Dear Travelers -
Unfortunately, the plans for the fall trip to Russia have not worked out. MCC is now looking at the spring of 2008 as a possibility. Please continue to contact the Director of Missions, Chris Combs if this is a trip you would be interested in for the future. Posted 6/18/07
We will plan our trip through a ministry called Russian Missions. For further information please refer to their website at www.RussianMissions.org .
Once in Ryazan we will work in several orphanages, visit and minister to inmates in girls prison, and visit and provide humanitarian aid to destitute local families. We may participate in a Bible Study at a drug rehab facility and hear the stories of the people there. The goal is to connect one-on-one in authentic relationship with the Russian people. The last day or two of our trip will be spent back in Moscow where we can see many of Russia’s great sights.
The cost of the trip will probably be in the $2, 000.-$2,500. range. Partial scholarships are available through MCC and we encourage you to let friends and family be blessed by contributing to the finances of your trip. We will help you do this.
It would be very helpful to know if you are interested in participating in this trip. Please contact Chris Combs, combs@mcc.us or 587-2433 with questions, or to let us know if you are interested and how many people would be traveling with you (spouse, children, etc)?
Here is an excerpt from the Russian Missions web site:
Russia, there is still much about this long-suffering country that would make you weep. If you want to know the truth, go behind the main streets, into the backyards. Beyond the island that is Moscow, poverty deepens.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ showed special compassion for children (see Mark 10:13 -16). In the ministry of Russian Missions, we strive to follow His example. Russian children struggle for survival against poverty, hunger, violence, sickness, and abuse. Our projects are designed to help needy children and their families with food, clothing, shelter-and most important of all, an opportunity to know Jesus Christ.
One of Russian Missions newest church plants (New Horizon Church) is in Ryazan which is about 180 km southeast of Moscow. Ryazan is located on the Oka River. It's a common provincial Russian town-green, comfortable, quiet. Its main richness is its people (about 550,000). They are friendly, open-hearted, sincere, good-natured-trying to be modern while still holding onto old traditions. Some call Ryazan the "Soul of Russia."
Using indigenous missionaries, Russian Missions can get beyond traditional pokazukha (laying on a show to impress visitors). In Ryazan, our missionaries are keenly aware of the deep sense of hopelessness, especially within the young. These people are at risk. The best way to show love for Russia is by helping meet real needs through our ministries that touch and restore broken lives.
Pavel, our missionary, writes:
"On God's mercy, our ministry goes on here at New Horizon Church. We organized and carried out a holiday program for needy neighborhood children and their families on January 7(Russian Christmas). It included puppet ministry, drama teams (nativity story), poems, and contests. Glory to the Lord that He gives the desire to these children to come to our program. Thanks to your support, we were able to hand out small gifts and spiritual literature. Several children began to come to our Sunday School after the Christmas program. We trust that God will grow seeds that we try to sow into these children's souls and then have it extend into their families.
A seed of hope can produce an abundant harvest! Hope replaces despair. Joy rises above sorrow. About 60 children from non-Christian families have drawn closer to the Lord through this type of programming. Among them were orphans, children from problem families, needy families, and special needs students. Due to this work and the prayers of their children, some of their parents have started to regularly attend services in the church.
