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Dear parents and friends-
This is Merrik Brown (or MAPPUK) writing for everyone!
HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!!! Women's Day is Russia's Valentines Day, but specifically for women... I vote we do this every day in the US. We all celebrated tonight at the church and all the boys surprised us with an evening full of delicious food, fellowship, and Joe Dillon wearing a skirt and woman's camisole. Mark, Chase, Joe, and David all left early to get ready for all of us. Chase acted out the Terminator for everyone, and all that I understood the Russian girls say was, "Oh! He's beautiful!". This was at the moment he flexed for all of us :D
So while we ended our day with a lot of fun and laughter, we had a very spiritually full and emotional morning. We started out with some worship songs and praying and by the end of those 15 minutes, everyone was bawling and hugging and basking in God's joy and glory. The only way to know how this felt is if you've been in the same experience before- and if you have, you know that it's a place you never want to leave. It's funny how crying with each other brings everyone closer spiritually and emotionally. We continued talking and crying until we got to the first orphanage.
As soon as we walked into the orphanage, I could feel God's presence. I knew that this would be a place that we would change lives, and be changed ourselves. The kids welcomed us with open arms and hearts, and we started quickly with some fun songs. We did the "Marionettes" mime and then made Women's Day crafts with the kids. The best part was when the boys all sang "L-O-V-E" to everyone! You moms should have your sons sing it to you sometime- they sure can sing!
Afterwards, we were invited to go to the smaller home next door for street kids. It was small and crowded, and we did the "Everything" mime and the "Locked in a Cage" mime. It was the first time we performed either of those, and we did great! I have some gnarly bruises from the Everything mime. I was thrown into a radiator on the wall and ended up smacking my head on the wall! I'm going to have some rad stories when I get back. It was after that that we dropped off the 4 boys. The rest of us went to a detention center.
The detention center was unlike any place I had ever been. There were only 5 boys, but I knew as soon as we started that each of these boys had been through things and seen things that no kid ever should. 4 of the 5 were younger than my sister. I still don't understand how an 8 year old boy could be in prison. It's heart-breaking. We did the "Marionettes" mime for them and we sang some songs, and I loved watching those boys do it with us. They smiled! It was refreshing to see that. We sang "Gravity" for them, and I ended up singing ALL the parts- oh dear. But I did have Susanne there to help me out, so I think it went alright. John Ferguson and I both spoke to the boys about Jesus' love and how nothing they will ever do will keep that love away. I think we definately planted a seed in their hearts.
Tonight at devotions we discussed John 1 and the things that stuck out to us. Each time we do a devotion or pray together we grow closer as a team and as brothers and sisters in Christ. God's love has been so evident in this trip. I think that through small things like Women's Day and the boys throwing rose petals at us, or just singing silly love songs to us, that God displays His love for us as His children. He uses Joe wearing a skirt to show His characteristics that we take for granted- thank God He has a sense of humor! I can't wait to see what God does through us in the next few days. We've only been here for 4 days, and He's already changed every single life on this trip.
Please continue praying for us. Tomorrow we visit an orphanage for kids with special needs and a boys prison with about 90 boys. Your prayers are so appreciated, and we all love and miss you!
Paka! (It's fun to say that like a chicken... just saying...)
-Merrik and Family
PS- Paka means "Goodbye"
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