CAMP GLORIA 2010 - These are some of the dear ones we carry in our hearts . . . the woman who realized she had sinned against her husband by not loving him with God's love, but then determined to set out anew and not give up on him (he had given up on himself) . . . the young woman who had grown up living with the physical abuses of her father, and was now visiting that abuse on her own daughter. Jesus met her in healing prayer and bathed her in His love . . . the couple who admitted they couldn't love one another and asked for prayer that God would change their hearts (how encouraging to us that they wanted to receive!) . . . the young woman who hadn't been exposed to the fullness and gifts of the Spirit; part of her wanted to flee the Camp, the other part wanted to stay and receive (very fearful for her). By the end of the Camp she was taking part in waving bright banners in joyful praise and worship . . . the many people who shared the deepest places of their hearts with us, places filled with years of rejection and hurt, but willing to come to Jesus for healing, hoping against hope that He would meet them. He always did! . . . We can't adequately tell you all that the Lord did, in them and in us, during our time there; each person had their own story of pain, and healing. We were excited to discover that a small group from a church south of St. Petersburg has begun an inner healing ministry; they've asked us to come help them with training more people for this ministry, so we're planning on returning to Russia this fall. On a personal level, we experienced many examples of wonderful hospitality and kindness from the Russian people, for which we'll be forever grateful.

                            

 

Church people often joke about the pastor only working on Sunday. Well, what about somebody like me? I only go to Russia two or three times a year. But this is a full time job. As soon as I return home from Russia I must start preparing for the next trip. If you want to go to Russia with us it is time for you to prepare as well.

 

Going to Russia is not cheap. The cost including your spending money is $3,300 to $3,500. Now if you want to not shop you could get by on $3000. But that is a lot of money. This year we are planning to help you gather the money by organizing fund raising events. We also write letters asking your friends and family to support you on this mission endeavor. But now is the time to decide to go next year.

 

The cost is a mission contribution of $1,260 which covers the cost of your food, housing, the cost of your interpreters, Russian school workers, in country travel (except for a trip to be a tourist in Moscow), documents, and administrative costs. Your plane ticket is also tax deductible but we don't know the actual cost until next May. My guess is about $1,600. This is a total $2,860. It is a large amount but it is also like eating an elephant; one bite at a time!

 

Send your request to join this team (or questions) to me at j.brittain@barnabasfoundation.org. 

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