As much as family members would love to see pictures, I know it will be a long process so I will at least get a blog in. It is almost 7 in the morning here (Thursday). No one is up because we are not eating breakfast until 9; a little later than usual. I started a blog last night (Wednesday) around 3:15 p.m. your time, 11:15 p.m. our time but the lady in charge came to tell me it was time to get off the computer so she could lock up and go to bed. I couldn't even save all that I wrote or even send the amount I had written. When a lady with a white rat on her shoulder tells you it's time to get off, you get off! : )

Our days are going by very quickly. It always amazes me how we instantly fall completely in love with the kids. It is an instant, deep love that God just pours through you. It's not something that can be explained and it's not something that can be totally understood by those who have not experienced it. In fact, my husband has mentioned that to me several times on this trip. He now sees why I'm all messed up and why I wear my dorky beaded braclets that "my kids" made me and why I can be so in love with these kids.

Our experiences at Fontanka have been sweet. The boys are willing to do anything we ask them to do whether it's listening to a Bible story, do relays, or crafts. Even the "too cool" boys who wouldn't make a craft at least watch the others. I was able to convince one boy to make one for Babushka Lela since he wouldn't make one for himself.

Igor told me that one of the oldest boys came and sat by him on the bench. He told him, "Thank you for not forgetting us." Igor said it meant so much to the boy that we come to see them. We look forward to spending the morning with them today as we will be sharing the Salvation message with them.

Gary is head over hills in love with a boy named Viktor. Two Viktor's are special to him but one has stollen his heart. He wants to pack him in a bag and bring him home. Of course, those of you reading this who have been there before know exactly how he's feeling.



Yesterday we spent the morning on the Black Sea with the Camp Viktoria kids. There wasn't much to do because the teachers no longer let them go over to the concrete wall to jump and swim. They have to stay in a roped area to swim where they can all be closely watched. We played catch and wrote with sidewalk chalk and just hung out. Most of the team swam with the kids for a while too. Gary just had to jump off the "bridge thing" that he had heard so much about. He didn't want to miss out on the opportunity just incase it was his only one. I'm fine with not experiencing that!



God answered my prayer that I would see my Vova while I was here. I mention him in my PassionForUkraine web page from last summer. I had to say good bye to him at McDonalds and thought I'd never see him again. He was finished with school and had plans to continue school and learn to cook so he could be a cook on the sea. Monday as we piled out of the van I heard commotion on the other side. Through the window I saw Mike hugging someone. When I saw that it was Vova I screamed and ran to him. He was so happy to be with us and I was never happier to see him in my life! Yesterday at camp the director made him leave, but as least I got to send some time with him and had already made him a bracelet and gave him a Russian CBC CD (thanks again Ray!!!) which he loved very much. He listened to it the night I gave it to him and he loved it. God is good! All the time!



We sat and watch relays all evening. As boring as this is, it's not bad because our kids sit with us and they can't get close enough or get hugged enough. We just sit and bond and love on them. I was on the top row of the bleachers last night and I scanned over the crowd. Everyone of our team members were surrounded with kids. Arms around each other, talking, smiling, rubbing backs, and just pouring out love. The kids soak up everything they receive. Ben was surrounded by his girls. Every time I looked over to where they were sitting he was looking at them and they were all smiles as he talked to them in his Russian accent. Emily and Sara have several kids who never leave their sides. They are being the hands and voice of Jesus. Merry, Chels, Danny (who keeps us very entertained at all times), Dana, and Misha are just wonderful with their kids. There is a deep respect and love that has been growing the last 1 to 5 years with their kids. Mike (who is Misha 'round these parts) has seen many of these kids grow up from age 10. Now they are 14 or 15 or 16 and they love and respect Mike so much. One of the little boys came up to him yesterday and hugged him and said "You are GOOD BOY!" : ) This is Vladik, Emily's boy who is now Ben's boy, who is really everyone's boy. He's a little stinker but he's full of love and joy.

This is long, I know, but God is doing so much and I know those of you at home want to know how your kids are doing and how the trip is going.

The relay time was almost over last night and one of the teenage boys started trying to take Bill's sunglasses. It became a little game which all the other teen agers thought was pretty funny. Bill just played a long for a while but then as more boys came to sit with the group they all began to talk. Bill had already shared his testimony with many of them earlier and even though they were way too cool to talk to the American at first, now they love him and stay with him all evening. Last night Bill began to share the Gospel and Igor joined right in to translate. Some were laughing and playing around at first but by the time they were done talking, it was very quiet and serious. They asked Igor a lot of questions and they were truely being moved by the Spirit. It was dinner time for the kids while this was going on, so all of us had to go to the gate while the men had this wonderful time with the boys.

Even though we have not had an organized teaching time at Viktoria, God is stirring in the hearts and opening doors for His Word to be taught.

Remember that we are 8 hours ahead so please be praying as we share the message of God's forgivness and Salvation today. Also, it's Gary's birthday today and he doesn't know we know (thanks Facebook) so we have a little breakfast surprise for him. Be in prayer for Bill and Misha as well. This is their last day with the kids. They leave at 5:20 Friday morning. They will be sad and torn to leave but they both have to return to their jobs. Plus my 3 boys at home will be happy to have their daddy home, no matter how messed up he is now. : )

We feel your prayers and God's presence and peace. We all love you and talk of home with each other often. Your kids are awesome!!!