It’s no surprise that one of the things I miss most from being in the States is sitting down to a cup of coffee and telling stories with my friends. Usually, after getting back from Russia, I sit down telling the stories from our visit with the kids over coffee too many times to keep … Continue reading story time
orphanage
change their story
For the last ten years I have given a lot of my life and love to children in Russia that are cast off into orphanages. What started as a willingness to follow God's pull to orphan ministry has become what is, and will be, a lifetime of fighting for orphans in our world...wherever God may … Continue reading change their story
aching
My arms are aching. Not because I did a major workout yesterday...yah right. It is an empty and waiting sort of ache. All because I know that I am within 36 hours if holding onto my family members that I haven't seen in a year. It is that time of year...and I am on my … Continue reading aching
reasons
It’s too expensive. It takes too long to get there. You have to use translators. The money would be better spent on helping orphans than sending you to travel there for a week. You name it, I’ve heard it regarding the reasons NOT to travel to Russia, and spend time with our kids over the … Continue reading reasons
leave
There is one place on this earth that rips my soul in two to leave. It is a palpable sound to God's ears because after all, he is the one that sends me. The echo of that rip haunts me when I leave. A good haunt though, a reminder that things are not right in … Continue reading leave
family
‘Подруга, you are my friend,’ is what I kept hearing in broken English from the kids. They don’t know a lot of English, but they know some basic they have learned from their English teachers. Then I started hearing… ‘Семья.’ Family. You are my family. This year, one of our team members who had been … Continue reading family
community on mission
I saw a quote on Twitter, ‘Community is the byproduct of mission.’ I wonder how many would agree or disagree with that statement? Honestly…we’ve seen it both ways around Woods Chapel. There are groups of friends, small groups or even large groups that choose to do mission together. They are all from different backgrounds...doing Bible … Continue reading community on mission
chosen
I’ve spent many years in orphanages…I’ve spent a lot of time with orphans. But I’ve only been chosen three times…the third time was 2 weeks ago today in Haiti. The walk to the orphanage was brutal. The sun was so bright my sunglasses barely cut it. I’d burnt myself earlier in the morning, and with … Continue reading chosen
the heart of God
I love snow. I just cannot help it...there is something incredibly peaceful about how silently it falls. How pure and white it is...how perfect, yet individually unique. I am literally giddy when I see perfect snowflakes and all of their points. And the world is so quiet when snow falls, especially when it falls at … Continue reading the heart of God
sojourner4jesus 