Tuesday July 7, 2009

We arrived safely in Chelyabinsk Monday evening.. We first landed in Moscow to a delightfully cold 48 degrees. We were a little concerned about the temperature but were delighted that Chelyabinsk was around 70 degrees. Everyone was exhausted but excited about the trip. We were greeted at the airport by our dear friend Lydia, the new director of the orphanage – Denis who presented Dianna with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses, Svetlana (and yes Scott Tatiana is back at the orphanage also) We saw a few of the kids last night and they were so very excited to see us. Our first night's sleep was okay – still adjusting to the time change. This morning we will meet at the directors office to get to know him and his staff better. He also has plans to take us to an “historical place” Keep us in your prayers

With love from Russia

Dianna Wallen

July 9^th, 2009

Thursday

Hello again from Russia! Yesterday was a very busy day. We had 6 one hour bible lessons with the kids. It was GREAT! We began talking about Jesus and his birth. We sang Jesus Loves Me, and did an amazing craft! Every child was very well behaved and we interested in hearing what we had to say. At the close of each session we are doing prayer requests. Yesterday's requests brought many tears to our eyes. Please pray for the welfare of the children. Some told us stories of abuse and neglect that broke our hearts. The men began demolition of the school clinic. They need to do major upgrades to the clinic in order to be licensed to doctor the kids. We will also be doing renovations to one of the children's dormitories where we will be painting and wallpapering. We spent the entire evening playing with the kids – some played baseball, threw footballs, played on the playground, drew on the sidewalk, and even painted fingernails. Marc had a few boys who were interested in learning to play guitar. Everyone is having a great time and are letting Jesus' light shine!

From Russia with love

Dianna

Friday

July 10, 2009

Stras-veet-ya! (Hello)

The weather here is definitely cool here – 55 degrees this morning and is supposed to rain every day until next Thursday. It won't hamper us though – we have had great Bible school and work projects. Yesterday Lisa gave a class to the Mommas. It started out with hesitation on their part but by the end they were all asking lots of questions and didn't want to leave. Praise God! The children are enjoy their classes as well. Today they will be studying the temptations of Christ and making crafts which they love to do. We bought a guitar and Marc has been playing during class as well as teaching some kids to play. We will finish the demolition of the clinic area to make way for new flooring, tile, doors and windows that they need to renew their license. Next week we will be painting and wallpapering a dorm room. We also went to a candy factory where they make delicious “cakes” and chocolates – we had to where overalls (see picture) and Mart Bauserman would be in heaven! The food has been delicious. We are eating at the canteen and had meat cutlets (pork and beef meat loaf) and palmini (meat stuffed pasta) last night and of course delicious vanilla ice cream. Keep us in your prayers.

Making Jesus Famous,

The GLOW Russia Mission Team

Saturday July 11, 2009

Today was a very eventful day. We had 6 sessions of bible school with the children and we will have one session tonight with the “mammas”, poured concrete and bricked up a doorway. Our group will be doing a major project – we will renovate the school clinic. We will be doing as much of the work as possible while here and the school will finish what is left undone. Today we poured concrete in room 1 that will be used as a sterilization room– we will also tile the entire room and install a shower, in rooms 2-6 we will tile around the sink, paint, put down linoleum, all rooms will get new windows and doors. We ordered 10 new mattresses along with covers and pillows. We have also already purchased a washing machine, microwave, mini stove and water cooler for the room. This afternoon the sun finally came out!!! Hurray!!! We were beginning to mold. We are looking forward to an evening of playing with the children. Tomorrow we plan to go to an Assemblies of God church where one of our interpretors is a member and see some of the sites of the city. We continue to ask for your prayers. God has been so good to us.

Paying attention to Jesus,

GLOW Ministries Russia Mission Team

Monday, July 13

Sunday was a wonderful day in Chelyabinsk. We started with worship at the Church Of God one of our interpretors goes here. The associate pastor greeted us and had a short overview about his church along with an explanation of how their worship service would be performed. We felt right at home when the first song they sang was Lord I Lift Your Name On High. They also sang There Is None Like You. Afterwards we went to a restaurant - Jackson's Bar and Grill – we were then taken to a local reservoir/beach were we enjoyed an afternoon in the sand and sun. They had a huge water slide that only a few brave soles – mostly the teens and Dianna and Marc – dared try. It ended in a VERY cold lake – felt like ice water ! After a few times down we were ready to move on to the next adventure – banana boating!?! Again the teens were the brave ones – and of course myself – It was definitely a ride we'll never forget. Our afternoon ended with a feast of all Russian dishes at a restaurant at the resort. It was a treat from the owner. We arrive back at the orphanage to the squealing of many children anxious to see us. Monday brought much work and continuation of bible school. We began laying tile and painting the playground. Everyone is still working hard and paying attention to Jesus! We have been so blessed to hear the children call our names and run as hard as they can to give you a hug.

GLOW Ministries Russia Mission Team

Thursday July 16, 2009

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!!! Greeting again from Russia. We have been blessed beyond measure by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Tuesday Mil and Dianna met with the director to deliver the news of what we could purchase from his “needs” list. We were able to purchase many needed items including remodel of clinic with a few pieces of medical equipment - $7,400, school kitchen including small refrigerator and replacing burners on commercial stove - $2,200 - underwear, socks, bras, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, feminine products - $3,300 – 4 winter tires for the van, welding helmet, gloves, apron , tools- $1,500 – office needs including a digital camera and printer - $450 – school needs including teaching aids for the teachers, games for the kids, 4 razor type scooters, balls, jump ropes , karaoke machine - $1,800 – This totals approximately $18,000!!! (we will have a detailed list when we get home) Wednesday we held the first ever worship service where Pastor Marc led us in singing, had a very inspirational message and Holy Communion. We had 81 kids and adults from the orphanage attend – the orphanage children sang Jesus loves me in Russian and we had taught them to sing the chorus to Shine Jesus Shine in English which they were sooooo proud to sing for us! EVERYONE participated in Holy Communion which brought tears to the eyes of many of the team. Like I said GOD IS GOOD!!! Today we will continue working on the clinic and Joel Bowers will lead a group in the kitchen making chocolate chip cookies as a treat for the kids. Tonight the children have prepare a singing program for us and we are also planning to sing a few songs to them. We will also be handing out goody bags to each child.

GLOW Ministries Russia Mission Team

Friday July 17

Thursday was the last working day and last bible school at the orphanage. We ended the day on a very happy yet sad note with a farewell party for the children. The children performed several song/dance numbers for us and we also sang a melody of songs to them. After dinner we handed each child a “goody bag” with beanie babies, candy, small toys and jewelry. Then we spent lots of time playing and taking pictures with each child. We will greatly miss each one. Today we will be going into the center of the city to sight see and to shop. Tonight the director of the school and his staff will be hosting us in a farewell party. We did not get to finish the project we started however we did get tile in several rooms, plywood down on all the floors, saw new windows installed, carried loads and loads of construction debris away. However we did purchase all items needed to finish the job and know with confidence that it will be done by the end of August.

Saturday July 18

This will be our last email home before you see us on Sunday evening.  The entire team endured much just to make this life changing trip.  For months money was raised and plans were made to make our trip possible.  We carefully packed our suitcases, carried them what felt like miles around the airport, flew 5000 plus miles, lost 10 hours in flight and landed in a country most were unfamiliar with and certainly did not know the language that was spoken.  Our days at the orphanage were long and the work hard.  We ate more pork, chicken and potatoes than we thought possible.  But it was all a piece of cake compared to Friday night and having to say good bye to the kids and staff at the orphanage.  Leaving is always so heart wrenching, especially when you know the older kids have graduated school and will then leave the orphanage in August for a new life of study or work.  Mil has become a poppa to a young boy Sasha, 15 who we have known for 6 or 7 years.  Sasha will be leaving in August and it was a difficult goodbye for them both.  We are asking prayers for Sasha and his future.  We are unsure of what he will do or where he will end up living.  Sasha has many health issues which make his vocation selection very slim.  He hopes to be employed to be a painter.
We spend the day Saturday in Moscow shopping and in the evening we will take the metro to Red Square and then on to Arbot street and have a reward dinner at Hard Rock Cafe.  Thanks to all of you who were praying for us we felt your love.


Jesus Loves Me This I Know...
With love
GLOW Ministries
Russia Mission Team