before one open-air meeting we prayed that God would challenge us once more.  Then we found out that the officers couldn't come with us that evening, leaving us to chat with those listening.  I found myself volunteering even though I had no idea what to say, but had good conversations with those I did chat to.
When we had a bookstall on the beach we handed out key-rings, friendship bands for the kids and did hair braiding for free.  The first time we did this we got moved on by the police for not having a licence.  We learned to rely on God for everything we needed and He did not fail us.  I can really say that it is a different eight young people that have returned to England ready to do what the Lord reveals to us.
Visit to Babushkino - Mark Cotterill
Last February the phone rang.  It was my father!  "Mark, do you want to come to Russia?"  I knew that certain members from DHQ in Moscow had contacted him last year to discuss if it was possible to develop a partnership with a Corps from the Russian capital.  The Corps was Babushkino, situated on the outskirts of Moscow.  Last December their Commanding Officer, Captain Dima Petrov, and two soldiers from Babushkino had come over to Hemel Hempstead and so a bond had already been established between the two Corps.
I couldn't turn down an opportunity like that.  So, I became the last member of a team of seven that was to go to Babushkino.  It took about three months to realise that I hadn't a clue about what I was going to be doing in Russia.  The excitement of visiting a country that was alien in so many ways to Western Europe had overshadowed the real purpose of my participation in this Corps project.  I never had second thoughts about going, but realising that I might have to lead or take part in 'Christian and spiritual activities' allowed some anxiety to creep in.
Having met the rest of the team, I soon realised that we were all well suited to each other.  Each individual had a lot to offer in terms of his or her personality and contrasting age and experience.  It was the clear and fundamental acknowledgement from each member of the group that absolutely everything we were to do was for God, and it was without a shadow of doubt that He would be with us all the time.  The money needed for the trip had been raised and so everything was in place!
( . . . to be continued)