Today our group had an early (7:15 am) departure to make the long drive to the town of Tashtagol, located in the southern part of the Kemerovo Region.  In spite of constant rain, it was a beautiful drive through rolling hills that climbed into mountains reaching an elevation of about 6,000 feet.
The mission team visited the children’s department of a hospital high up on hill.  We learned that children come for treatment and typically stay for 3 to 6 months.  Some of the parents visit them on a regular basis throughout the time that their children are there but we also learned that some of the children are simply dropped off and never visited until their treatment ends.  We were the first American or foreign group of any kind to visit this facility and we were received with usual warm Siberian hospitality.  The children performed several favorite songs and we reciprocated by introducing our group, singing several songs and other activities before dividing into small groups to meet with the children. 
One of the American participants had a meeting with all the staff workers at the hospital.  They all were eager to hear about Christ and to receive the Gospel of John and More Than a Carpenter books printed in Russian.
Afterward we visited the church in Tashtagol that hosted our visit in the town.  Another great day!