Hello again from Team Russia. We have had an eventful couple of weeks since our last post – our first 3 week camp session came to a close, we visited Moscow (or Mockba, in Russian), and started our second and final 3 week camp session.
It was very difficult to say goodbye to the kids from the first session. We grew to love them all a lot during the weeks we spent with them, and shared a lot of tearful goodbyes on the last day. We are grateful for the relationships we formed with the kids and counselors in the first session and the love that has been extended both ways, even despite the language barrier.
Last weekend (July 6th to July 9th) we had a vacation to Moscow! On our way there, we visited the city of Cherepovets and hung out with our Russian friends, the camp counselors and workers who are our age. They saw us off in an awesome way, sprinting along with the train as it left, and we got to sleep overnight on the train to Moscow! On our first day, we saw the Kremlin and walked around Red Square, and stayed in a hostel for the night (which was right down the street from a McDonald’s – so of course, we had to indulge in late-night American ice cream!). Our second day started off with a picnic in a park while watching battle re-enactments, visiting The Great Patriotic War Museum (World War II) which was extremely interesting and beautiful, and once again seeing Red Square. Although we missed seeing Lenin’s tomb, we had the wonderful opportunity to see the gorgeous St. Basil’s Cathedral, which was one of our favorite parts of the trip.
After a fun train ride back to Cherepovets, we met the new kids and have been enjoying getting to know them over the past week. We have two weeks left here, and are looking forward to forming more relationships, dancing at the discos, having bonfires, swimming in the river (especially as the weather has warmed up), and seeing the talented kids perform at their concerts. We are also very excited for our trip to St. Petersburg after camp: we will have a few days to sightsee, attend a church service, see a Russian ballet (Swan Lake!), and a few days to work on a service project.
We ask for prayers for energy and good health, and to finish strong in our last few weeks. We are blessed to be a blessing, and see God everyday in the work we’re doing here, and know He is also watching over the other deputees all over the world and our families and friends back home.
Cheers and YORO (You only Russia once!)*,
Team Fab – Russia – Justine, Kathryn, Mackenzie, Thomas, Rebekah, and Tore
*We cannot guarantee the accuracy of this motto, as we all would love to come back to Russia!