Narnia - Russian Style

Today was a good day for all of us... everyone health(ier) but we still had to beat the 103 degree heat. So we decided to help at the Russian kids club camp this morning... then head back to hide at our Pension until the heat broke and then go back to serve at the Oasis during the Coffee Bar time. To our surprise the Kids Club didn't end until 3pm... which was the height of the heat so we took refuge at the Oasis and hung out in the cool basement. Then stayed for Coffee Bar but only for set up and the first 45 minutes... it got too hot for us and so we escaped back to our Pension for COLD showers. Feels like I am back in Dominic Republic with hot days, afternoons, nights, rolling black outs and LOTS of COLD Showers. I keep telling myself I survived that I can can survive this.

The kids program was themed Narnia... the Russian team is so creative and had a whole afternoon planned of Narnia themed games, music, skits, share time, craft... it was FUN. Sam ended up joining the girls team. The girls and the boys learned her Russian name quickly - CEM   The kids club started off a little odd... the leaders told the kids each team had three balloons which represented 3 lives. If they lost their lives because they misbehaved then something very bad would happen to them tonight?!? #extremelydiscipline

Then one of the games we played reminded me of a firing squad... the boys lined up against the girls - 2 kids on each team were blindfolded and given a tennis ball. On the count of 3 they were to whip the ball at the other team in the hopes to hit someone. #OUCH

I started to think this was "normal" but one of the Russian boys asked who in the world would make such cruel rules! I am glad to know that this is not typical in Russia :-)

After the kids club we hunkered down in the basement of the Oasis to rest and cool down until Coffee Bar. My favorite ministry because it is so laid back - all you do is offer coffee or tea, play a game of chess/checkers/connect four or just talk with a complete stranger. The idea is to build relationships with the refugees. So many stories are shared during this time, so many smiles are seen, and for once the refugees can just relax and not worry what they say. We take our quiet time for granted... these refugees are sharing rooms at the camp with people they don't know - there is no quiet time for them and probably haven't had one in years. Between providing for their families, trying to reach Austria, staying safe... the last thing any of these refugees can think of is quiet time. What a gift the Oasis provides... and all we do is provide the fresh cup of coffee or tea, handshake and a smile - God does the rest.

Serving Him Faithfully,
Jeni