Dear Friends and Family!
The Lord is so good! Yesterday we had the opportunity to go and visit the country orphanage in Tver;
this is the sixth time we have had the opportunity to spend times with these kids. It is so sweet to be with them,
they are so precious! They were so excited to see us, greeting us with hugs and kisses. We were able to spend a
four-hour period of time with them. Normally it is in two-hour segments but the director is now allotting us more
time since we have built a relationship with her. She is happy to have us play with the kids and is open to us
sharing our faith with them, God has really opened this door for us! She is by far the friendliest director we have
come in contact with. Yesterday we had the theme that all things are possible through Christ. We incorporated a
Bible story, skit, craft, and games, and songs all with this theme. It was so good being back with the kids and
being able to hug, laugh, and love on them.
God is so good! Only a few days ago we didn't have enough funding for this outreach and God totally provided!
We received funding at the last minute from completely random people that we were not even aware knew of our of ministry!
How cool is God! We even had extra which we will go towards going back on the 11th to visit the country orphanage again and
the city orphanage. Oh me of little faith! I was definitely starting to wonder if God would come through and of course He did!
God also had our backs as we traveled up to Tver in our van. Russian drivers are known to be crazy and at one point
on our way up our van got side swiped by another when both were trying to pass head on! If we had been any closer it could
have been fatal, all the damage included was the side mirror being ripped off and scratches along the side and windows.
Praise God everyone was ok!
The last 48 hours have really been good for me, God truly is so good. I feel like God has again brought me to
this point of emptying me of me. Striping me of everything that clutters my life and instead being filled with Him, letting
Him be my everything. Focusing on the sole melody that HE truly is my purpose and HE truly is my reason. I tend to lose focus
of this in the business of life and ministry and keep up this facade that I am truly living all of this when I'm completely
missing the mark. I praise Him for the Grace He bestows on me, I can't believe he putts up with my fickle human nature!
I find it amusing when I get frustrated with flaky people, when everyday God puts up with my on again off again love.
It is quite humbling whenever I come to this conclusion.
Well other than yesterday things have been slower for us at the Dorm, giving an opportunity to rest and
prepare for the upcoming concert outreach to Kaluga that we leave for on the 6th. Thanks again for you prayers and emails.
Each one puts a smile on my face and makes me feel not so far away from the people I love! I hope you are all doing well
and if anyone needs prayer for anything please let me know!
Peace,
Shannon
This time around we were able to visit two orphanages. Both in Tver one was in the city and one was in the country.
We brought with us many Christmas boxes filled with toys and lots of fun stuff for the kids. Many thanks to the people
who helped put together these boxes! We first played all sorts of fun games and made crafts with the kids. We also put
on some Christmas plays telling them about Jesus. They had so much fun! Before we left we handed out the Christmas boxes.
The kids were so happy and thankfull to recive them! It was awsome to see these orphans, who had been through hard times, being so overjoyed!
