This past week we were in the great town of Tikhvin. We loved it and they loved us. When we walked up to the orphanage on Tuesday we were being videoed by the local news team. They interviewed each of us with questions ranging from "Why did you come to Russia?" to "Have you read any Russian literature?" They documented us playing with the kids all morning. We prayed about how they would portray our hearts because the media has a tendency to distort reality. On Thursday they aired the segment and it was nothing but positivity about our work. They actually were using our story to encourage the Russian people to become more involved in the orphanage.
On Friday, we gave all 28 orphanage workers a party to honor them for all of the work they do. These women work hard and long with little recognition and it was a blessing for us to be given the opportunity to serve and encourage them. Brooke and Kim (the organizers of crafts) worked extremely hard all week to assist the kids in making a quilt to give the workers. It was a special moment to allow the children to give back to women that have given them so much.
On Saturday as we walked the pathway from the orphanage to our van. We turned around and there was a trail of children following us. They took our bags and carried them for us and and waved goodbye as we drove off. This was a precious moment.
Our team leader said something that will stick with me forever. She said "some of these children have never been prayed for before." I was reminded of the many people that pray for me and how much I need it. These children need it! We might be the only people that pray for them. So, the faces and names of more children are written on our hearts forever. Help us pray for the children of Tikhvin.
