LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

There was another trip of our culinary school on Saturday 2 December to the orphanage in Vileyka. We deiced to make this day special for the children as it was the first day before Advent. We brought decorations for the table, pine tree branches, Santa clause hats, a big frame to take pictures with, decorated with snowflakes, as well as Christmas hymns to play at the background so it makes the atmosphere festive. Our chef Valery taught kids how to make a beautiful and delicious dessert out of simple cottage cheese in the shape of Christmas houses and some “kebabs” from fruit on little wooden spears. We sat up the table together. Valery pointed out that it is important to set the table beautifully not only on special occasions but on ordinary days as well, when they have their own families. It surprises me every time, how children are interested and immersed in the activities, nobody stays on the side gaping. The more we come the more we see how more open they become, eager to have pictures taken with them, share their worries. Those 3.5 hours in a cozy and informal atmosphere went by way too fast. We finished the meeting having tea and sharing little presents for everybody who was there. I would like to mention a boy called Iliya, who gave thanks for the food at the table. That was probably the best and most important moment of the whole meeting! Another special thing we had this month was a Christmas meeting with the kids. Every team member did his best to prepare for this meeting. Hearts were filled with joy and love which we were sharing with kids. Children replied with the same thing. Most kids love presents and they were so eager to get them. There were also kids who were silently sitting side by side with somebody from the team. Even those who seemed not paying attention were actually listening to the questions of the quiz and murmuring the answers to themselves. Piano music was playing during the meeting so it made the atmosphere even more festive. We also brought music bells and kids used them while singing. At the end of the meeting every child got a portion of vitamins – bags with mandarins. Kids started eating them straight away and they didn’t forget even to share some with us and other visitors. The main thing is that every child learnt that Christmas is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, and not just Santa, gifts, Christmas tree and decorations!

Every Friday, the team of Christian volunteers join together to serve orphans in Vileika.
We happily spend time with them, sharing yours experience, knowledge and skills. Some of them learn to cook, others are engaged in training sports games, others do something with their own hands .And of course we talk with them about the most relevant topics.About God. Each meeting leaves an indelible impression both for the children and for the team.
When leaving, we do not leave children waiting for the next meeting. We exchange contacts and correspond in social networks, whenever possible we call each other. Having this kind of communication, we build real relationships with the children who need it so much. To some extent we become for them moms and dads, good friends who are always in a hurry to help.
And every time we see the fruits of our ministry in children, we rejoice and even more try to be useful to each of them.
In November, the International Students Day was celebrated. And for the four participants of the ministry, November became an educational. From November 17 to 19, 2017, we took part in the training of mentors. During the training, emphasis was placed on the individual approach to each child, the psychological and age-specific features of children who were admitted to the orphanage were identified. We took part in storylined games, non-standard situations, discussions. Training has helped to take a fresh look at the problem of orphanhood and the contribution that we can make to their lives. One of the bright and memorable events of this month were two culinary meetings, which were held separately for girls and separately for boys. The boys not only learned to cook, but also they had the opportunity to meet new people and communicate with each other and our team in a new atmosphere. At the meetings Misha Davydov talked about the trials he had to go through in his life, and through which he approached God. This month, high school students also had the opportunity to watch the film “Love of Hosea”. The teenagers was very impressed by the film. Many even cried while watching it. Let’s hope that through this film the children could understand and feel how much God loves people and how much God has forgiven them for many centuries!