Note: The author of this post is David Parker, Chair of the Mission 1:27 Board of Directors. Just over a week ago, the Mission 1:27 Community celebrated at the 3rd Annual “To Russia with Love” Fundraiser (see pictures below). The night was very special and what was so amazing is that I felt the presence…
Our Russian travelers are back home safe and sound – and now many of us are preparing to go back “To Russia with Love” on Saturday night. Okay, not literally…but it’s an important night for all of us associated with Mission 1:27. I am so happy to share an update on the wonderful work being…
Years ago, a decision was made by Christ Church to begin a new ministry, called Mission 1:27, which involved sponsoring an orphanage in Russia. From the beginning, I had already determined that this would NOT be the ministry for me but you all know how our Father has much bigger plans for us than we…
Yesterday was an emotional day for us. After breakfast at the orphanage we held the closing ceremonies, met with the orphanage director and her staff for a while, received some lovely gifts and began the difficult process of saying good bye to the children. It is a measure of how much trust has been built…
I am a newcomer to Christ Church—my first visit there was to a Sunday evening service in late spring. It was only on my third visit there in which Pastor Steve spoke about the upcoming trip to Russia; he spoke of how he was planning to go and invited others to consider if they…
Hot off the press!! Here are some initial photos from the group in Russia, courtesy of our very dear friend and M127 supporter, Sveta. Enjoy a first glimpse into some of the early activities this week! Note: You can click on any thumbnail to get a larger view of the photo. BTW – This ministry…
…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. – Matthew 28:20 That is my favorite promise from the Bible. “I am with you always” we are reminded over and over again. That promise has been so clear to me during this particular trip to Slobodskoy. I was reminded of…
It’s early Monday afternoon in the US and almost 10:30 pm in Slobodskoy, Russia. Which means another day is finished at the orphanage for Mission 1:27. There were so many new experiences encountered today. We heard heart-wrenching stories of love and hope. And we created a lifetime of memories over the last twelve hours. We…
My head is still reeling from the last 72 hours. On Thursday morning we began the long journey to Russia….a 10 hour flight to Moscow, a 14 hour train ride to Kirov, and a 45 minute ride to Slobodskoy orphanage. This is my FIRST trip to Russia and more importantly my very FIRST mission trip.…
Like many adults, I’ve found that time seems to pass much more quickly than it used to. The time between birthdays feels shorter and shorter each year. Do you remember how long it was from one Christmas to the next when you were a child? Or how interminable the school years were between summer breaks?…
The weather is starting to cool down. Football is in full swing. The leaves are going to change soon. All that leads to one important realization…the Mission 1:27 blog engine is going to start revving up! You should expect to see more blog posts very soon in the days and weeks to come as things…
Mission 1:27 Family, I thought I would share the following blog post that I wrote for my company’s blog. At Clarity Group, we usually write about business topics that are relevant to nonprofits and faith-based organizations – but it was my turn to author a post and Kolya was on my mind. Hope you enjoy…
Easter in Moscow with my fellow travelers left an indelible mark on me. In a hotel conference room, we sang together “He loves us, oh how He loves us…”. The mood became contemplative as we let the words settle into those places in our hearts where the orphanage staff, children, and translators reside. My heart…
I didn’t sign up initially to do a blog post about our trip. I knew it would be all I could do to make it through the trip with my body in one piece due to some health challenges I have recently faced. You see, I went 2 years ago on the first trip…and then…
Before this most recent trip to Russia, I had some expectations – of myself. It was my fourth trip, and I know our sponsored kids well enough now that I wanted to have some more meaningful conversations (beyond “hello” and “how are you?”). One of our dear sweet friends, Lyuba, is graduating this year so…
Here I am on Monday April 9, sitting in my comfortable den in Chapel Hill, reflecting on the past week in Slobodskoy. I am taking the day off from work and everyday chores to regain my legs after our 20-hour journey home. What a blessing to be able to make the transition back in to…
Today is our last day here in Slobodskoy and it is always wonderful and painful all mixed in one. Strong emotions that overwhelm us all morning long up until the minute the bus pulls away. There are many moments of pure joy and connection yet there are still many more of great sadness and pain.…
This trip has been as wonderful, eye opening, life changing, and amazing as ever. It never ceases to surprise me and show me a different side to life that I didn’t expect. I had more meaningful conversations with the kids that I hadn’t in previous trips and I heard stories of heartbreak, abandonment, and reunion.…
For years, my dad has been traveling to Russia, my friends have been traveling to Russia, and my family has been writing letters. The mission is definitely real, but it did not seem real to me. Simply, I felt like I was just playing along with the idea, writing a letter once a month to…
I ask myself this question all the time. What’s next? What TV show will I watch next? What route will I run with my dog today? What will I eat for dinner? I am sure you too ask these types of questions all the time. This week I have been thinking this for a few…
Landing in Moscow, as I collected my bag with books, trail mix, and earplugs, it began to sink in that I truly have not been on a mission trip in over 15 years. For years, I led youth mission trips but this all came to a halt when I had kids. The truth is, it’s…
I signed up for this trip initially for one reason—this would be the only chance to see Vlad, the boy we have sponsored for over three years, before he was allowed to graduate from the orphanage and go to tech school. Since Mission 1:27 began, my wife and I have been corresponding with Vlad. I actually selected Vlad…
We thought you all would enjoy a few photos from our first few days at the orphanage. There are more to come – but here’s a sneak peek (click on each picture for a larger image):
When we last left you, we were deplaning in Moscow and getting our luggage. Given the challenges of making our flight from JFK to SVO, we are pleased to report that our 32 pieces of luggage all arrived in Moscow without incident. This included our 20 bags of personal luggage, as well as 12 additional…
As on every trip, people have expectations. But before this trip, we are always warned that we cannot be confined by our expectations. We need to be flexible and not surprised if something on the schedule disappears. It’s an adventure, and it’s all worth it. It’s only been a day, and our trip is already…
I went for my final pre-Russia run this morning – and it was like nothing I had ever experienced. I think, for the first time in my balding and slightly chunky adulthood, I actually experienced the famed “runner’s high.” I truly felt like I could run forever (or at least longer than my usual 3.3…
“I thank my God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.” I love to read. Let me say that differently. I love to read…
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 Tell them about Me! These words rang in my ears as I completed my morning run today. I had begun the day with the above verse, and as often happens,…
Placed in the late 1920’s era within the turmoil of the Great Depression, the movie Seabiscuit provides our travel group with discussion points to speak with the soon-to-be graduates of the Slobodskoy Orphanage. The tie-in between you, me, the orphans, and Seabiscuit is our God and the Heart which triumphs over societal expectations and stereotypes.…
Tonight marks an important milestone for about 20 people in Chapel Hill. No, it’s not the latest incarnation of the UNC vs. KU basketball rivalry that’s causing the excitement (although that’s important, too, in this here part of the country). Tonight’s big milestone is Mission 1:27’s pre-trip packing party that we always have the Sunday…
Mission 1:27 Family, We are excited to let you know that Mission 1:27 is sending over another group of travelers to Russia to see our friends and family in Slobodskoy. The trip is over Holy Week (March 31 – Easter Sunday, April 8) and will be our largest group ever with 24 travelers. As you…
Mission 1:27 