For those who may not know, Mission 1:27 has another team headed over to Slobodskoy in just 48 hours! After months of prayer and preparation, the final pieces are being put in place and it’s “all systems go” on Saturday morning.

This blog becomes a very important part of our journey as we share our thoughts, feelings and emotions during our adventures in Russia. We thought we would use the next couple of days to shed a little light into the pre-trip activities – and perhaps generate a little excitement and anticipation for next week’s updates!

The group traveling to Russia is a great mix of pilgrims including past travelers and those making their first trip with Mission 1:27. What makes this group a little unique is that we have two travelers from outside of Chapel Hill, NC – Chris W. from Brosville, VA and Marri Helen T. from just outside Destin, FL. Both have been to Russia with other groups but they stumbled upon Mission 1:27 and – by divine intervention we think! – decided to join our traveling group. They immediately became part of our M127 family and we are excited about what God is doing in their local communities as we journey together.

The group got to experience one of these communities firsthand during our pre-trip preparation. The congregation at Brosville United Methodist Church wanted to show their support of Chris and M127 – and they did so in big fashion! On a Sunday night, the church gathered in their Fellowship Hall to write letters to the kids, assemble packages of stationary, stickers and pencils and learn more about Mission 1:27.

Doug K. speaking to a member of Brosville United Methodist Church

Chris W. and his daughter, Gracie

Chris' wife Beth leads the assembly of orphan care packages

Even though no one from this congregation had met one child from Slobodskoy, they came together with great enthusiasm to hear stories and share their love and support. It was an incredible feeling to be surrounded by such love for complete strangers – and it reminded us so much of the love we will feel when we walk into the orphanage on Monday afternoon.

It was clear to all of us that God had brought us together – two churches working together to build God’s kingdom here on earth…and doing so by loving a group of special children who live  many thousand miles away. We were on cloud nine as we drove home to Chapel Hill, knowing that our Mission 1:27 family had expanded in ways that will bear fruit for many years.

On the heels of our time in Brosville, we concluded our preparation with our much-anticipated “packing party” to pull together all of our supplies, gifts and props. This particular trip has an abundance of heavy luggage as we come prepared for a special week of frisbees, clipboards and skits! The best news is that the 65 lb luggage will be about 64 lbs lighter on our way home!

With all this activity going on, you might be asking yourself, “What can I do to help?” Well, thanks for asking!! There are three things that could help:

1. Pray, pray, pray – we can always use prayers for our safe travel and for our time with the children. Pray for the staff and our interaction with them. And most importantly, pray for the children – for their safety, their health and their growth.
2. Invite your friends to subscribe to our blog – Can you help us spread the news on Mission 1:27? It is easy to subscribe to our blog and it’s the best way to get updates from us during our travels. As a matter of fact, both Chris and Marri Helen got to know us better through our blog! You never know who might be touched by our journey and interested in starting an orphan ministry in their community. So feel free to pass along the link to this blog and ask folks to subscribe. Thanks for helping us share our story. [Note: they can friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, too!]
3. Attend our annual “To Russia with Love” fundraiser on Friday, November 4 – This is our BIG event of the year where we raise money to help us meet the  help meet the medical, physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children in Slobodskoy. For many of us, traveling to Russia is NOT an option…but there are so many other ways to help support M127. Attending this event is one of the most significant ways to show your support. So feel free to CLICK HERE for more information or CLICK HERE to RSVP online.

Now that the blog engine is warmed up, you will begin to hear from us almost every day over the coming week! This is going to be fun!! We are so thankful and humbled by your support. Truly.

For the Fatherless,

Your Friends at Mission 1:27