MY MISSION TRIP TO RUSSIA
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Nine years ago I went on a short term mission trip to Russia. It took seventeen hours by airbus. It changed my life. While I was there, I realized how blessed I am to be an American and how much my freedom means.
Upon arriving at the airport, it was dark and the military were everywhere. The restrooms were dirty, no seats on the toilets, water leaking everywhere, no type of toilet paper to be found. Standing in line declaring our money, I had time to thank the Lord for being born in America and to ponder on how blessed we are and how much we take for granted.
We walk outside of the airport, it's cold and damp. We board a bus that must've been twenty years old, the curtains were hanging in shreds on the inside. We are on our way to the hotel and see homes that are over a hundred years old, they looked like shacks.
Most of the Russian people live in apartment buildings, heat and air are controlled by the government. It would be so hot when we were visiting, they would have all of their small windows open trying to cool it down so it was bearable. They were eager to show us speakers in the walls, they told us when the Communist Government was in power they could listen in on their converstations. Very few Russians own cars, they walk everywhere.
When we arrived at our hotel, we could see Red Square and the Kremlin in the distance. The hotel is supposed to be one of the best in the world. The lobby was beautiful, lots of marble, the rooms were a different story, they were small and had two small twin sized beds on each side with foam rubber mattresses. The bathrooms were stained with rust, a water hose came out of the wall in the bathtub instead of stainless steel faucets. However the toilet did have a seat on it.
When we were there, minimum wage was five dollars a month. Some of the people worked in factories and didn't get paid, but didn't want to give up their jobs because they might start paying again one day. Most of them wore the same clothes everyday for a week. The elderly and little kids slept in the underground tunnels and in doorways.
I remember one night we found a McDonalds in Moscow. We were eating a Big Mac and this little elderly lady was going from table to table begging for scraps. I asked my husband what she was doing and he said she's hungry, so I told him to give her some money, he gave her some and she started crying,then buried her head in his chest, went to get some coffee, stood by the trash can and weeped. As we were leaving I told him to give her some more money, when he did, she followed us outside crying saying over and over Spaceba (thank you). I couldn't take it, it was so sad. I wouldn't go back if I didn't have alot of money to give away.
The Russia people are beautiful people. We were there sharing the gospel of Christ. When you give them a bible, they will cry and they will kiss it and thank you over and over. Sometimes they only get to read the bible every two or three weeks, because they have to share them with other Christians. It is so precious to them, we take it so for granted. In America we have so many blessings, we don't realize how blessed we are.
Anyway, I tell you all this to tell you the reason I volunteer today is because one of our interpreters, a young college student asked us what we were doing eight thousand miles away from home when our youth in America had so many problems. She asked..."What are you doing to help your youth in America?" We felt like God was speaking to us through this young girl, so when we returned to America and our Pastor asked for volunteers at a maximum security facility for juveniles, we went there and have been volunteering ever since.
At present we are the Chaplains at a minimum security facility for boys ages 13 to 18. It has been a very rewarding experience. At times I get weary in well doing, but then I remember I am only the one planting seeds, telling them there is a better way, that they are loved. God has a special plan and purpose for their lives. I have seen God's hand move in many ways, especially in my own life, in my own heart, He is changing me daily into the person He created me to be.
I am very blessed, I am thankful I live in America and I have the freedom to share the gospel. Hopefully I can make a difference in someone else's life, whether it is on my job, where I volunteer or even with a stranger, I don't want to look back and have wasted a minute. I want to make the most of every opportunity to give someone else hope, because this life will one day end and I believe there is an eternity, I believe I will face God one day and I will have to give an account for the life I have lived.
Upon arriving at the airport, it was dark and the military were everywhere. The restrooms were dirty, no seats on the toilets, water leaking everywhere, no type of toilet paper to be found. Standing in line declaring our money, I had time to thank the Lord for being born in America and to ponder on how blessed we are and how much we take for granted.
We walk outside of the airport, it's cold and damp. We board a bus that must've been twenty years old, the curtains were hanging in shreds on the inside. We are on our way to the hotel and see homes that are over a hundred years old, they looked like shacks.
Most of the Russian people live in apartment buildings, heat and air are controlled by the government. It would be so hot when we were visiting, they would have all of their small windows open trying to cool it down so it was bearable. They were eager to show us speakers in the walls, they told us when the Communist Government was in power they could listen in on their converstations. Very few Russians own cars, they walk everywhere.
When we arrived at our hotel, we could see Red Square and the Kremlin in the distance. The hotel is supposed to be one of the best in the world. The lobby was beautiful, lots of marble, the rooms were a different story, they were small and had two small twin sized beds on each side with foam rubber mattresses. The bathrooms were stained with rust, a water hose came out of the wall in the bathtub instead of stainless steel faucets. However the toilet did have a seat on it.
When we were there, minimum wage was five dollars a month. Some of the people worked in factories and didn't get paid, but didn't want to give up their jobs because they might start paying again one day. Most of them wore the same clothes everyday for a week. The elderly and little kids slept in the underground tunnels and in doorways.
I remember one night we found a McDonalds in Moscow. We were eating a Big Mac and this little elderly lady was going from table to table begging for scraps. I asked my husband what she was doing and he said she's hungry, so I told him to give her some money, he gave her some and she started crying,then buried her head in his chest, went to get some coffee, stood by the trash can and weeped. As we were leaving I told him to give her some more money, when he did, she followed us outside crying saying over and over Spaceba (thank you). I couldn't take it, it was so sad. I wouldn't go back if I didn't have alot of money to give away.
The Russia people are beautiful people. We were there sharing the gospel of Christ. When you give them a bible, they will cry and they will kiss it and thank you over and over. Sometimes they only get to read the bible every two or three weeks, because they have to share them with other Christians. It is so precious to them, we take it so for granted. In America we have so many blessings, we don't realize how blessed we are.
Anyway, I tell you all this to tell you the reason I volunteer today is because one of our interpreters, a young college student asked us what we were doing eight thousand miles away from home when our youth in America had so many problems. She asked..."What are you doing to help your youth in America?" We felt like God was speaking to us through this young girl, so when we returned to America and our Pastor asked for volunteers at a maximum security facility for juveniles, we went there and have been volunteering ever since.
At present we are the Chaplains at a minimum security facility for boys ages 13 to 18. It has been a very rewarding experience. At times I get weary in well doing, but then I remember I am only the one planting seeds, telling them there is a better way, that they are loved. God has a special plan and purpose for their lives. I have seen God's hand move in many ways, especially in my own life, in my own heart, He is changing me daily into the person He created me to be.
I am very blessed, I am thankful I live in America and I have the freedom to share the gospel. Hopefully I can make a difference in someone else's life, whether it is on my job, where I volunteer or even with a stranger, I don't want to look back and have wasted a minute. I want to make the most of every opportunity to give someone else hope, because this life will one day end and I believe there is an eternity, I believe I will face God one day and I will have to give an account for the life I have lived.
posted by Live, Love, Laugh | 8:30 PM
6 Comments:
Thank you for being such an embassador to god's work!
I do work with our command's SARP (sexual assualt response program) program, and am looking for good programs in the church to get involved with.
I really do agree with you on the quality of life in different countries. In Italy they don't have TP or toilet seats here either. Pocket kleenex is a must around here.
Thanks for the great post.
Great post mom! :)
That post brought tears to my eyes. We take so much for granted and it is inspiring to hear stories such as yours. Keep up the good work. I know God is blessing you even as you speak.
That was a great post. You help so much! Eddie is right in all that he says about you. You are a very special person!
I hope to volunteer in Arizona and help people because so many people have shown me support and made hard times easier for me. Hopefully I can do the same for others.
Its great to hear all that you do for others.
Our church makes lunches on Saturdays for the people who eat at a local soup kitchen during the week. We've helped out making the lunches and delivering them. It has been an education. There are people in this country who are having a very tough time.
We have friends who have also done this in Russia and the Ukraine, but their faith and fervor would put Americans to shame. Something about our material wealth takes our eyes off what is important. Thanks for a lovely post.
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