Caldwells overseas: April 2008

Texas team wrap-up

Jim and April Taylor have a cuppa during the St. Pete, Russia, youth cafe. Can you believe they will return to two of their children getting married this summer?

A very tired but equally inspired team congregate on the "express" train back to Moscow, ready to fly back to Texas the following day with tales to share.

A future post will show you some of the service between arrival and departure.
We caught this lovely sunset from the train window, and felt it summed up the team's whole journey--it had to end, but it was lovely as the time transpired.

Texas in (North) Russia

While gathering for Easter Sunrise Service in St. Petersburg, we met a group drinking next to the local eternal flame. They accepted some gifts from us (crosses and tracts) and sang a song for us. In return we had our picture taken with them. Barry Brown to the left looks right at home in Russia.

Captain Vic Tidman, corps officer for St. Petersburg and area coordinator for North Russia, flanks the various folk gathered for the sunrise service, which was chilly but bright. Texas train dispatcher Steve Webb brought a lively devotional.

Major April Taylor serves breakfast back at the St. Pete corps, where a host of folks enjoyed bacon, scrambled eggs, fried ham, and juice and yogurt, plus coffee with all the fixins.

Texas in Russia

From deep in the heart of Texas came, well, a team of Texans. Here Steve and Janet, Barry, Becky, and April and Jim join Brenda and Rich Herivel during a teaching session at Taganka Corps in Moscow.

Becky Guest guffaws at one of Major Jim Taylor's typical witticisms.

The Texans gather round the dining table with Territorial and Russia Divisional leadership Sunday afternoon before heading to St. Petersburg with Captain Vic and Ellen Tidman.