On June 21, 2007, God blessed us with many unique opportunities to serve and honor Him.  We also got the chance to have a little fun as well.  We spent today being able to practice some of the Russian language, serving at a house being built by Mercy Ministries, visiting a Rehabilitation Center for Children, visiting a Center of Temporary Isolation of Minors and spending time in believers’ homes for dinner. 

Our first stop this morning was an opportunity to practice some of the Russian language and also experience some Russian culture.   Our interpreters took our team members to the local supermarket where we were able to get a taste of what it is like to grocery shop in Russia.  We were given the tasks of purchasing food that we would later enjoy at a picnic that afternoon.  We all had quite a bit of fun trying out the Russian phrases we have learned since being on the trip.   It was interesting to see how such a daily chore in the United States is carried out in Russia. 

Our next stop provided us the experience to learn more about Mercy Ministries, which is one of our partnering ministries that we have been working with here in Vladimir.  We journeyed out to a house that is being built by Mercy Ministries.  The house is being built to provide a loving and nurturing family environment for up to 12 orphans.   In 1 John 3:18, the Gospel reads:  “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”   Our team was able to fulfill this Scripture by providing insulation that was greatly needed for the building of this house.  Each team member was given the opportunity to pray over the house.   Mercy Ministries’ prayer requests are for adequate help to be provided so that construction can be completed on the house.  Mercy Ministries also requests prayer while they try to obtain more land so that the Ministry can one day build a whole village of homes to support orphans.   The team was privileged to get a glimpse of God’s hand working here in Russia.

Our site visits for today included visiting a Rehabilitation Center for Children and a Center of Temporary Isolation of Minor Delinquents.   The team was split in two for this ministry opportunity.  At both centers, our team was able to interact with the children through a question and answering game.   Questions were asked about each other’s lives, as well as spiritual topics.  We were given the opportunity to spark discussion about God’s Word and our relationships with Him.   I believe this ministry opportunity allowed our team to offer hope and plant seeds in the lives of these children who have experienced trials in their lives.    

This evening we had an opportunity to fellowship with other believers through Mercy Ministries.   We split into small groups and each went to a pastor or interpreters home for dinner and fellowship.  Kristin W. of NC had this to say about her visit:   “I never would have imagined that I could come overseas and be able to fellowship in the home of Russians who are believers.  We were able to share our testimonies and what the Lord is doing in our lives.   We also sang worship songs in English and Russian.  I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 18:20 which reads, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”   This praise and worship experience is something I will never forget.