recent mission trips

Russia Mission Trip, July 12 – 23rd

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Camp
Rehab Ministry
Sightseeing - Pushkin
Sightseeing - St. Petersburg
Travel

Members of the team:
Jim Robinson, Director
Cindy Robinson, Bible and Crafts
Rick Rosenthal, Photographer (& video)
Lenna Romero, Camp Nurse
Delaney Romero, Crafts assistant
Karen Lee, Crafts and counselor
Kathryn Crane, Crafts and teen counselor
Michael Robertson, Camp Pastor
Anthony Robertson, Games
Autumn Robertson, Crafts assistant

Purpose: To conduct a church camp for 60 children ages 10-14. Four churches and an orphanage participated. We were to use Vacation Bible School materials, themes and format. These churches have never seen a VBS. Most of the kids had never been to a church camp. We also had the opportunity to minister in an alcohol/drug rehad center and help Travis and Sue Barfield (missionary contacts) start a church.

What Happened? There’s no way in a few brief paragraphs I can even mention the many blessings we, the team, experienced on this trip. God answered so many prayers before, during, and after. We “received” so much more than we “gave”. Travis and Sue (T&S) worked so hard to locate and fix up the building that housed the camp. They found bunks, beds, mattresses, and blankets for 80 campers and leaders. It was a God thing. The building used to be a spa/motel. The Russian rich and elite came there for rest and vacation. But that was 30 years ago. The men at the rehab center jumped in and painted, repaired, moved furniture, wired, constructed, washed, mopped, sanded, etc. to make the old building livable. Some of the photos show the general condition of the place. It was a God thing.
The churches sent garden vegetables and fruit and four women to cook. The meals were FANTASTIC! I also had the opportunity to go with Travis and one of the church pastors to buy meat at the market. That was a fascinating experience. I loved it. It was a God thing.
Our team took peanut butter crackers and fruit flavored ice pops (frozen juice in a long plastic sheath) which were gobbled up in the snap of a finger. At Wednesday night’s campfire we taught them how to make a s’more and that was a big hit.
The spa building is next to the most beautiful lake you have ever seen (see photos). The kids immediately jumped in the lake when they arrived. They especially loved to swing over the swimming hole and drop with a big splash. I did it a couple of times, too.
Camp also included Bible studies, crafts, games, singing, tug-of-war, morning devotions, hikes, and several evening campfires. On the last night we even had fireworks. We all fell in love with the kids. They were eager to learn and very affectionate.
At this time of year in this part of Russia it does not get dark until after 11pm. Night time is only 4 hours long. Even at midnight there is a glow similar to two full moons. The sun comes up again around 4am. One night we took a 2-mile hike at midnight. The kids loved it and it was a God thing.
            The team heard the most heart-touching testimonies from the rehab men. Each told of how God has rescued them from certain ruin. Michael, Karen and Rick had extra opportunities to minister to both the women and the men at the center. When I first heard of the rehab center I thought it would be like older street people. I was wrong. They are young, handsome guys and beautiful girls that started using drugs and alcohol at an early age. It is a big problem in Russia (and of course, here in the USA also). Pray for the rehab center. Their 8 month program is “restoring that which the locust have eaten,” (Joel 2:25). It’s a God thing.
            I must close now and let the photos tell the rest of the story. Thank you, Cottage Hill members, friends and families for praying for us and supporting us financially. We have been changed; we are now more committed to do whatever God wants us to do to reach our families, our friends, our city, our nation and our world for Christ. It’s a God thing!