SEND ME TO RUSSIA!

The brochure in the corner

Recently on a trip to Canberra with Janene and the kids (Janene is studying Christian Family Counseling and was doing res-school for 3 days), we visited the local Koorong bookstore to do some shopping.

In the back corner of the shop I, for some reason, decided to look at the local noticeboard. My eyes nearly popped outta my head when I saw the title of a big A4 newsletter "Love For Kids - RUSSIA".

I quickly unpinned the newsletter and started reading. The title inside presented its challenge - Will you send? Will you GO?.

That challenge ate at me for the next 10 mins or so while I walked around the shop holding the smaller brochure that I'd also unpinned from the noticeboard. Then finally, flexing my huge grin, I showed Janene... who returned a suspicious glance at me with a slow motion "Ahuh".

Needless to say I got a photocopy of the flyer from the staff at Koorong and thoughts of Russia consumed me for the rest of the day, and that night... and pretty much ever since!

I found the website (kidsoutreach.org) and emailed the director with a blurb about my long-time desire to be involved in some kind of ministry in Russia. Kari replied to my email in a very welcoming and encouraging way that just reinforced my desire to get busy!

So anyway, a few days later I'd made the decision - I'LL GO! Kari Lehelmä advised me it's likely I'll join a group leaving on the 15th June, that's around 3 months away so I better get crackin!

What will I be doing? Friendship evangelism! We're showing the love of Christ to kids who otherwise may not experience much love at all - especially since a large portion of the kids will be orphans, street kids and disadvantaged.

I'm brushing up on my Russian, although it's more like brushing a crew cut, because there's not much there to brush yet. So I'm really going back to basics and re-learning.

MONEY
It's terrible to need it, and even worse to ask for it. I personally hate it when I get phonecalls at dinnertime from telemarketing charities asking for donations. So I'm sure people are equally annoyed when I'm going to have to basically beg for support to get me over there.

I'm sure some people are going to think I just want a free holiday - but I think I'd be more interested in seeing the sights than being stuck in a dormitory with other leaders and eating cafeteria food. It's not a matter of where, but WHO. These kids are gonna love having us there as friends, while learning about our culture and our faith.

PLEDGE
I'm asking people for donations. Big or small! If anybody is reading this and wants to contribute even a few bucks, please contact me ASAP!

Whether you can afford a cash donation or not, please take a minute or so to PRAY for this. Thanks!