Greetings again lovely friends and family!<\/p>\n
Our time at the Orphanage has been so much more than playing with and loving on kids. God has been doing some incredible things here in Russia! Friday was our last day at the orphanage and we all left with amazing memories and hopes for the kids. Our hearts were broken while we were there. We are trying to piece together what the experience has meant personally, for each one of us. One thing we know is that these kids really impacted us and touched our lives. We were so glad to have worked with them and although we were so sad to leave them, we are looking forward to working at the disabled camp the next two weeks.<\/p>\n
Thursday was a really hard day for me (Jessica) as I got an optical migraine at the orphanage. I have been getting headaches a lot and would love continued prayer for our team\u2019s health. It was extremely frustrating not to be able to go to the orphanage on Friday and say good-bye to my kids. It broke my heart to know that they were next door and I couldn\u2019t see them one last time. However, I know that this experience at the orphanage is one that I will treasure forever. I really appreciate the help of the nurses, doctors, and translator, as well as your prayers.<\/p>\n
I, Ashley, had a very hard time the first two days. I was not allowed to interact with my kids when we were outside and was told to leave them alone. I often felt helpless and saw their need for love and attention and it hurt me to not be there for them. But it was in those moments that God covered them, as well as me, with His overwhelming love and joy and peace. I realized that covering them in prayer was the best thing I could do for them. We loved as best as we could every chance we had, but we know that God\u2019s love surpasses all human understanding and we have seen with our own eyes how He loves His children; it is so evident in their smiles and their joy despite everything they have gone through. The orphanage really confirmed in all of us a desire to devote our lives to serving children and the less fortunate. We have been so blessed by all of you; our loved ones back home, as well as these children and the people of Russia. God has continually opened our eyes and our hearts to the brokenness in all of us. Thank you for your continued support, we are so thankful!<\/p>\n
\u201c Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever\u2026\u201d (Ephesians 3:20-21)<\/p>\n
~Team RU <3<\/p>\n\n\t\t