Sunday, August 29, 2010
Day 2
9:21 PM | 
Posted by
Bobbi |
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
We talked about "Coming Clean" - Principle 4, "Making Changes" - Principle 5, "Repairing Relationships" - Principle 6
Our Russian forever family experienced small group sharing today for the first time. I felt like I was standing on holy ground listening to these women share their hurts, fears, and hope. We had heard before that Russians wouldn't open up. And they did look afraid at first. But when Mac told them that's what people said about them, he then explained that not even Americans like going to small groups their first time. They all laughed and that was the beginning of a great open sharing time together, which lasted for over 1 1/2 hours. Who said Russians wouldn't share?!
Then we came back together to listen to what sounded like angels singing the same worship songs we sing only in Russian. We just sat there and soaked it in...songs like "Come now is the time to worship", "Jesus you're my firm foundation", "It is well with my soul".
Be sure and look through the slideshow on the right of blog to see new pictures added daily.
Going to bed early tonight...hoping not to wake up at 3:00 a.m.
спокойной ночи. (Good night)
Love,
Mary
We talked about "Coming Clean" - Principle 4, "Making Changes" - Principle 5, "Repairing Relationships" - Principle 6
Our Russian forever family experienced small group sharing today for the first time. I felt like I was standing on holy ground listening to these women share their hurts, fears, and hope. We had heard before that Russians wouldn't open up. And they did look afraid at first. But when Mac told them that's what people said about them, he then explained that not even Americans like going to small groups their first time. They all laughed and that was the beginning of a great open sharing time together, which lasted for over 1 1/2 hours. Who said Russians wouldn't share?!
Then we came back together to listen to what sounded like angels singing the same worship songs we sing only in Russian. We just sat there and soaked it in...songs like "Come now is the time to worship", "Jesus you're my firm foundation", "It is well with my soul".
Be sure and look through the slideshow on the right of blog to see new pictures added daily.
Going to bed early tonight...hoping not to wake up at 3:00 a.m.
спокойной ночи. (Good night)
Love,
Mary
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 1 - Celebrate Recovery Seminar
We started with, "Getting out of Denial", The 8 Principles, & "Admitting Need" lessons. Followed by "Choice 2 - Getting Help" which took us to "Choice 3 - Letting Go" & "Turning our Lives over to God."
60 courageous men and women from 5 different churches were packed in a small upstairs room with no a/c. No one complained as they listened intently. Even though parts of it were hard for them to hear (since as we all know churches are a great place to hide from whom we really are). Because if we really tell who we are, what will people think of us?
To make it practical for them, Mac scheduled us to give our testimony right after the "Let Go" principal. We were a little apprehensive how our story would come across using an interpreter. But God's story of redemption transcended the language barrier. We had barely started sharing and as I looked out at the audience, tears were flowing.
Afterwards people came up saying how we told their story. They said they are praying they will be courageous enough to open up in the future. We said, "That's why we are here; so you can gain freedom by coming clean." That will be the principle we will start with tomorrow, "Coming Clean". One woman hugged me tightly and told me God brought us here just for her as she told me a part of her story and of the hope she has now.
The jet lag is still hanging on as we were wide awake at 3:00 a.m. after going to bed at 11:00. Please continue to pray for us for supernatural energy as we begin each day at 8:00 a.m. & the seminar goes till 8:00 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating the Lord's Supper together with our Russian brothers and sisters on the Lords's Day.
Romans 12:1, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
Love,
Mary
60 courageous men and women from 5 different churches were packed in a small upstairs room with no a/c. No one complained as they listened intently. Even though parts of it were hard for them to hear (since as we all know churches are a great place to hide from whom we really are). Because if we really tell who we are, what will people think of us?
To make it practical for them, Mac scheduled us to give our testimony right after the "Let Go" principal. We were a little apprehensive how our story would come across using an interpreter. But God's story of redemption transcended the language barrier. We had barely started sharing and as I looked out at the audience, tears were flowing.
Afterwards people came up saying how we told their story. They said they are praying they will be courageous enough to open up in the future. We said, "That's why we are here; so you can gain freedom by coming clean." That will be the principle we will start with tomorrow, "Coming Clean". One woman hugged me tightly and told me God brought us here just for her as she told me a part of her story and of the hope she has now.
The jet lag is still hanging on as we were wide awake at 3:00 a.m. after going to bed at 11:00. Please continue to pray for us for supernatural energy as we begin each day at 8:00 a.m. & the seminar goes till 8:00 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating the Lord's Supper together with our Russian brothers and sisters on the Lords's Day.
Romans 12:1, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
Love,
Mary
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