Youth Travels #2 Feb 08

Our goal was to travel the region to seek out where we have teens and where we don't . . . and to see if we couldn't identify a key for that town or area. We went to hear the heart of existing youth; encourage pastors, leaders, and churches in general to tune into this culture; and try to identify future leaders with a desire to serve the youth culture . . .

. . . BUT 1st we got a FLAT w/ an expensive winter tire near the local Buddhist shrine . . .

Have you ever tried to change a tire reading an instruction manual in Russian???

So, the tire jack didn't work, or any of our other tools for that matter :) Finally some guys came along and helped us out. We were late for church, but we had a good prayer time in that area given to Buddhism, and Svieta had quite a talk with our helper "angels."

We finally got to Novokijinginsk . . . one of my favorite places! Someone gave them several (maybe 30 or 40?) sets of skis, and they are using them to hang out with the kids from the local orphanage . . . they are definitely in the relationship building mode.

They listened to our hearts & we to theirs.

Sergei is their new leader & a great guy . . . pray for he & his wife Katya.

Then on down the road to Ilka where even the church is currently non-existent, but there is thought that a tea cafe/hang out could be effective.

And finally to Garhone . . . Pastor Valody says he may be older than the typical youth leader, but as long as there's no one else, he's joining our ranks :) He really feels that what we are doing is not just talk . . . that something powerful is going to begin happening in our youth!!!

Pictured here w/ Sasha who committed his life to Jesus later that day.