July 9 - Day 2 at the Children's Rehabilitation Centre

Today was probably the best day yet! We started it off with devotions at 8am at our meeting flat. Today it was on Mark 8:22-38' and the purpose was to understand the place of the cross in Jesus' ministry and in our lives. Then we spoke a little bit about yesterday, and we felt like Jesus was not at the center of us yesterday. We were feeling like we were too tired and not energetic enough, and that we didn't talk about Him enough with the kids. So we prayed together that today we would fulfill our goals and do an even better job.
Then we went to the Children's Rehab Center and set up. We started off with parachute games outside (Fruit Salad and Popcorn), which the kids really enjoyed. Then we went in and they shared their homework with us. Probably about 15 of them made pictures of Noah's Ark, Adam and Eve and there were a couple of pirate ships and a pirate.

Then Dima had them say some of the things they remembered from yesterday, and also had some kids say the memory verse from yesterday. Then we started the second half of our play and then made crafts based on Africa. One was a bracelet made from ribbons and one was a grass skirt made from bags. The third craft I thought was quite hilarious! It was the face of an African boy made from a chocolate-covered marshmallow, red lip candy and other candy for the eyes, nose and ears. Today Lara & Marianna were glued to my side. Lara gave me the bracelet she made during crafts. The girls tried with all their might to learn about me and tell me about themselves despite the language barrier. We talked about where we live, our pets and our families. They also asked for my email address so that we could email one another. Then I gave the cultural presentation on Africa and taught the Jambo song. After that we painted all of their faces and headed outside.

Marianna & Lara

There we did the team race where we had to go to different stations to get pieces of the new memory verse (John 3:16). Next we all stood in one big circle and learned it together. Then we had a contest between the pirates (us) and the kids over who could say it better and louder. Of course the kids won. :)
Inside, Alexey spoke to them about what the verse meant, and then asked if anyone wanted to give their heart to Jesus if they hadn't already. Two young boys wanted to, so they stood up with Alexey and repeated his prayer.

Then we all went outside to take one big group photo and said paka (goodbye) to the kids.

While the kids ate lunch we had tea again with some of the workers. We talked about our orphan systems in Canada, Denmark and Switzerland (it seems that Canada is the only one that doesn't have orphanages). They also told us a bit more about the Childrlen's Rehab Centre. They can only take 40 kids at a time (school-aged children). Some of the kids are there because either they or their parents were in trouble with the law, and some kids were there because their parents gave permission for them to be there. Many of the kids come from homes where the parent(s) have addictions (they said that the parents will often show up to parent meetings drunk), or from poor families. At the Centre the kids get two meals, and participate in different activities like music, crafts and games. There is no cost to being a part of the Rehab Centre.
Back at the flat we had potato and noodle soup (mine without meat), and tea and some leftover cake from the night before. After that myself, Dimona, Krstina, and Olga came back to Olesya's flat. We sprayed our bedding with bed bug spray and then washed it. While we were waiting for the laundry we had quiet time (nap, Bible time, prayer time, etc.).
Then we went back to our meeting flat and had dinner, which was whatever leftovers you wanted. I had the potato-noodle soup. We had lots of fun joking around, and then Alexey told us his testimony. It was very beautiful and touching.
Now we're back at Olesya's and have finished folding up our laundry and getting ready for bed. We have to leave at 8am tomorrow to start our excursion in Tomsk and our journey to Yashkenah.