From hanging drywall to singing songs with Russian orphans, spring break for many Pacific Union College students was filled with adventures and service.

PUC’s short-term mission trip found 59 PUC students and sponsors filling suitcases with their warmest clothes before boarding a plane bound for Russia. Each traveler took two large suitcases—one with their own things and one full of donated clothes and toys.

Students stayed at Zaoksky Adventist University, south of Moscow. "The people there welcomed us warmly," said Stacy Herrmann, "and since we were told that we should never turn down tea (because a Russian offer of tea is an offer of friendship), we consequently drank a great deal of tea!"

Students also spent time getting to know the university students, staying in their dorm rooms or in homes in the community, eating in their cafeteria and hanging out with them in the evenings. The Russian students loved to practice their English, and many in the visiting group worked hard to pick up some Russian words and phrases. “Half the fun was just trying to understand each other,” admitted Chris Duckett.

One of the projects in Zaoksky involved fixing up the children’s wing of a dilapidated local hospital. “It looked like it was 100 years old,” said Chandra Lutz of the 37-year-old building. Paint was peeling off the walls, the doors did not fit in their frames and the floor had holes. Every day, half of the PUC group marched off through the snow to pour cement, apply plaster and hang drywall.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group took part in the second major project: traveling to orphanages to distribute the donated toys and clothes and to present programs for the children. At each orphanage, expectant faces peered out windows and around doorways. Students sang, acted out the David and Goliath story, and constructed cards and balloon animals with the children. "The language difference made explaining things a challenge, but they caught on quickly and enjoyed it just as much as we did," said Herrmann.

The 12 days in Russia were busy as students made cross-cultural friendships, got to know their own schoolmates better, worked for God, and learned to walk on ice without falling. “It was good for me to see how much we take for granted, and how much we think we need," said Jacki Frank. "Over there, they survive on so little—but still seem to have plenty.”