Novgorod:

Sorry guys, it has been a while since I have been able to update you about the team here in Russia. Our last three weeks in Novgorod was really highlighted by those we met there. Our contacts there, Marina and Svyeta, who also make up all of YWAM Novgorod, were fantastic. At first, they had us housed in two apartments, and then after we got evicted (for housing too many people), we moved into Marina’s church, the “Word of Life” Church. Thankfully they were able to house us there for all the time that we had left in Novgorod. This actually helped us out a lot. Especially financially as a team, we were able to save quite a bit of money, and process longer as a team. The only downfall I noticed, was that we no longer could shower or wash our clothes....and then God stepped in. Go God!
The first night there at the church, Sunday night, we had three people ask us if we had a place to shower, and proceeded to offer us their work place (a hotel) and apartments. They were such blessings.
Our ministry there was very diverse. We worked with many churches, and Salvation Army. We also worked in nursing homes, a TB hospital, ran a coffee club, a missions discussion group, and put on our fair share of Christmas programs. The best part of our ministry there was that despite how diverse it was, the team really grasped hold of the opportunities to build lasting relationships with the local youth there. Two girls from a local youth group, who also had an interest in missions, followed us around to nearly all of our ministry times the final week or two, and we were really able to impact them deeply. We were also able to influence and encourage countless others too. These two though, and one guy, Daniel from the youth group of the church where we were staying were impacted so deeply that they want to do a DTS of their own!
The most exciting thing about our ministry in Novgorod was that the team really jelled together, and our contacts even said that our love for one another was our greatest testimony! Praise God! I think that our team unity or at least ministry levels really improved after a church service at a Korean house church, where everyone flowed out of their giftings, and continued there after. One of the coolest things about this service was that there were two Chinese girls there, non-believers, who never have been to a Christian gathering before! And man could they sing and play the piano, like angels!
Thank you all so much for your prayers, and continue to remember us in your prayers. This Monday, we will be traveling to a village north of Perm, where we will be working at reaching the unreached of Russia. Pray for us, that we would receive God’s heart and will for this portion of outreach.
-Kyle

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone, a lot has happened in the past few days. We had a final hurrah, at the Shulgin's house, Masha's brother's family, to celebrate our time in Saint Petersburg. We all enjoyed our pizza and sugar cookies, and relished all of the memories that we had made in our time there.
The next day, we travelled on a train for four hours to Novgorod. The first day there after getting situated, and a tour of the original city, we went to the TB hospital and put on a program for the children. We sang some songs and played some games... It was SUCH A BLAST!! Then, yesterday, (Christmas Eve), we went for a prayer walk and then Masha and I went to the store to get stuff for today. The worst part about this was that I had accidentally left Masha's cell phone in the taxi. Later that night, after the Christmas program, we called the phone and luckily the taxi driver had found it. He was willing to give it back for a small fee, which I gladly paid out of my own pocket. About $10. Then, Masha and I finished packing all of the stockings for today.
Christmas day!!!!! Merry Christmas to you all!!!!! To start, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, one Tim would be proud of! Eggs, cinnamon toast, bacon and mexican hot chocolate! It was SO delicious! Then, I read from Luke 2. We then opened our stockings after saying something we were each thankful for. Immediately after, we exchanged our White Elephant gifts and when everyone least expected it... I pulled out the suprise gifts the parents sent for them! It shocked them all so much! You guys really hit the nail on the head! This afternoon Masha and I treated the team to ice skating followed by a large dinner prepared soley by Tiffany.
This holiday season has been full of traditions from each of the students lives including Nacho Chips on Christmas Eve and giving thanks before opening stockings. Anyways, I just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and the support that you have given us. We could not have done this without you.

Sincerely,
Kyle

PS Here is one interesting fact about this city that I will leave you with: This city is the oldest in all of present day Russia. 1,150 years old!