Up to Camp in Yaroslavl, Now Back in Moscow

Hello!

Mission Accomplished! :-) We just arrived in Moscow, after a beautiful tour of Yaroslavl and 4-hour drive back down to Moscow. After such a great camp in Maloyaroslavets, we were wondering how it could get any better; but after this week at a camp in Yaroslavl similar to Honey Rock, we are blessed to announce a second great week of ministry. After some time of adjustment to the new camp setting, each of us enjoyed connecting with the kids and seeing the Lord sovereignly work. The Spirit was certainly at work, and it was exciting to see him build strong relationships. From morning exercises, to sports, to crafts, to time at the Volga River beach, to evening testimonies (from Danielle, Paige, Stan, and Brian), we made many little friends. We also felt a special connection with the teen and adult camp counselors. We will try to put pictures up as soon as possible.

Thank you for your prayers for health and safety! Everyone is healthy and, though a bit tired from the weeks of camp, are going strong. We said our goodbyes to the Triggs family tonight; they will head out for the airport in the morning. The rest of us are looking forward to a day to tour Moscow with our now good friend, Camila (our translator in Maloyaroslavets). We leave for home on Sunday!

Look forward to seeing you and talking to you all soon!

"Spakoinoi noche!" (Goodnight!)

a few more images from camp in Maloyaroslavets

We say goodbye to Maloyaroslavets and the children and camp workers we have grown to love. Pray with us for them in the days ahead--that God will use this camp to have a lasting impact on their lives.

We leave for Yaroslavl and I don't know when we will have a chance to update this blog again, so we'll see.

Thanks for praying for us.

God at Work in Kaluga Region

Lorraine and I had a chance tonight to visit with Alexei, our host pastor, tonight. This is our third camp with him--the first was 8 year ago, the second 4 years ago and now this one. Since 8 years ago, much has changed. He has a new church building today (and some of the team is sleeping in it). This is a big and wondrous achievement for them. There have been many challenges, but as he looks ahead, he is trusting God to do good things in this community. He is faithful.
When it comes to the summer camps, the camp directors and all of the counselors at this camp were campers at the camp 8 years ago. Many of them point to that camp as a pivotal event in their walk with God. What a great blessing for this to happen and for God to allow us to see Him working in this way.
Now, we must pray for the children at this camp--that in another 8 years, they might be counselors and leaders reaching another group of children.
The team continues to shine. As we come to the end of our first week, we are tired, but the kids and the workers are so great. We are blessed to be with them and we trust that God is blessing them through us. May it be so, we pray.

crazy hat day

Yesterday was crazy hat day--we had to make a crazy hat and wear it to lunch in order to be fed. It was fun and crazy.

a few prayer requests

Last night at dinner, the camp director asked us to pray that God would move in the hearts of the children, that there is a lot of questioning going on about eternal things. He also asked that we pray about some of the children and counselors who have come down with a sickness (some of us also have cold symptoms). He asked that we pray no one has to go home early because of illness.
We praise God for another fun-filled day with the children yesterday.
We are giving testimonies or a brief word each night this week. Monday was Brian and Paige. Tuesday was Dannie and Stan. Wednesday was Danielle and Nathan. Tonight is the Triggs family. Pray that our words and actions--both during that time and throughout the day--will speak to the children.
Also, pray for good weather in Yaroslavl. The forecase right now is for rain all next week. We take comfort in the fact that in Chicago the weatherman is wrong more often than right. But a full week of rain would make it tough on the counselors and us, as much of camp is planned for outdoors.

A few words about our days at camp

For our time in Maloyaroslavets, the day consists of two hours of crafts, two hours of sports, participating with the children in games, helping out in other ways (however and whatever they ask us to do), along with two of us giving brief testimonies in the evening program each night and also performing a skit or silly song. We also eat our meals with Pasha, the camp leader and a variety of other Christian workers/leaders.
We are staying in two locations. The Triggs family and all of the guys are staying at a newly built church in Obninsk, Russia. This church building has only been open about three weeks and they still have some finishing work to do. Just down a couple roads by car from the church is Pastor Alexei's home, where the girls are staying. We rise, get dressed and head for camp at 8:30 am, eat, work and be with the kids at camp until we return at about 11 pm or so.
Much thanks to everyone for your prayer support. I think the jet lag is not too bad, but it does hit folks at different times, though everyone is doing remarkably well!

Prayer and Praise

Praise God with us for the good start we've had here in Maloyaroslavets. Pray for continued strength and good health, for team creativity and unity and a growing bond with the national leaders and the children. Thank you for your partnership with us!