I made it to Russia.

I was picked up at the airport by our Russia Finance Director, Marina Bodrova, and our Russia National Program Manager, Yelena Kharitoniva. I’ve known these wonderful women since my first trip to Russia in 1997. We spent the night sharing stories together of those first camps.

One that they always bring up is about Hayden–my 6th grade son who made his first trip to Russia when he was seven months old. In those days, the camps were pretty nasty…and some of you CHC veterans will remember "Aftomoblisk"–the nastiest camp in Russia! The next summer when we brough him, Hayden would romp through the mud and the orphan kids would latch on to him, swinging him around all over the camp.

Remembering the "good old days" put the "new Russia" into greater perspective. Although Russia’s experienced tremendous growth and development as a country, there are still millions of orphans languishing in orphanages–or worse–growing up without the guidance and support of parents and failing to make the transition to successful adulthood.

On the 17th, I’ll be having dinner with one of those girls we’ve helped get into university, study English, and pursue a degree in social work. I’ve known her since she was probably 12, and I can’t wait to see her again.

I’ll post more as I can. I want to bring you a better view inside the new Russia, and introduce you to the people and places who make orphan ministry happen. Thanks for praying, and leave your questions and comments so I can make my posts here even more informative.