LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

Hello, dear reader!

I would like to tell you about how our ministry was going this month.

When we come to the orphanage, children run to meet us, and they run straight into our arms, and the first question they ask is: “How are you?”. Then the children share their experiences. Sometimes they need a person to whom they can ex

press their emotions, tell something, and share their secrets.

During this month we had a series of lessons with younger children. We were talking about courage, diligence, kindness, and compassion. The lessons we teach help not only children but also each of us in life.

The children remembered very well the lesson about courage. We said that David had a good relationship with God, and God was with David. We also told the story of how David defeated Goliath. After the lesson, the children showed a desire to pray, and they asked God to remove fear from their lives and help them to become brave like David.

It’s great to see that children change for the better, they sincerely pray after each lesson, and ask God for help in different realms of their lives. The Bible says: “Be like children” ( Matthew 18:3) and sometimes we lack sincerity and simplicity that children have.

We held contest games with older children and through this, they were able to let their energy out, switch off from everyday life, and fill up with good emotions. We also conducted a series of talks on a topic of faith. The children talked about the centurion, who surprised Jesus Christ with his faith. Moreover, we discussed how Jesus pacified the storm. Sometimes storms happen in our lives, and in such storms, our faith is being tested. After this story, a boy came up and asked how to overcome betrayal from friends, acquaintances. Sometimes God allows storms in our lives to show us that we have moved away from Him, and God brings us back to Him through such events. And I like that the children memorize the lessons. Through such events, we are trying to show the children that there is nothing impossible for God. It is very important to believe in God and trust Him.

I would like to speak about one boy. I think that it’s only my observation, that he is one of the most naughty boys. But a special thing that I’ve noticed in him is that he always listens and participates in discussions in the best way. It’s amazing that he remembers the main reflections of the previous lessons. That’s why I always remind myself that only God knows a human’s heart and the ones He chooses, and we should only be tools in God’s hands and share the Gospel with every kid reaching to their hearts.

One day John the Baptist was asked:

“What should we do?”, and he answered: “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else”.

What can we share? Some people can share finances, some – their time or capabilities. But thought these things we can bring only opportunities in their lives, but they need the only unique place to warm themselves, to have the wounds on their hearts healed, to escape from rejection, betrayal and loneliness. We can give them love and tell them about the Great Love of God to all of His creation.

And where can we receive love, when we need to fondle and smother with kisses this thorny cold knob, who doesn’t know caress and tenderness, for whom it’s so hard to believe that love exists. Will you have enough strength, patience and wisdom to prove the true love in the face of impertinence and disobedience? So with God’s help we try to show love towards every kid and teach them the truth of God. During this month we were discussing the theme “Jesus chooses His disciples”. We discovered which traits the disciples possessed, what professions they had and who they were by character. We realized that each of us can be a disciple of Jesus, and one doesn’t need to be a master of theology for that. Another theme concerned the trust to God. We discussed the 6^th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, where God says that he cares about the birds and wild flowers and all the more about the man, His best creation.

“It doesn’t matter how many countries you have visited or how much money you have earned. The only thing that really matters is what you have left behind”. I have been thinking about this phrase these days. Children are our future, but when I look at orphanages in our country, I understand that we do not struggle for our future and do not even care about it. When we ask children what they would like to have for Christmas, they start to say “we want to go home”, and only after that they ask toys and sweets. Children as well as adults need love! Adults can hide their feelings but children clearly show what they lack. “Hug me”, “say that you missed me”, “we have thought about you”. All these words show me that adults are not aimed at what is important and they do not think about consequences. In the future financial support may bring some fruit. However, is it the only help that they need? When I come to the orphanage, I see hungry eyes of kids whose parents do not visit them. Here they are not even treated as children, but at the same time, they dream about jam, tender hugs of their parents and Christmas presents. They draw the pictures in their heads and then their dreams face sad reality. Their parents rejected them because their dependence on alcohol and drugs rose above the instinct of care and protection of their children. So children became unimportant.

This month we spoke about the miracles of Jesus Christ and looked with the children at the people who got their miracle. Then we tried to relate these stories to our days. People bring many presents to the orphanage during Christmas and New Year holidays and the children take it for granted. Many people who were cured did not thank God either. They plunged into their worries and problems and forgot what God did in their lives. Gratefulness encourages doing good things and believing in positive changes.

Besides the lessons, we talk to the kids and they share their dreams and wishes with us. That is why we brought child Bibles for the kids to read and grow in their faith. Literally this Thursday we came there and the children told us what stories they had read. I was smiling when they did not just tell me what they read about but they also prayed. I believe that the time we had with the children will leave a good footprint on their lives. When we have warmth, we can share it with others. God changes us each time we come there and the children are changed because they are loved, prayed for and just allowed to be kids.

Thank you friends that you were with us this year praying for us and supporting us! We believe that our common work will be fruitful!

This November was full of events with a diverse programme and actual topics of our lessons. The first topic of November for younger children was “Fear” about the biblical character David. The children listened very attentively and couldn’t believe that such a little shepherd had slain the huge giant Goliath. David achieved this victory only due to his strong faith in God.
At the end of the lesson children had an opportunity to tell about their fears.
They are different for everyone. Someone is afraid of the darkness, mice or spiders, someone is afraid to lose his/her friends and never see parents.
Sometimes it is sad to listen to such revelations from little children. But we are glad they got the message of the lesson – God is close to us and He is able to help us get rid of our fears. At the end they answered the questions correctly. So I’m sure it was useful.
The next topics were “Deception” and “Laziness”, very simple at first sight, but they evoked a lot of emotions and memories.
Besides biblical lessons the children had Arts which they are crazy about, so there’s no problem with discipline)
With the older guys we discussed “The first wonder of Jesus” plus “The meeting with Nikodim” and “The healing of the courtier and a wonderful catch”.
This November was special for the guys because of hen-party and stag-party. We discussed hygiene and the importance to take care about the body and keep the room clean.
At the end of the month the children got a bonus – competitions!