Friday

We made it! Getting onto our blogspot on a Russian computer was our first "unsuccessful" endeavor. It took us a while to figure out how to get started on this, so we apologize that we didn't get any information up sooner. Travel went flawlessly (well relatively speaking). We got all of our checked luggage, which Sandi says was a first! No flight delays. The van was waiting for us, and we only got stopped once getting through customs--one of our suitcases must have looked suspicious, (although we think it was Korte who REALLY looked suspcious). We did learn that Leigh Ann doesn't have a future in NASCAR, at least if the way she maneuvers luggage carts is any indication.

Yesterday (Thursday) was devoted to unpacking and getting the gift bags ready for the Women's conference. We really are pleased with the gift bags, and we were all so blessed by the many donations that we received. Even after putting the gift bags together, we had several bags of toiletries to leave for the church here to use. And that doesn't even count the tools and "guy things" we brought (but your bloggers are "girls" so we weren't too interested in that! We also had some time for sighseeing (although I think we provided a spectacle for the Russians, also). Of course, Korte was walking around in shorts even though it was windy and cold. We think that Mary particularly made an impression with her rabbit fur coat (yes, we have pictures, although considering how hard we were all laughing, getting a clear picture was a challenge). A couple of guys asked Don and Sharon if we were from the UK --we were tempted to tell the Austrailia, but we "fessed." After a somewhat squished experience on one on Russia's "spacious" trolleys, we were forced to take refuge in a spacious shopping mall. Leigh Ann and Ashley have decided that part of their mission is to rescue the sagging Russian economy!

The hotel is really pretty nice. It's a good thing we're getting plenty of Christian atmosphere at the church. The atmosphere at the hotel is another story--the breakfast area resembles a harem, and the eighth floor contingency get to listen to disco music every night from the club below. Park of our group plans to witness at the arcade and the blacklight bowling alley (which would of course involve playing the games to get to know people). They REALLY need us here!

Anya and Susha have been great guides (although Anya may share the American phrase that leading us around was like "herding cats". See, we are already sharing American culture!

Today, we're getting ready to leave for the women's conference and the guys are getting ready to test their carpentr skills (Matt says he is an expert at painting :)

Here are the messages:
Chelsea: Hello to family, and "I love you all." Tell Squirt I love her. Russia is great!

Matt: Hello. Mom, if a job has contacted me, send Riana a text message. Her number is in my cell phone's contact list. Love to JHC, GMC, JAC, Grandpa, Grandma Barb, and the rest of the family.

Heather: Hi, kids. Love you! I have gps imaging and I can see you from here! Behave! I miss you.

Mary: Love to my family and Justin. How was Jusin's check ride?

Alicia: Love and prayers to everyone back home.

Martha: I'm alive and well!

Ashley: Mom, Dad, Josh, Sarah, Mike, and Blair--I miss you, and I love you.

Riana: I want to send my whole family all my love, and thank you for all your support. Love and prayers.

Korte: Love to my family. Russia is great!

Leigh Ann: Love to Mom, Dad, and James.

Rachel: Russia is awesome! Love to my family.

Chaela: Love to all my family. Mawmaw--I'm keeping Chelsea safe :)

Don and Sharon: Sharon hasn't fallen apart (the first concern). Don hasn't tried to sneak any plant life off of private property (second major concern). The cookies were WONDERUL! No, the Russians didn't get all of them. We had such a weird shcedule the first day that we really appreciated the healthy American food (although we have to confess that our first Russian meal was at a McDonalds).

Maybe we need to clarify that although we are having fun, we are also doing what we came here to do. We heard our first sermon in Russian, and we discovered that we could sing in English while our friends were singing in Russian. We have had devotions every morning, and we are allpreparing to share with our Russian friends.

We continue to cover your prayers. More later (assuming we can do this twice!).

Your intrepid bloggers, Chaela and Sharon