This was, by far, the most unprepared that I have been for a trip to Russia. Maybe it’s because this is my seventh trip to Slobodskoy; I may have let my familiarity with the pre-trip routine turn into a complacency in preparation. Or I could blame it on my new job, which has taken a…

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…

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…

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…

Author: Craig W. just returned from his fourth trip to Russia. He traveled this time with his two teenage daughters who were making their second trip to Slobodskoy. For those of us who have traveled with Mission 1:27 before, there’s a routine that has developed that brings a certain level of comfort and familiarity to…

Upon our (at times emotional) distribution of the gifts, Galina asked our traveling group to gather in the library for a quick 5-10 minute discussion. Well, knowing and loving Galina as much as we do, we knew (a) she had something special and dramatic up her sleeves and (b) it wasn’t going to take 5-10…

The evening continued with dinner with our small groups. We are truly building connections with these kids by breaking break with them around the dinner table. Tonight was a special treat for dessert as the Americans treated the kids to s’mores!! Unfortunately, due to the rainy and wet weather, our planned bonfire that had been…

We’re in a rhythm now – routines have been set, we know what rooms to go to and which keys unlock which doors. We’re still welcomed as guests each day, but it feels more like we’re walking into our own kids’ school and dormitory…which we are. Today started like the others: quick breakfast at the…

(Continued Caveats – this was written when we thought we might have semi-regular access to the internet. That did not happen but I’ve kept the post the same.  More are coming and we’ll do our best to post them in order.) Generosity comes in many forms and some times, it’s something as simple as staying…

So sorry for our silence. We have not had access to the internet until now. But even now I am typing on Koss’ Palm Pilot over the cell network, so this will be short. All is great. We have left the orphanage and are headed to Kirov. We have a few posts to send once…

(Caveat – this was written on Monday night, 10/25.  It is now Tuesday night in Russia but we just now have access to the internet. We will post a few posts tonight but are not sure when the next ones will be posted. Thanks for understanding. All is just as incredible as it was 24…

We’re just over 24 hours away from wheels up to Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) in Moscow. All the planning, packing and preparation is (almost) behind us – all that’s left is the anticipation and excitement of what awaits us. It’s amazing to think that in just a few days, we will be on the other…

During the summer months, many of us will take the opportunity to catch up on some reading – oftentimes with light, easy beach books that allow you to “escape from reality” for a few hours. I am no different and this summer I was treated to a full smörgåsbord of Harlan Coben and Lee Child…

As soon as the conversation starts, I know that the question is coming. For it happens in every conversation…and this exchange is no different. Very quickly, my friend asks, “Why Russia? Aren’t there people closer to home who need help?” It’s a fair question – or actually, two fair questions. We have been asked similar…

Yep, that’s the question I have asked myself for the last three months (ugh).  I’d sit down to write a blog post and then, alas, something would distract me. It wouldn’t take much – perhaps an email from a client or the need to mow the lawn or the mighty call of the bag of…

Summer’s officially here, which leads to the inevitable question of, “So, what should we do?”  As you begin to see the days get longer, kids leave for summer camp and families go on vacation, you might be wondering what is happening with our new friends in Slobodskoy and what the summer plans are for Mission…

I will keep this last update short (for now).  After arriving on the train in Vladimir at 5:55 a.m., I gathered with the rest of the team at the hotel for our final two days together.  During breakfast, we shared stories and updates from our respective meetings.  Clearly, God is bigger than we could imagine…

As a special treat and in a gracious act of hospitality, Galina accompanied us to the train station about one hour from the orphanage.  The van was driven by her son, Igor, who is a great kid.  We had another opportunity to chat and get a tour of the countryside from a local resident. This…

After a good night’s sleep, we returned to the orphanage for our day with the graduates.  The day started with more classes – Ernie teaching English and Craig teaching geography.  As with most teenagers, the kids were less interested in the lesson plans and more interested in the pictures from our trip (the first one…

It was very different to be on this trip with such a small (two person) team.  At times, it was challenging to balance the needs of so many kids with the important tasks of supporting Galina and the staff.  For the most part, everything seemed to work out great, with the only issue being that…

(Okay, due to internet limitations, I am behind in posting on the blog.  So I am going to try to get caught up, breaking the last three days into a series of notes.  The Surgeon General recommends that you read them in order to get the full effect of the timing.) The day had finally…

After arriving in Kirov, we had a few minutes to check into our hotel (the first night in a bed after two nights of a plane and train) and take a quick shower (after two days of wearing and sleeping in the same clothes) before our meetings.  Ah, just what the doctor ordered. It was…