Waiting for the Red Van

This is my last blog before I arrive in Russia. We are anxiously waiting for the Red Van company to pick us up and take us to the airport. We are flying out of LAX direct to Frankfurt, Germany. Then a few hours layover, and onto St. Petersburg, Russia. From there a van will take us to LP (our city)
We are having a great morning! Had a leisurely breakfast and a lot of reflecting, thinking, and praying. Then we walked to the post office to mail a package home and drop off the last round of post cards. Now we are talking, taking pictures, sharing laughs, and a few tears. We all have grown amazingly close this week. I will love and miss my new friends so much! But I look forward to spending the next 5 weeks with my teammates and growing closer with them. We will be a lil' familiy of 4!
God is preparing us for something great. I just KNOW it! I don't know what we will encounter, but Russia has been placed on my heart and I get choked up just thinking about the future. I don't know if it's the impact I may have on the Russians, with my teammates, or myself, but I know I will forever be changed. I just can't say that enough! My faith and courage has grown leaps and bounds this week and I am a stronger person in the Lord. We all have changed. I love and miss my friends and family back home, but I love my new friends and family in Pasadena, California and Russia. How lucky and blessed am I!!!
This is a financial costly trip. The spiritual rewards will far outweigh the money. (And yes, I had to sign the document to work out a payment plan upon my return. But I know it'll work out!)
Thank you for your interest in my blog and your faith in me, my mission, and my TEAM. They are wonderful and I would love to bring them home with me! (maybe I can bribe them with the beach, haha)
I am so blessed and can't wait to share my gifts and God's love with the people of Russia.

I love you all and will miss you. Next time you hear from me, I will be in RUSSIA!!!
I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me!!

Love in Christ,
Kim

Flying out tomorrow

It's really here! We are leaving the campus of William Carey International University tomorrow around noon and flying out at 5:00pm (pacific time). So far, everything is a-go for Team Russia. I am a mix of emotions! I really don't know what to expect. God has a plan for us. I'm not sure why we are chosen to go to Russia, why our team was placed together, or why we were placed in the city where we'll live. But I know we'll find out in due time. God knows the answer, and we trust Him and His plan. And I couldn't be more excited! Thank you so much for everything and for your interest in my adventures and my blog. I'll add more when I can,
Oh..... Team Kazakhstan will not fly out as scheduled on Wednesday. Their visas have not cleared with the embassy, so they will stay in California a few extra days to play the 'wait and see game'. I pray that God speaks to the officials in Kazakhstan and it works out so that our friends may witness, mission and teach.

Love in Christ,
Kim

Coming to an end....

Well, we are finished with training!  I'm sorry I haven't updated in a few days, but I do not have computer access.  A friend of mine, Tess, is nice enough to let me use hers!  

As for access in Russia..... we don't know.   But I CANNOT write a lot of details about what we are doing.  All phone calls in and out of the country are recorded.  All phone conversations are shut off after 45 minutes (because that is how long the government tapes are!).  All email and web activity is monitored.  So we are literally living in a fishbowl.  Pray for us!

Today we went to Santa Monica and played football and volleyball on the beach.   How many people get to do THAT!  The weather was amazing and we strolled around the promenade.  On the way back, a Pasadena policeman pulled out in front of me and we nearly collided.  I laid on my horn.  I just KNEW it was gonna get ugly.  And it wasn't even my car!  But everything turned out fine.  Tonight we went back to eat at Pita Pita - the Lebanese restaurant - again, haha.  Guess if we like something, we stick with it!  (I'm getting used to driving 80 mph on the California freeways)

This morning we had a worship service and commissioning for the various groups.  It was so touching and moving.  We are ready to hit the mission field!  Tomorrow we will be finalizing things around California, and leaving Tuesday morning.  So I can still talk/text until then.  But after that, my phone is shut off until 2nd week of August.  

I will try to post more later (hoping I have computer access).

Thank you so much and love you all!

Love in Christ, 

Kim