Week one

Week one complete!  We have now been on the field for one week.  It has consisted of moving, paper work, registering, doctors offices, living out of a suitcase, blowing a fuse in our apartment, conversations in limited russian, meeting people from church and english club, slowly figuring out the bus/trolly system and roads, and attempting to order coffee at a restaurant using charades, attempting scottish dance, a few stares and being laughed at, being confused for a french person and learning that we almost have to whisper so that we aren't too loud when talking to each other out on the streets.

This first week has been full of change and transitions and learning to be patient and flexible.  Culture shock is setting in at different times and rates.  

During our first week we got a glimpse into the english club and church we will be working with and in.  Thanks to church, english club and a get to together at another co-workers house we have been able to meet some people.  I have learned that many people here may say that they are Christian, but when it comes down to if they really believe in Christ and have a relationship with Him, that they do not.  One of our goals while here is to develop relationships with these women from english club and church and to start reading the Bible with them and going through the Gospel message.  We are also praying for doors to be open to meet others outside of english club and church to start reading the Bible with others and inviting them to church.

We moved into our new apartment and were finally able to unpack.  We were very thankful that Janet let us stay in her apartment while she is visiting family back in the states.  Layna and I have started to venture out some more on our own and it is very clear that we are not able to do much on our own, communication wise.  All this first week we have been with our superior or another co worker or our supervisors children so we have always had someone who could speak russian with us.  We communicate on a two year old level, if that and have been laughed at by store clerks when checking out at the grocery stores.  God is definitely teaching me humility and that it is ok to ask for help.