I'M IN RUSSIA!!

The view out of a classroom. Living flats and soccer fields.

My room of instruction (classroom). They left fresh daisies on my desk and a map of Russia behind me!

Walking on the dirt road.... some more. All there is to do here is walk!

Waiting in the airport for our flight to take off

Me and the girls in our TeachOverseas Tshirts, representing the various countries

Busy shopping street. Shops are often unmarked. There are markets, produce stores, and fish houses here!

Russian ship traveling down river The back of a Russian Orthodox church building

Babushkas leaving church, walking down a city street! (yes, it's dirt)

Sport store. We HAD to go here! Those letters translate to S-P-O-R-T

Chris and I tried to make bacon and eggs for dinner. It wasn't like it is at home!

Logia and Stasya - they took us to church on Sunday

The Lord's prayer in Russian

Natasha (local who is helping us), Aimme, and Chris outside the post office

Stairway of our apartment building. And it smells just like it looks.......
Statue of Lenin in front of train station

Before the long walk to church

The hostpial - and yes, it is still in working order

Me, Chris, Austin, and Aimee receiving flowers from students the first day after the welcoming ceremony
Apartment building symbolozing communisim. They are EVERYWHERE, and we are living in one.
Local River. The sign says "no bathing"

Also.... this was the river where the Russians held off the Nazis in WW2 during the 900 days war that killed missions of Russians around the Petersburg area. A total of 27 million died during those years - more than Jews or any other religion or ethnic group. And I am standing on the ground where it happened!

This monument was erected in honor of the Russians who died protecting Mother Russia from invaders during WW2. Remember - 27 million........

Their version of the "tomb of the unknown soldier" for the men who died in WW2

Entrance to our aptartment building

From the balcony of our flat - at midnight (the sun doesn't set because we are so far north)

Me in the morning (have to wear eye covers because of bright sunlight when trying to sleep!

OUR 4th of July celebration. We tried! God Bless America!
Chris and me shopping at the market
The only Christian church - 45 minutes outside of town

The "main" Street - Ironically, named Lenin Street

A typical mean of soup, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and tea

Team Russia.... notice the Russia faces - we're practicing!

All packed headed for the airport

Aimee, Chris, me, and Austin. We will live/work together

Me with the Babushkas from church

We finally made it! It was rough. We've been here almost a week but internet access is limited. When it rains, there is no internet, and it rains almost every day. Living conditions are less than expected, and we had no water in the bathroom for a few days. Now we have water - just not in the sink, so we have to brush teeth and wash face/hands in the kitchen (which has no hot water by the way). But it's do-able. Just takes managing and getting used to things. But we are treated well. Food is another story! The school feeds us breakfast and lunch. Strange stuff. We recognize the potatotes and fruit, but have no idea what else it is. They eat a lot of plain pasta, potatoes, bread, and cheese. That's about it. It's tough going to bed hungry all the time! And really hungry. Not just miserable, or wish you had something, but hungry. We don't know how to cook the food in the market or buy anything. There are no restaurants, but one cafe that seems to be always out of food. But as in the water, we'll make do and are doing fine. The locals are very patient with us.

We went to a worship service 45 minutes outside of town on Sunday. And we walked.... It lasted 3 hours. Sitting on benches with no back. But they definitely feel the spirit and I could too, even though I had no idea what they were saying. They even sang American hymns we sing every week, although in Russian. That moved me! But it just did something to me to see the 80 and 90 year old babushkas sitting there, reading and singing and crying. KNOWING what they have been through over the years and that their families were victims. You can see the pure emotion and pain. I can't describe it. They have such love in their hearts and are so warm and welcoming to us. The ladies came up and kissed us all and spoke kind Russian words and let us take pictures.We have worked in the schools this week and the kids are at the lower level than we anticipated. Definitely beginning level English. There are roaming cats everywhere and dirty streets. Not trashy dirty, but real dirt. Not a lot of concrete. Hopefully you can understand what I'm saying and see for yourself from the photos.

Hopefully I can get on another day and do more. Love you all and thank you for your continued prayer and support!

Love,
Kim