John's Report

This summer we were given the opportunity to serve at a youth camp in Briansk, Russia. Since this was my first mission trip and my first visit outside of the United States, I had no idea what to expect. My prayer was that God would open my eyes to see a deeper meaning to life. I also prayed that my heart would be softened towards the culture and the lost in Russia. Not only were both of my prayers answered, but also God has allowed us to serve them again in the summer of 09.

I never would have guessed what God had planned to accomplish through us at this camp. In a conversation with some Glowing Heart members, we came to the conclusion that any bad situation failed in comparison to how great God is. The outcome of this mission trip was so very great, that we completely forgot that we had only one toilet, or we had to sleep in uncomfortable mattresses. God really opened my eyes to see how pampered my life is and how I had no place to complain about any matter in life. I was generously invited to stay at, my friend, Bab’s apartment for a night. His apartment completely went beyond the comfort level of any lower class American apartment. It really amazed me to see how grateful he was with what God has blessed him with. He even gave me two of his favorite shirts out of gratitude for being present at his house. It was amazing to see how grateful these Russian students were.

Another moment I felt could not be experienced anywhere else was the worship. Words cannot describe the moments when we would worship together with the students. There is just something about worshiping God in two different languages simultaneously that just breaks you in tears. What was repeated over and over while we were at the camp was that the Holy Spirit is the bond that brings us closer to the students that goes beyond a translator. I have to admit that no translator could have spoken to those students better than God’s spirit had.

If someone asked me if I felt we made a difference in Russia, my answer would be “not without God.” Another conversation we had last night made me realize how much this trip was completely in God’s hands. Every unpredictable flaw that occurred in preparations for this camp and during was not a surprise to God; from buying all the instruments we needed, to the transporting of all necessary equipment, to the power going out in the middle of one of our songs during the planned acapella cut in the song. I can’t express how much God laid Russia on my heart.

The night that we were able to go to our host-homes, a few of us got to walk the streets of Briansk with a few kids. We began to pass out flyers to anyone who was willing to hear. As we walked around, people began to become more and more interested asking more and more questions, being completely astounded that even an American would want have an open ear to hear their cries. We collected over 40 kids that would ask me millions of questions about my faith, and why I would want to believe in God. I got to share my testimony that night with those guys on the street; each one with either a beer or a cigarette in hand. God was able to work through my speech and allowed me the opportunity to completely shatter the worldviews of these individuals. I am still amazed today to have experienced that one night of 40+ divine appointments.

I would go back to Russia in a heartbeat, not for the tourism, not for the music, not for that one toilet, but for God to use me in the lives of those He loves.