|
December 27, 06 to January 7, 07 |
 The overall experience was fantastic. The weather was extreme, with temperatures going as low as – 25 degrees, and never reaching above 30 degrees. Snow was on the ground when we arrived (about 2 feet) and it snowed while we were there on several days. The students did a very good job of staying warm, and were very prepared with appropriate clothing for the trip. We stayed in a nice hotel, 2 persons per room. Encouragram envelopes were hung on each person’s door, and worship times were held on mornings or evenings (depending on that day’s ministry schedule) in a small alcove on our hallway. Chris and Eileen Carr are exceptional hosts for an IWC project. Chris is incredibly organized, and has a deep passion for Christ and the Russian people. Eileen served us meals and opened up her home to our team on numerous occasions (with 5 kids of her own). There were ample opportunities for sightseeing and shopping prior to our departure. As far as the ministry went, we were able to do a number of significant things that made impact while there. This, again, is a reflection on the leadership and organization of Chris Carr. Great project! |
|
MINISTRY SUMMARY:
The team did ministry in the following areas – literature distribution (promoting a future evangelistic service at Grace Baptist here in Ufa), Bible distribution (Russian New Testaments), a "Christmas Party" at a local educational institution, a "New Year’s Party" in a local house church, and work in an orphanage located about a 3 ˝ hour drive from Ufa. NOTE: The orphanage served as a center for education and training orphans with physical/mental development issues, with the ultimate hope that they will be able to eventually "graduate" to a normal lifestyle apart from the school. They offer home economic-type classes, sewing, nursing, woodwork, and much more. Our ministry there was for two days, and included the following:
|
|
We played the staff of the orphanage in volleyball. They had uniforms – and beat our IWC team 3 games to 0. We also attended a big holiday program that the students and faculty put together. There were lots of workers, children, and area folks in attendance, and it was a great evening. Our team took the stage to sing several Christmas carols. We were fed Russian cuisine in large amounts, and slept in dorm-style rooms on cots. It was very nice. The leadership of the orphanage wanted us to enjoy our stay, and provided us with opportunities to ride in a horse-drawn sleigh! (More specifically, we were literally dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh) |
|
Many of our students got their first experience with a "squatty potty". The director of the orphanage presented our group
with gifts (a box of various candies, a planner, and pen) upon our
arrival, and accompanied us on an hour-and-a-half long tour of the entire
campus! Building relationships with the
orphanage leadership, which helps provide a relational "umbrella" of
protection. Those in power often view this type of humanitarian work as a
validation for our personnel to be serving in Ufa.
|
|
§ Finances provided by the IWC fees made it possible to buy a lawn mower for the orphanage, and supplies for the renovation of a medical classroom (wallpaper, tile, and grout). In a closing ceremony, our participants were presented with wooden gifts the orphans had made, and we, in turn, presented all children and adults in attendance with either a children’s or adult’s Russian New Testament and some candy. |
With
only 9 paying participants, our project had essentially one Ministry Team,
or "brigade". We split into two groups for worship in churches on Sunday
morning, and came back together for an afternoon service in a third
church. At each stop, our participants were able to share their
testimony, using a Russian interpreter, and distributed printed copies
of their testimonies written in both English and Russian at numerous times
throughout the project. 
We shoveled snow for two hours, providing the orphans and
staff with a "rest day".
We worked constructing desks that the orphans would use in
classrooms, assembling the parts as a team.