"Do everything in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14)


6.17.2008

Untitled.

I just wrote this amazingly long blog, and it got deleted.
I'm so frustrated and angry and just--grrrr.
And it's late, I get up in 5 hours.
I'm so very annoyed.
And I have no more time to rewrite.
Until next time.

6.07.2008

Some thoughts.

Hello from Russia!
I’ve finally found a few minutes with which to get on here and it’s almost been a week since I’ve left home! I can hardly believe it. The trip over here went very smoothly, and Christy and I are getting used to being world travelers all on our own. That is a funny remark, considering I am already 19. But even so, the trip over here went well. We completed our few days of training to prepare us for teaching and the cultural education we must receive when entering a culture such as this. It is incredible that there are over 40 of us from all over the United States, a few from Norway, and even one from Canada, who have all come together in Jesus’ name to minister to both children and adults alike. I truly feel that we are one body who are doing our best to be God’s hands and feet.
I struggled just a little bit upon arriving here at my purpose for coming on this trip. There are so many teachers this year that they have enough so that I am not needed to teach a class as I have done the four previous years I have come. And so am I really needed here? I talked extensively with my mom, and also simultaneously was in constant prayer and reading of the Word, to figure out my purpose on this mission. It’s funny because the answer was so simple. I am here to simply do anything and everything that God asks of me. Just because I am not “doing” at all times, does not mean that I cannot be used. In fact, many have reminded me that just merely being here and building relationships with children from broken homes and a devastated culture is enough. These children are literally starved for true love, affection, and genuine interest and attention.
I found out today that over 90 percent of Russian marriages end in divorce. That means that only 10 percent of the children that we will meet will come from intact families with both a mother and a father. Over 40 percent of Russian men are alcoholics, and a quarter of the population of the women possesses this same condition. It is so sad, and gives even more reasons why humans need Christ.
So I am uncertain whether I will be teaching a class of children, helping in administration, helping lead worship at one of the numerous camps, or something else that God has in mind. But I do know that God has a plan in me being here at this point, and that is so comforting.
God is amazing! And He is growing me more now than ever before, and this is so very exciting. After searching my heart, I can see that my life has drastically been transformed in the past year more than I ever thought possible!
And so I look forward in anticipation at what God has for me here in Russia for the next few weeks. And even more so at what He has planned for the rest of this trip this summer!
And now I think I will sleep. I am convinced my body clock has a mind of its own and will never turn around!
Missy J. M.

6.05.2008

2 Days in Russia

So I've been in Russia for two days now. It's been good so far, but I'm tired and a little bit homesick. I'm really excited for how these next few weeks here will go, and even moreso at what God will do both in using me for His purpose and also at what He will do for the children that we minister to here.
I must get to bed now, but will write more when I have more time!
All my love.

6.02.2008

We were on the plane with tamara! It was

We were on the plane with tamara! It was so much fun. And all god!

This is me. Im an intense, serious hiker

This is me. Im an intense, serious hiker. Yes, im wearing heels and pearls. At least i can know im looking ok. Abbey and i make a great team.

Going.

Ahh! So in 3 hours I have to get up to go to the airport to catch 3 planes which will eventually lead us to St. Petersburg, Russia. Yeah, I know, I should be sleeping. It was amazing tonight, I had a great last night and it was certainly worth staying up this late to spend a little extra time with everyone. Faith, Mia, Joshua, Brian, Chris, Tiara, Marissa, John, his gf Nichole, Christy and I just hung out, ate, had a fire, and talked. It was a great last evening in the U.S.A. They are great kids : )
So seeing as I need to get up very soon, I should probably close this out. But as soon as possible, I will get on the internet to tell of my travels over the ocean into this foreign culture. And how it is, being that this is my fifth consecutive summer over in Russia and Eastern Europe.
God is amazing.
With all my love.