Stories from the Mission Field: Russia: Building Relationships

See how God used our Project GO! volunteers last summer as they served in Peru, Guatemala, Kenya, Honduras, Russia, Dominican Republic, Mexico and the U.S./Mexico border.

Some of us spent the past week at Orphanage No. 14 playing “futbol” (soccer) and basketball with boys who have unlimited energy. Others spent hours playing Uno and trying to keep up with the ever-changing rules.  Still others spent their days making friendship bracelets for their many new friends!

But the week was so much more than these activities. Within each activity was a window of opportunity—a window for establishing relationships, a window in which we could freely give our friendship, our love and ourselves and a window for planting a seed of God’s truth, love and hope.

The first seed we had the privilege to see grow was in a 12-year-old boy named Andre. When we shared Bible stories, he was quick to speak up with both right and wrong answers and questions. Our conversations with him paid off when he understood that his place in God’s family was not temporary, but was forever affirmed by the blood of Jesus Christ. This joy of finally having a permanent family was revealed when he ran up and told Sally she was his big sister and he was forever her little brother through Christ.

Sixteen-year-old Alec was searching for a purpose beyond himself. While the other boys were preoccupied with sports and cards, Alec pressed us for answers to deep theological questions, like, “How can you have faith in something you can’t see?” and, “Isn’t living a good life enough to go to heaven?”

Our window for working with Alec this month may be closed, but our prayer is that God will keep the window open for coming teams until he has found his place in God’s family.

Interacting with the older girls at the beginning of the week was tough, but our team’s prayers were answered through the softening of their hearts as the week progressed. There was much discussion of boys, make up and nail polish, but intertwined with those typical girl topics were the topics of Jesus Christ, God’s lasting love and true beauty.

One of the older girls, Tanya, made a connection with our team that paved the way for relationships with other girls. Her search for friendship and longing for affection allowed for deeper conversations and a bond that cannot be hindered by distance or language.

Sally, Kalie, Sarah Anne, Elizabeth and Clay: 2011 Session One Project Go volunteers in Russia.

College students and recent grads -- It's not too late to apply for Project GO! and serve overseas in June, July, or for the entire summer! The second round of applications are due by April 9th. Learn more here.