Sarah's Report

Honestly, I do not really know where to start. This is because the Lord has been shaping my heart for this trip for at least seven months and I am only beginning to see the calling that His sovereignty played out in regard to this Russian excursion. For a few of the particulars of the time which was actually spent in Russia, I want to first praise God for the ever present power of the Holy Spirit, which was evident from our very first prayer time with the group, including Daniel and Andrei. As we sang Amazing Grace, a cappella, in a circle, holding hands, I physically felt the power of the Holy Spirit overwhelm that room in the Klub and in turn, set the tone for the whole camp. Realizing that the kingdom of God is being passionately spread in a place once used for filling hearts and minds with lies and deceit, I knew that I was experiencing a significant touch of the power of the gospel for the future of Russia.

During the camp, the peace of God overwhelmed my heart simply by watching the trees. Their tops were swaying in the wind and praising their Creator and I realized that wind in trees in such an everyday occurrence and this made me question how everyday aspects of my life can give praise to the Creator. Furthermore, looking at the lower part of the tree, one can see deep roots and a strong foundation of a trunk and then look upward to gaze at the beauty stretching toward the heavens. How can my life be like a tree, with a foundation in Christ which allows me to constantly praise the Almighty even when the stormy winds blow?

Knowing that I am guaranteed to face stormy times, it was no surprise to see how Satan was attempting to discourage the love of Christ being spread during my time in Russia. This I felt as I questioned my heart and my love for the Russian people and my selfish attitudes and my potential impact if I was completely open to Christ. I had to lay aside myself and pour out for the very short time that God gave me there. I felt the oppression that the people are living under and my heart cried out for freedom. There is victory and slowly, but surely, we will be able to see that experiences here are sacred and every single situation is part of God’s sovereignty, despite the temporary reign of secularism that our world falls under.

This truth is what carries me through life and is what burdens my heart for this Russian camp. I desire for people to understand how the Lord can break the chains of captivity and heal a deeply scarred nation. Truly, by the last day, I did not want to leave the camp and found consolation in the hope of returning to see the continuing work of the Lord in this place. Perhaps one day soon, I can again worship the Lord alongside my Russian brothers and sisters, singing in many languages so sweet to our Savior’s ear. Slava Bogu and Paka.