Well, friends, I am back home from Russia and it is very bitter-sweet. Though I love seeing my family, drinking water from tap and knowing I get to go to my church this Sunday, I am really missing Russia. The orphans were amazing and adorable. My team is awesome and I have made some great friends. Russia, as you probably guessed, is very, very different from the USA, but in it's own way, it was a piece of heaven. The accommodations were better than expected, though in US standards, not super fantastic- of course, we didn't expect super fantastic as this was a mission trip after all, not a spa vacation! :). However, material amenities were not important as the greatest thing we could do is spend time with kids and with each other.
I am exhausted, haven't eaten in 24 hours and a little overwhelmed with all that needs to be done as well as the idea of going back to work this week. But I am trying to focus on all the good that came out of our trip. Praise God for all he as done in us and through us.
I will be providing a much more detailed account of the trip soon. I will also have photos here and on my facebook page. In the meantime, you can check out the following pages for photos and videos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbproductions/
http://www.YouTube.com/MissionNetworkNews
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Grace & Peace,
♥♥ Janessa
Monday, August 23, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Ready for Russia!!!!
My team and I leave for St. Petersburg, Russia tomorrow!!! Ahhh! I can't believe it's already here! It seems like such a long time coming.
On Monday we had a "Packing Party" to pack all of the supplies/clothes we are bringing to the orphanages. There was so much stuff some of us had doubts of whether or not we'd be able to fit it all in our suitcases! But God did His work and we managed to get it all in. Here are a few pics that one of the girls, Lindsey, took!
The couch has boys clothes, in the corner are socks and in front is underwear... this was only a portion of what we are bringing!
Lori, Autumn and Chelsea L prepare the school supplies for packing.
My team, minus Paula from Orphan Outreach- she lives in TX. Back Row (L-R): Paul, Me, Allison H, Jen, Em, Chad, Bekka, Jess, Allison S, Greg, John, Chelsea B. Front Row (L-R): Jill, Chelsea L, Lindsey, Autumn, Katie, Nicole, Kristen, Lori.
We leave from Grand Rapids at roughly 1:45 PM tomorrow. We'll have a layover in Chicago and one in Dusseldorf, Germany. We will reach St. Petersburg at roughly 3:45PM on Saturday (they are 8 hours ahead of EST).
I am not sure if I will be able to update my blog or facebook while I am there. If I can, I will! But otherwise you can visit the Orphan Outreach blog here or visit www.way.fm and find a blog that we'll be updating. Also, if you are in the West Michigan area and listen to Way FM (89.9 in GR), we'll have broadcasts from Russia, so you may even hear me on the radio! :)
Thank you again to everyone who helped me go on this trip. I couldn't have done it without such amazing people in my life! God bless to you all! I return on Sunday, August 22, 2010. I will try to get updated blogs and pictures up as soon as possible!
Grace & Peace
♥♥ Janessa
On Monday we had a "Packing Party" to pack all of the supplies/clothes we are bringing to the orphanages. There was so much stuff some of us had doubts of whether or not we'd be able to fit it all in our suitcases! But God did His work and we managed to get it all in. Here are a few pics that one of the girls, Lindsey, took!
The couch has boys clothes, in the corner are socks and in front is underwear... this was only a portion of what we are bringing!
Lori, Autumn and Chelsea L prepare the school supplies for packing.
My team, minus Paula from Orphan Outreach- she lives in TX. Back Row (L-R): Paul, Me, Allison H, Jen, Em, Chad, Bekka, Jess, Allison S, Greg, John, Chelsea B. Front Row (L-R): Jill, Chelsea L, Lindsey, Autumn, Katie, Nicole, Kristen, Lori.
We leave from Grand Rapids at roughly 1:45 PM tomorrow. We'll have a layover in Chicago and one in Dusseldorf, Germany. We will reach St. Petersburg at roughly 3:45PM on Saturday (they are 8 hours ahead of EST).
I am not sure if I will be able to update my blog or facebook while I am there. If I can, I will! But otherwise you can visit the Orphan Outreach blog here or visit www.way.fm and find a blog that we'll be updating. Also, if you are in the West Michigan area and listen to Way FM (89.9 in GR), we'll have broadcasts from Russia, so you may even hear me on the radio! :)
Thank you again to everyone who helped me go on this trip. I couldn't have done it without such amazing people in my life! God bless to you all! I return on Sunday, August 22, 2010. I will try to get updated blogs and pictures up as soon as possible!
Grace & Peace
♥♥ Janessa
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Getting Ready for Russia!
It is hard to believe, but this time next week I will be in St. Petersburg, Russia! Crazy. It doesn't feel real yet!
I once again want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me and my team in getting ready for our mission trip to Russia. From monetary donations, to supply donations and most importantly prayers, everyone has been great! We are in the final stretch now!
On Monday we have a "Packing Party" as we are each taking 2 suitcases- one for our stuff and one for supplies. Each suitcase will be 50lbs (the limit) and we have a lot to bring! This is also be the last time we see each other before leaving on Friday!!
I have had some medical issues for the last week and unfortunately had to stay home, unpaid, for 4 days this week. The two weeks I'm gone in Russia will be unpaid as well. In addition, co-pays and prescriptions were pretty expensive, so I am working to trust that God has a plan for me financially in this time. Prayers for that, as well as healing, would be great. I will still be on medication the day we leave, but after that I am hoping to be OK.
Here's some general flight information:
We leave Friday, August 13 from Grand Rapids at 1:40 PM EST, our layover is in Chicago, where we will switch airlines and fly out of Chicago at 4:15 PM CST. We will then have another layover in Dusseldorf before departing to fly to St. Petersburg at 11:05 AM and arrive in St. Petersburg at 3:45 PM (St. Petersburg is 8 hours ahead of EST).
On the way home we are split up into 2 groups. My group leaves St. Petersburg at 5:50 AM on Sunday August 22 and we have a layover in Munich. We leave Munich at 12:35 PM for Chicago. We will meet up with the other group in Chicago and we will return to Grand Rapids at 6:40PM.
This of course is all ideally. As anyone who has ever traveled knows, there can be delays and complications to get you off course. Please pray for safe, on time flights. Also please pray for the health and well being of everyone while we are there as well as spiritual well being as we work with the Orphans.
We are so looking forward to spreading God's Love and spending time with this kids.
I am not sure if I will be able to blog while I am there. I will be updating when I get home.
Thanks again!
Grace & Peace
♥♥♥ Janessa
I once again want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me and my team in getting ready for our mission trip to Russia. From monetary donations, to supply donations and most importantly prayers, everyone has been great! We are in the final stretch now!
On Monday we have a "Packing Party" as we are each taking 2 suitcases- one for our stuff and one for supplies. Each suitcase will be 50lbs (the limit) and we have a lot to bring! This is also be the last time we see each other before leaving on Friday!!
I have had some medical issues for the last week and unfortunately had to stay home, unpaid, for 4 days this week. The two weeks I'm gone in Russia will be unpaid as well. In addition, co-pays and prescriptions were pretty expensive, so I am working to trust that God has a plan for me financially in this time. Prayers for that, as well as healing, would be great. I will still be on medication the day we leave, but after that I am hoping to be OK.
Here's some general flight information:
We leave Friday, August 13 from Grand Rapids at 1:40 PM EST, our layover is in Chicago, where we will switch airlines and fly out of Chicago at 4:15 PM CST. We will then have another layover in Dusseldorf before departing to fly to St. Petersburg at 11:05 AM and arrive in St. Petersburg at 3:45 PM (St. Petersburg is 8 hours ahead of EST).
On the way home we are split up into 2 groups. My group leaves St. Petersburg at 5:50 AM on Sunday August 22 and we have a layover in Munich. We leave Munich at 12:35 PM for Chicago. We will meet up with the other group in Chicago and we will return to Grand Rapids at 6:40PM.
This of course is all ideally. As anyone who has ever traveled knows, there can be delays and complications to get you off course. Please pray for safe, on time flights. Also please pray for the health and well being of everyone while we are there as well as spiritual well being as we work with the Orphans.
We are so looking forward to spreading God's Love and spending time with this kids.
I am not sure if I will be able to blog while I am there. I will be updating when I get home.
Thanks again!
Grace & Peace
♥♥♥ Janessa
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