Wynards in Russia (and elsewhere!): 36 hours and counting...

Less, actually. I could figure it out, but I'm too tired. In general, Dan and I are both exhausted. The last week has been jam packed and Dan, the introvert, is particularly struggling to stay engaged to the end. Please pray for us tomorrow - our last day here in Russia and a VERY full one. We'll have lots of goodbyes at church, of course. Dan is preaching and in the afternoon teaching a class for the bible school the church runs for new believers (people newly baptized need to attend once a week for at least a year, though there is a two year program - anyone is invited). In the evening I will lead - and Dan will help me (I hope!) - the youth meeting. The theme will be relationships, dating and marriage. And of course, there is still all the packing and getting things in order here in our apartment before we leave.

Yesterday we had friends over and watched the opening of the Olympics. Last night and today we've been watching round-the-clock news about the situation in South Ossetia. Needless to say, it's sobering to hear about war and to see and hear the reactions of our Russian friends. We have a friend from another city staying with us right now and it's hard to tear him from the television - it's a gripping and distressing situation. BBC news gives one view of the conflict, if you'd like to read up... of course, the angle of the Russian television here is a different one. It's very hard to know where truth is, but it's certainly true that people are dying and the conflict is escalating.

Thanks for your prayers - please pray for strength to make it through tomorrow and finish well. We want to make sure to say our goodbyes properly. Pray for safety on the journey home. And do pray for peace in South Ossetia.

Though it will be hard to leave our friends here, we are also really looking forward to seeing many of you soon!

Lucy