Dear Valerie, Parents and Kelsey--
I received a call from John and was able to talk for almost 20 minutes! Greg was not available but just listening to John recount their experiences brought me to tears (not such a good thing as I was with my 17 yr. old at the mall
. There is so much to share so I will start with trying to convey how proud John is of these boys. They are truly a team of hearts and souls that have touched the lives of others; some who have never embraced an American. By embracing, I mean the boys have repeatedly been invited into Russian homes to eat, socialize, and sleep. This reaction is not customary among the Russians. Americans who live there for years have said that the treatment of the team and how they have been welcomed is unprecedented!. It has taken 2-3 years for some Americans to be invited to a Russian friend's home to share a meal—let alone sleepover.
The translator interpreted a story one of the Russian mothers wanted to share with John— I hope I remember all of the details. There are two doors. When you open each door and walk through, you will find one room that is welcoming; the other room, dark and uninviting with spider webs. Most people enter the room that is warm and comfortable-- not John. He selects the door with the dark and imposing room. What John finds there is more significant--he finds people like our boys who are loving, compassionate and know what is important in life. She said when American high schoolers climb Mt. Elbrus, the Russian community pretty much ignores them, such was not the case with the team. She communicated her admiration for John's work and for the boys for what they have accomplished.
John said that we will not recognize our boys in that they have grown in so many ways. One of the elements of growth he has witnessed is how they have developed respect for others.
As a parent of a team member, I thank you all for allowing my son to take this journey with your sons, boyfriend and husband. Several months ago when I had the opportunity to meet the team, I commented to John that he was so lucky! I could tell that these boys truly cared about eachother and that they clearly loved John.
To Valerie, thank you so much with all of my heart. Without your commitment to John’s occupation and his passion, there would not be a dream team on a trip of a lifetime!
Much love,
Carolyn
I received a call from John and was able to talk for almost 20 minutes! Greg was not available but just listening to John recount their experiences brought me to tears (not such a good thing as I was with my 17 yr. old at the mall
. There is so much to share so I will start with trying to convey how proud John is of these boys. They are truly a team of hearts and souls that have touched the lives of others; some who have never embraced an American. By embracing, I mean the boys have repeatedly been invited into Russian homes to eat, socialize, and sleep. This reaction is not customary among the Russians. Americans who live there for years have said that the treatment of the team and how they have been welcomed is unprecedented!. It has taken 2-3 years for some Americans to be invited to a Russian friend's home to share a meal—let alone sleepover. The translator interpreted a story one of the Russian mothers wanted to share with John— I hope I remember all of the details. There are two doors. When you open each door and walk through, you will find one room that is welcoming; the other room, dark and uninviting with spider webs. Most people enter the room that is warm and comfortable-- not John. He selects the door with the dark and imposing room. What John finds there is more significant--he finds people like our boys who are loving, compassionate and know what is important in life. She said when American high schoolers climb Mt. Elbrus, the Russian community pretty much ignores them, such was not the case with the team. She communicated her admiration for John's work and for the boys for what they have accomplished.
John said that we will not recognize our boys in that they have grown in so many ways. One of the elements of growth he has witnessed is how they have developed respect for others.
As a parent of a team member, I thank you all for allowing my son to take this journey with your sons, boyfriend and husband. Several months ago when I had the opportunity to meet the team, I commented to John that he was so lucky! I could tell that these boys truly cared about eachother and that they clearly loved John.
To Valerie, thank you so much with all of my heart. Without your commitment to John’s occupation and his passion, there would not be a dream team on a trip of a lifetime!
Much love,
Carolyn