Yes, But We're Talking About Orphans

Those were the words of a chemical engineer from Czech Republic  I sat beside on a flight to Prague a few months ago.  Our conversation began like most airplane chats to.  “Where are you from” and “where you are going” are most common it seems.  I normally like to continue by saying, “so tell me what you do when you’re not on an airplane.”  This always allows me to learn about their jobs but also gives them an opening to speak about their families, hobbies, and passions.

As Pavel told me about his work with one of Europe’s largest chemical companies, he used words I did not understand to explain processes I could not appreciate.  Remember, I am educated far beyond my intelligence.  As he drew to a close, he asked me, “so, what do you do for a living?”  I love it when people ask me that.  I imagine that my eyes light up a bit.  I know that my heart quickens.  “I help administer a lifelong mentoring program to orphans and at risk youth in Siberia.”  There is something about that line that always seems to resonate with people.  That’s one of the reasons I love to say it.  The other reason I love to say it is that it is true and it is happening and it is changing lives.

I shared with him as much as I could during our 1 hour flight.  He was obviously intelligent but was a good listener also.  He asked many insightful questions.  His final question was one I don’t hear very often but appreciated him asking.  He asked, “I know I have bad days in my job but is it is possible to have bad days at a job as rewarding as yours?”  I assured him it was.  My flights get delayed (or cancelled).  My meetings get postponed (or cancelled).  Plans get changed, people disappoint, promises go unmet, and obstacles are real.  I know you can say the same for your job too.

As I answered his question, Pavel said those words above.  “Yes, but we’re talking about orphans.”  To him and consequentially to me, the bad days at work should not be as heavy and burdensome as I sometimes make them because indeed we are talking about orphans.  We’re talking about lives being changed.  We’re talking about people receiving salvation.  We’re talking about young Russians from their mid teens all the way to their mid 40s volunteering to take time from their studies, jobs, hobbies, teams, and families to invest directly and meaningfully into the lives of orphans here in Siberia.  We’re talking about something that is already making a difference but is poised to bring about massive change in the years to come. 

However, before we can see those things happen, we must initiate loving, trusting relationships with those orphans.  We have found that works ideally in an atmosphere where we have their undivided attention and they have ours too.  That place where relationships are started or deepened is camp and ours begins in two short weeks.  We still need a lot of full or partial sponsorships to get as many kids to the camp as possible.  Right now we are a good bit behind where need to be.  Many have said they plan to help but few have followed through.  Please click here to see where we are and where need to be by July 7. 

Time is short but the opportunities are huge.  As you consider your response, remember that “we’re talking about orphans.”  Be you as smart as Pavel or as overeducated as yours truly, that should speak to your heart.

For your prayers, encouragement, and partnership, our family deeply thanks you.

In Him,

Rob, Traci, Benjamin, Nathanael, Aidan and Anna

Reaching To Russia - Mullets and Capris

What did I just say?  Did that get your attention?  I hope so.  There is an astounding amount of men with mullets wearing capris here in Novosibirsk.  It has been rather shocking to my system the first day we’ve been here.  I’ve been here a lot this past winter and spring so with fur hats on and long pants having been the norm, I am struggling to come to grips with all of this.  Somehow, I will press on.

Anyway, the Brownes landed safely in Novosibirsk yesterday morning after a not so direct Atlanta to Detroit to Frankfurt to Moscow to Novosibirsk jaunt eastward.  Other than some once in a lifetime turbulence over the Atlantic the trip was rather easy.  All of our bags AND all of our kids made it just fine.  If we get all the bags and all the kids here at the same time we cannot help but feel good about the trip.  Thank you Lord for safety and easy of travel.

Now the work begins…

Our first team, from St. Louis, MO, arrives this coming Sunday morning.  Our plan is to focus fully on the kids of the St. Nicholas Orphanage from Monday through Friday of next week.  Please pray for “Team Shepherds” which consists interestingly enough of 7 men and 1 grown woman.  Pray for Kathryn.  She’s the grown up.  She’s in need of some divine intervention given the 7 guys she’s coming with.  This will be as fun and playful and competitive a group as we have ever had.  At their team retreat in April they had, no lie, a 100 meter dash to see who was the fasted guy on the team.  Roger won.  I’m going to get along very well with this group I can tell though I will NOT race Roger. 

Lots of questions remain about which Mentors will work with us (it’s nice to have so many to choose from), what facilities will await us, and will it snow while they’re here.  The last snow was 3 weeks ago.  We think we’ll not see anymore.  We sure hope not.

Our sponsorships are s l o w l y trickling in so please keep your response to that need in prayer over the next few weeks.  July 7 is the beginning of our biggest and last camp of the summer where nearly all of the kids who want to come will need sponsorships in order to attend.  I’m so proud of our Russian Mentors.  NONE of them are wealthy but they have worked hard canvassing their families, churches, universities, and neighborhoods looking for sponsorships.  While none of them have been able to provide the full $350 sponsorship amount that we tend to ask for, they have been able to piece together 2 or 3 sponsorships by combining smaller donations.  Maybe that is something you can do too.  $350 is a lot for some people so consider going haffers, or quarters, or aters (you get the idea) with others you know.  It is a very tangible thing to send a child to a summer camp that will either develop or deepen a relationship with a lifelong Mentor.  You can do that.  We pray you will do that.

The online donor site is http://www.youthreach.org/2010missions/summercampsponsorship

 or if you prefer to mail a check to our offices, that is fine too.  Our address is:

YouthReach International

1911 Grayson Hwy
Suite 8-344

Grayson, GA  30017

Please enclose a note saying your gift is for our Russian Summer Camp Sponsorship Program.

Some will want pictures of said mullets and capris.  One friend of mine in Abilene, TX, has already written his email requesting it I am sure.  I will likely not provide that.  It’s just better to imagine…or maybe it’s better to not imagine that at all.  You decide.

A lot of updates coming your way so do take time to read and pray through them.  I and my family appreciate that very much.

In Him,

Rob, Traci, Benjamin, Nathanael, Aidan and Anna Browne …  and Sheila “Mimi” Dunn too!