Journey to Volgograd, Russia

January 27, 2012

Uniting with team members at JFK was like a family reunion!

 Departure from JFK airport in New York was the smoothest I've ever experienced!  The weather was perfect and every team member arrived in time to make the overseas flight, which was a miracle in itself.  The Siberia team and Western Russia team totaled about 34 participants who traveled together to Moscow. Once we reached Moscow, the Siberia team departed for their flight to Izhevsk and we flew on to Volgograd. 

Suzanne and Nuper, veterans from the Volgograd team.

There was one hitch clearing Passport check in Moscow.  One of our female members' visa had her listed as a male.  It took about an hour of negotiating, but she finally made it through, whew! The rest of the team waited in the baggage claim area, praying that she would not be sent back to the States.  When Cheryl, Igor and our team leader appeared from around the corner, we all breathed a huge sigh of relief and praised God with shouts of joy!

Much to everyone's great surprise, every piece of checked luggage arrived with us in Volgograd!   I know there were many folks praying for the luggage - a big thanks to all of you!! In 14 years of travel with GAiN, this was a first!! 
After  38 hours of travel, our team arrived by bus at the Yuzhnaya Hotel.  A sack dinner was handed to us as we headed to our long awaited rooms, hot showers and soft pillows!  Sweet sleep in a horizontal position gave us the much needed rejuvenation for the vigor's of the following day.

After a 5 year sabbatical from winter trips, my head sank into the pillow wondering what adventures God had in store for me in Volgograd and why He brought me to this place.  This was the third year in Volgograd for most of the team, so in a sense I was one of the "newbies".  As the trip unfolded and I was welcomed as a valued team member, I began to see God's hand at work and came to at least partially understand why He included me with this incredibly talented team.