On Tuesday, February 19th I will be going to Novosibirsk, Russia to help lead a spiritual formation/team building retreat with World Wide Youth Camps. They are “an international missions ministry focused on planting the seed of Christ into the hearts of children of every tongue, tribe, and nation.” They host both summer camps and school-year retreats where children are taught the Bible and create spiritual friendships with mentors. These “in-country” mentors continue the work after the camps are over and offer a consistent presence in the lives of the children. World Wide Youth Camps also partners with orphanages to touch children and help them attend their programs. Finally, they recruit and develop international leaders and teams for short-term mission trips.
My brother, Houston Heflin, who is a minister in the Dallas area, will be leading the retreat next week. I’m very excited about this opportunity for several reasons. (1) I will experience another culture and walk along side Russian Christians on their journey to follow Jesus , (2) I will be able to build relationships with Russians who will be striving to live out their faith by caring for and loving orphans (3) I will spend a week with my brother while teaching about Jesus, (4) I get to see Red Square, the Kremlin, the Russian armory, St. Basil’s, and Siberia in the winter time.
The Lord has blessed me so abundantly and richly to be able to live this kind of adventure for Him. Please pray for my safety while I travel, for my preparation and presentation of the gospel, for Wade and the boys while I’m gone, and that those we work with on this retreat will be inspired to lead others to Christ. Thank you so much for your prayers and support of my ministry. Peace.
The Kremlin
Red Square
St. Basil’s
