// BLOG
Back In Russia
August 7, 2010
Here’s a brief update from Elizabeth Hulley in Russia:
I am enjoying being back in St. Petersburg, despite the very warm temperatures! I immediately moved into a new flat upon arrival, and have been amazed by the outpouring of support, from carrying heavy things to picking out new wallpaper.
As someone living in another country, there are so many ways that I’m needy, and God never fails to send help. It is humbling.
I have a 3-month visa with MIR and I hope to be in better contact with fellow workers this year as my studies kept me busy last year. I should receive my temporary residency permit in the next month or two.
I’m not sure what my weekly routine will look like in the next few months, but I look forward to seeing where God will lead, and I hope to share about it in the next newsletter!
Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth
Elama Slideshow
August 5, 2010
Here is a slideshow of MIR’s most recent camp at Elama. A good time was had by all.
Estonia, a first
August 3, 2010
We celebrate a first for Stoneworks. We have sent our first mission team to Estonia. They return to the States on Thursday.
For the first part of their trip, they lived in a camp with orphans, ministering the gospel. The orphanage director, Riho, is very supportive of our work and has invited us to continue working with him and helping the children in his orphanage. The doors are open.
The second part of their trip was focused on fact-finding in preparation for future ministry. The team visited several orphanages, rehabilitation centers, camps and private ministries where they met leaders, learned about programs, and discussed possible future ministry. Stoneworks will use their research to help build other teams.
One very good connection is with Artur Pold, the pastor of a local Methodist church. He also directs Camp Gideon, a beautiful camp on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Artur is on the local ‘county commission’ and oversees many projects helping people in need. Several members of his church have been ministering in nearby orphanages. Their church has been very supportive and we look forward to future partnerships with them.
This team now has tentative plans to return next summer to help run a camp for orphans at Camp Gideon. We hope that other teams will go to Estonia next summer, too. It’s a joy to see the work expanding into areas where people are asking us to help.
Here you can learn more about opportunities in Estonia; scroll to the bottom of the page for info the country.
Done and Done!
July 28, 2010
I’ve just returned from Montenegro, where we had a great teen camp. Above you can see the campers, counselors and mission team. We had a house full!
The theme of the camp was What Does the Bible Say About God’s Love. The teenage members of the mission team did daily devotionals about God’s love for us, how we can love God, and how we can love others. We also had a very good discussion with the young men and women, separately, about godly relationships between men and women.
We also did a lot of hiking, sports, arts and crafts, and we had some very good food. The team brought some toritillas from the US (interestingly, Mission tortillas), and we had a very welcome Mexican meal. Team member Hannah Cole is at left with the treasure.
Attending the camp were young people from all over Montenegro — this is truly the national Christian teen camp. This is the third year we’ve held the camp and it continues to grow. Our long-term missionary Christina Melton did an excellent job preparing for and leading the camp. I continue to be impressed with her skills and heart.
I’m now in Russia for just a few days before heading over to Estonia to meet our first ever mission team there. That will be my next post . . . .
Montengro Camp Slideshow
July 20, 2010
Here’s a quick slideshow of the first few days of camp.
I’m posting this from the shores of Black Lake in the Durmitor National Forest, not too far from where we’re staying. The kids are now on a photo scavenger hunt, taking pictures of places we scouted a few days ago.
The theme for this year’s camp is The Love of God. We’re talking about what the Bible says about love, how God loves us, how we can love God, and how we can love other people. We’ll focus on boy-girl relationships, since this is an important issue for these kids.
We’re having a lot of fun, tie-dye t-shirts, games, music, and good food as well.
