"it's not about you ... it's about me!"
This was my fifth mission trip since joining Missionary Ventures. Once again it was a great privilege to be able to meet brothers and sisters in Christ dedicated in their faith and work for the Lord and with whom we share one common purpose: to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and to go up to all the world and make disciples.
We were invited to take a team to minister in the main church (Emmanuel) in the city of Pskov and to also minister in the general much smaller outpost churches. We were able to visit two orphanages where our young people Adam Bradley and Helen Teague took the lead, playing games, doing creative activities, bible stories and basically giving the children the message that they are special in God's eyes. Watching the children enjoying themselves was a great delight. We pray that the seeds sown will have had some impact on their lives.
One of the problems in Russia is lack of work for men, so many of the men turn to drink and become alcoholics. The women are left to bring up the families whilst also working, if work is available. The outpost churches are spread over quite some distance and can be still very primitive compared to the city; no running water, no flushing toilets, dirt tracks for roads, old fashioned heating systems using wood burning heaters. 
I must admit it was a bit of a shock to the system. Nevertheless the people were warm and welcoming and although few in numbers and mainly women, they were fervent for the Lord.
The pastors and their wives are missionaries in their towns as there are few born-again believers but many religious people - mainly of the orthodox faith. Evangelical Christians are looked upon as a sect as we are sometimes referred to here in Britain.
Our mission was to hold women's seminars and men's bible study groups. Roy Teague was a tremendous asset to the team as he spent a lot of time praying (when not encouraged with men) and we praised God for him.
We focused on women's health Physically (that was down to me) Emotionally (Sue Allez) and Spiritually (Stephanie Bradley). Despite dealing with women's health on a daily basis at work I still found it hard delivering the message to a group, 
however with the help of some visual aids and great support and encouragement from the team, I was able to talk about several different health issues dependent upon the age group. For those of you who know me well I struggle with a great sense of inadequacy and have to rely heavily upon the Lord and peoples prayers in these situations. On this trip I distinctly felt God say to me, "well Erika it's not about you ... it's about me." I immediately received a peace and was able to relax knowing that God was in control. At the end of the seminars we were able to pray with the women and trust God did work in their lives that brought healing on the journey to making them whole.
Erika Carter
Rochdale, England