Hello Hello,
As it says above, I am Rachel and yes I am a brand new staff member in Rostov on Don. I have been here in Russia for 1 month and I am loving it through the good days and the tough days!!
I am going to be writing a blog about what we are up to here in Rostov. I am excited to write and share with all of you and I hope you will enjoy hearing about life and ministry here.

Today I would just like to introduce myself a little more. I am from Alberta, Canada most recently but I grew up in British Columbia. I am the oldest of 8 children and I love being part of a big family!! There is 21 years between the youngest and the oldest!
I did my DTS in Perth, Australia in October 2004. I joined staff immediately after my DTS. While on staff I served a minstry called ARK International reaching out to Children at Risk. In October 2006 I did a the Transformation School and shortly after our lecture phase was done, I was asked or told by the Australian Government that I had to leave the country. I spent the next year and a bit at home reconnecting with family and friends before I came here to Rostov.

Here in Rostov I will be serving with the street kids ministry. Though my main focus at the moment is learning Russian, if you think of me please pray for me in that!!! So far in being here I have gotten to go out with almost all the different ministries which I have really enjoyed as I love seeing what God is doing here whether it be with the homeless, families or in the drug rehab centers.

I would also like to mention the whole visa issue on being staff in Russia. I am only allowed to be in the country for 3 months out of every 6 months, so for the 3 months I will not be in Russia I will be serving in YWAM Kyiv. It is a challenge but one I am excited about being apart of and looking forward to what God is going to do!!

Until another day!!
Rachel