LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters!

We are grateful to God that January turned out to be an especially full and meaningful month. In Belarus, the Nativity of Jesus Christ is celebrated twice: according to the Catholic and the Orthodox traditions. This is a special time when people reflect on God and His gift to the whole world. Our month began with a Christmas performance — we invited a puppet theater team. Children really enjoy it when new people come to visit them, because it gives them an opportunity to get to know one another, communicate, and talk about history.

The puppet theater team prepared a special program in which they introduced the children to Misha and Lyubov, who wanted to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Misha did not trust a story that is more than 2,000 years old. Through the story and the puppet performance, it was shown that even today people do not always trust the Word of God. However, as the story unfolded, the teenager Misha became convinced of the truth of Christmas and put his faith in God.

It was very interesting to observe the children’s reactions. When they saw the puppets for the first time, some shouted with joy, others froze in amazement, and a third group of children tried to help the puppets by giving them prompts. It was so funny and touching to see their sincere emotions. The program flew by very quickly, and the teachers said, “We were completely captivated.” After that, we prepared gifts for the children. One by one, we invited them forward, handed out the gifts, and said, “God loves you. Merry Christmas!” There were also children who had arrived at the orphanage only recently, and they asked with surprise, “Is there a gift for me too? Who is this gift from? Why did people prepare a gift just for me?” Some children said, “I have never received Christmas gifts before. Thank you.”

When we entered the classrooms, we saw the children opening their bags and rejoicing. One boy came up to me and said, “This is the gift of my dreams!” Another shouted, “I got a watch! I’m so happy — I dreamed about this!” The girls who enjoy drawing were running around the room, showing their new sketchbooks. How wonderful it is to see children filled with joy — in moments like these, we see how they forget about the pain that sometimes lives inside them. The birth of Jesus brought them joy, faith, hope, and peace. We are deeply thankful to everyone who helped prepare the gift packages and prayed for us and for the children. During the week, we also came to spend time with the children and held group meetings. At one of these meetings, we talked about the topic: “Who needs forgiveness?” We chose this topic because many teenagers and younger children live with unforgiveness and bitterness. During the discussion, the children actively participated — they shouted out answers and also asked us to help them understand why we should forgive if the offender does not ask for forgiveness.

We realized that this question deeply troubles the children. After the meeting, several boys came up to us and said, “Please pray for me; I can’t forgive.” We prayed together, blessed them, and asked God to give them strength and grace to forgive. When we came during the last week of January, we talked about humor. The issue is that children often hurt one another with their jokes. We decided to discuss what humor is, how it can help in life, and how it can also destroy. The topic was structured in such a way that every child could understand the boundaries of humor. We also talked about how to examine our jokes: “Will this be funny for that person?” “Will it make them feel ashamed or hurt?” “Would I be happy if someone joked about me in the same way?”

In the end, the children admitted that they often joke too harshly and cause pain to others. I was glad to see teenagers come up afterward and say, “I thought that if I said, ‘I was just joking,’ it wouldn’t hurt anyone. But unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I won’t do that anymore.” Dear friends, thank you very much for your support. We are grateful that together with you we can influence the lives of children and bring light into their lives. Please pray for our team and for the children, that God would grant them understanding and protect them from evil.

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters,

December is coming to an end. The year has passed so quickly, and we thank God for the wonderful time He has given us in our lives. This month was special because not only adults, but also children were joyfully anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the month, we completed a series of lessons about relationships—how to build healthy relationships, how to respond to pain and betrayal, and what to do with our hurts and offenses. These topics addressed very important issues, because every child carries their own pain and often does not know how to respond to it in a healthy way.

How do we know this? Every time we visit, the children come to us and openly share what is happening in their lives—their victories as well as their struggles. Normally, parents help children learn how to respond to life situations and even shape their reactions, but many of these children have no parents and no example to follow. As Christmas approached, we also talked about what the birth of Jesus brought into our lives. We shared that the birth of the Savior brought joy to the world. At that moment, Sasha, a teenager, asked a very honest question: “How can you rejoice when you are sent to live in an orphanage? How can you rejoice when you are alone?” This was a challenge for us—to help him feel that he is not alone. We explained to all the children that throughout life we will always face challenges, but what truly matters is how we respond to them.

You are not alone because you have God and friends who come to visit you and spend time with you. An orphanage is not the worst place—there is food, care, and warmth; you are not on the street in the cold. After the meeting, we offered to pray for Sasha and the other children so that they could feel our love and care. We also talked about how sin steals our joy, but Jesus restores our joy when we ask Him to forgive our sins. Our closeness to God helps us regain joy and a positive outlook on life. When we visited again, we spoke about how the birth of Jesus Christ brought light into the world. We explained that light reveals dark places where bad habits, hostility, unforgiveness, pain, and disrespect can hide. When light comes, it becomes easier to live in friendship and peace, because you are no longer seeking personal gain. God’s light frees us from the chains of bondage and gives us hope.

On the eve of Christmas, we talked about how the birth of Jesus Christ brought God’s love into the world—an extraordinary love. As the Bible says: “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Together with the children, we recalled the Christmas story. We held quizzes, and many of the children actively participated, sharing what they knew about Jesus’ birth—how the angel spoke to Mary, how there was no room for them at the inn or even in a regular home. Some children were hearing the Christmas story for the very first time. It was clear that they were deeply interested, and their reactions were very touching as they listened and wondered: “Oh, I would be so afraid if I saw an angel!”

As we concluded, I asked the children: “What do you think Jesus would like to receive as a gift from us?” They mentioned many things—our hearts, good deeds, the best gift, a dedicated life—and one child simply said, “Our time.” Indeed, spending time with God is the greatest gift we can give Him. Dear friends, we are truly grateful that you have been with us throughout this entire year. Thank you for your prayers, your messages, and your support. May the new year bring victories and wise decisions. May God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

Hello, dear friend!

I am very glad that you have come to this site and are reading stories about how God works through our team. Together we can see how the lives of young people are being changed. We understand that this is a time consuming process. For example, there is a young man named Rostislav. Sometimes it is difficult for him. He says that he does not believe in God, yet he comes to every meeting and actively participates in the program. And Rostislav is not the only one—there are other young people in a similar state. It is so wonderful that we can pray together with them.

I am grateful to everyone who takes part in this ministry! Thank you for your prayers and generosity! I wish that the Lord blesses you and repays you a hundredfold! We began this month with creativity. When the children do modeling, drawing, cutting, gluing, and so on, they develop fine motor skills. They really enjoy it. And emotionally, it calms them down and distracts them from some of their problems. The children get carried away with the process.

Also, when we do creative activities together with them, we have a unique opportunity to talk with them—to learn their stories, understand what they like, and simply discuss any topics. After all, it is very important to make friends and communicate. We made a very cute hedgehog, talked with the children, and had a great time. Glory to God! We also had meetings on other days. At these meetings we talked about friendship, conflicts, and how to deal with them, as well as about the value of obedience. It turned out that some of the children, for various reasons, do not know how to make friends. That is why we raised this topic, fully aware of its importance.

We spoke about what true friendship is, how to find real friends, and how to become a good friend yourself. When the children listened about friendship, many of them gained hope that they would surely have faithful, kind friends, and that they themselves would learn to be friendly. We also talked about conflicts: offenses, quarrels, and how important it is to forgive and make peace. If someone offends you—you need to forgive. And if you offend someone—you need to apologize. When we are in conflict, it harms us first of all: negativity arises inside us, which destroys. That is why it is so important to learn to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. And finally, about obedience. Obedience helps us avoid mistakes and difficulties. When we obey, we become kinder, more caring, and more honest. It is an expression of love and respect for those who help us grow.

Friends, our team prays that the lives of children and caregivers will change for the better. Every time, caregivers come to the meetings, and sometimes they even participate in the program. It is so wonderful to see that we can influence not only the children but also the caregivers. We believe that every topic spoken within the walls of the orphanage penetrates the heart of every person who comes to the meeting. We are grateful to God that He opens the doors to the orphanages! We are thankful for the opportunity to tell the children about His love and care through our ministry! Let us continue to pray together for this ministry, for the children, for the leadership of the orphanages, and for the team!

Each trip to the children’s home reminded us that even in autumn, warmth can bloom — like summer. The warmth of smiles, conversations, games, and God’s presence. Our October visits began with lively, laughter-filled relay games. There were balls, challenges testing agility and teamwork. The kids competed, cheered for one another, laughed, helped, and supported each other. It was a day when everyone felt like part of a team — needed, strong, and seen. Throughout the month, we held three deep and heartfelt meetings, each opening space for reflection and honest conversation:

“Hard Times and Storms”: We spoke about storms — not just in the weather, but in life. And how important it is not to face them alone, but to cling to Jesus and be part of the church — like a ship that doesn’t sink, even in the fiercest waves. “Our Thoughts”: We explored how thoughts can take hold of our lives, shaping emotions and actions. Together, we walked through six steps that help “reprogram” our thinking and keep us from drowning in anxiety or lies. “Sin in a Beautiful Package”: We talked about how harmful things can look appealing — like a candy wrapped in shiny paper but filled with poison. And we remembered that there is One who always waits for us and loves us, even when we’ve made mistakes.

On one of our trips, we were joined by an incredibly gifted young woman — Masha, a professional theater director. She shared with the children about the world of theater, how performances are created, and the importance of teamwork and listening. Together, they tried articulation exercises, and then — to everyone’s delight — Masha performed a juggling show. First two, then three, then four balls soared gracefully through the air. A few children even joined her for a mini juggling workshop. It was joyful, inspiring, and unforgettable. I especially want to share Danik’s story. During one visit, he quietly came up and told me he was going to be hospitalized soon — his test results were bad, and he was very afraid. We talked about how he’s not alone, that God is with him every moment.

Then our whole team gathered in a circle and prayed for him. A week later, Danik greeted us with a wide smile and joyful news: “God heard the pray! I’m okay now. It was definitely God! I even prayed myself and thanked Him for healing me.” That was our October — vibrant like autumn leaves, and warm like summer. Each meeting wasn’t just a program, but living connection, relationship-building, support, and love. We’re deeply grateful to the Lord for open hearts — among the children, the caregivers, and the administration who join our meetings and hear the Truth. We’re already looking forward to November, trusting that God has filled it with blessings and bright new moments.

Greetings, brothers and sisters!
This month we resumed our trips to the orphanage in Belynichy after the children’s summer break. Praise God that the doors of the orphanage are open and we can continue sharing the Good News. The first trip in September was truly unforgettable and special for me. I missed the children so much, and I was very glad to see how mutual that feeling was. The kids welcomed our team with great love and warm hugs.

This was our first visit without seeing our beloved graduates, who left the orphanage at the end of the academic year and began their adult and independent lives. We ask you to pray for them, that the Lord would protect and bless them in this new chapter of their lives. This summer, I had the opportunity to serve at one of the Christian camps for teenage orphans in Belarus, near Mogilev.

Some of the children from the orphanage in Belynichy came there. In that moment, I realized what a great blessing it is that during the summer holidays, the orphanage administration allows the kids to attend Christian camps and hear about Jesus Christ. It was a blessed time – another opportunity to share God’s love with these children. In September, new children arrived at the orphanage from other small towns in Belarus. Many of them came to our first meeting with a huge interest. We immediately got to know them and continue building relationships. I already knew some of them from before, so our first meeting after a long time apart was especially warm. One of the greatest joys was seeing how many children attend our gatherings. During one of our visits, when Dima was teaching a Bible lesson and I stood in front of the children handing out prizes for correct answers, I saw their eyes light up and their genuine eagerness to hear about Christ. 

For me, it was an absolutely incredible moment – it was clear how good God is and how favorable this time is for spreading the Gospel. This moment became a great testimony and encouragement for me. During our first trip, we talked with the kids and reviewed Bible stories we had shared with them previously. The children were very engaged, and to our joy and surprise, they remembered even the smallest details. In the following visits, we focused on general topics such as “God Exists,” “Prayer,” “The Bible,” and “The Church.” We wanted to remind the children of the foundations of our faith and introduce the new kids to the basic truths—things they might not have heard before or might not have fully understood.

We were also very happy to see the caregivers again. We’ve noticed how their attitude toward us has been changing, it’s becoming warmer and friendlier. The caregivers have also started participating more actively in worship when we sing, which is a blessing to us because the children see this and join in with even more enthusiasm.

Please also pray for the caregivers, that their hearts would be open to receive the Good News and that our Lord would be glorified through this.

May the Lord bless you!