Rick here on behalf of the Seaford Belarus Team. Sandra called me today and gave me a brief update. All the team members are healthy with luggage in tow. Rick S. says he’s “way out of his comfort zone,” but he is also being blessed with ministry opportunities. The group’s training ended today in Minsk, and they are driving tomorrow (Tuesday) to the city of Lida (Leeda), Belarus where they will spend the next week and a half in ministry and outreach to orphanages and social homes and other locations that God will provide. They are excited because they will be meeting not only with pastors tomorrow, but also government officials in that area. They will start into their planned ministry visits to an orphanage and other locations on Wednesday. They are expecting to minister the Love of Jesus through tangible outreach and aid to over 300 children and “village kids” (from very needy home situations) per day through the end of this week. The team actually found a McDonald’s in Minsk near the hotel and had ice cream—even though it was freezing outside! Sandra was able to meet up with one of the interpreters she worked with last year, and Sandra gave her a copy of a very powerful journal that one of our friends had written about her spiritual journey to healing and forgiveness (Julie—thanks and God is using your work around the world!). The team drove past the actual location of the Minsk Web Cam that Rick S. had been checking out on line before they arrived. They are hoping to go to that site and get a live picture on the Web Cam! Hope we can work out the timing to see it. Currently the team has no Internet access, so plz check out the blog site below. The team completed training today on ministering in this culture and they are all excited about stepping out of their comfort zone. Rick is busy with all his “toys” and Amy is playing Twister. Karen S (from Albuquerque) is fully involved and Sandra says that her alter ego “Sunny Girl” (puppet) is a little tired from the trip, but she’ll recover tomorrow.

Thanks again for all your prayer support, and God is doing a great work in a very needy country through these willing servants of the Gospel.

On behalf of GAiN’s Team Belarus,

Rick Burgess