News from the Russia Short Term Mission Trip

Russia Update #8 - We are back!
The team arrive back over the next few weeks at various times. First back were David and Jon. Make some time to catch up with them and hear how it went first hande. I know David spent the three days he had in Australia, before going to NZ for a week, drinking coffee at every coffee shop in Tuggeranong with somebody. David also wrote a an account of his journey which I have attached. Get a couple of quiet minutes and read about his journey, it will be the best thing you read this week. Steven
Attachment: Russia.docx

Russia Update #7 - Heading home.
They have said there final good bye's and driven out of camp. They drove back to Vyborg were they had breakfast in a local cafe and then boarded the train back to Finland. They cleared customs out of Russia and headed on the train back to Helsinki. From there they all go separate ways and arrive back in Australia over the next month.

Lots of photo's on the Russia2007 web page of their return trip.
http://webcaddy.com.au/Russia2007

David reported mixed emotions on leaving. Glad to be coming home but sad to be leaving. He said, "experiences like this challenge many things you thought were important". It seems that you get about as much as you give on these short term trips. It will be good to catch up with them all and hear how God has impacted them as well as how He impacted the children and staff.

Continue to pray for these guys as they make their way back to Australia. Be praying for the children, staff and translators. May the Holy Spirit continue to work in their lives. May others be brought across their paths to continue to share God's love with them.

Regards, Steven Mogg

Russia Update 6 - Getting ready to leave camp.
They are just entering their last day in camp. They are very busy fitting in every last bit of energy and time. They have built many relationships and the Holy Spirit has been moving across the camp. It is going to be hard to say good bye. Keep praying that they can leave well. That they will challenge the children to consider God's love and the good news that Christ died to set them free.

Rick enjoyed his time with the children throwing boomerangs. Just as in Australia, boomerangs and trees don't mix well together. Looks like he has a few broken specimens there. I am sure it was great fun though. Visit Russia web site to see a photo of Rick and his boomerangs. http://webcaddy.com.au/russia2007

Pray for the team as they leave the camp and travel back to Finland. They are debriefing at the camp before they depart as once they start moving they are all heading in different directions.

Russia Update 5 - New kids on the block
The children are changing over in the camp today. It is hard to say goodbye to them all. Bibles have been given out to the youngest of them and some staff. God has really blessed the time they have had with these children and camp staff. An answer to all our prayers.

Please pray for that Katya will agree to the Christian Orphanage transition program. This needs to be a real God thing. Also pray for her partner, Dima. I wish I could make more sense of this but have had to basically just fill in the letter from the txt I received today. I am not sure who Katya and Dima are or even what the transition program is. Just must be important. So please pray for it and enable God to do the rest.

This update is sponsored by David Wakeling, please hold David especially in our prayers over the next few days.

Russia Update 4 - The frozen banana
They sound like they are having a great time over there. Very busy, enjoying themselves and making an impact. Rick has apparently broken a tooth while eating a banana. It is hard to imagine how you could do that on a banana, I can only assume that it is very cold there and the fruit must be frozen solid. Obviously not Queensland bananas, actually they are from Ecuador, they must grow them tough there. Anyway he is holding out to see a Finish dentist rather than a Russian dentist. I thought it sounded like he wanted some adventure. He should see the Russian dentist, and then he will have some stories to tell.

Rick is happy though as he has found some bloke stuff to do. There is a picture on the web site. Looks like he is fixing a bed but I am open to your suggestions as to what he is really doing. They celebrated the longest Day with a party at 11PM (still in bright sun light), which they put on for the camp staff. Singing Russian songs in preparation for following day’s war anniversary.

David has introduced Australian culture to the interpreters who are loving vegemite and most importantly the Aussie sense of humour. The kids are picking up how to kick an AFL footy. Sounds like we might have some developing talent for a local team. The holy spirit is also very active at the Polyteknik. The camp staff are delighted with what the team is doing and are very supportive and positive towards them. They have allowed them to hand out literature to the children, which is a real answer to our prayers. They ran the dental health program for the Children which went fine. Not sure if Rick was involved in that  The only problem reported is that they are running out of wool for the French knitting. Rick is probably happy about that. The children are really enjoying the craft activities.

Continue to up hold these guys in prayer. We are really seeing the results of our prayers here. The team is so appreciative of our prayers because they see the impact it is having. It is not in their strength that these things happen but in our collective effort through prayer. What a blessing that God invites us to be part of spreading His salvation to all nations.

Almost forgot. This update is sponsored by Jenny Armstrong. Lets hold Jenny especially in our prayers over the next few days as she leads this team.

Russia Update 3 - Pictures on Web Page
Jenny says the team is going really well. There are a few sniffles and runny noses. They went to church on Sunday and heard both a Russian and Finnish sermon. I know some of the best sermons I have heard have been in foreign languages I couldn't understand. That may sound funny but surprisingly it is amazing what you hear from God when there are not a lot of words getting in the way. Jenny said it was a great taste of heaven when all nations will be represented and praising God.

I have also loaded some pictures to the web site so surf on over and check them out at:

http://webcaddy.com.au/russia2007

They include some pictures of craft, ball games and a classic of Rick and David french knitting on their bunks. Rick wonders why the 888 Team guys got to play with Tractors while he is french knitting. I guess some people are just lucky.

Continue to pray for them all over there. Especially for runny noses. That the relationships that are forming will run deep over the next week. I think I will sponsor each update with one of the team from now on. This news update is sponsored by Karen Green so let’s hold her up especially in prayer over the next few days.

Regards,
Steven

Russia Update 2 - They are in camp
The team has arrived safely at the camp. Apparently it is a really great camp according to Jenny. Jenny has been over a number of times she would know. There are about 200 very friendly children who are happy to see them arrive.

The translators are also excellent. So that is a real answer to our prayers. Continue to pray for the translators as they have a vital role in what the team is doing and how effective they can be.

The program is starting today. So be in prayer for the team as they put into practise all there preparation and plans. Pray that they rely on Gods leading and remain flexible as He pours out His amazing love on those children.

Russia Update 1 - The Russia 2007 trip is off and running.
They have made it safely to Helsinki and are preparing for the train trip. The first big praise point is that Jenny Johns house was spared in the Hunter storms. The two branches fell at Jenny's house in Newcastle during the storm landed between the house and the fence. The trains are still not operating, but she was able to get on a bus to get down to the airport.

The interpreters on the trip are Lisa Zavgorodneya, Olga Agapova, Igor Bogomol. Please be praying for them, that they will interprete well and respond tot he message themselves.

Forward this to anybody you know who would be interested and invite them to join the list. Only about ten on this list so far.

Russia 2007 Mission Trip
Please visit the Russia 2007 Web site now and sign on to the news list. The trip is a bit over two weeks long and has much better communications than the Ethiopia trip so we are expecting to be able to keep pretty close contact hopefully. News will be posted to the web site and sent out on the Russia2007 list. Bookmark the site so you can get back and visit regularly.
http://webcaddy.com.au/russia2007/
Steven Mogg