It has been a little while since I have had anything I felt worthy of writing about. Most of my time lately has been consumed with two things: preparing for visas and trying to learn Russian. I have been trying to read books, reviewing grammar, and trying to socialize in Russian as much as possible. I know I am making progress, but sometimes it seems like I will never be able to speak this language. But the more frustrated I get with not being able to communicate the harder I study. In August, around the 18^th through the 23^rd, I will go on one more trip to Finland. I hope that will be my last trip. I am going to try to get permanent residency on that visa, and if all goes well I will not have to worry about visas again. That freedom would be huge. Right now the number one obstacle for me in ministering is the visa problem, because it is eating all my resources and time.

Because of my last trip to Finland and all the registration stuff that I have to go through when I come back to Russia, I almost wasn’t able to go on the last camping trip with the Light of Hope Shelter. But Igor and I took advantage of the time and where able to meet with a fellow English speaking friend of ours, Sveta, and figure out how we might be able to start teaching English. We will start teaching the ICM team and a few other friends that we know in September. I look forward to this because right now it is one of the only ways that I can actually contribute to something here. It would be a great help if the whole team could speak English, lightening the load for Olga and Igor, and me when I am able to speak Russian, when mission teams come. Of course this means that now all my friends will be trying to speak English with me, but I will do my best to make sure my Russian progress isn’t hindered.

I was blessed to be still be able spend the last night and day fellowshipping with the youth on the camping trip. I really wish I had been able to come for the whole time; this was a great camp! There were many more people this time because we were joined by a youth group for Severdvinsk. I got to meet a lot of new people and it is a pleasure to fellowship with brothers and sister form such a different world than I am used to. When we arrived there they were playing water football. Which is basically soccer on a small slip and slide field; I was quick to join in on that fun! Then we went swimming in the river, with water that is about the same color as a good dark cup of English Breakfast tea. I was glad it was warm though and I haven’t been able to really swim for some time now, I had forgotten how much I love the water. I was also blessed by the time we spent in the word. I don’t understand 50% to 60% of what is said, but I am able to follow along in the Bible and the Spirit is still able to speak loud and clear. I was blessed to see that the word was working in the hearts of many or the youth, I only pray that the seeds that are planted aren’t choked or pick up by birds, and that they fell on good soft ground. I look so much forward to watching these kids grow and even more forward to when I can share the word with them myself. As for now I am satisfied with being a spectator and being able to watching the Lord work. I would ask that you would join me in continuing to pray for these youth, and for the team and me, as we share our hearts and lives with these kids. Pray that they would have soft hearts, and that they would be able to overcome all the obstacles in their way. And for the team that we would be have the strength, patience, and love to be shining examples of God’s love.

Some fun dances similar to Father Abraham.









This was interesting. They wanted to give everyone a piece of candy, but in order to do so they said that someone had to pay for it. The payment was 15 squats per person. This was a good way to illustrate what Jesus did for us. And when some people who felt bad for the girl that volunteered said no to the candy, she still had to do it and they placed the candy to be burned in the fire. Those people eventually decided they wanted their candy after she paid the price any way. She ended up doing close to 500 squats.

Some of the girls took it pretty hard when they saw what their friend was doing for them. I just hope that they realize what Jesus did. These girls crying are some of the harder cases at the shelter.




Andrey's birthday was during the camp. So they had a funny little song for him, similar to hip hip haray. Andrey did a little dance, it was funny.






Everyone was given a ribbon for bracelet and a hand full of smaller robins. They would go around to there friends, say something nice and tie a smaller ribbon to their bracelet.





Poor Andrey, a second one, got stuck talking to our friendly intoxicated neighbor all night till 9 in the morning. He thought that we were making zombies out of the kids, and would not drop it or listen to reason. But the guys where much more gracious and gentle than I would have been, I guess it is good I don't speak Russian, I end up eating my foot a lot less.



Russia is actually a pretty beautiful place.