Wednesday Report

Wednesday Report Written by Allison So far, Russia has been amazing. For the small time we have been here already, we have done and experienced so much. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that VIP has flown across the world to Russia and is getting to do things that, without VIP, most would never have the opportunity to. However, in the midst of all the excitement and "doing", it can be easy to forget why we are really here. Why we flew to the opposite side of world to Russia.It wasn't for site seeing, though that is certainly an amazing part of the trip. We came here for God. We came for faith. We came because we believe in extending the hand of God across the world to those who otherwise might never be exposed to suck love and mercy. We came because we care.  On Wednesday, in the morning we visited The Hermitage museum which was a once in a lifetime opportunity that VIP was eager to take. In The Hermitage there are several buildings holding millions of historical artifacts. One amazing part of The Hermitage was the restored Winter Palace where Russia's royals would spend there holidays. It was incredible to climb the same stairs that Peter the Great climbed. But, even in the center of all the fun, we still have a purpose.  Later that day, VIP visited a Russian orphanage, which is another once in a lifetime opportunity but most people if given the choice, would probably choose to go site seeing rather than take a heart wrenching visit to an orphanage. But, we have a job to do and the passion and faith to make it happen.  After VIP was in our rows and the children filed in I realized something. Faith is more than attending church services and reading the Bible. Faith is living in the image of Christ and letting all who you can, know that they are loved by Him and that they have a purpose. When VIP began singing, at first the children were a bit unsure. We didn't speak their language or sing the music they were used to but after a few songs, they really began to enjoy themselves. And so did we. The kids clapped along to Kalinka and smiled through our Russian in Skylark.  After the concert, VIP handed out toys and stuffed animals to the children and it was the most amazing feeling in the world to hand a stuffed bunny to a little girl who, maybe, had never owned anything of her own. VIP sang with the kids and played with them a bit but soon, it was time to move on to our joint concert with the men's ensemble, Viva, but no one wanted to leave. No one wanted to leave the kids who needed us. Needed faith. We may not have "gained more followers" or anything with that concert, but we accomplished our goals as messengers of Christ. We shared the enormous mercy and love of our great God with others and that is our true mission in Russia. Thank you all so much for all you love and support of that mission.