This trip is going to be an incredible opportunity for our team to touch many lives! Not only will we be working with "The Church of Christ the Savior" in Karabanovo and their leaders, but we will venture into the local orphanage and baby home in their community. Through the ministries of the local church we will feed the homeless (daily), lead bible studies, activities for the teens and youth, and be able to attend the Russian Christmas (January 7th) services and party.
Christmas, what an incredible time of year to be able to serve the orphans! We will host a Christmas party with desserts and games in the orphanage! We will bring a large donation of warm winter clothing, medicines, vitamins and more to bless them with. We will teach them about the love of Jesus, His birth and the reason why we are there. In the baby home we will love on the small children by presenting them with Christmas presents, share the story of Christ's birth and sing Christmas songs with them. We will also be providing needs like diapers, medicines and warm clothing.
Not only will we be feeding the homeless physically, but we will feed them spiritually. After they eat we will lead a devotion followed by songs of praise. As the people arrive we play games with them like, bingo and domino's. We provide great prizes like toiletries and treats for the winners. Really, they are all winners. J
The Russian Bath House (Banya) is a large part of our "homeless ministry". We provide a bus, tickets to the bath house, new undergarments and a toiletry bag for each person that wants hot bath. (shower) Most of the men and women we serve in the homeless ministry have no running water let alone hot water for baths. This is an incredible opportunity for us to bless them and for us to "get dirty" for Jesus! The women leaders join the women in the bath house and help them wash their backs or hair if they need it. Many of them are old and have a very difficult time raising their arms. The men are assisted by the pastor and men on the trip, if there's a need.
This year we will be adding a new outreach called, "Secret Offering". The pastor and his wife in Russia prayed about 3 different families in their community who especially need the love and provision of their Father in heaven! We will privately bless them with many of their financial needs, pray over them and share the gospel message with them. What a special time of year to touch these families lives in a great big God way!
The end of our trip is spent touring beautiful Red Square in Moscow, shopping at the large outdoor market and sleeping at a hotel near the airport. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to see the gorgeous Russian architecture and learn more about Russian history and culture.
