The Kaluga team has had some challenges getting internet access, but team leader Jon W. sent in the following stories this morning:

Story 1. We visited the Azarovsky orphanage on Tuesday or Wednesday, then on Sunday the church’s children’s coordinator brought 12 teen orphans to the service.  They joined us at the service, interacted more, and stayed to eat and play ping pong.

Story 2.  Six years ago, Global Aid Network sent the first team to Kaluga and partnered with Grace Church at that time.  It was the beginning of their social outreach as a result of that initial visit.  Over and over the pastor told us and others that Global Aid Network helped motivate them to start reaching out to orphanages, etc.  Now they have outreach to over 30 facilities including orphanages, pensioners, handicapped and they have started 2 drug & alcohol rehab centers.

Story 3.  Grace Church worked with city authorities to invite 30-50 families ‘with many children’ to the church to attend a program Global Aid Network and Grace held in their honor last Saturday.  Many of those families had never attended a church before.  They enjoyed the program, interacted with our team  in small group settings and appreciated the 25 pound food parcels and other gifts they received.  The pastor reported to us that many indicated they would return to visit the church on Sunday.

Story 4.  Our very last mission visit was to a drug/alcohol rehab center started and managed by Grace Church.  It was approx 50 miles from Kaluga in the beautiful snow covered rolling hills of the Russian countryside.  One large house had enough room to accommodate 30-40 men–sleeping side by side in one large bedroom.  To help cover the rehab expenses, all men worked daily in cattle ranching and helping at the on-site bakery and chopping wood.  They currently have a herd of 48 beef cattle and they produce 400-500 loaves of bread fresh daily.  The bakery workers start in the evening and by 4:00am the bread is ready for delivery.  They are learning a "trade" and also learning to work hard daily.  We had a fellowship meeting with the men and one after another shared their testimony of not only being "free" from drugs and alcohol, but also being free in Christ and enjoying new life in Him.  The men go through a 2 year program–with a growing level of leadership as time passes.  It is such a privilege for Global Aid Network to help sponsor this program through the efforts of Grace Church!