Sunday

Comment from Sandi: So far, I think I'm dealing with the "A Team." All of our bags arrived--this is a first in fifteen trips, and keeping 20 people together at one time is not as hard as I thought it would be. Everybody is doing well, and the Russians are so grateful to see another American team come and serve. I am thrilled with the work that was done at the Benjamin House and ever so blessed by the women's event. Our remaining 10 days will be gone before we know it. This is a great team, and it has been a joy to work with them. Bob, please don't tear anything permanent out of the house when I am gone :)

Happy Birthday, Brianna! For those of you who don't know, Brianna turned twelve today. We celebrated with a bilingual version of Happy Birthday at the women's conference.

We'd like to explain a little about what went on at our women's conference. We started out on Friday at 7:00pm with worship followed by a message from Kathi and a testimony from Heather. Then there was more worship and we broke for the evening.

Saturday started at 9:00 and the day included messages from Kathi, a tesimony from Martha, a testimony by a Russian lady, as well as breakout sessions and worship. The afternoon included crafts, another message by Kathi, and another breakout session.

After coming back to the church, we met up with the men and enjoyed a meal of shashlik (which is Russian shishkebab with Pasha's own special sauce).

Today we shared morning worship service with our Russian friends and after a picture-taking session were served a lunch of borscht and Russian sandwiches.

We continued the conference after lunch with a message from Sandi, brownies, a craft time, and a message from Mary. Sandi's message about identifying gifts gave us all much to think about. Some of us (who shall remain nameless) have decided that cooking brownies in a Russian oven probably isn't our special "gift" unless you like eating brownies with a spoon. Sigh........

The men spent part of the afternoon in street evangelism.

We are looking forward to a visit to Suzdal and shopping for souvenirs tomorrow. More to come on that subject after we have been there. We suspect that we will continue our mission of shoring up the ailing Russian economy tomorrow.

From Kathi, Noni, and Brianna: Brian and Alex--We hope that you're having a great trip! Happy Birthday, Alex! We love you and miss you.

Your inspired bloggers,

Chaela and Sharon

Here are some more pictures:











Chelsea, Rachel, Yula, Olya, Anya, and Riana at the women's conference in Ladoga




Our first worship service at the women's conference.


















Mary's infamous fur coat, christened Snowy Fuzzy Numkins Ackerman, Chelsea, and Chaela

Vlodya giving the team a tour of his house and property

View from downtown Vladimir
















Russian Orthodox Church in Vladimir





















Ancient city gate and entrance to Vladimir














Ladies working on their crafts at the conference









Matt working on the banya at Vlodya's


















A Russian country church near Vlodya's village.

















Sergei driving the sandbox bus.













Vlodya's house















Chelsea and Chaela on the banya porch.












Vlodya and his wife Nally


















The team wearing our beautiful gifts from the women at the conference.