Weekend Away

For the past month and a half, I've been helping out with an Alpha Course meeting held every Thursday evening.  Despite it's apparent popularity, I had never heard of the course before agreeing to help with it.  I was a little nervous about what I was getting into, but things have been going really well.

The course itself is basically an introduction to Christianity.  Every week we begin with dinner, watch a video on the particular topic, and discuss.  We have 3-4 pretty regular attendees, but more importantly I think the group itself has grown pretty close together (something that was desired), and I believe everyone is comfortable sharing and asking anything and everything.  I have to say I'm not completely on board with everything that's discussed in the course and how it's presented (which is no big deal but I won't go into great detail here), but I do appreciate many aspects of the course.

Anyways, so myself along with two other leaders, two pastors here in Russia, and three Russian friends all went out to a dacha for the weekend.  It was a time of relaxation, lots of tea, delicious food, and great discussions.  We had several sessions during the weekend discussing the Holy Spirit and it's role in the Christian's life.  All three of our Russian friends, Aigoul', Katya, and Gregory, were greatly interested in the topics we discussed.

Please keep this Alpha Course in your prayers as we still have at least a few more weeks discussing different topics.  I am excited about the great friendships that have been made and look forward to the remaining evenings!

I Need More Kleenexes!!

Well, I sadly have been sick for the past few days.  Yesterday was the first Friday we had to cancel English Movie Night.  Beth and I have been walled up at home and really want to get outside!  We're hoping to be well enough tomorrow morning to make it to Paradigma.  But it may be another day to spend at home getting rest.


Yesterday it snowed all day, but today the temperature rose to above freezing and things have already begun melting.

Before this sickness began, Beth and I were able to go to a business seminar on Tuesday evening held for Russian students and young professionals.   Bill Lewis and Rocky Parsons were the speakers.  It was a great event and I was able to get some footage of the night.  I hope to have something up in the near future!

First Snow in Moscow!

If you cannot see this video, click HERE.

Happy Halloween!

This week has been pretty fun.  Hectic, but fun.

On Wednesday we taught our class about Halloween in America and turned some of the kids into mummies!

 

 

 

We also had movie night last night!  Because many friends that come are Twilight fans, I made a special concoction!

 

 

Honey Festival

For over a month something special has been occurring in Moscow.  A honey festival.





If you cannot see this video, click HERE

Phrases we MUST learn

We had another great week teaching the 6-7 year old class at school.  We played some games ("Tim" says, instead of Simon says, "I Spy," but we renamed it "Show Me," and so on).  This week we may introduce the alphabet.

However upon our second week, we realized that there were some key phrases we needed to learn to be more effective in the class.  Most of these are simple phrases, which makes us wonder why we don't know them already:

"Don't yell."

"Leave the ladybug alone."

"Push/pull your chairs back/forward."

"Stand in a straight line."

"Don't use your cell phone."  (We actually know how to say this, but are still in complete shock 6 year olds were using them.  More power to them!)





Any ideas of some fun and simple English teaching games?

Teaching a Class Today!

Beth and I have been given an opportunity to teach a classroom of 6 and 7 year olds once a week!  We will be practicing English with the students through games, songs, and so on.  The format is going to be more based around fun and practice than concrete lessons

Last week we began this class and everything went really well.  We are teaching a class of 10, and they all are cooperative and well-behaved.  Because this group knows an extremely small amount of English, we are building on what they already know:  colors, about 10 animals, actions (jump, sit, stand), and playing games involving these words.  We are going to try to add some vocabulary (and maybe even the alphabet!).

We are excited about this opportunity and will let you know how things go!