Ben’s Confirmation

I was up shortly after 7:00, showered and had a protein bar and berry zinger tea for breakfast.

We left early enough to stop at the photo place for one last (we thought) round of printing passport photos. At Love and Salvation Church we were introduced two Americans, women here for a two-year hitch with the Peace Corps teaching English. One arrived three months ago, the other will return home this summer. Dennis (Katya’s father) loaned us a hymn book with both Russian and English words. It was very helpful, although a bit tricky because the numbering of the hymns was different. Alec graciously sat away from Nadya again this week to translate. He sat in the middle of the four Americans, translating verbally to the other women and writing notes on my pad of paper for us! Songs today included “Breathe on Me”, “Take My Life and Let It Me”, “It Might be One Morn” and “Love Divine” among others. During the children’s portion everyone sang a couple of songs with them, including “Jesus Loves Me”.

The message-bearer today focused on passages in John 15, 16, and 17. He reminded us that God has called us from slavery and death to life. he paid the price for this to happen with his own blood. He doesn’t just call us from death; he calls us to be his friends. Friendship is a relationship of love. Jeus in his physical body of flesh was not able to be in all places at all times, but he sent the Spirit, the Helper who can be everywhere at the same time. God calls believers to unity as Jesus is in the Father, so we should be in Him, and in unity with God and Jesus we will have unity among believers. As we are on the same vine we are united with each other. We should love other branches as we are getting juice from the same source.

We sang “Happy Birthday” (in Russian) six times at the end of the service for the various celebrants. We visited with Katya and her father for a bit. Then we had lunch at the Lido with Sveta and Victor (who successfully and happily moved into their new apartment yesterday), Alec and Nadya, and three more friends from church, including two of the birthday people. Then we went to the mall and picked up some toys to give to Nick’s group (and ice cream). Back to the apartment for our usual “entertainments”.

On arrival to the orphanage we met up with Susan and Losha. She had been given permission to buy a talking toy cell phone for each child in his group. Losha love the one she had given him so much, she was excited to share the fun. “Alloh. Kok diLAH?” (Hello. How are you?) It was an indoor days for us, but back to the bigger landing. Nick and I spent the first hour with an animal sticker book while John and Dennis played “Paka. Privyet.” Up and down the adjacent hallway. After a snack Dennis and I played with the bubbles and moved crayons from one container to another, John and Nick “painted” with water and then ran up and down the hall. The time went by very quickly (not always the case when we are inside). They got more rambunctious near the end, so we packed up and took a circuitous, back-and-forth route to Dennis’ room before returning Nick to his group.

Sasha arrived back about 7:00 from Dnipropetrovs’k. We had chicken and vegetable stir-fry, cheese, sausage, bread and leftover tuna salad for supper (John cooked). We reviewed the plan for the next two days – now we will see how it really plays out! We have a large bag packed to take to the orphanage tomorrow morning: the clothes we won’t need, toothbrushes, baby bottles and liners, and spices (in one-pound bags) for the kitchen. Andre’ will take Sasha to the court to get the decree and have the photos reprinted in the necessary proportions. Sasha will also get details about the boys’ schedules, preferences and staff, and information about the going-away party we hope to have for each of the boys’ groups tomorrow afternoon.

This morning (CST) my nephew Ben, my first god-child, confirmed his baptismal vows in church. I would love to be with him today as he makes his statement of faith for himself, as I did with Bruce and RuthAnn thirteen years ago. We will call him a bit later, when it is mid-afternoon there. May God keep you close to Him always, Ben!