Heading Back to Moscow

The time has already arrived to head back to Moscow again, this time for my fourth year! Amazing! I know it's been over two months since I've last blogged, but that's OK, because I spent this summer focusing on people over tasks, and it's been one of the sweetest summers I've ever had. Thank you, Lord, for such an incredible time!

At a moment like this (four hours from waking up, driving to the Wayne County Airport in Detroit, flying to Washington, D.C., and then onto Moscow, arriving at Domodedovo Airport at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday), I can't help but look back on the events of the past few months and look forward to the year ahead. This amazing summer was filled with many trips and destinations: the Trans-Siberian Railroad for the first three weeks after school (captioned pictures coming very soon), Wisconsin for the wedding of a fellow Hinkson teacher, North Dakota to see my sister Elizabeth and brother-in-law Dan, Illinois to see my college roommate Jake and his wife Rachel, Colorado to go mountain climbing (see my recently posted album on Facebook :-), Tawas State Park in the thumb area of Michigan for a family camping trip, and more! I've spent lots of time with family, had meals with many close friends, enjoyed late night talks with Lance in our bunk beds, read great books, spoke in my home church (Flint Central Church of the Nazarene) and saw God pour out His abundant blessings and provision there, taught a Sunday school class, visited a daycare center to talk about living and teaching in Moscow, and much more! Although this sounds really hectic, this summer has been so restful and peaceful for me. There has always been something to be doing, but it's not the same as being on the go in Moscow; it's been a subdued busy. All glory to God - through the events of this summer He has done a great work in my heart to prepare me for the year ahead.

As I travel back to Moscow, my simplest prayer request is for God to give me His wisdom regarding the many great things He has entrusted to my care: my 12 students, relationships, my middle school group, one 8th grader whom I will disciple, the English Cafe, ministry at the church, etc. I want His mind, His love, His patience, and His guidance in everything I undertake this year. I sense that it will be the greatest year yet, and I'm trying to imagine the incredible things God will do to further His kingdom, for His word tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Thanks for wanting to share in my journey! If you'd like to e-mail me at any time, please send it to me at lukehays7@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you and know how to pray for you.

Also, for your enjoyment, I've uploaded many new pictures to my Picasa Web page. Follow the links below to check out the following:

The last three months of activities in Moscow for school year 2008-2009:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lukedanielhays/MarchMay2009#


A few pictures that I find to be unique to Moscow in the springtime:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lukedanielhays/SpringInMoscow#


And some punny pictures that I have been compiling for a while :-)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lukedanielhays/Puns#

I've also posted pictures of my second trip to Israel and the Trans-Siberian adventure in June, but I have yet to finish the captions. They will be coming in the near future. Enjoy, and God bless you!