Report from Michael N (Freshman at MCA):  “This trip to Russia has been amazing. I felt like God is working in all of the people here to try to make life easier for the orphans. The Christians we worked with (evangelists and interpreters) have such a heart for spreading the good news of Christ and I am amazed how they are so on fire for God. Andre D is a 19 year old interpreter that I became very close with. He has made an impact on my life and I will never forget him. I hope to come back to Russia many times.”

Report from Emmie Z (Junior at Texas A&M University):  “I have been to Russia before and I always love coming. I love Russian culture. I love the Russian people and I love the Russian way of life. Something that has especially struck me this trip has been the Christians I’ve met. They are really living radically for Jesus. A group of believers is currently building a home for a couple and their two sons. But this house is no ordinary house. It is being built to accommodate 16 people so that this family can care for 12 orphans and up to 2 or 3 unwed girls who are pregnant. This whole project is completely unheard of and the Russian Christians hope it can be a “beacon of light” to the children as well as the surrounding communities. It has been so fun to work in ministry with these Christians and I love knowing that the work we as Americans did in the orphanages, sanatoriums, schools and homes will be continued and followed up by the Russian believers.”

Reflections by Rebekah J (Freshman at MCA): “I have seen a parable. I did not read it to learn it. I did not hear it to learn it. I saw it and learned it. Jesus told us the story of the woman who had two coins. Even though she had nothing else to live on, she gave those two coins as an expression of love to the one who had given it to her in the first place. Last Tuesday, our first place of outreach was an orphanage. It was my first ever try to connect with Russian kids. Marina, our interpreter and I went and chatted with the kids. We sang songs I haven’t heard since I was eight. We made crafts in their classrooms and played with various stuffed animals. Then came my favorite part of every visit - passing out the Care Packs. All the kids, even the ones who were shy, oohed and ahhed and smiled so big I thought their teeth would fall out. The first thing opened invariably was the prized Snickers bar. One kid saved his though, and I didn’t know why. Later on, as we went to their dorms, a boy I had talked to named Arthakeesha came to me. He held out his Snickers bar to me. I totally was not expecting it - he had seemed indifferent to our visit. I told him I could get those at home and that he should keep his. He nodded his head yes and pushed it back to me. ‘Thank you, Thank you so much,’ I said. He walked away with nothing but a straight face. Arthakeesha had done it like it was not something out of the ordinary. When you have been given to, give away. He didn’t care he didn’t have hardly anything. He just gave what he had. Americans have been given so much. Learn from the Russian orphan and give to the One who has given us everything. He is worthy of every praise as our merciful Savior and Lord!”

Reflections from Jeff aka Coach A (Coach at MCA): “Immediately upon arrival in Vladimir it became clear that this was a city in need of the love of Christ. From utilitarian architecture to the nearly universal drabness of clothing to the complete lack of smiles on the street, this seemed like a place under a cloud of sorrow. Common courtesy, laughter, and even color seemed almost out of place in Vladimir. I believed I would be carrying a light and joy to the Russians, something they had not experienced before. I was wrong … they were the ones who brought a light and joy to me. A group of young men at an addiction rehabilitation center sang for joy about Christ. Single moms living in slums prepared welcomes and delicious meals. Van drivers carried crucial supplies to those struggling spiritually and economically. But, most of all, Maxim smiled and laughed and hugged. He is four years old, blond haired and blue-eyed. He lives in an orphanage because of abandonment and parental drug addiction. He was withdrawn and afraid until, suddenly, he ran into my arms. He wanted to play, draw, put stickers on paper, and use his new comb. Whatever he wanted to do was fine with me. I came to Russia to share the love of Christ, I received it, instead. Maxim brought me light and joy in a way I’d never experienced before. I just wish I didn’t have to put him down. 

Reflections from Duane regarding activities on the last 2 days of mission trip:  “Saturday morning gave each of us mixed emotions since it was our last day in Vladimir. We had made many wonderful friends, seen many sights, visited and helped many children, visited homes, and fellowshipped with some dear brothers and sisters. On the one hand we didn’t like the thought of leaving yet we also were looking forward to getting back with friends and families.  It was very appropriate that we were reminded by Emily C (Sophmore at MCA) at our morning devotions after breakfast of the importance of trusting the Lord in all things as she shared from Proverbs 3:5-6.  

After breakfast we loaded up all of our luggage into the bus and 8 people visited 8 homes in Vladimir in teams of two. Each team took a bag of food and some other gifts for the family. Each family was a very poor and needy family identified by our partner ministries in Vladimir and the purpose was to encourage those who were believers and to share God’s love with those who were not believers. Some of the families visited were contacts from an abortion clinic or a recent evangelistic campaign called “Power to Change”.

The rest of the group went to Lunovo where an orphanage/foster home is being built to house 12 orphans.  One of our team bought and brought a chain saw to be used at the orphanage. The guys on our team helped clean up outside and chopped a lot of wood which is used to keep the house warm. The ladies on the team helped sweep and clean the inside of the house and the joined the guys to try their hand at using an axe. While our team was working, our hosts were cooking chicken and pork shashlik over an outside fire for lunch. What an incredible feast we had with our interpreters and the Christians we worked with during our time in Vladimir.

After lunch we all boarded the bus for a three hour ride back to Moscow. Upon arrival back in Moscow we checked into our hotel before taking the subway to downtown Moscow to have dinner at the first McDonalds that was built in Russia. Everyone had enjoyed the experience of eating Russian food throughout the week but at this point cheeseburgers, hamburgers and milkshakes were the items most ordered. From there we walked to Red Square
and had a wonderful night time view of St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. By the time we took the subway back to the hotel it was late and time for a good night’s rest.

Sunday began with a breakfast buffet followed by shopping at Izmailova souvenir market. In the afternoon the group took a tour inside the Kremlin and after dinner enjoyed a wonderful evening performance of the Moscow Circus.

As I reflect over the past week, I picture the 400+ children we visited at six orphanages, one public school, one shelter for runaway children, and one youth detention center. In addition, I reflect on the midweek church service, the youth group meeting, the 35 homes visited and the basketball clinic at a village school. I see the face of the head doctor at the Baby Orphanage who was so grateful for the diapers and desperately needed medicines they needed. I see the MCA students
as they interacted with English students at a Teacher’s College. I hear MCA students saying things like: “Russia is the coolest place ever” and “I hope I can come back”. I see the tears of several who were moved with compassion and love for the children at the baby orphanage. And finally I remember of Pastor Anton who challenged us to “burn for the Lord”.

It’s been a great trip. The Lord was good! And it was great fun. Thanks to all you parents and friends who supported us and prayed for us.”