Adventures with the Freeds: June 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

All God's Children, Sunday, June 22, 2008

On our way to church

Lena in front of her church

Inside the church

Meeting the Minister of Music

The Church Bookstore

The rhythm section ministers

Of course, I had to visit Children's Church!

Video of Russian praise team (click arrow to play)

We were privileged to attend Lena's (interpreter) church on Sunday. Singing along with the believers in English as they sang in Russian was such an incredible experience. My heart began to overflow, making my eyes leak (which they continued to do throughout the week). This was just a small taste of what Heaven will be. Here our spirits could communicate, but I'm looking forward to the time in Heaven where we will be able to understand one another's words as well, without an interpreter!

And They'll Be Dancing in the Streets, Saturday, June 21, 2008

(click arrow to play video)
As soon as the first song began, the people, young and old, began dancing in the streets. It was an amazing thing to watch. One of our interpreters said of the elderly who were dancing, "They are reliving their youth." The local television station and newspaper were there to interview Camp, the director and Tami, the singer. The Metro Big Band is planting many seeds of friendship in Volgograd.
The same people who were dancing...right before the band played. :) They looked and acted much younger than their years when lost in the music.

First Rehearsal in Volgograd, Saturday AM, June 21, 2008

We met in the practice room at "The La Bamba" restaurant to practice during the morning. Had lunch at a local outdoor cafe', then met the Russian musicians and rehearsed with them.

The Volga River from the window of the rehearsal hall

Lunch in a small cafe' in the park

Practicing with the Russian musicians

Saturday, June 21, 2008

...the adventure continues... Friday evening, June 20, 2008

We made it to Volgograd! ...finally after a two and a half hour flight from Atlanta to NY - ...wait several hours in JFK airport to catch the next leg - nine hour Aeroflot flight to Moscow ....catch the two and a half hour "jumper" flight to Volgograd... 35 minute drive to our hotel in Volgograd...dinner at the hotel and bed at around midnight (Russian time). Back to breakfast this morning at 8:00am...then practice sessions all morning and afternoon for the concert in the park this evening. The people are very friendly and have made us feel very welcome. The concert was a "great success" in the words of our interpreters. :) The people were dancing in the streets to the music. We are tired, but having a wonderful time!

Waiting for our flight to Moscow in New York's JFK airport

Aeroflot Airline here we come...

The sweet stewardess on our flight to Moscow - they just kept feeding us! This was the longest leg of the flight - 9 hours on small seats!

Boarding the "hopper" from Moscow to Volgograd

The final leg of our journey - 2 hour flight to Volgograd (on smaller, closer seats!)

Arrival in Volgograd

Of course, Ronnie found a cat to play with...

The first of many times to "Get on the bus!" to head for our hotel.

A late dinner at the hotel, then time for some much needed sleep!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Preparing for Russia

We're packed and ready to go! Leaving tomorrow morning for JFK in NYC, then on to Moscow, and finally land in Volgograd, Russia on Friday evening at 7:00pm Russian time (8 hours ahead of us). Here's the link to our hotel there - it's in Russian and their ENG translator (at the top of the page) doesn't seem to be working: http://www.hotelug.ru/
Russian to English translator (choose the Russian-English translation from the drop-down box at the top of the page): http://translation2.paralink.com/
We would appreciate your prayers as we begin our journey.

SBC in Indy

In June we went to Indianapolis for the Southern Baptist Convention. It was fun to see many old friends - all but one band member and many in the praise team were former members of Truth. Long days, but enjoyed every minute of it. I wasn't able to take very good pictures from the audience viewpoint, but was able to take a few from the screen backstage. (Thanks to Haley Catt for her great pictures of Ronnie and the Praise Team that I've been able to add!)