Today was a "flex" day. We were scheduled to go to a boarding school but the site cancelled. Instead we got to go into a home that had previously been visited by interpreters from Mercy Ministries. It was a very humbling experience and honoring at the same time, to be let in to someone's home. The Russians always provided great hospitality and enjoyed our company, as we did theirs. I had prayed before the trip for divine appointments where team member's could share their testimonies. It was in these "home visits" that this prayer was answered! This morning at the last minute, I was moved from one small group to another. It turns out that God had a plan and was in control! The lady I had switched with, went to a house where her testimony fit so similar with the woman in the house! So that was encouraging to hear.
My group went into a house with a mother who had 3 kids and also had a few of their cousins living there. Her husband was out trying to find a new place for the family to live. Their flat had 2 rooms from what I could see: a kitched area and a living area/bedroom. Since we only had one interpreter with us, we did struggle with a language barrier. We were unsure of their religious views or walks. One of our team members though was able to engage in a really meaningful conversation with the mother. Tim and I tried communicating with the children but it was very difficult. There was an answer to prayer though! Before leaving the house, we prayed with the family; especially for them to find a new place to live quickly. A day or two before we left Russia, Mercy Ministries notified us that the family had found a new place to live! God is good!!
Here's a picture of a building of "flats" that I typically saw in Vladimir.
After leaving this family, we went on to have lunch and an older couple's home. This lunch truly touched me. The couple were in their 70's. The cutest couple. They actually had became new believers through their grandchildren. It was neat just to hear that even though this couple was older, they still were presented the Gospel through their own family members! They served us an amazing lunch. They showed us pictures of their baptism and of their family. They told us that one of their joys was singing so the husband and wife sang for us! He had just turned 70 so he was holding up his birthday card.
On a random note....on the way home, our van passed a wild strawberry stand so Jaye and I decided not to pass up the opportunity for fresh fruit! These were probably some of the best strawberries I have ever had!
This afternoon, we visited the Center of Social Help from Families and Children. There were about 60 children. We were expecting to be able to meet with families there but instead we just met with the children. The ages ranged. Our team sang some songs for them. Our small group ended up having 29 children that ranged in age from 12 to 17. We were not expecting so many children in such a little space of room. We were able to play a bunch of games with them. It was neat how the language barrier was no hinderance when it came to having fun. I nervously shared the gospel bead bracelet at this site. It was God who gave me the words to speak and boy did He bring me out of my comfort zone! Another answer to prayer! Following our time with the children, the director of the facility graciously offered us tea and coffee...to my surprise we had this privilege at many of the sites we visited!
Later that evening, we returned to Vladimir and we were able to go to a service at the Emmanuel Church. It's very interesting to go to a church service when you can't understand a single word of what the pastor is saying!
That concludes another day of ministry in Russia!
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