1.14.09 (Christina)

Today has been great. It is January 14th. We started out the morning by splitting in groups. Amy B, Amy, and Ben all went to Horny Krupa again. They had an awesome time of hanging out with the students and learning some awesome things. After their time there, they went sledding with some of the students at the school. They told us they had a lot of fun just fellowshipping with the students. The rest of the team went to a city called Melech. We took a 15 minute bus ride into the country and arrived at the school. The kids started greeting us from the windows of the school building! It was fun to see their excitement upon our arrival. We split up into our groups and started to teach grades of 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 9th. Tabitha, Adam, and Amber were feeling a lot better. They were able to come to the school with us and enjoyed interacting with the kids. After teaching very successful class sessions, we had lunch. Lunch was very fun. It consisted of having conversations with our teammates, having soup spill all over Josie, and watch kids walk in the room with just their long johns on. The little boys would look at some of us girls and just sigh or turn away. Their being shy was funny. I am positive they enjoyed our presence in the lunchroom! Praise God for hearts that are warming up to the “strangers” from America.
After lunch, there was some down time to go on the computers in the school. We enjoyed some time to ourselves. It was a low-key break. After break, ¾ of the group left to go back to the dorm. Ruth, Tabitha, Josie, Lauren, Lisa, Travis, and I stayed afterwards to make chocolate chip cookies and play card games with the 8th and 9th graders. They had so much fun! I was very grateful for that opportunity given to us. Half of us would bake cookies while the other half played UNO or Phase 10…then we would switch. It was fantabulous! The kids enjoyed baking the cookies and we would talk to them in English so they could learn better English conversational skills. After the cookies were made, and the kids had their fill, they copied down the recipe while we gave it to them in English. They asked for a picture and we had fun with that. The guys would joke around about eating the entire plate of cookies and informed us that they loved having us come and they wanted us to come again. Hearing those kind of things are always encouraging! God is good, and I am glad He provided an opportunity to bake and interact with the kids at that particular school!
We left the schools and took the bus back to the dorm. Having an hour worth of rest was rejuvenating for some. We went to dinner, and quickly rushed back to the hall to get ready for the coffee house with Russian and Czech students. We walked there and arrived safely. (Travis did not have a heart attack about getting lost in the small town, so that was great!) Upon arriving, we met some of the students of the Language class and we were greeted with many smiles. We were all split up, and even though we were in a very small space, we all had fun interacting with the youth and young adults. Some of the conversations we had were awesome! I was glad that I went into two different groups throughout the 2 hours of conversation. Even though there was an initial barrier of not understanding each other’s language, we made it through by writing, hand motions, and translators. God is so faithful in providing for translators and willing hearts, like Misha’s and Lyda’s. They are wonderful and we could not be doing so much without them! After some hearty and funny conversations with the youth, we headed out and had our typical team meeting. It was nice to sit down and relax and be able to pray as a team. Getting through the days is sometimes tiring, but once we are done…I always think: “I CAN do all things through Him who strengthens me.” He is our Rock and our Strength. What better Person/One and only God to rely on than our one and only Lord of all Lords, King of all Kings, Friend, Savior, Creator, and Father.
God has been faithful throughout this trip. We still need prayers for our teammate, Brandon who is very sick. We also need prayer for strength for the missionaries of Caleb’s Heart Ministry and for Misha, Lyda, and Irena who help so much. Irena is also sick. We can pray for her as well. Pray for us to remain strong in the Lord. Spiritual warfare is very real, and is evident. Pray that we will know that God is truly stronger than anything…and all we need to do is rely on Him and seek Him. Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout this month. God is good.
Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Thank you, Christina