Feeling better

This is a picture taken from the inner courtyard of the building where I am staying.
K blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. Happy 19th!
J and K and family making necklaces with the children from the orphanage.

I'm finally starting to feel better so thanks to everyone who have been praying for me. It is no fun to be sick, especially when you are not at home. Over the weekend, Saturday was spent getting ready for K's 19th birthday party. One difference I noticed with birthday celebrations here is giving gifts. A gift is presented with a little speech to the recipient. Since I don't know K very well I just told her that I hope she has a blessed year.
Sunday I visited another church and was happy to see B from Canada there. We were able to exchange phone numbers and will try to meet in the next 2 weeks. She is here for 2 years to study the language. There were many people from Africa at the church who have come to Russia to study at the universities. The service was in English and Russian which was great for me. Afterwards, we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. It is hard for me to accept that I have to pay 12 rubles for a tiny amount of ketchup. Anyways, we had another great day at the orphanage with the kids. My American friends J and K along with their children brought jewelry making supplies so the kids could make necklaces and bracelets. It was nice to have L and Ir along to help interpret and work with the children. L has been visiting this orphanage for 10 years. Ir will continue to go with us while L travels to Siberia in 2 weeks.

Cold, cold go away don't come any other day

The transitional home team at the meeting last week.

I've been fighting off a cold this week so have been run down and not as eager to post. I took it easy the last two days but today went with Lucya to the nearby orphanage to drop off clothing for one of the kids. Afterward, we visited with Pam and some of her kids. Thankfully, Lucya took me somewhere to get the cell phone I was given fixed. All it needed was a new charger for $8. Tomorrow I will buy a SIM card and minutes so I'll be hooked up. It seems like everyone has a cell phone over here just like our trac phones back home. Then, I walked about 2 miles to buy a birthday present for one of the girls turning 19. Tomorrow, Vera is having a party for her. I bought her a Hillsong CD since she told me she loves their music. The CD cost about $10 so not bad price I thought.
Yesterday was my first day of language class and it really helped a lot. We talked about nouns and verb conjugation. Afterwards, I found my cat friend outside and fed him/her. Another cat, came up too and they both chowed down. It feels good to have a animal friend here.
Wednesday, I babysat the 2 boys here and it was eventful. I borrowed The Great Mouse Detective movie from the office. At first, N(7) was disappointed that it was in English but after the movie started he zoned in to the story. I tried to translate as best I could. Bedtime was supposed to be 9 p.m. but they didn't actually fall asleep until 11 p.m.! I had to call for Russian translation assistance twice to get them to bed. It ended up I had to sleep on their floor until they were drowsy and comfy in their little beds. Then I snuck out but S(4) said where are you going? I said toilet and didn't come back. Good thing I learned how to say go to bed in Russian for next week.

Another update from Russia

My roommate the family parakeet.
The view outside my window.
The room where I sleep.

Well I’m trying to organize my schedule over here. I think that will help me feel less stressed to have a routine. I woke up yesterday with sneezing and a scratchy throat. So I’m doctoring myself with vitamin C drops, oranges, water, and vitamins.
Mondays and Thursdays I will have Russian language class in the afternoons at the with a fellow American. Tuesdays I may go with Liz to an orphanage outside the city to help with English lessons or work with Anya at the intake hospital. I can only work one day at the intake hospital without getting the medical tests. Wednesday might end up being my free day except for the evenings when I will babysit my host family’s two sons, N age 7 and S age 4 while the rest of the family attends mid-week church services. There is no childcare at this service and Vera feels it is important for them, especially the girls to have as much fellowship and teaching that is available. Sunday afternoons I plan to visit the nearby orphanage with Vera and K. In the evenings I need to available to the family to work with the girls on English and try to build relationships with them.
Yesterday I went with Liz to visit an orphanage outside the city where she has been teaching English for 3-4 years. There were about 4-5 kids in the group and I was amazed how she kept their attention for an hour using games and fun activities to learn English. The average age of the group was 10. It took about 2 hours to get there and 1 1/2 hours back.
On the bus back we ran into some book salesmen. They heard me asking Liz a question in English. One of them proceeded to ask me if I spoke English because he wanted my opinion about some books he had. At the point, I thought it would be best not to get engaged in a conversation with them. I started to speak Spanish and we were able to get out of buying unwanted books. It was interesting how persistent this young man was in trying to speak to me. He thought Liz was my interpreter and tried to talk to us for about 15 minutes. I have been wearing my fake wedding ring on my right hand to ward off unwanted attention but it didn’t stop this guy. Maybe my ring isn’t convincing enough. Russians wear wedding rings on their right hand. Usually people don’t try to talk to me out in public unless they try to ask me a question in Russian for directions. At that point I say no Russian since my vocabulary is so limited.
Last night Vera invited her friend over to help with English lessons. She teaches English at a local university and would like to start helping us visit the orphanages. I was very encouraged. Since most foreigners can’t stay very long in the country it is best to encourage Russian citizens to keep up the work when we have to leave.
I washed my clothing yesterday morning and was surprised to find most of them dry this morning. Much better than the first week when it took 4 days. They don’t have laundromats over here either only laundry service.

Orphanage visit

This is A, V, and N.
I visited an orphanage on Friday and Sunday this weekend and was introduced to some of the staff. I will be allowed to visit on these days only at this point. Here is my new little friend N who is 10. We spent the time drawing pictures and learning new words in English and Russian. She showed me her room and all of her belongings. I hope to visit her again next week. All of the children were so fun to be with. Vera, K, and I brought snacks to share with them and the counselor N was so warm and gracious.

Russia update 4

Here is a picture from the party last weekend. One of the girls from an orphanage nearby is wearing a vest that the knitting charity made.
I got lost on the Metro last night. I got off on the right stop but the exit to the city was closed. So I thought maybe I can get off the next stop and walk from there. No good because it was too far. I had to ask a nice lady (God bless her) what to do in Russian. I went back to the original stop and then how to ask 2 other ladies (God bless them) where the exit was located. Basically there are 2 stops in one location and the exit I was going to use was closed so I had to use the other exit which was farther. Confusing, right?
I've been researching language classes during the day this week. One 45 minute session is $10.80 so maybe I could do 3 hours a week or something like that. Yesterday, it took 5 hours to complete one load of clothing! I had to leave my second load in the dryer because it was late.
The host family I'm living with are very nice and warm. Tonight I'm going to try to help them learn English.
Walking to the office today I saw a babushka feeding the pigeons and wanted to take a picture but don't know how to say that yet. I've been seeing a lot of stray dogs around the city and feel bad for them.

Russia update 3

Here I am holding T who is 2.
Here I am feeding one of the babies lunch.
I have now moved in with a Russian family in St. Petersburg. They run a transitional home for teenage girls from the orphanage. Their family consists of 2 boys, ages 4 and 7 and 3 girls ages 16-17. Since my team leader and her husband left early this morning we were picked up at 3:40 a.m. and then afterwards I was moved into their home. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep. Last night I was feeling nervous about getting myself around the city by myself. It is very intimidating. Also, I was trying to research Russian language lessons to find out that most are private instruction and cost about $20/hour.
After a few hours of sleep like maybe 2 or 3 I woke up and went to church with the mother(Vera) and her 3 girls from the orphanage. The service was 3 hours long and they had a guest speaker who works with Reinhard Bohnke’s ministry. Reinhard Bohnke is looking into coming to St. Petersburg next year for an evangelistic crusade. There were a lot of young people there. I’m guessing there was about 500 people in attendance.
Vera tried to show me the metro as I will try to use it tomorrow to get to the office and do laundry, find out where the embassy is located, use the Internet and go to the bank. I’m going to try to find out if there are any other Russian speakers(native or not)who are visiting orphanages during the day. If I stay then I will try to do this during the day. If I can find a language class that is not expensive then I will try to do that because communicating myself is better. I could be more effective if I could communicate.
The family has been trying to learn English, especially the father(Vova). He has taught himself using Rosetta stone and knows quite a bit. The girls are taking English in school. Today I helped N work on her English presentation on Ecology. I was amazed how well she was able to write. Earlier, I met her sister K(18) who used to live in this home. She now has a room on her own and will be having a birthday next week.
Yesterday(Saturday), we were allowed to sleep in although I woke up early to chat with my brother and dad on the Internet. For our last day together we attended another party for kids from a nearby orphanage. One boy was particularly interested in trying to talk with me and find out what gifts I could bring him. Karen(team leader)planned some interesting crafts for the kids to make like boxes out of greeting cards and lanyards. Later we used the nail polish for the girls to paint their nails. There was plenty of dessert and tea, although I really restrained myself. I was happy to weigh in at least 5 pounds less than a week ago due to all of our exercise and less dessert. At 7 p.m. we walked Luba to the train station and started crying when Luba left. She was like a mother to me this past week and I really appreciate her. I finally got the phone card to work last night and today, Yeah!
Friday morning we volunteered at an emergency shelter for kids where one of the interpreters work. I mostly played with the 2 year old children and then at lunchtime fed one of the babies. There are children as young as newborn and as old as 18 years old at this shelter.

Russia update 2

Picture is Luba and I standing in front of one of the city arches
Hello everyone! I am doing well and have adjusted to the time difference. Also, I am feeling better after being sniffly and sneezy earlier in the week. We have kept a very busy schedule. Yesterday, we visited another adult facility for the disabled. There are young adults there that Karen(team leader)knows from when they were in the younger disabled home. The facility prepared a small program for us. We played Russian games with some of the residents and had tea with them afterwards. Also, they prepared some songs to sing for us. I was really impressed with what they have accomplished with their singing group. I think they said that they have travelled to other countries to participate in competitions. Afterwards, we were taken on a tour of the facility. I was happy to see that they allow the residents to have pets such as cats and a dog. It was disappointing again that our time was so structured that we were not allowed to really interact with the residents with greater freedom. Oh we also were able to visit their Russian Orthodox chapel and the singing group sang a prayer for us.
In the afternoon we went to the outdoor market so that I could buy some souveneirs. It is located next to the Church on the Spilled Blood which is a famous Russian Orthodox church. I was told that it took 27 years to complete the church building. Our interpreters took us to a cafe nearby where they feasted on borscht soup, buckwheat, and some Russian pastry. In the evening we had some guests over for dinner with us that Karen and Luba had prepared. Chicken/Beef stew, watermelon, and many desserts. I got to spend some time with my brother’s friend Natasha. It was good to finally have a chance to call home using a calling card $4/card and you get 1 hour 41 minutes to call U.S.
Today we visited the biggest orphanage in St. Petersburg for disabled children. There are 550 kids there and we delivered many sweaters, hats, socks, mittens, shoes, underwear, and toothbrushes. It was good that we finally were given a chance to interact more with the children. There were several rooms where the kids were bedbound because of their inability to walk. I could see that they had wheelchairs to take them around. The first room I spent most of my time with D. She is 5 with Down’s Syndrome and can’t walk. At first she was sitting in her crib rocking and grinding her teeth but I was able to get her to stand up with the nursing assistant’s help. She started to respond to my talking and singing to her by smiling and making some sounds. She took my hands and clapped them together. When it was time to leave she had a tight grip on my hands and seemed to not want to let me go. ): In the next room one of the interpreters and I played with a young boy named V. He was sitting on a mat with blocks and stuffed animals. He couldn’t talk either but laughed when I pretended that the stuffed lion was kissing him.(: I also spent time with 2 bed-bound boys who smiled and held my hands while I talked and sang to them. The nursing assistant in that room also seemed very loving and caring to the boys. We visited some rooms where the more able kids worked on beading and sewing. The beading teacher told us that more of the kids coming into the facility were severely disabled and she didn’t know how much longer they would need her there. The work she was able to accomplish with her kids were just amazing.
Afterwards we had tea with the assistant director and she told us that some of their greater needs are school supplies, building repairs, medications, and vitamins for the kids. She was very grateful for the supplies and knitted goods that we were able to bring. Amongst the older more able kids, one recognized my leader and was so happy, giving her big hugs and repeating her name over and over. That really touched my heart and I became teary eyed. It was so moving to see how much this young woman loved Karen who only has a chance to visit her 4 times if that a year. The older kids enjoyed some perfume and lipstick samples that Nicole (my Avon friend) gave me from home.
I have to say that the whole trip of getting there and back was interesting as we had two suitcases to lug around the city for the rest of the day. A friend of Karen’s joined us at the orphanage and from there we went to Pizza Hut for lunch at the interpreter’s request. From there we stopped off to buy some famous Russian porcelain dishes and visit with some other missionaries from the U.S.
In the evening we visited a transitional home run by a Russian couple. They have 2 young boys ages 4 and 7 of their own and 3 girls from the orphanage. They provided us with a lovely Russian dinner of salad and sandwiches plus blinys for dessert. The homemade jam used for the inside was made of cherries that Vera's(host) parents made. She gave us a tour of the apartment and talked with me about staying with them until December. Her goal is to visit one orphanage every week and invite kids to come over on Saturday nights for bible study. She would like me to help them to learn English as well. Pray I make the right decision.

Russia update

Sorry I haven’t posted more but there has been little spare time. Plus the internet connection is downstairs and the power outlets upstairs. I have to charge up the battery before I can use the Internet. I’m thankful for the wi-fi connection.
I finally got 8 hours of sleep last night!!!Thank you God and for those who have been praying. I was so tired last night that my eyes were watery.
It is cooling off here weather-wise and was rainy this evening. This makes me happy as I didn’t bring any spring/summer clothing, only fall clothing.
Saturday night after arriving we attended a church service for a bit and then went to McDonalds for dinner. Afterwards, we went grocery shopping and bought our food for meals. I picked out carrots and kasha( like oatmeal).
Sunday we visited the adult disabled facility outside the city of St. Petersburg. It was at least a 45 minute bus ride(marshulka). Then after walking a mile we arrived. Such a big facility but the people there were so happy to see us. We did a bead activity with them and handed out some jewelry and a sweater vest. They receive a pension every month and are allowed to come and go from the facility.
Monday we visited 2 facilities. The first was also a 45 minute bus ride and was very modern and impressive. It is the best facility in the area maybe even the country. We were given a tour which was very long since it is so big. They seem to really strive here to maximize the potential of disabled children. The next facility we visited was in the suburb too. There we were able to distribute sweaters and socks from the knitting charity CIC and shoes. We visited the children in each classroom. They were happy to see us too!
Tuesday we attended the prayer meeting at the office. There were many people there from Canada, United States, Great Britain, and Russia. It was encouraging to see so many people that have a heart to minister to Russia. Afterwards there was fellowship and lunch. Plus, a little rest time(yeah!) At 4 p.m. we headed off to another adult facility for the disabled. It took us 1 1/2 hours by bus to get there. We road through the historic area so I got to see the Winter Palace(Hermitage) and other older buildings with beautiful architecture. God gave us favor at this place and were allowed to come in to the dorm rooms where they had prepared tea for us. We painted nails and gave some perfume, lipstick and toiletry items away. Next, we went to a transitional home for teenagers from the orphanage. It is run by an American couple from Ohio. There were about 15 teens there for the bliny party. I sampled my first Russian bliny and it reminded me of fajitas but with a crepe style pancake. We had an art activity for them, making suncatchers. I spent most of my time focusing on one deaf student. I played tic-tac-toe and hangman(this is not played in Russia). The kids enjoyed the lifesavers I passed out. They know this candy but don’t have access to it in Russia as far as I know. One girl, N, gave me a heart suncatcher.

First Russian pictures

Pictures are: View outside my room in the back; My team eating at McDonalds. First, my team leader and our intrepreter. Final picture is my team leader's husband.

This hobbit is leaving the shire

Like Bilbo Baggins, I am leaving my shire for an unknown land on a grand adventure. Not that I internally crave adventure for I too like hobbits am a creature of habit and enjoy the comforts of home. But God put something in me, a burden for orphans and in a dream gave me direction to go to Russia. So like Mary I treasured and pondered these things in my heart and now am about to step out in faith and get out of the boat.
Thanks everyone who donated toward this trip. I have met the goal to meet the financial cost of the trip! I am truly amazed at the generosity of family, friends, and friends of friends. I could not have done this without your support, encouragement, and prayers.
Please pray for my team leader who may have contracted the flu and we are supposed to depart Friday afternoon.
On a funny note, I bought 8 packages of travel size toilet seat covers at the store today. The clerk looked at me funny and asked where I was going. I'm also planning to bring some toilet paper in my suitcase too.

Munchie pictures