So the morning started a little slow because we didn’t have to pick up the flyers till the afternoon. We all had breakfast and then some team prayer for this big flyer exhibition. It was awesome and God’s presence was definitely there. Then half the team went to get the flyers which seemed like they could have been in Egypt due to this crazy metro system. Seriously I can’t believe we haven’t mentioned this yet!!! The metro (i.e. subway) is unlike anything you could imagine. There are so many people at certain times of the day they say you can just jump and the crowd will carry you on without your feet ever touching the ground. Apparently Pastor John’s daughter really tried this once and said it was true! CRAZY!!! It’s like herding cattle and no one ever even acknowledges that other people are around. Everyone walks with a mission and when they are sitting/standing/crammed in every nook and cranny of the train they sit with blank stares on their faces. It’s actually kinda heart breaking, but then again I’d probably be looking like that too if I were sweating bullets after coming in from cold weather due to the body heat and screaming in the back of my mind “get me the heck out of here please!” Oh wait I was (ha ha). The only difference is that Darla and I decided to simply smile at anyone who looked at us (cause they all stare at you). Ryan, on the other hand, decided to “be Russian” and stare back to see who would break away first! Oleg just laughs at us and says we are crazy Americans.

Back to our day ….. we started handing out flyers at the metro station near the church so people in the area would know about the crusade  The tricky part is that people walking on the streets are just like the ones on the metro, on a mission and don’t want to be bothered. So, we learned 2 Russian phrases (which I won’t butcher on here for you) that basically meant: “please, take one” and “thank you” so we would at least have something to say when we put this piece of paper in their hands. And we spread out to which made it interesting when someone asked us for directions  (our Russian isn’t that swell yet). As for myself in the beginning I got snubbed for like the first half hour which was really discouraging, but then I realized that a crazy haired short foreign girl politely handing you another random flyer on the street speaking terrible Russian may not be very appealing so I started to be bold. I stood in front of them as they tried to walk by and basically shoved it into their hands with a big grin on my face and kept saying “please take one in Russian” . Guess what it worked! People started actually reading them or at least putting them in their bags (hopefully to be randomly found later). I guess when in Russia do as the Russians do. These people make things happen which is one of the reasons I have grown to love them! Everyone else found ways to get the flyers in peoples hands too it was awesome!!! We kinda each got into a flow of things and we also got way colder as the sun went down which meant it was time to head in for a bit. We took a cafe break and had some warm drinks before heading back out for about another hour at a new location and then finally headed home. All in all a successful day We will be doing the same thing tomorrow again except starting earlier so keep the team in prayer and that the people here will just have a supernatural acceptance of us and what we are doing! God bless and good night! Blog by Holly

On Tuesday the team split for the day. Pastor Randy, Pastor John, Pastor Bob, Ryan, and Oleg went scouting locations for a big event that will hopefully be held next summer  here hosted by Moscow Christian Center, while the ladies (Donna, Darla, and I) went to an orphanage in northern Moscow. Pastor John’s wife Lisa along with our new friend Anastasiya, a member from the church’s worship team, were who took us to the orphanage. It was different from the home we visited on Saturday most because the children were between the ages of 4-7. The kids were so sweet and welcoming! The moment they realized we were Americans they started saying “hello” over and over again practicing what was probably the only English they knew. Our hearts melted in their little adorable Russian hands We brought out the parachute, mini beach balls, and stickers. Those were the only things we were allowed to use due to the strictness of the teacher. However it was still awesome! Darla quickly became their favorite the moment she broke out with the stickers! Lisa had mentioned no one had ever brought them stickers before. They were covered from head to toe and just kept layering them on each other! One little girl named Vica stayed next to Donna and had her just keep them coming the whole time we were there. Then one of the little girls thought it would be funny if she threw one of the beach balls at me and before I knew it I was being pegged from every direction by the kids. Some of the boys decided to attack Darla. It was as if she were home with her own little guys wrestling. Such a precious sight  Lisa was already acquatinted with some of the children from her past visits and they greeted her with open arms! We were so sad to have to tell them goodbye, but no worries that was the other English they happened to know and put it to good practice  Darla, Donna, and Lisa headed back to home base while Anastatiya and I went to meet the guys for some dinner. We met them at a place called Moo Moo’s which is like the epitome of Russian cuisine but cafeteria style. Kinda like Piccadilly, but it taste better.  Blog by Holly

Wednesday 9/28/11

We split again for the day due to Pastor Randy having to help with some of the logistical stuff for the crusade this weekend (thank goodness he is wired that way!) The men went with him, with the exception of Ryan, to help with the printing of the flyers that we were to hand out on Thursday and Friday for the crusade and to purchase some new music equipment for the church. The rest of us, including Ryan, were so so lucky  to be invited in to a real Russian home for a birthday celebration for one of the women in the church. When we arrived we learned that in a Russian home it is common to take off your shoes and change into house slippers, however, we missed the memo to bring slippers (ha ha), but no worries Natasha had plenty extra to go around. Turns out they made a huge spread for us with things we couldn’t begin to pronounce or even recognize but they ended up all tasting great! We were even blindfolded at one point and handed presents to unwrap because we were their guests. Seriously such amazing sweet women! Following the gifts was tea time!!! Which did not go without deserts, and lots of them I might add. There was also lots of singing and dancing.  It just goes to show that these people have the sweetest hearts under their thick skin. Again it was hard to say goodbye, especially for Ryan (the ladies kept telling him he was so cute and that he was going to marry a Russian girl, perks to being the only male at a tea party). We all met up for dinner later and then crashed for the night. Blog by Holly

Thursday/Friday, 9/22/11 – 9/23/11 – The outbound flight through Paris was cancelled and we did not find out this bit of information until we got to the airport.  We patiently awaited while an alternate route was figured out for the team.  Thankfully every flight after that point was delayed, so we did not miss any of our connecting flights for the rest of the trip.  We were aided by a thick British accented airline representative who worked tirelessly getting our seat assignments on the final flight into Moscow.  We were greeted at the airport by our host and gladly crashed for the night at the hotel. – blog by Holly

Saturday, 9/24/11 - We started the day with an uncommon assortment of “breakfast” foods at the hotel buffet.  For example:  broccoli, mashed potatoes, eggs (boiled and omelet style), along with some other things we probably couldn’t pronounce even if we tried (ha!).  Then we headed outside of Moscow to a home for troubled youth.  Children ages 7-18 are sent there when they have behavioral issues or their parents can not afford or choose not to take care of them.  We were able to partner up with a group from another church to play games, face painting, along with performing 2 skits.  Even though we had a translator, there were definitely moments where it seemed as if we did not need him.  It just goes to show how great our God is by opening up those ways of communication.  We parted ways with the kids and headed back to the hotel.  We did manage to find a McDonald’s Russian style on the way back – needless to say, it is definitely different!! – blog by Holly

Sunday, 9/25/11 - Church didn’t start until about 3:00pm (now, that’s my kind of church!).  So we had some time to explore around the hotel a little, inside and out, and prepare what we were going to be doing for service.  This was a special service for the church, because they were celebrating 20 years!  Pastor Randy was one of the speakers along with Pastor Lonny (a pastor visiting from Michigan) while Darla and Donna ran children’s church.  Ryan and I (Holly) performed two short sketches and since we were missing some of our key actors (Donna & Darla), we resolved our problem by grabbing some of the Russians from the crowd!  All I have to say is it’s a good things there were no words in the skit!

Service lasted over 3 hours!  The Russians really know how to do church!  They even fed us after!  If you ever come to Russia, I hope you like salami and cheese – it’s everywhere.  Not to mention little wrapped assortments of chocolate.  After that, we got on the Metro and headed to the hotel.

Monday, 9/26/11 - Monday was Moscow day!  This was our only down day of the trip, so we were able to go traipsing around the city exploring.  Oh my goodness gracious, it was amazing!  It think it is safe to say that everyone was surprised that Moscow is above and beyond what we thought it would be.  We saw the Kremlin Palace and the biggest bell never rund and the biggest cannon never shot.  Apparently Russians are like Texans “the bigger, the better!”  We also went to the Armory Museum where we saw not only armor but the Russian Crown Jewels!  Let’s just say we all wanted to take home a souvenir! Catherine the Great also had her wedding gown, coronation gown, multiple carriages and even her crowns displayed there.  Next up, we went to Red Square.  For those of you who didn’t keep up in history, it’s the place with the church that has ice cream swirls for a roof!

These places would pretty much be considered the start of Moscow!  Oh, and don’t worry, Pastor Randy kept us history buffs in the know the whole time!  We also got to see the first so called mall ever built which was named Gunns.  It was gorgeous!  We were lucky enough to see the changing of the guards at the eternal flame.  It’s a big flame that is guarded 24 hours a day in honor of the Russian soldiers lost in WWII.  At the end of the day we were filled with a better understanding of Moscow and it’s rich history, along with quite a few tired pairs of feet.  God really knew what he was doing when he brought this team together!  We couldn’t be better matched for each other, including our translator, Oleg, who Ryan has found his Russian counterpart in! – blog by Holly

We have been receiving great reports from the Russia Team.  This picture shows Pastor Randy preaching in Moscow.  The team has also ministered to a boarding school with children ages 7-18.  The team members are doing great and are experiencing new and exciting foods such as cow tongue!  Please continue to pray for the team.