A few more smiles~

                           

Slow connections...more pictures as we can get them to you!

WEEKEND ADVENTURES~

                                                                                                                        

                

1 Corinthians 16:13-14  Watch, stand fast in the faith, 

be brave, be strong. 

 Let all that you do be done with love.

This past weekend Andrei, myself, and 10 others (which included 8 young adults from various local churches) visited an orphanage about 5 hours outside of Moscow in Bezhetsk.  It was truly an outstanding trip.  It was so good to see the children again and they were excited to to have us back.  It was such an encouragement to see the youth from different churches plan and implement games, activities, and skits that teach God's Word.  Andrei was able to step right in and become part of the team.  His understanding of God's Word, ability to communicate with the leaders, and interact with the children made him an asset to the group.  With all the games, activities, and even teaching, the thing they responded to the most was the love of Jesus shown to them through each of us.  God opened the door for me to share with the older children from the Bible about David and his faith. It was through that faith and relationship with God that he was able to do the impossible when he slew Goliath. I conveyed to them that the same God wants to do the impossible for each one of them. 

The next night they were able to hear about, see, and touch a living miracle-one they could all relate to.  As I shared how God miraculously brought Andrei and our family together, they listened intently as I compared Andrei's situation to theirs.  Even with their personal situation of living in an orphanage, God's love for them is great and He is providing for all of their physical and spiritual needs.  In the end, many came to the front of the room to show their outward desire to have that same kind of relationship that David had with God.  Please join us in praying for these children, especially the older ones.  We praise the Lord for blessing, encouraging, and using us to touch these children with His love.  

While we were enjoying our time in Bezhetsk, Roz stayed behind to spend some time with three of our guys, Misha H., Misha N., and Egor G.  They also had a great time together in spite of a couple of them fighting colds.  They worked on some projects, played some games, went for a couple of long walks in the beautiful snow fall, and simply were blessed to be able to spend time together.  We praise God for the continual opportunities to share the love of Christ with some of the ones that used to live with us.  The boys left with grateful hearts, asking what our plans are for next weekend!  Praise the Lord!  

Please join us in praying for this coming weekend as we travel to Plavsk and the orphanages in that area.  Pray the Lord will open the doors for us to be able to get in to see the children and we would redeem the time for Him.  May we be ministers of His grace as we go in Jesus' name.

Praise the Lord, Sarah received her passport and exit visa without any problems. Thanks to Skymiles, she was able to inexpensively fly to the US for her new visa.  This saved the expense of one of us having to go with her had she gone to another country.  God's hand clearly directed the planning process and allowed her to meet up with John-David this past weekend for a BIG surprise visit to Roz's Dad in South Carolina!  On their way back from there, they were able to drop in and visit their dear Aunt Sarah and one of Roz's cousins. Thankfully, today Sarah received her letter of invitation for her new visa. She has mailed it in and is now waiting for it to be processed.  During this waiting time, she is able to be with some dear friends and their young children to encourage them while she, too, is encouraged! Please join us in praying for her visa and that all will go according to the Lord's perfect will.