LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

Dear friends! I want to tell you how another month of our service to orphans passed. The time with the guys was truly bright and eventful because everyone still had the aftertaste of holidays and vacations. Trips to children in Rudensk began with a Christmas program. We love this time very much because both children and adults are especially inclined to hear about God and for us this is a great opportunity to break false stereotypes about Christmas and talk about the true purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ into our world. Of course we told the children the story of Christmas which is written in the Bible. Then there was a time when we sang together some songs for our beloved birthday boy Jesus, simply hugged each other and were happy that we could spend this time together. After worship we held a Christmas quiz with many interesting questions and tasks. I was very pleased that the guys responded quite well and actively, which means it’s not in vain that they come to our meetings and remember what they hear from us! After the main program we had a tea party with sweets. And at the end of the evening, according to our good tradition, each child received his long-awaited Christmas gift! The children were delighted!

Many of them later returned and thanked us for the gifts! Thank God for the birth of Jesus Christ, that on His own birthday He gives gifts to the people He loves so much! The topic of our next meeting was “Gratitude.” I really want the kids to be able to be grateful not only when they receive gifts, but also in their everyday lives. For example, they are grateful to their teachers for taking care of them or grateful to each other for their help and support in difficult moments of life. Of course, we also taught them to be able to find in every day of life something for which they can thank Heavenly Father, Who is always there and Who gives everything they need for life! As a biblical example we used the biblical story of the 10 lepers, in which only one person returned to thank Jesus for healing him from a serious illness. We really hope and pray that the word heard will penetrate into children’s hearts and develop in them gratitude to God and people around them. Then we told the children the story of the prodigal son, who realized how good it was to be close to his father only when he had lost and squandered everything he had and was left completely alone, in poverty and in his own helplessness! We dream that every child who heard this biblical story would open his heart to God and never repeat the story of his parents and waste his life on what brings suffering, pain and loneliness.

At the last meeting Anatoliy talked about how he came to God and how much his life had changed. His story was based on the biblical text from the book of Proverbs, chapter 1. It talks about how dangerous bad companies can be and where they lead. But it also talks about what path God offers people. Anatoliy shared with the guys how difficult his life was before meeting God. He also shared how good he is now, what kind friends he has in his life now, and how great it is to follow God!

Children are very impressed and inspired by the testimonies of the team or the guests, which we invite to our meetings sometimes. We hope that the story from Anatoliy’s life not only impressed the guys, but also motivated them to reconsider their own lives. This is relevant especially for graduates who will graduate from school in a few months and go to study or work in different cities. During this period they are seriously faced with the choice of friends, who subsequently have a significant impact on their lives. We always try to involve the children in local churches, but the graduates are the people, who make that final choice! Thank you to everyone who supports us prayerfully and financially, as well as to those who read us!