Priviet from Novgorod!!!
We’ve arrived safely, after an. . . interesting, and very exciting journey. We had lots of thunder and lightening on Saturday night, and it continued to rain and storm off and on during the day on Sunday, which made the drive exciting.
We are staying at a church that is very close to the TB Children Center, which is a blessing. Our commute time to the sight is about 5 minutes, whereas with the HIV Baby Orphanage, it was about an hour.
It’s Monday night here, and we just completed our first day of VBS with the kids at the Children’s Center. The kids are fun, and very outgoing! Overall, the day went really well. We did some crafts, and taught the kids some American games. The kids taught us some Russian ones, too. We are all looking forward to getting to know the kids even more, and to learning more Russian.
Please be praying for Rachel and Brittany, who have been sick for the past couple of days, and were not able to join us today at the Children’s Center. Also, pray that the rest of us will remain healthy. Please be praying that we would be able to communicate effectively with the kids, despite the language barrier.
Thank you all for your continued support!!!
Love, SPU Russia Team
Hope Rachel and Brittany perk up soon and the rest of you manage to escape coming down with anything. Sounds like the first day of VBS was a success. Continued good luck.
Hey Bethany, Natalie, Emily and Team 🙂
I hope you are all doing well. I remember the almost halfway through feeling and I wanted to let you know that during our trip, that it is okay to process those feelings so that when you do return home, you are better able to process the things you felt, saw, and experienced. Prayers going out your way for healing, strength, and for God to break any communication barriers that exsist. Can’t wait to hear stories when you return!
Rediet (From team Rwanda)
Laura
Hope you all stay well, and pray that Brittany and Rachel feel lots better soon.
So pleased that your first day with the kids went well.
Can’t wait for the many stories when you return. You are such a great story-teller, Laura.
We are all thinking of you often.
Love,
Mom, Dad, Ben and Indy
RACHEL!!! i hope that your sickness has passed! you can stuff tissue up your nose like i do. it doesnt really work but it helps for some reason. anyways, do work! i am now able to comment on stuff. i have been following this whole time but didnt know i could comment. anyways for realz, keep blesssing lives! i miss you and love you with all my heart!
Brittany and Rachel, get well soon. We are all praying for your health and that God would strengthen you so you can bless those children with His love. Wish there was more that I could do, but I know that God is the ultimate caretaker.
Hi Mary Ann!
I love you and am glad you seem to be enjoying your newest adventure. I love seeing the pictures and getting the updates.
Eric and I went to the Oakland Zoo on Saturday, and we were talking about you to a docent. She was very excited about what you are doing. and what you have done, and stated that “it’s people like your daughter who will change the world!”
I hope that Rachel and Brittany are better, and that you and the rest of the team stay healthy!
I love you Beautiful!
Mary Ann!
I didn’t know I could contact you this way! Well, here’s how much I miss you….I just spent the last 70 minutes making a collage from the pictures of you from this blog. Keep in mind…I’m still at work.
I’m really glad you look so happy and healthy in all the pictures I’ve seen. I’m sure you’re effectively spreading the love God’s given you to all those kids. Your trip-mates are lucky to have you along.
I’m lucky to have you as a friend.
Love,
~Josh
Hey Hil! its Rachael 🙂 It looks like you are having a wonderful time in Russia and God really seems to be using you and your team! What an exciting opportunity to love on those kids. I will be praying for you daily and hope to hear all about the trip when you get back, call or email me please! Love you girl and feel so blessed to have you in my life.
Love from back home,
Rachael Joy
HILS!!!
I am loving being able to get updates from what you guys are doing! It seems like you have been such a blessing to the kiddos you are getting to spend time with, and I’m sure they will all miss you very much! I am so excited to keep seeing what God has in store for you all! Keep loving and trusting Him! Love you so much and I am always praying for you safety and for your strength!
Much love,
Molly 🙂
Hey Hily and Russian mission’s group,
Just got your email Hil – thank you! We are so proud of all of you and your service to our King! So glad to hear that you are loving the experience at the TB orphanage and that you all are able to talk to the kids, both older and younger about life and eternal issues. Also, way to love them all! We’ll continue praying for health and for unity.
God’s blessings!
Love, Mom and Dad (Sally and Tim)
Laura!!!!!
I miss you OH SO VERY MUCH! And I am keeping up with your trip daily! I love ALL the pictures and your cute emails! I can’t wait to hear even more when you get back! Love to you!!
Kaitlyn 🙂
Hi there Mary Ann,
Your Mom shared your letter about what you’ve been up to in St. Petersburg, and it sounds like you’ve been doing some very good (albeit hard) work with the orphans. I hope to hear all about it when you get back home. Enjoy and have a terrific time!
Much Love to you, Eric
Hi Mary Ann,
It was great to get your email and hear so much of what’s going on. What a great experience! I love you! Have a great day!
Love, Mom
PS I got a haircut. 🙂
Hil,
Yay, I just read your e-mail and love that you are having such a fulfilling time in Russia. I miss you here at home but this last week my family came to visit so I wasn’t around the house much. Thunderstorms in Russia sound epic!!!! You all are making an impact you cannot possibly imagine and you will be remembered long after you leave for the love and joy you have brought and will continue to bring to so many lives. Remember that it is all about love for others but also make sure you are loving each other on the team in that way as well, I know all of you are going to be great at that and I pray that you have no more stomach issues. Take care of yourselves and rest when its needed. I love you!!!
Tiff