CBU – St Petersburg: First day of camp!

An update from St Petersburg team, Russia A, team leader:

Yesterday was our first day working at the transit center and it exceeded our expectations! We arrived at 12:30 pm and the staff was so friendly and welcoming. It was nice to find out that our time here not only ministers to the kids, but it gives the staff members and teachers a welcomed break.

We were aware of the fact that the kids might be shy the first day, but we found just the opposite! We had around 20 kids participating and they were fully engaged in the skits, crafts and games…even the 17 year old boys. Our theme is the Olympics so we put the kids in teams representing different countries. They made nametags, flags and Olympic torches for crafts in their teams and we made an Olympic banner with their handprints in paint. The teams competed in “Olympic Games” of relay races which they loved. We also played dodgeball and some sitting games like cards. At the end of the day, we had the opening ceremonies of the Olympic where the teams paraded with their country flags and torches. Before leaving, we had a short debriefing session in 2 groups, kids under 12 in one and over 12 in the other. The team leaders asked what they like best about the day and also what other activites they would like to do with us over the next 2 weeks. We got some great answers and think that it helped to get buy in from the kids.

Today, we are starting with our first theme of “hope” and will have our first discussions with the kids so please pray for us as yesterday was all games and crafts. We will weave this theme into our skit and each group will have someone talk about their life weaving the theme of hope in as well.

We are enjoying our time here. Marina, Misha and Masha have been amazing hosts and have quickly become part of our team. After a few days of adjustment, all of the CBU students are doing well. They really connected with the transit center kids so quickly yesterday. One of the girls told Lennie that this is the most amazing experience of her life. Misha took us to a grocery store last night. I never thought that I would hear American young adults talk about how much fun they had after a 2 mile walk to go grocery shopping! – Maria

And a couple of thoughts from the student leader, Hailey:

Hey everyone its Hailey:) I just want to say that everyone is doing great and are all in great spirits:) It has taken awhile to get used to going to bed with it still being light out! Sleep masks have definitely come in handy:) The city is beautiful and filled with history everywhere you look! Yesterday was our first day at the transit center, and although we were all pretty nervous, it went great, and the kids recieved us with joy and happiness. We would love continued prayers with the language barrier and being able to build relationships with the kids. Looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses us and teaches us. Dasvedanya “goodbye”.