Growing up in the desert heat of Miami I had many first time experiences in Nyrob; a village of three thousand people. The weather was below zero with snow covering me up to my knees, I became a lumberjack for a week; cutting trees double my size with sledgehammers and saws. We then picked up trash which included beer bottles, cigarettes, and baby clothing; the trash smelled like it had been there for years. We fasted and sacrificed showers in order for the gospel of Jesus to reign in this small village. As I spent my quiet time interceding for the youth of Nyrob I prayed that God would give me the gift of the Russian language. My desire was to share the good news of Jesus before I’d leave.

While hosting a techno music night and coffee house we had the opportunity to fellowship with many of the teenagers. We performed dramas, break dancing, and came up with games for the toddlers. I felt God tugging at my heart and pushing me to speak of my testimony and my faith in Jesus. I figured how can I speak to them without coming off as a silly foreigner who doesn’t know the language and appears to be apart of a ‘religious group’. My icebreaker was a snow fight which lasted about half an hour. After befriending them I decided to tell them more about myself; how deep my love is for Russia and what our team is doing in Perm. I then told them how important our relationship with God is and how much God desires our heart. I struggled with the Russian but God spoke the words in my mouth and I told them God loves them very much and that many people are Christian but few follow and have a relationship with God. They were attentive and reflecting on the week I see how much this village will change and God will bless our obedience in him.