One week of ministry has ended with immense enthusiasm, while another waits. The first week at the TB Center encompassed the establishment of our Olympics theme, which involved having the children make Olympic rings, which were then hung up around the activities room. We also built up joy and excitement among them through a number of outside games, including relays and some of their own games graciously taught to us. Accompanying the Olympic theme came Biblical lessons dealing with the Creation account and the story of King David. Because of the limited attention span of the younger kids (which encompass the majority of children at the center), we came prepared with many craft ideas to eat up time. The children responded with gusto to the opportunity to make crowns to wear, just like King David. And honestly, we enjoy craft time quite a bit as well.
But our focus is of course not solely on the younger kids. Three members of our team, Joey, Melanie, and David, have been specifically speaking to the older children in the TB Center, ranging from ten to seventeen. While the younger ones tend to openly jump into our arms and participate with enthusiasm, getting the older kids to open up has proven to be a bit more of a challenge. However, our three persistent team members have done an exceptional job reaching out to these young adults, expressing their willingness to give them attention and love. In the older sessions, topics such as peer pressure have been addressed, while the team has also taken time to play some “ice-breakers” to get them to open up a little more. And while certain teens from troubled backgrounds still try to pull away from fully engaging, progress is being made and we trust God to continue to open up their hearts.
All in all, it is incredible to think that we have only spent five days playing hot potato, making bracelets, chasing rambunctious balls of energy, teaching our favorite Bible stories, and, most importantly, just giving these children the love they need. Too many of these young ones come from a troubled background. As we learn their stories, it breaks our hearts because we know that not a single child in this center deserves anything less than complete affection. It is frustrating to think that they come from such sorrow, as we know how incredible each one is. It is amusing to think that such strong emotions and attachments have developed after only a week! But that is what makes us so excited to spend another week ministering to these youth. The following week will include special delights such as a trip to an amusement park as well as a boat ride. We hope and pray that the excitement and fun does not diminish, but only gets more powerful!
It pains us to know that after this week we will have to say our goodbyes to these wonderful people who we already love so much. But we trust that God’s influence will not cease in the clinic. We pray that these young ones remember us long after we leave, but more importantly that they never relinquish the knowledge of Christ’s love. We see our powerful Savior doing incredible things and we know He will continue what he has started in these young hearts. As always, we implore you all to keep us in prayer as we not only engulf in a new week of fun adventures, but also deal with what is sure to be a difficult farewell. But please take heart when we say that the positive influences we have on these children, as well as how much they impact us, far outweigh the sorrow and we are all thrilled in regards to this stupendous ministry we have found ourselves involved in. Thank you all for your enormous support and please continue to pray for continual growth and safety throughout this final week. May God bless you tremendously as you await our joyous return with lots of stories and jubilee!
On a final note, we would like to wish “Happy Father’s Day” to all of our dads! Thank you for your love and support throughout all of our successes and failures. We pray that this day brings you great joy and comfort in hearing of our safety and success. God bless and have a wonderful day!
Vanguard Team, written by Vasili
Our prayers are constantly with you guys–so awesome to hear about God touching lives through all of you! While I know it isn’t always fun and games, hang in there–for a lot of these kids you are the only “Jesus” they may have ever met (and may ever meet). It matters…
Keep up the good work Dave! Love and miss you — Dad
So happy to hear from all the great things the Lord has allowed you all to be involved in during this time in Russia. Keep us and know we are praying without ceasing. Love you!
Great and wonderful emotions are filling your hearts and lives, and those sweet young (and older) children you are ministering to. It has truly changed all of your lives. What an amazing time for all. And what a thrill to see all of your sweet faces. Kasey darlin, we miss you so so much and are awaiting your return to hear of your adventures. You are doing a magnificent job and we can see it on all of your faces. Our prayers go with you all. We are holding you close in our hearts!!! xoxoxoxo
Very inspiring news about the first week, really love the picture with all the kids. Chelsea, today is going to be a bit different being it is my first Father’s day since you have been born without you being with me. I know that I am just your temporary father anyway, your permanent Father, our loving God, has got to be very proud of you and all of the others for the service you are all doing in His name. I know this Dad is very, very proud. Can’t wait to see you all next Sunday and hear all the stories. Love ya, Dad.
I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU. IT IS AN AMAZING JOURNEY THAT ALL OF YOU ARE ON. I WISH I COULD BE WITH YOU! DOING GOD’S WORK IS SO FULFILLING. I LOVE THE PICTURES OF ALL OF YOU. KASEY – I MISS YOU ALOT. I HAVE WANTED TO CALL YOU WHILE YOU HAVE BEEN IN RUSSIA. I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU EVERYDAY. KEEP REACHING OUT TO THE OLDER CHILDREN – THEY NEED TO KNOW THEY ARE LOVED. I AM SENDING YOU MY LOVE AND GOD’S BLESSINGS ON YOU AND YOUR MISSION. AUNT LORI SENDS HER LOVE AND PARYERS TOO. AUNT MARJ
Laila, I pray that you and your wonderful teammates have plenty of energy to last during this second week of camp. And I pray that God continues to bless you all in all sorts of ways. I am praying for your safety every day, as well as good spiritual, physical, and emotional health. I love you!
You guys are doing awesome work! So proud of you representing Vanguard, but mostly our Lord in that beautiful country! Your smiles and love will never be forgotten there. We are keeping you in prayer!
What great pictures of you all! Keep them coming this week! Great memories you all are making and for such a good cause….something to be very proud of doing. Good Job!! Kasey, you are loved and prayers every day for you and your team! Just got off the phone with Aunt Marj and she said to tell you she loves you bunches. Keep up the good work. 🙂 xoxoxoxo Aunt Lori
All of you are making a difference in the lives of all the people you have touched. As time is winding down, just remember God is with you and He will always be there with the children too.
Praying you are filled with the Holy Spirit as you water the seeds by sharing God’s word & love to all the precious people.
Keep up the good work everyone!
Hugs to all of you!
Chelsea & Kasey miss you and love you!
Hey Vanguard! I was just in Novgorod with Cal Baptist just a few weeks ago 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 (like Russia, for example).
PS: Lots of love to Marina, Ksyusha, Sean, Valya, Olya, Alena, Vanya, and Mishka! ?????? ??????!
pretend I said “Fkoosnah pa’hniet”… the Russian letters didn’t work!