A day of favorites!

Experiments...it is so important to try new things, but you never know if it will be the best thing ever or epically fail. We showed the kids the video this evening that many of the American friends sent to their kids. It was one of the best experiences of the trip so far to see the expressions on the kids' faces as they saw you show up on the screen. They knew immediately who their friends were before the messages could even be translated. Sergei B. saw Ann Williams on the screen and his hand immediately shot in the air knowing exactly who she was and her words were for him.

Rich's favorite part of today was bonding with Valya, his family's Russian friend, over soccer, basketball and playing in the gym. The gym was his favorite place today, because even during rotations he loved seeing how into the game the kids were. At one point the assistant director came in and said, 'Are they doing something wrong? They are so quiet!'

Marca's favorite part of today was during our free time after we finished rotations this afternoon. She chose to go to the gym and before she knew it, the whole room was filled with kids who wanted to do stuff with us. She thinks it says something about how they want to spend time with us and want someone to care about them. She even volleyed a volleyball with Nastya Ch. for a long amount of time!

Autumn's favorite part was when her translator asked one of the kids, 'Did you know that Autumn is Igor's American friend?' And she replied, 'Of course, Igor recognized her immediately when she walked in this week.' Then he came and spent a lot of time around her this afternoon during free time.

Melanie's favorite part was during craft time while they were finger painting on paper with their names taped off to leave white space once it dries. Craft was incredibly messy and there was paint everywhere...each hand was covered...some up to their elbows. First Nastya P. says, 'We get to be messy like pigs?' Then she loved watching Roma spend the entire 30 minutes spreading the paint, and then changing it...and then changing it again. It looked so therapeutic for them. They also loved the gloves that we put on their hands to paint, because it made them feel like doctors. Dima S. said, 'I will be a surgeon now!'

Becky had the best time in family group. They are very interactive and willing to try any game we teach them. Today we played a game that the kids were supposed to wink at each other, then try to figure out who was winking. It was hilarious watching them try to blink their eyes. Their group is laughing a lot together, because all of the kids are incredibly expressive. When you are making funny faces at each other, there is no translation needed to laugh about it!

Stephanie was entranced by the kids' expressions as they watched the video. Sergei B. was absolutely precious when he saw Ann. Vika had Julia and Audrey Fleenor sing a song on camera, and knew immediately that song was for her. Then Alyona saw Sharon Hutchens come on the TV and her face broke into this beautiful, sparkling smile. Her demeanor completely changed, she sat up straighter and if was as if she got a huge boost of confidence in just a 30 second message! It was great when at the end she announced she would be video taping messages from the kids to their friends if they wanted to be on video. Each kid got excited and Dima K. said, 'I will be running to you in the morning to do my message!'

Everything pales in comparison once you hear how God is moving in each one of us and through the kids...and we can also assure you that God is largely using us as a team as well! Thank you so much for reading along with us! It is an absolute pleasure to represent you all here! More and more the kids realize that we are an incredibly small representation of those who love and believe in them. Amen!