And they're off!

Terribly blurry picture of the Ukraine team this morning

Got a text message from Heather just a few minutes ago. The team has boarded their flight to Paris on their way to Ukraine!

How to pray for them

• Please pray that they would find a way to rest on the flight. When they land in Kiev, they'll have a 6 hour wait at the airport until the team of Americans from Pennsylvania will join them. After that, they'll immediately take a bus to Kharkiv (about a 9 hour trip). There's the potential for some seriously jet-lagged people. So please pray that they would all sleep on the flight and bus ride.
• Please continue to pray for the Ukrainian Church partner that will be joining them this summer. This is the first time we've ever been partnered with a specific church to work with the orphans at this camp. Pray that cross-cultural communications would be smooth, and that all involved would be humble servants of Christ.
• Pray for their cohesion with the other team of Americans coming from Pennsylvania (led by John McCants, who was the leader of the team that joined us in 2010). Pray that in the time before camp begins that the two teams could gel, and really become friends before the hard work starts.
• Of course pray for the children! I know they're getting very excited. They've been at this camp a long time with nothing to do.

Updates to follow as I get them...

-Russ Anderson, from the comfort of his desk in Nashville, TN

Meet the Team: Jan Richey

Our team member Jan Richey has already left for Ukraine! He is spending some time visiting orphanages before he joins us at camp. This is Jan's 4th trip to Ukraine.

Pray for Jan's safe travels in and around Kharkov over the next few days.

Meet the Team: Aaron Long

# of Visits to Ukraine: This will be my first

Favorite place you've ever visited: It's a tie between London, Switzerland and Mexico City.

Music of choice for our upcoming 9 hour flight: Various artists or maybe a nine hour symphony...I'll look into it.

Food you will miss most while in Ukraine: Food.  I kid.  I'm not sure I will miss any type of food.  Looking forward to trying the Ukrainian quisine I've been hearing so much about.

Favorite word you've learned in Russian so far: peKAW peKAW

Why you're going this summer: I've felt the pull to go for the past couple of years now.  Instead of getting all Jonah about it, I decided this year is the year I should go.  God has provided so it must be so. 

Meet the Team: Angel Bachuss

Name: Angel Bachuss

# of Visits to Ukraine: 4th visit to Ukraine

Favorite place you've ever visited: Cinque Terre, Italy - Beautful little Italian towns along the Meditteranean cost that you can hike between

Music of choice for our upcoming 9 hour flight: My ipod is dead, so no music this trip.  I'm currently reading 3 different books:  The China Study, The Historian, and Eat and Run (I have a short attention span )

Food you will miss most while in Ukraine: Watermelon and strawberries!!!

Favorite word you've learned in Russian so far: Moledietz (Way to go!)

Why you're going this summer: I'm going this summer to Ukraine because God really loves the people and orphans of Ukraine.  And God has called me to love and serve them.  Also, I'm going because I never feel as joyful, peaceful, and close to God as I do when I'm running around at camp with a bunch of sweaty people yelling in Russian. :)

Meet the Team: Giselle Romero

Name: Giselle Romero

# of Visits to Ukraine: My first time ever!

Favorite place you've ever visited: Santa Inez Canyon running trail in California.

Music of choice for our upcoming 9 hour flight: Whatever my cool 19 year old cousin downloads on my phone.

Food you will miss most while in Ukraine: Carnitas y horchata from La Hacienda in Nashville.

Favorite word you've learned in Russian so far: Dah & nyet

Why you're going this summer: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it's in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27

Meet the Team: Heather Harris

Name: Heather Harris

# of Visits to Ukraine: This will be my 6th time in Ukraine

Favorite place you've ever visited: International: Independence Square in Kiev at Christmas// US: Zuma Beach, CA with my bro  

Music of choice for our upcoming 9 hour flight: Always on shuffle so mostly Coldplay, John Mayer, and Andrew Peterson 

Food you will miss most while in Ukraine: I'm definitely with Robb on this one. I would kill for some chips and salsa at camp. And fresh veggies. 

Favorite word you've learned in Russian so far: "тапочки" - pronounced "tapochkee" -it means slippers

Why you're going this summer: There is definitely a sense that going on these trips is my "normal" now. I'm so thankful for the relationships the Lord has given me through my trips to Ukraine with the sweet kids and Radooga friends. My hope this summer is for those relationships to grow deeper in the truth of what the Lord has done and is doing in all our lives. Hoping the Lord will remind me of his Goodness and fill our team's hearts with Grace and Peace. 

Meet the Team: Robb Pring

Name: Robb Pring

# of Visits to Ukraine: 2nd time to the U!

Favorite place you've ever visited: Favorite place visited would be Ukraine,Kiev of course. Puerto Penasco,mexico also has some good memories. Locally anything with some falls or a swimming hole off a good trail is always fun!

Music of choice for our upcoming 9 hour flight: Music of choice for the flight and bus trip...... My good friend,teammate and coworker mike mcdonald just gave me his old ipod with all new music to me, so I'll def. be rocking out to that. Rap,rock,country,screamo, and a little comedy is whats up.

Food you will miss most while in Ukraine: Food I will most miss in Ukraine will probably be mexican its just so hard to find some good chips and salsa in Ukraine. Although its equally as difficult to find really good chicken kiev in the states although I heard Russ/Lindsay Anderson can make a mean blini. 

Favorite word you've learned in Russian so far: Favorite word in russian right now would probably have to be privyet ya'll.... translation hello i believe thats of a southern dialect

Why you're going this summer: my reason for going to camp...Long story short if I can somehow have an impact on these kids as they,the camp, our translators, radooga, and their culture has had on my life then i know its all good. The redemptive power of God is overwhelming to say the least. I am so grateful for my awesome family,great friends, and supporters alike. Everyone who gives  whether it be time, money, or prayer is a part of this so thank you everyone. I know that this is bigger than us, so excited to be a part of this with you