos to all! Meg: Mitch had a great time today with StarKids. To the person who took the picture of Megan on her birthday, thank you!
Awesome up dates! Thank you for allowing us to travel this extraordinary journey with you guys! We love the pic’s and can hardly wait to see and hear the personal stories when you get home! Until then we will continue to pray for safety, strength and health for the team and that God will continue to bless your time together! We love and miss you Sammy!! 🙂
Love Mom and Dad XXXOOO
PS Remember who you are and what you stand for and don’t forget to ………. Hahaha
Thank you Megan for writing such a wonderful run down of your days. I was very glad to see the birthday pictures cause I could see my Lindsey. Dad and I are praying for you every day and I have such a peace about not talking to you that I know God is blessing your time away. Just know that you will have to set and tell us EVERYTHING. We went to Jills graduation party last night and everyone was asking if we had heard from you. They are all praying also. Jills party was country theme. Very fun. And by the way I had to dead head the roses but I paid myself 25 so its good, lol. Love you sweetie and can’t wait to huggggggg. Mom
That’s my Girl. Go Alyssa. Miss you, Love you! Mom and Dad!
Megan, the weather was pretty warm this weekend…we got the garden planted (finally!). Mom and I leave to Colorado Wednesday to visit cousin Mark and the rest of the gang. Was hoping Shiela would come but she has to stay home with Irene and Phil. Michele really misses you and she has been sleeping in your room, either that or her room is too dirty (LOL) Love you and miss you Dad, Mom, and MitchyVitch
Hey Meggers<3
I'm glad to see you're doing so well there. I can't even fathom the journey your heart is on! All the Revivers miss you, and the hangouts are simply not the same without you. I'm glad you had a great birthday. 🙂
Some of our updates: Kaylor and Em's wedding was beautiful, and I def cried like a baby. Haha. Lauren and I discovered that we're line dancing maniacs, and are certainly planning on teaching you! Hailey and I bonded a bit, which I think you'd like to hear. I cut my hair even shorter (I know, I'm crazy), which reminds me: I saw in your pic that your hair is getting so long! ???????? (beautiful)! 😉 Today is my and Molson's last day of finals and school, and we couldn't be more stressed, overtired (thanks to the gang), and revealed that it's almost over (pray we do well)! I'm caving in to your suggestion of talking with Russ tomorrow, and I have a good feeling about it. Praying for spiritual growth!
We all love you so much and are continuing to pray for you. And we are waiting until you get your bum back here to put to action certain fun hangout ideas that we have come up with. 🙂 Enjoy every second you have in Russia, and don't worry about home. We'll always be here!
Sorry this comment is wayyy heavy Russia team. I mishh my best friend. 🙂
Love, Em
Hi Megan,
Happy Belayed Birthday! How wonderful that you got to spend it in an amazing place, wth wonderful children and loving people. You have a gift to give, and you do give, willinly to others. Always take a selfish moment for yourself, take care of you, so that you can continue to do the work you love. Sending you energy with love, Linda
Hello my beautiful friend!!! And her amazing team!!
So I just figured out I could leave you comments! I would have done this everyday if I knew lol but anyways… I miss you Megan!!! It’s been boring without you around! I hope that you are having an amazing time there! I’ve been praying for you friend! Can’t wait to see you, but until then I pray that during the last week you’re there that you will be even more of a blessing to those kids! And in that, that you will be blessed as well 🙂 love you Megan!!! And blessing to everyone on the team! Stay strong 🙂
Much love and prayer, Hailey
MEGAN!
I miss your face dude, I’m so glad that you and your team have this blog so i can keep up with your work and progress (and get to see pictures of your amazingness). I just wanted to say that I have been thinking of you constantly while you have been away and the more I think about it the more in awe I feel of what a great person you are. Being there for those kids even for the short period of time you have is an amazing gift that I’m positive they will remember forever. Knowing you, I’m sure they are all having a blast and feeding off your energy and love. I can’t wait for you to get back so we can catch up and you can tell me all the amazing stories that were too long to type (maybe over a HP/game night 🙂 ). I love you and miss you! In my heart always <3
Dani