Books on my night stand and The Truth About Short Term Missions Trips

Been reading some fascinating true stories about life in Russian orphanages.  These are not books I would have necessarily chosen to read on my own but they are part of a suggested reading list given by our orphan hosting agency.

And well, because I like to be prepared and I am a geeky lover of books, I got started on the list right away.

Infinitely More by Alex Krutov is the true story of one Russian Orphan who beat the odds and not only survived but now leads a  thriving ministry to fellow emancipated russian orphans.

St. Petersburg  (Photo by Ben Davis via The Harbor)

Krutov's mother abandoned him in a St. Petersburg dumpster when he was only 3 days old.  The story chronicles his entire childhood on into young adulthood with details of harsh life can be inside a  Russian Orphanage or on the streets for orphans. 

But it wasn't until the very end of the book that I found my big revelation or "take away" if you will from the story.  On the last page Krutov is summing up his life experiences, looking back on his journey and he has this to say:

"How different my life would have been if it had not been for some crazy Americans who went out of their way to come to Russia for short term missions projects and made their way to Orphanage Number 51."

There it was.  The words crazy Americans and short term missions used in context with one another in a positive light. This radically differs from some of the recent writings I have read throughout blog land.

Perhaps I need to be more careful about what I read.  Perhaps in our culture of post modernism where passion and opinions rain supreme I need to sift more carefully the words typed by ex missionaries claiming there is no validity in short term missions trip.  Whatever the case may be, "Infinitly More" reminded me that there is purpose in short term missions.  It reminded me that an average family just like mine can be used to make a big impact in the life of an orphan.

When we signed up to host Natasha, I started to second guess our motives.  Were we doing this for ourselves?  How could 4 weeks really make a difference in her life?  Is this just a case of us spoiled american christians trying to appease our need to help those less fortunate?

And now I know the answer.  Yes, 4 weeks can make a difference and God does use crazy Americans in a short term setting to make long term changes.  

Want to learn more about life as an orphan in Eastern Europe? Here is what is on my nightstand:

Boy from Baby House 10 - this was the first on the booklist I read.  If you can push past the first 3 chapters and the initial discust with seeing pictures of emaciated bedridden orphans there is a story a beautiful story of redemption hidden inside.  And you will even find yourself having compassion on the russian orphanage workers as well.  It's kind of like jumping head first into a deep pool of russian culture and history.  Fascinating read.

Priceless by Tom Davis - this is a historical fiction (my favorite genre!) and next on my list to read

The Connected Child - This book is one of my go-to books for parenting.  It transformed the life of my daughter and can be used for any child, adopted or not.

Infinitely More by Alex Kutrov - if I was to just pick one book to read…this would be it.

Parenting the Hurt Child - I just ordered this one from amazon.