Russia - 2011

In many ways this trip started off bittersweet.

As a church we decided that this would be the last year that we would be supporting Lopuhinka, and making yearly trips. So honestly it was really hard getting excited for the trip. I knew that if I got excited the time would fly and then just like that - in the blink of an eye the trip would be over - and most likely the last time I get to see some of these kids this side of heaven - or ever. But God, who has a way of showing me up (I love that) would move in mighty mighty ways during our trip.

I'm going to go a little out of order with my pictures - just a friendly warning.

About a week - maybe less before our trip we got word that there would be considerably less kids at Lopuhinka than we were planning for. (We were told and therefore planned for 45 kids, and we were told they were only going to have 10 kids.) After speaking to the missions team Dee decided that it would be best if we go to an additional orphanage. If there truly were only 10 kids it would be one on one with them, and they would be ready for us to leave very quickly. I'll go into more about Lopuhinka in a later post - but this post is about Nikolsky - the second orphanage we visited.

When I heard we would be coming here my heart almost leaped out of my chest. Last year as an intern in Russia, one of the orphanages we went to was Nikolsky and I feel in love with all the kids there, but especially Dima. If I could have- I would have adopted him. There was also a little one named Nastia who had issues with soft bones, and then a little spitfire named Serosia, and don't get me started on little Sasha, who despite not having any teeth (all rotted out) had a smile that could light up a darkened city. I guess you could say I fell for all the kids there and you'd be right. . . but Dima for sure held it tighter than all the rest.

I was hopeful going back that I'd get to see him - but this is Russia after all and kids change, move, get adopted - no telling.

We got to Nikolsky and it was a while before I got to see the little ones. I was outside - looking longingly at their window - praying they would come out soon.

Then the joyous moment happened. They came out! First Serosia. I called his name and he RAN over and jumped in my arms. He started yelling at me in Russian asking if I remembered him and I told him of COURSE I remembered him!!! Then came Nastia. She'd grown up a LOT since last year - a lot taller. and while her arm still has a severe curve, and her legs still bowed - they didn't bow quite as much. I picked her up and hugged and kissed her, and then she just took my face in her hands and just looked at me.

The picture below is me holding both of them. I was actually carrying Nastia and then Serosia got jealous so of course I had to heft him up too. I don't know why I'm cracking up so much other than he CRACKED me up the whole time!

One of the days we were hanging out outside, Serosia grabbed a book (upside down mind you), plopped himself on my lap and started reading to me. And read he did!! So animated. He would get loud, and quiet, and put emphasis on different words. . .remember the book is UPSIDE DOWN. Then he turned the page and kept going. . . I didn't get a picture of it - but again - I was cracking up! So cute.

I asked the translator what he was saying, and she said he was talking nonsense - something about a queen, ball (dancing) and a horse. It was priceless. The picture is me listening intently to his story telling - pay no attention to the mass of grey hair!

If anyone reading this was in church on Sunday, Serosia was the one in Dee's story who said all good gifts come from God, even candy :)



By this point - I'm sure you're waiting with baited breath for pictures and reunion story for me and Dima. Sadly (well not really) two weeks prior Dima was adopted back by his father. I was told this was a good thing, and I know that God's watching out for him better than I ever could. As sad as I was - going back with family is always the goal, as long as it's a good situation and best for the children.

Sasha, I learned, had been moved to the special needs home, or hospital because of his eyes. Another girl named Natasha - who had piercing eyes was adopted - also a good thing.

There were 5 kids all together in the younger group, and working with them was like herding a pack of ferral cats!! It was so bad - one day we were on one on one defense - one person per child. hahaha. . . priceless. Seriously though - you turned your back and they were gone - Nastia (the one with the soft bone problem) would run to a nearby wall and climb it in the blink of an eye - it was craziness- but I loved every minute of it!

I didn't get to work with the older kids, but I did get to reconnect with some of them that I met last year, and they remembered me too. One of them, Natasha was new last year. This year she and another girl from last year - Luba - found me and Katie that first day and clung on. They didn't care that we didn't have translators - they just wanted to be near us, hugging us, and playing double double :)

On Carnival night I got to share about God's never ending love with Natasha. She had wanted a heart on her face.

Pause the story for a minute. I have a confession - face painting is the PERFECT time to talk to people - kids - about the Lord because they HAVE to be still and can't help but listen. My problem is that I get too engrossed in whatever I'm painting that I completely forget. In walk Anya - one of our translators.

Resume story.

Anya told me to ask Natasha what a heart meant. . and Natasha's answer was of course LOVE. From that point on I know it wasn't me - it was God through me because I would have never thought to say what I said next. I asked her if she thought love was forever. She looked at me and without blinking she said no. I hurt so bad for this girl who'd been screwed by the system, her parents, her situation, the world. I looked her in the eyes and I told her that I know it seems like love is only temporary but there is someone who loves her more than she could ever understand and his love NEVER leaves, it never gives up and never falters.

I continued talking to her about the love of God. She said she knew who Jesus was, and what he did for her, but it was still hard for her to accept that love was forever. I can't blame her - when everything in her life is to the contrary. I still pray for her daily, every time I look at the bracelet she gave me. I pray that the Lord would continue sending people to her - people that would continue telling her of the amazing, never ending, stable, strong, passionate love of God.

The picture below is of Katie and Natasha.



There are so many stories I could share with you - but I'll save them for another time - but they do include 2 new members to the Christian faith!! Thank you Jesus! I will say - it was amazing getting to see the fruit come to fruition. I love planting and watering the seeds - but it was so. .. . well there are no words when you see a girl you've been praying for for three years accept Christ and burst into tears.

God truly is MIGHTY to save!!

Until next time :)