Unpacking Ideas

The truth is, Joe is not so important. Protecting vulnerable children trumps even Joe Paterno. The vulnerable children are more important than even my Joe. Every honorable Penn State fan will agree. I think Joe would agree.

As I return to work and family and all the things that make up life at home, I have a number of hopes for my new friends in Slobodskoy. I hope they will have good health, safety, and happy times, of course. But most of all, I hope they’ll see each day as an opportunity to dance.

I wasn’t prepared for the depth of the love the kids showed towards me during our visit.

After a couple a busy days with the kids and staff, today we will say goodbye. I am thankful today for the many seeds of relationship that have been planted this week.

The main purpose of the day was to expose the kids to the Ministry Center, so that when they graduate they will know that help is available to them – help with life skills, job skills, legal help, counseling – the list goes on.

My Russian repertoire is limited, but I was able to tell each of them three things in Russian — “Good night. I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I know it wasn’t much, but it was enough to show them that I love them, too.

When I come on one of these trips, I’m always looking for the face of God in the people I encounter, and that’s just what I saw today in Petya.

“Thank you for coming back.  Thank you for not forgetting us.”    — Grisha, an orphan graduate in Ivanovo, Russia, 2009 I have not been back since then.  Two years ago Grisha reminded me why the visits are so important … for him, and for me. My wife, Linda and I became involved in an orphan care ministry [...]