We are leaving for Russia on Thursday, and as we pack our supply luggage, and I begin to pack my belongings into a suitcase for the millionth time... I have been pondering what really are the 'must-haves' that go into making a trip to Russia to visit these sweet orphan kids... in no particular order
1. Camera - I can't imagine these trips without being able to bring back the memories of the sweet faces that we've met. I have captured so many moments on camera and sometimes I just look back through them and cry remembering what the Lord has done, and is doing through the people we meet...
2. Backpack - My handy-dandy backpack has made this trek with me every time I've gone to russia... it's been through summers winters and all over the Ryazan region! It is smudged with soil from country I've come to love.
3. Journal - The time flies SO fast on these trips... light speed. One morning it's our first day in Russia, and the next it seems we're already getting on a plane home. God has been SO faithful in putting TONS of opportunities in our path and each day is more packed full of grace than the next. It's times like those that it's so important to write down each day what the Lord has made happen! Looking back at all the miracles that God has done is amazing.
4. Some good shoes - These trips take you everywhere -- city, country, mud, ice, snow, etc... Gotta have a good pair of shoes to make the trip! Especially this time -- got my snow boots and I'm ready for that Russian winter!
5. A flexible and moldable spirit -- I am a very 'schedule' and 'to do' oriented person. Each trip I have to pray especially hard that the Lord would make me moldable and flexible. He has SO much in store that we could never 'plan' for the amazing things to come... and it is HUGE that we're ready for whatever opportunity arises even if it wasn't in our original plan ;)
6. Some broken Russian - Definitely a humorous part of our recipe. No matter if it's just a few words here and there in Russian, or if you just try our your 'Russian accent' *cough* Ricardo *cough* :) it always adds a ton of laughter to our travels!
7. Great friends and teammates - Whether they're Russian or American, it's amazing to see the bonds and friendships that form during trips like these. I always look forward to seeing people we've grown to be friends with over the past few years!
8. Yellow, Black, White, Red, and Green Beads - though apart they are just 'craft supplies' together they tell the story of my Savior, and how He died for me and saved me from so much. These beads tell the story of Christ, and remind us of His love for us....
9. My Sword - definitely a must have for any believer - our sword... the love letter that our Father wrote to us. It is so important for us to spend time seeking the Lord on a daily basis, and especially in the midst of a trip like this - to let the Lord direct us through His word and remind us of why we take these trips at all....
10. A good playlist - 12 hours on a plane and 3 on a bus would pass by SO much slower without some good playlists with some Lecrae, B. Reith, Relient K, Shane & Shane and so much more... (I may even throw in some Bieber every now and then hehe!) but it is definitely a must have!
Now that I have the essentials -- I better go get packing! Stay tuned for updates and ways you can pray!
