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.