First few days in Russia

Well we have arrived in Russia and the weather has been quite nice since we got here. Jet lag is still a pending factor as I tend to wake up around 4AM in the morning.

Thursday (1st day in the city)
We arrived at 3AM in Perm and this was my first time going through customs in another country. It was very interesting for me. When the plane landed in the city we deboarded on some stairs and walked ten feet to a bus that all passengers boarded. The bus then drove another 40 feet to the building to go through passport control. We seriously could have walked there and have no idea why we got on a bus? But that is Russian culture for you. The airport was a complete hole in the wall. VERY SMALL! Wow, I was shocked. Maybe four benches that you could sit down at in the entire airport.

We walked outside and it was somewhat dark. We met a russian named Yura who is a missionary for Y-WAM here in the city and he through all of our bags into the back of a truck that looked like it was from the TV show MASH. Quite funny I'd say. On our way into the city we passed six or so car dealerships. I was surprised, if you would look at the city, you wouldn't expect to see that many, maybe one, but not six. We took a short nap and then went on a scavenger hunt in the city! OH THE STARES! You can definitly tell we are American. It is not the way we look, but the way that we dress. I'll explain more later. We went to one of the colleges here and some russian girls standing in front of a water fountain asked if I could 'you take photo' and I did. It was her birthday and she was wearing a dress out of 1985! That is the best way to describe the city. Go back 20 years and that best describes the way it looks around here. Run down I'd say.

There was a festival for the city here yesterday and we went to check it out. We all played some russian dance games there and when the band on stage started to play swing music we all ran out and started dancing. All the russians watched us. We sucked, but it was fun for our team. My russian is getting better and I'm starting to forget some english? Strange, but it is happening to us all. Our brains feel like mush.

Weird Culture things:
When entering a store you must put your bag you have with you in a locker or seal it in a plastic bag. There is a bag lady whose job is to seal your bag in a little bag.

This is the hardest thing for us American guys is not smiling. If you do it here, that means you like the girl you are looking at. It is hard for us, we feel like idiots because we don't know the language and it sends a mixed message. Russian men do not show any emotion on there face. We ave a saying around here on project, 'practice face control.' Well, I suck at it.

I have met two russian men here, Dami and Yura. I'm setting up appointments here soon to meet up with them. Pray that it all works out!

Pray for safety of the team
Pray for the breaking down of language barriers
Pray for unity on the team
Pray for Jesus to be seen through us all at all times!

Briefing

We have been briefing these past two days in Lexington and will be departing tomorrow afternoon. We have been doing everything from 'getting to know you' activities to team building activities, spent some time with the Lord as a team and individually, and worshiped a praised together.

God is teaching us all great things as we get ready to embark on this journey. It has been awesome to see the Lord provide for all of us these past few days. THOUSANDS of dollars of come in for Christ to use us with this summer. Thanks for serving with me in your finances and prayers.

Again, please be praying for Russian souls for this summer. During our briefing God has been revealing to me that the soil in Russia is a whole lot harder to plant than in America. Russian students seem to take time to process things to really get an understanding and foot on the concept of the gospel. Please be praying for our pen pals as we continue to share with them and love on them through e-mail. Pray that we can make some quick arrangements to meet up with them once we land in Russia.

Please pray for my roommate in Russia that is on my team. We will soon be finding out who this is. Please pray for us as we go through security and travel these next two days. We will be tired after 15 and a half hours of flying not including our many hours that we sit in line, wait in different airports, and go through security. Hope to be able to write frequently once in Russia.

Flight Itinerary

Many of you were wondering my flight itinerary. Please pray for my team and I as we travel.

Tuesday Mary 26th
Depart Lexington, KY 5:30pm
Arrive in Chicago, IL 5:56PM

Depart Chicago 10:00pm
Arrive Frankfurt, Germany 1:30pm (May 27th)

Wednesday, May 27th
Depart Frankfurt 5:40pm
Arrive in Russia 3:10am(May 28th)
(layover in Russia city)


Perm is 10 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. Please pray as we will start our day when you go to bed. When you awake in the morning pray that we get a good night sleep.

Leaving in 6 days!

I have been praying about my upcoming summer and God is calling me to Russia. Please join me in prayer as I prepare for this journey. Pray for the people I will encounter and that their heart is ready to receive truth from the Lord. Also, that the travel arrangement and visa preparation is effortless and not time consuming. Pray for my safety as I travel overseas.

Russia is one of few cities that have practically unlimited access into other countries. Places like China are among one of the areas that Russians can easily go and Americans can not. A high percentage of Russians have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and I ask you to pray with me in fulfilling the mission that all may know the saving power of Jesus Christ our Lord.