LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

Warm greetings to those who reads about us! I’d like to share the blessings and success that we got at the winter camp. Thanks God we have had a wonderful exciting and a very fruitful camp this time. God was surprising us every day beyond our expectations, showing His love and care, His miracles and His power which made not only us but also kids and their supervisors joyful. I’m thankful to God that we and the kids didn’t have any injuries during the camp time as God protected us during the camp. It’s almost impossible to describe all our great feelings about how good the camp was. The Holy Spirit worked both with the hearts of the kids and the staff who helped us a lot during the camp. They’ve never treated us as good as during this camp. We had a chance to share the Gospel both with the kids and the staff through building up relationships with them. I want to thank those who have been praying for the camp and the orphans. Your prayers were so needed and so appreciated both by the orphans and by the team and the orphans could see love not only through the gifts or candies we gave but also they could see God’s love to them. As we could notice the orphans lack such love and friendship and good treatment and attention to them even though the state and some charity organization volunteers help them and give presents as well. Our desire to make friends with them and spend this Christmas time together with them is more important than any present or thing. The orphans refused to go to the disco in order to stay with us and spend more time with us. It was a great blessing for us too.
At each evening meeting we dedicated time to discuss very important and exciting Christian topics which will be useful for the orphans’ future life and will teach them how not to make mistakes in their lives and always to remember who can help them in any situation. During the day not all the orphans listened to us attentively but in the evenings before they went to bed we could have some close private talks and discuss what they heard at Bible classes at the meetings. We reminded them that the true happiness we can find only in God. We played different games, sang and did crafts a lot at the camp. Older teenagers had a chance to continue learning how to play the guitar. We learn new songs at each new camp. This winter the most favourite song was “ Let us light the candles”, the song that created a special warm atmosphere. At craft classes kids made boxes for the presents, little Christmas tree figures, Christmas cards, Christmas garlands and toys – that all created a nice atmosphere too. Making Christmas garlands was the most challenging for the kids as it demanded a lot of efforts and patience. At the end kids were content and gave thanks for teaching them to do this and they got beautiful Christmas garlands and they could decorate their rooms.
The most exciting game for the kids was “ funny soccer” as each member of the team played his role and participated in the game. It was fun to play this game as the sport room was quite small and we had a lot of volunteers to participate. After the game everybody was happy and content not paying attention to having got tired or having lost in the game and it made all of us feel united. It was so great because the kids don’t often experience being united and friends with each other. Kids had a chance to see how valuable it is to be all one, to stand united, respect each other and win in a game thanks to being the part of the team. In one of the games we pretended to have “Civil Registry office” and the kids were to organize a wedding (to decorate the hall, to get a wedding dress for a bride, invite guests, choose some background music). It’s surprising but this game was a good experience for the kids as the majority of them had a bad example of their parents. It’s sad that the kids can see such common practices as civil marriage and not the example of a good Christian family where they submit to God and He has control over them. That was just a simple game and the kids could see an episode from a family life of a Christian and what God’s attitude is towards marriage.
At the last evening meeting we told the kids how God can transform their lives and what they need to do is to ask God to do this and let Him into their lives. It was a real pleasure and a joy to hear them saying a prayer of repentance after the preacher. My heart was fulfilled with gratitude to God and realizing how powerful He is. I can’t describe it with the words, it seems to be a miracle!
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
The last minutes at the camp were sad as we became a real family, the kids got used to us and it was so hard to say goodbye to each other. I tried to encourage the kids saying that the most precious now is to remember this days spent and shared together. And also we told them about the One who gives us life and cares about our future and makes us the happiest in the Universe!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11

My name is Nastya B. Since I am responsible for the arts for kids, my major duty is to play educational games and doing crafts with them. There were several times when I led arts classes for the children: we made some flowers with their names on, drew and did many other things which would influence them both physically and spiritually. In addition, the arts hours were followed by the classes where we looked at the examples of the biblical heroes; afterwards we had some class discussion, where kids could ask questions. Further on, we had prayers in which everybody was a participant in the conversation with God. I was amazed by the children’s sincerity as they prayed just the way they could. However, the most important thing is that regarding their age and diagnoses they could understand who they prayed to. Kids remember and understand many things in details, they live through them. Once we had a case; I had an operation on my hand and that is why I came to them with my hand in a bandage. They had paid attention to this, as it was something unusual to them. I was so surprised to discover they felt sorry for me and had big empathy for my health. Thus, I asked them to keep my hand in their child prayers. In two weeks I visited not the older guys, but the younger ones again, with no bandage on this time though. I got even more surprised when many touched my hand and asked about my health. I did not even expect them to remember about the hand! That is one more testimony for me that God is in work with them as they are filled with love and trust towards us.
In addition to this, there are classes for the older children; we sing, listen to good educational biblical stories and play different games. At one of the meetings we organized some sports events for the guys; estafettes which are bright memories now for the kids. I can see how hard that is for the older children since they grow up and have many questions in their minds, to which they cannot find the answers on their own most of the times. That’s why I understand how important that is to put the Word of God in them. The Satan fights for them and we need to help the children get a life with a sense in it. My prayer is about their hearts and the will of God for their further lives. Amen!

    In October we continued to tell children about miracles which Jesus performed at the time of his life on Earth. On each meeting we tell about different miracles that He performed for different people. We tell children that Jesus healed, rescued and even resurrected people from the dead. We also tell them that Jesus is alive today and His is capable to perform miracles today if a person gives his live to Jesus completely! At first it seemed that the lessons were too difficult for children but when we started to ask questions about previous lessons children were able to answer most of the questions! But most of all we are happy that children understand that Jesus saw the heart of every person and that He saved and healed him according to his faith! And the children retold us this by themselves with their own words! Besides Bible lessons as usually we sing a lot with children, play games and sometimes play sport games and have creative lessons.
The most joyful new development for us is the ability to have meetings with small children! Presently we conduct two different programs in two different rooms at the same time: one for older children and one for small kids. What is more exciting is that teachers on their own initiative bring to us the whole classes of small kids. Despite their young age and health problems these kids remember well the stories about God. To date, they already learned 3 new songs and that is not so easy for them. Also we strive to develop their memory and that is easy because the children themselves want to retell us what they have heard at the lesson. At the end of a meeting we conduct creativity lessons. After the meetings we return home with joy and inspiration and as soon as we are outside of territory of the orphanage we already eagerly looking forward to the next meeting with our children.

Hi everyone!Here comes a new school year, that means we are back to our meetings with kids. This month we’ve also visited Belynichi boarding school. We were so glad to see the children after that summer break. When you haven’t seen them for a week, you don’t notice how they are growing up and getting older. But after two months of rest we noticed a big difference in them. We also saw that they missed us a lot. They were very excited and active in everything we prepared for them :singing, games, to name just a few activities. The topic for our talk was Jesus Christ’s life. The people, who followed Christ, had different problems similar to ours: the feeling of rejection, the time when we feel down or things are just not right, etc. We start to lose our faith and hope in God that He will show His power and will shine the light on our problems. Simple stories about healing people show God’s might that even today He is able to help us. Kids enjoyed this conversation. Afterwards, we asked them some questions. We were delighted to hear that they really took it in and understood what we were talking about. We dedicated one of the meetings to more close and personal talks. Bible is of a present-day importance and we are pleased to see that children hear that through everything we do with them. Thank you everyone who support and remembers us.

From 9 to 18 June of this year, the territory of Belynichi held a boarding camp: “Pure Heart”. The program of the camp was founded on biblical lessons: “A man after God’s heart.” We used the life of David as a biblical example. God is creative and multi-faceted Personality! Praise Him for the excellent team, interesting and open children, responsive teachers, good weather! For miracles that never ceased to fascinate and delight us with its grandiosity! For a flurry of emotions and repentance of kids, for lives that been changed and spiritual lessons! For grace, peace and love throughout the camp! It’s not enough words to describe what was happening in our children’s hearts and the Holy Spirit was poured out on the boarding school Belynichy! Many thanks to those who did not forget to pray for us, for this camp and, please, pray for orphans! God bless you!

It was one of the most unusual camps that we did. From the first days of the camp God has blessed us with a team that aspires to be a single entity, given by 100%, to do everything that is necessary for children to trust us, open their hearts, to be friends and to search the answers to their questions and reservation of their problems. When we were submitting in fasting and prayer, God erases the borders of misunderstanding between us and the children, on the second day we were their friends, we were older brothers and sisters, we loved each other. Through the God’s Word in the morning and in the evening the Holy Spirit rebuked, taught, inspired and guided us. It’s amazing to feel the God’s guidance! We have received a special guidance of when and to whom we need to devote time and attention, especially for anyone to pray, and where we need just to stand in the gap. The weather pleased us all the time during the camp, even when there was rain, the children thanked God for it, because it was not necessary to work in the garden and that was an opportunity to spend more time by communicating with us. The weather didn’t preclude all the activities which were planned. It is worth also to mark the responsiveness of the administration and teachers of this school. God worked in their hearts, we believe that the Word penetrated and changed their attitude towards us and the kids, they became softer and kinder.The atmosphere of love that we impose will remain after us. It is necessary to pray that the devil won’t broke it…

I would also like to mention our evening meeting. We were singing, praying, playing there, and put a variety of formulations, but the most important was that we taught them to trust God their lives by illustrating David’s life. It was a good evenings, which made us rejoice and touched the hearts of children. I liked that the kids have always been trying to express themselves and show that they were not closed in themselves, they did not scary and did not hesitate to show they real personality, despite their mental and physical abnormalities. Sometimes we Christians do not have enough of such courage to show our faith and joy that God gives us. But the simplicity and innocence of children pushed us even more to pray for the salvation of their souls. During the call to repentance about 20 children decided to change their lives and to let God into their hearts.

This wonderful gift God has given to all those who care about the destiny of orphans. Once again God has proved that He is the Father of orphans! Last minutes of the camp were sad because we have a large family, children used to us, it was hard to say goodbye … I had encouraged the children that the most valuable thing we gave them – these memorable minutes and moments that they will remember. I also believe that no matter where they are, no matter what has not happened in their lives, they will be able to recall what we have taught them, they can remember Him Who loves them, and Who is always ready to help them.

And may the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all the children of God! Joy and peace to all who read these words!