Team Tommy/Sergey meets Team America

Today set the tone. Sergey and I investigated a lead that said that there was an American team at an orphanage on the other side of town. We left in the morning and took public transit for about an hour... then walked around asking strangers where the street was that we needed... then finally found the orphanage as the American team was pulling up. Sergey was a little nervous... me too... but only in a... this is a strange request sorta way. We made our way upstairs and talked to the Director of the house and then the leader of the other team.

Joy was a pleasant soul :) Pleasantan Baptist Church or Georgia welcomed us in without too many questions and we carried on with linked ministries. It was their last day with the kids (Salvation day). After talking to some of their team members about trivial things, we finally were able to go play with the kids. (The kids are on an uninterrupted time schedule). We went outside to sing, play games and tell stories. All in Russian :) We then had our lunch break where we sung some worship songs and goofed off. THEN, arts and crafts time, which meant: String some beads and a cross to a necklace. woot...

I got to help out Artom. (red head little guy in the below pictures) Broke my heart. Love that little guy. Anywho.. he went to the restroom and never came back. Flushed? Who knows...

This camp is an interesting one. We had some background info explained to us about the orphans. Some of them come from the sewers, 99% of them were sexually abused, 2 of them (that I know of) were dropped off by their parents and most of them are in survival mode. There was a fight that nearly broke out right after songs... left a kid crying. Sergey and I intercepted him. It is a place I would like to go back and help again.

Sergey and I met some awesome people today. They were loving and welcoming just like a family should be. We will be keeping in touch with them after they leave back for the states. We also met some locals, including a local pastor's daughter and their church interpreter. We will be going to their graduation from high school tomorrow and then to their church on saturday for a youth service. And then, maybe Sunday. Hopefully a continued partnership can be established for the next week and a half.

After all this was said and done, we met Yana at the train station and hit up the local amusement park (fair.... run down carnival) where Sergey's babushka (grandma) works. We rode the ferris wheel, the death defying roller coaster, bumper cars (which were on their last tank of gas.. couldn't bump any body... and there were only two cars in working existence) and the swings powered by a giant fan. :) what a day. God is good.

Sarah ^

Artom ^

I love you all. Seriously. I will update you again soon. Promise. Until then. Live love and love the people in your life.

-Tommy