Day 1 & 2- Hello, Mother Russia

Day 1: 20 May. (yesterday, Monday)

We arrived here in Moscow around 130 a little earlier than planned has a problem finding our ride but luckily we were able to find it after about an hour or so. After a long drive to the church which is in an apartment building from the airport where we will be staying for now. Then we met with the pastor of the church where a fellow missionary from another part of Russia is visiting but he is also American. Took us to a Russian market. Where we bought food for our first dinner here. We had planinj with broccoli and carrots. On the side. Delicious then the head director Valeriy came to talk to us about our next few weeks here. Now we are relaxing as a team after being up for 36 plus hours!!!!

 

The above was written in an email to family but before I went to bed last night.

 

Day 2: 21 May (Tuesday)

 

Today, is our first full day here in Moscow. We have been here for about 24 hours now. I woke up around 830 am (Russia time) and then my team and I gathered for breakfast which we had blini (small like crepe rolled with cottage cheese like thing but sweet) I have had this before back home and very delicious. We had a small devo with our team and the American missionatu visiting from another Russian city, named Mitch who talked to us about his journey and how he has been serving in Russia for about seventeen years. Then we went and walkked to a mall about fifteen miutes from here. Oh, boy non-Americans truly like McDonalds. Example last night one of our host Val asked us if we wanted McDonalds and then today at the mall all the Russians were at McDonalds. Us Americans, think its weird because for me and many otheres I know we hardly go to McDonalds, I guess its just a worldwide thing. But, at the mall which was about 4 stories tall and much like American malls (reminded me of the galleria minus the big ice rink and everything) white and glass surrounding all the stores. Our team ate pizza from sbarro. What is really wierd is when you are done eating at a food court or something like that there is someone to take your trays to the trash you don't throw it away like I am typically used too. After walkinga round the mall then we came back here to the church and now Mitch (American missionary) has left to return to his Russian city (hour east by plane). It ahs been a relaxing somewhat of day because many of us are still recovering from jet lag. Then our work will truly begin soon. Yet it has already and showing HIS love to the people of Russia. Excited to see what happens. Now to more time with the team.