By Natalie Hill, centerspread editor

Over the holiday break senior Grayson Akerly had an experience that would impact his life forever. While visiting the Meshima Orphanage, a home for children with neurological disabilities in Moscow, Russia, Grayson formed a special bond with a boy named Sura. After playing and dancing with the group of orphaned kids, Sura, in Russian, told Grayson “I love you.” 

“I cried when I said good bye and after [we left] as well,” Grayson said. “You didn’t have to do anything special to impress them. Just being there with them was more than enough. Every child brought huge smiles to our faces.”

Along with 59 other students from the Christian organization Spoken For — International Youth Outreach, Grayson and his brother sophomore Grant Akerly made their way across the globe to visit, travel, perform and serve a country foreign and often times feared.

Spoken For was established in Irving in 2001. The non-profit organization was created to reach youth around the world, namely Africa and Russia, and creatively introducing the Christian faith through humanitarian needs, drama, dance, recreation and training youth workers. Spoken For also sponsors college-age orphans and street kids in Russia and Africa in order to provide them with an education while local believers disciple them. 

The 2009 Russian trip was made up of a group of mostly Faith Christian School students. The age range of students and adults who attended the trip ranged from nine to 60. In association with Coppell Bible Fellowship, Spoken For Executive Director Scott Werntz, who also attends CBF along with the Akerlys, presented the opportunity to them.

“They’re two of the nicest guys,” Werntz said.  “They’re mature and they were really great with the kids. I’d take them on any of my trips from now on.”

Leaving on Dec. 26, Grant and Grayson began to Russia. For Grayson, disbelief of the week ahead tumbled through his mind on this 11-hour flight. For Grant, the anticipation of the arriving week was a mystery. After landing in Moscow mid-afternoon, the group made its way by train to Penza, a 10-hour trip from its Moscow hotel.

“It snowed most of that first day,” Grayson said. “The forests were absolutely white. Think Narnia, and you’ve got Penza.”

Ending its first day at the oldest school in Penza, the group was welcomed with open arms by the students and administrators of the facility. With American visitors a rarity, the school photographed the group to commemorate the event.

“It was nice to see students my age who go through similar yet different experiences as me,” Grayson said. 

Asked by Russia’s Minister of Education Andrei Fursenko to come to Russia and perform for several schools and orphanages around the Moscow area, the Spoken For group performed the play Best Christmas Pageant Ever in which Grant and Grayson both played the role of Firefighters. The group performed the play twice on Jan. 2. 

“Grant and I got a lot more attention than we thought we would after the performances,” Grayson said.  “Whether it was because of our awesome costumes, marvelous acting, or that we were Americans to take pictures with, we don’t know but it was fun [either way].”

Former CHS student and current Grapevine Faith Christian Academy senior Gretchen Gosser, who also traveled with Spoken For, thinks the humor of the performance will casually open the door to the Christian faith.

“I think they really liked the show,” Gosser said.  “It was funny enough to be enjoyable but the point was made and that was our goal.”

The seven day trip ended on Jan. 3 when the group made its way back to Moscow with weather at -20 degrees Fahrenheit. As 2009 Spoken For Russian trip concluded, memories of the last week rolled in the minds of the students who took part as this wasn’t a trip they would soon forget.

“Just to reflect for a moment, the people of Penza are so kind and hospitable. Everyone we met turned out to be friendly and really liked [us] a lot,” Grayson said. “I think we were a really good representation of the USA.”

Senior Grayson Akerly and sophomore Grant Akerly traveled to Moscow, Russia with Spoken For - International Youth Outreach in order to travel and perform. Photo courtesy Grayson and Grant Akerly.