36 hours after my family celebrated Christmas, I had the privilege of traveling to Penza, Russia with SpokenFor (A non-profit organization helping orphans in Russia and around the world) and an incredible team of 59 people.

We had students, teachers, pastors, and entire families come from Faith Christian School, Coppell Bible Fellowship, and a few other schools and churches. Scott Werntz is the head of SpokenFor, and the Ministry of Education in Russia requested that he come over to put on a theatrical production for some English-speaking Russian students. What an incredible opportunity! Scott chose to put on “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. Pretty good choice!

In addition to the play, we also were there to minister and love on the kids that are in the orphanages in Penza. So, we loaded up 50 supply bags full of candy, costumes, games, and toys and headed over to Moscow. (Side note-Singapore Air rocks.)  We then took the 12-hour train ride to Penza, a region south-east of Moscow.

I went to help with the lighting and projection aspects of the play, and also because it was time to go back to Russia. I had been once before 9 years ago, and it was a blessing to be able to serve alongside Scott and his ministry again.  I had the chance this time to also spend time at one of the orphanages.  It’s heart-breaking but beautiful to see all those young kids just yearning for hugs and attention.  They always had a smile on their face!

Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who prayed for us, supported us, and helped this trip happen.  I can’t express how much of a blessing it was to serve like this.  I just wanted to show a few pictures – there are more here.  I could share what each day was like, and all the stories, but that would take all month.   Instead, if you see me this year at a conference or show, ask!  I’d be glad to share anything.

St. Basil’s Cathedral.  Talk about visual worship.

At the orphanage.

Myself, the Russian LD, and the mechanical lighting console from 1970.

No digital processing here folks!  But it did have two-scenes per side.  Kind of neat.

The theater did have 4 scanners – this was the controller.  Didn’t really use it though.

This guy is the man – Dima Shepelev.  Great servant and video producer.  He helped translate at the theater.

During the show.  The projection turned out pretty nice!

Beautiful snow everywhere.

We attended the local church in Penza, Russia – where we sang in both Russian and English.  AWESOME.

It got cold in Moscow.

Can you see the blue church?

Between the train cars in Penza.