Russia winter mission trip

The Russia team returned safely after a rewarding trip. Team members were George Brigman (team leader), Fay Adams, Mitzie Avera, Claire Brown, Sheila Brown, Becky Canter, Jacob Canter, Zack Canter, David Dickerson, John Hilliard, Penelope Loughhead, David Thacker and Paula Wallace. Click here to visit the trip's photo album.

From Russia with love!

Was it cold? Yes! Was it wonderful? Absolutely! Our Russia Mission Team arrived back in Texas in the wee hours of Sunday, Jan. 4, after spending the holidays with five different orphanages in Tomsk, Siberia.

Reflections from David Dickerson:

Tomsk has changed a lot in the last five years. The last time I was there, it seemed to be a sleepy little town; this trip, it could have been any town in Texas, with lots of new construction and clean, modern buildings. Could any of the improvements be attributed to the work the Russia Initiative has done over the last decade?

I know some people who are called to reach out to lives ravaged by drug abuse right here in Smith County. I know others who are called to love these children in Siberia. Both callings are from God, and both are blessed. Who am I to question God about whom He calls to what?

Through the Russia Initiative, we are making a difference! The living conditions at Orphanage No. 4 have vastly improved over the past five years. Russians are proud people. Seeing Westerners paying attention to their orphans for an extended period of time seems to have awakened people in Tomsk to what they can do for their children.

The orphans we met in Tomsk are loved and cared for, but because of limited resources and manpower, they just can't get much individual attention. That might be why they light up while we are with them. Despite the language barrier, we show them they are worthy of love—ours and God's.

As a father who loves his daughter, I shudder to think of beautiful, unique children making due with very little, while my family has too many resources. If I can go and touch one child's life—influence a single child in a way that might lead him or her out of the cycle—all the travel would have been worth it. If there is any way God can use my effort, that’s success—there is no price tag on a child's future and no failure when you are following God's path.

Reflections from George Brigman, team leader:

One of the highlights of the trip for me was meeting with officials from the Tomsk Medical School. We were able to tour the new facilities that will available for the orphans’ dental care! This is a major step in providing better health care for the children who never get to see a dentist. Thanks to friends in Marvin Church, this clinic has been completed!

Reflections from Claire Brown:

The children were absolutely amazing! They were always trying to help us – teaching us Russian words, card games and even cross country skiing. My favorite was the night we had a party and the kids were constantly trying to teach us how to do different dances.

One of my special memories involved a boy named Losha. We returned to Orphanage No. 4 one night after visiting another orphanage. A little boy named Losha wanted me to stay outside while he and another little boy named Vlad did some cross country skiing. This activity is one of the only outdoor activities the kids have access to during the winter months. It’s just like skiing with no hills, so you have to create your own momentum.

Losha was not as good at skiing as his peers, so he fell fairly often. One time he fell and was lying on the ground, not moving. I was worried that he had been hurt, so I ran over to him saying, “Losha? Losha?” As I got closer I could see him smiling and all of a sudden he popped up and yelled, “Argh!” I acted like he scared me and we both laughed and laughed for a long time.

Reflections from Mitzie Avera:

One of the most amazing things was when Sasha remembered me! I’ve been to Russia twice before, but it’s been several years since my last trip. Sasha called my name and couldn’t wait to give me a hug! It’s wonderful to know what a lasting impression our team makes on these lives. God’s love truly breaks all boundaries!

Daily activities

Saturday, Dec. 27

Bound for Siberia! Thirteen short-term missionaries from Marvin and area Methodist churches are headed for Tomsk, Russia, to share Christmas with children in several different orphanages in the Tomsk region. The group will depart from Dallas and Houston on Saturday afternoon and arrive in Chicago around 4 p.m. From Chicago, they board a direct flight to Moscow. The group will arrive in Moscow (nine hours ahead) at noon on Sunday.

Please pray for safe travels for the group.

Sunday night, Dec. 28

The group arrived safely in Tomsk at 7:30 a.m. on Monday (which is 7:30 p.m. on Sunday night in Tyler). Prayers were definitely with the team because their flight out of Dallas took off two hours late and their connecting flight from Chicago to Moscow was also delayed. The team spent several hours in the Moscow airport and then took the overnight flight to Tomsk. After a couple of hours of rest and "settling in," the group will begin sharing Christmas with their first orphanage in Tomsk. By the way, the current temperature in Tomsk is -22 degrees!

Monday, Dec. 29

The team literally hit the ground running when they arrived in Tomsk after their overnight flight from Moscow! First, they had an official meeting with the Tomsk Department of Education. This is the government organization that oversees the orphanage system in the Tomsk region (geographically, this region is about the size of Texas). This is an important partnership between the Russian government and the Texas Conference UMC, so each trip includes this special visit.

Then, it was off to the Blind Orphanage. One of the highlights was watching the blind children and youth participate in cross-country skiing!

On Monday evening, the group split to attend holiday celebrations. Half of the group attended a special presentation by children from several orphanages. The other part of the group attended the Governor's Ball at the Military School for youth.

The group finally headed back to home base (Orphanage No. 4) to catch a few hours of sleep!

Pray for the orphans.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

The day began with the team filling and distributing handmade Christmas stockings for the children in the Preschool Orphanage. They had a wonderful visit and really enjoyed a special Christmas program done by the children.

The next stop was the site of the NEW dental clinic for orphans! This is a new partnership project between the medical school in Tomsk and the United Methodist Church. Thanks to mission hearts, all of the funding has been supplied to make this dream a reality. Finally, the children will be able receive dental treatments (most for the very first time). Thanks be to God!

In the afternoon, the team returned "home" and had some time to spend with the children at Orphanage No. 4. That evening they were joined by some students at the University, and the children, the Americans and the students had a grand New Year's celebration!

The weather in Tomsk is chilly (-13 degrees with snow flurries!), but hearts and souls are being warmed by the love and friendship of our team with the children and people of Tomsk!

Pray for Tomsk UMC and their members.

Wednesday, Dec. 31

The day began by gathering together all of the children in OrphanageNo. 4 (home base) to share the Christmas story. The children heard the story from the Bible in the Russian language through a "proclaimer" (thanks to the Friendly Class for providing these neat devices!). It was a special time as the team shared their faith with each other and the children.

Later the team headed to the Deaf Orphanage to celebrate Christmas. They had a wonderful time and enjoyed a performance by the children. The rest of the day was spent with the children in Orphanage No. 4.

To celebrate New Year's Eve, members of Tomsk United Methodist Church and the Tomsk Peace Foundation joined with the team at the orphanage. A special highlight was going outside in the courtyard (brrrr!!!!) to see the fireworks at midnight. After more food, the team got to bed around 2 a.m.!

Pray for the leaders of the Russia Peace Foundation.

Thursday, Jan. 1

Happy New Year! It was a fun day as the group went to the Siberian forest to go sledding with the kids! Afterwards they headed back to Orphanage No. 4 to do crafts with the children.

That night, the group toured Tomsk. The trees around town were lighted and the group stopped in the park to see beautiful ice sculptures.

When team member Mitzie Avera was asked to name her favorite thing about Siberia, she replied, "I love these kids! The forest was also wonderful. I've never been so cold, but I've never had so much fun!"

Claire Brown shared that her favorite thing about the trip were the orphans. "These are the most unselfish children. They would give you anything they had, even though they have so little!" Maybe that's a good lesson for us all.

Pray for greater awareness of the global needs of children.

Friday, Jan. 2

Today was the last full day in Tomsk. The team headed outside of Tomsk to Eagles Nest Orphanage for the morning. Eagles Nest is located in the woods near the Tom River. They had a great time playing in the snow with the children. Some went sledding and some even tried to cross-country ski! After lunch, the group headed back into town to do some shopping.

After a final dinner and team meeting, the group will pack and get a few hours of sleep before "the longest travel day ever!" They will leave Tomsk around 8 a.m. on Saturday, fly to Moscow (a four-hour flight covering three time zones) and spend around four hours in the airport. The next flight leaves at 2:30 p.m. and arrives in Chicago at 4:30 p.m. (an 11-hour flight covering nine more time zones)! Once in Chicago, they have a short time on the ground before flying on to Texas. They should land (barring travel delays, etc.) a little after 8 p.m. Wow!

To sum up the mission trip, David Dickerson shared his thoughts: "People sometimes ask why we go all the way over to Russia to share God's love. But when you reach out and see the light in someone's eyes, when children receive a little contact, you know it's been worth it!"

Amen, David!

Pray for children's health during the intense winter months.

Saturday, Jan. 3

The group will take multiple flights to return home to the U.S.

Pray for our future partnership with the people and children in Tomsk, and for safe travel.