June 19:
Today was the first day working with the children, and it really was a joy - especially going to the orphanage camp with the little ones!  As soon as the children got outside a little boy, Kiril, attached himself to me and he did not let go of my hand the entire time we were there except to play with the balloons we brought.  Kiril could not hear or speak.  Another little one, Anya, was also very attached to me (I’m attaching a picture with Kiril, Anya and me along with a little boy who reminded me of my brother David when he was little).

Heavenly Father, bless these children who have no earthly father. Call them to Yourself, using the ministry of the local church and the faithful women who care for them.  Let this afternoon’s time together with Kiril and Anya be an encouragement for them and not a source of sadness.  Amen

Another intensely meaningful time was at the women’s prison in Mariinsk (8 hours by bus north of Novokuznetsk).  I don’t have any pictures from there…but here is another journal excerpt.

June 21:
We were walked through security and it was very solemn.  At this point, our team was separated into two groups, and our group went into a cafeteria / auditorium filled with women in uniforms and scarves on their heads and very closed, blank looks on their faces — it was hard to see THEM when you looked in their eyes.  Not for long though!  Charles had them smiling with some of the opening games and songs.  Tears were in their eyes when Dawna mentioned that she could only imagine what it was like for them to be separated from their children.  Then, Rachel (American) and Lena (Russian) shared two very powerful testimonies.  I’m not sure how the women responded, but I was in tears, so when Dawna asked me to share the gospel, I didn’t think I could stand on a stage in front of all of those women and so much as speak.  I kept praying, “Lord, let me diminish so that You may increase in me.”  When I got up to speak, I’m not exactly sure what I said, but I looked into the eyes of those women and saw the first beginnings, perhaps of hope — I felt the power of the Holy Spirit.  God spoke His hope into our lives, and I had the privilege of speaking it to them.

Heavenly Father, these women are Your special creation.  They are the sick at heart who you sent Your Son to save.  Please work in the lives of these women and draw many to Yourself.  Use the women of the church to minister to and disciple them.  Bless these women and give them spiritual freedom and life.  Bring glory to Your great name in that dark place.  Bring Your peace and hope to these hopeless.  Thank you for the privilege to speak Your words of hope to these women.  Amen

We were able to bring gifts, our affection and the hope of the gospel every place we went, but we were there for such a short time.  It is a great encouragement to me that the local church in Siberia is strong and passionate for the Kingdom of God.  These people we visited will not be forgotten by God’s people.  Our brothers and sisters in Russia will continue to minister to them.  Praise God!