I knew my journey in Russia wouldn't be easy, but what I didn't know was that my four months here would change my life so much. From my first steps in Ufa to my last; my body, mind, and soul will forever be different. My walk with The Lord has strengthened, my courage to speak his truth has improved, and I have made relationships with people that I hope will last for years to come. I had personal issues along the way, health problems that I'd never expect, troubles with school and language, but an experience I wouldn't change for anything. 

I will miss the simple things like taking the bus to class or walking to a local cafe to study. I will miss the people who became my family, the ones that took care of me when I was sick and fed me meals that made my a little less homesick. I will miss my friends who took me around the city and took me to Russian restaurants, the same friends that let me tell them about God and who he is in my life and how he can be in theirs. I will miss Ufa and it's people who made it welcoming, the same people that showed me the cultural lifestyle, who helped me when I messed up and encouraged me to keep trying. 

I am thankful for every single thing that happened and every single person that was apart of this trip. 

Russia will forever have a little bit of my heart and I will always be able to call Ufa one of my homes. 

Thanks,

Olivia