The Shed - Newsletter Article

Заравствуйте (Hello)

In June/July I went for a 3 week mission trip to Vladivostok which is located in Russia's far east down by China and just across from Japan. Our team of 2 went over to help Living Hope (Vladivostok Homeless Children's Rehabilitation Society) which exists to promote the rehabilitation of children who either cannot or choose not to live at home and instead live on the streets.

Once in Vladivostok we helped to run Living Hopes 10 day summer camp which had 15 kids ranging in ages from 7 to 20. Made up of 11 girls / 4 boys and being the only man at camp well lets just say it meant a lot of soccer! These kids love the food at camp (I can't say the same) as they get to eat regular meals, what broke my heart was that most of these kids had no fathers. I slept in with the boys (to my horror without a translator!) who ranged from age 7 to 10 and had a great time not a lot of sleep! These boys do not live on the streets but have sisters/brothers who do, at first the boys were distant and distrusting with not having had much love during their short lives. I quickly discovered the boys love language was that's right football aka soccer! So with any spear time at camp I played soccer as I am sure now that that is what Jesus meant by being his hands and feet.

Camp was great although it was hot and humid it rained a lot which kept us from the beach for most of camp. Not only is the city polluted but the sea was also, asked by one of my young friends 'was the beach he enjoyed swimming in like the ones we had at home?' I hadn't the heart to tell him about our amazing clear blue waters!

After camp I meet a number more street kids and yes more football! not that their are many safe places to play in this concrete jungle. The US NAVY came ashore to help us clean up around Living Hopes new Rehabilitation Centre which will house up to 30 kids. Not being able to communicate was a major challenge which I learned a lot from we so take it for granted everyone having to speak English here.

There are many reasons not to go to places like Vladivostok the hostility, the pollution, the corruption, the dangers and the run down city. You only need one reason to want to go here! To meet Jesus in the poor and serve him. Thanks for your support both for myself and Living Hope.

РИЧАРД (Richard) - http://vladivostoktrip.blogspot.com/