Recap of the last few days

We are not getting to update as often as we originally hoped, because our electronics are not connecting to the wifi at the university.  Tonight we have access to a computer all night long, so hopefully there will be plenty of updates for all of you. 

The missing bags were delivered on Sunday.  Only a few were clothing.  Most were supply bags that we could do without for a day or two.  Praise God for how quickly they did arrive. 

Sunday morning we were blessed to join a Russian/English congregation for worship.  The sermon was on Job, and to say the least all of us were impressed.  God definitely used this church to start our trip out right. 

After church, we spnet our first afternoon at the hospital.  The time there was spent getting to know the kids and seeing how many and what ages were there, as it changes often.  We used this information to prepare for VBS.  Most of the children at the hospital are young.  I think the oldest was 12.  The youngest was only a few months old. 

Yesterday (Monday) and today we spent mornings at the hospital and afternoons at the orphanage doing VBS.  It was my first experience working with a translator who has not planned with you, so I now appriecate how difficult this type of situation is on the teacher and the translator.  But despite our language barriers our time with the children was great.  Cameron taught the lesson on Monday over creation and it was quite theatrical at times to keep the young ones attention.  Chuck was privelaged to teach today.

For me there have been many aspects of the trip that weigh on my mind.  One, I see two little girls clearly.  Mesha, who has had someone close to her hurt haer greatly, and Lena, who i truthfully know nothing about.  Mesha smiles constantly and reaches out to any one who might show her affection despite her past. Lena is a little girl who sat in my lap and inmy arms while wild boys played all around and who said cheese every time I put a camera near her.  They weigh on my heart quite a bit.  They also remind me of a little boy from Guatemala who was my first experience with orphans and was who God used to ignite my passion wot work with orphans and others who are "undesired" by the world.  I pray that Lena and Mesha will impact me just as much as Danny first did and will be used to refuel me desire to work with children. I also pray that others on the trip will find their one child to fuel their care and prayers for orphans.

Other than this I have 2 prayer requests for you all.  First, the older boys at the orphanage.  During their lesson, they asked very hard questions.  They are obviously getting to an age where they need a "reasoned defense" of the faith.  In school they are taught so much that contridicts what we are telling them.  Please pray that they will continue to ask the questions they have.  Also pray that those who work with them consistantly will be prepared to answer them in a way that leads them closer to Christ.  Second, today the neeed to follw Christ was presented to the children today by Chuck.  Some of the children were very young, so the attentio span was not always there. Please pray that these children will take what they heard today and ponder it in their hearts.  Pray that they will ask question s if they do not understand and will grow in their love and understanding.    

Thanks so much for all your prayers.
Lisa