LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

Hello everyone! I would like to tell you about our visits to Belinichi orphan school. This month the children had a chance to hear different stories from the Bible. They became familiar with such biblical characters as Ismael and Hagar, Anna and Samuel. Through these stories we were sharing with the children how thoughtful our God is, and that He answers people’s needs. At the end of each story there were a conclusion which illustrated the Lord’s qualities, and also how they could use the stories as examples in their own lives. The children were listening very carefully. They remembered every story plot and even names because they knew they were going to be rewarded for it. They were given sweets afterwards. The sweet treats were delicious; however, it was not that easy to get it because the questions were hard enough. In every question we tried to mention the important key points from the stories, so they could remember all the details better.
It’s interesting that after every lesson, when we gather together, a lot of kids follow us to our cars offering their help. I am still surprised how warm they treat us and how they show us their love. I believe God has been changing their hearts. I am also glad that the relationships between the children are also getting better. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unpleasant situations happen every day. But we remember that our goal is to come there and show them the way God teaches us to love each other. We want them to know the only one true way to Heavens, which is our Lord Jesus Christ. We would like them to have a personal and deep relationship with Him.
We would like to thank everyone who remembers our ministry and these orphan children. Thank you for your financial support and prayers! God bless you all!

The habit to be joyful
A habit is a strange thing. People say: “You get used to good things easily”. For example, you may be rejoiced by something, but as time passes – months, years your joy exhausts…
At Belynychi’s school it seems that someone has cancelled such habits! We visit it each Thursday, this initiative counts about 10 years and I’ve joined the team only a year ago or so. Anyway, I’ve noticed that each day we come children rush out to meet us with pure excitement! And follow us when we’re leaving, so that sometimes guys have to ask them: “Please, children, stop following us, return home!”
Most of all I like two girls, Dasha and Yulya, we’ve became close friends with them. Especially with Julia, she’s a very sweat, open girl, always smiling and happy to see everyone. Last Thursday the girls asked to take a photo of them and than – a photo of three of us too.
I like to see that they can’t wait to meet me again. Surely these children are always happy to see any visitor, however I’m pleased to notice that they recognize me now as well as the other members of our team.
In March one boy, aged 11-12, approached me, carefully put a letter into my hand and said, a bit confusing: «Please read when you’re at home». I must confess it was not really pleasant – such a confidentiality. But at home I’ve read the letter: this boy wrote that he’s always happy to see me, that he loves me very much. Although this message was written with dozens of mistakes, but how touching it was to read!
At my first visits the only feeling I had to these children was pity. Usually I was leaving this place with a great sorrow, being depressed. I prayed that God would have made me love them. And today I feel that I do love them! Well, sometimes they behave strangely, show aggression… but in fact I can’t think of more honest, more frank children than these ones. And they never play a role – that’s for sure!
Sometimes you may think that children do not pay attention to what you say, but it only seems!.. For example, you tell a story and think: «They do not understand what they hear!» But when you start asking questions on the story – suddenly children give the right answers. I was impressed by a boy named Andrew: although he seemed to be a hooligan and was known to foil our lessons, once he turned out to be the only one who took an active part in discussion!
And there is Roma, who’s always very attentive. Sometimes it seems to you he’s not listening, but just try and ask him a question – you’ll get the right answer straight away!
Watching these children, you come to think how blessed you are in your life. God gives you so much! And these people lack such common things… And it makes you want to embrace them with love and care to fill up what they lack.
I hope that our visits are not useless, that they will help children make the right choices in their future lives, gain faith and find a real support, friendship and love in this world. Because Love is the only thing which can fill up absolutely any lack.

Christmas celebration at Belinichy orphanage became one of this month’s most memorable events for me. We staged a play about Christ’s birth so that the kids and teachers would learn how the Savior came to this earth. The actors played roles of people with different attitudes to Christmas and I think they really succeeded in bringing forward the real message of this holiday. We also sang a lot of carols and two of them we learnt to sing together with the kids. At the end of the party the kids received Christmas presents.

During our short weekly visits we usually meet with the older children but such events as the above mentioned gather all the children. And I love it because more and more kids get an opportunity to hear about God. We were so happy to meet the little audience of the orphanage during Christmas celebrations.

During our last two meetings we talked about Abraham who is a great role-model for us in remaining obedient, faithful and trustful to God. We also held sports activities for the kids. Sports competition is a good way to learn the kids’ characters while their real attitude to each other is revealed. And the kids learn to win and to lose. Such events also provide the team with the necessary feedback for chosing the right discussion scope that will be most relevant in the given circumstances.

In conclusion we would like to say thank you to everybody who helped us collect clothes and shoes for the kids. We also thank the ones who participated in the Christmas action. We are immensely grateful to everybody who supported our ministry financially and we genuinely appreciate all your kind prayers for us.

Dear friends!
I’d like to share with you some thoughts about our trips to Belynichi Asylum this month. We have had two new members in our team and can now visit the orphans more often so that the communication with them would not be interrupted for more than a week. In December we discussed the events of the Advent with the kids. And it was so great when mentally and physically challenged kids could comprehend what we were talking about and respond to it. Few children know the real meaning of Christmas and when the whole world is filled with the festive spirit the orphans are usually left behind the celebration. During our trips we found out that the kids need something more than just presents for Christmas. They are longing for love and faith that would help them overcome loneliness and pain of rejection. The space in their hearts that should have been tended by their parents can get easily occupied by the devil. That’s why we are doing our best to sow seeds of faith, hope and love in them. Besides the Bible study, we also played games with the children and sang songs what brought us closer to each other. We were also so happy to learn that 16 kids are now attending the Sunday school at the neighboring church. The church members organized Bible study and different activities for them and also often invite the kids to dine with their families. Let us during this holiday season remember in our prayers those who were left without parental love and care!

What do children face with every day? How do they spend this day? What hopes and dreams have these children?
“You are a loser” – constantly spreads through orphanages, which we visit! But in contrast to this, our team is constantly talking to children about the pursuit of goals and the ways to achieve them and about the fact that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong”! I once spoke with a teenager from Belynichi orphanage. His name is Arthur. From a conversation with him, I realized that the label “loser” stick very often to him. “What’s next, Dima? I think I really can’t do anything special in my life. After all, we were told so many times that we cannot achieve anything, and even our educational program, is not like in a regular school. “With these questions, we are facing more and more.
Ruined values lead us to despair, and those who must inspire and give sometimes, just destroy it, as in the example of Arthur. But Arthur is not alone in his problem. Pretty much every time, we hear such statements from other boys and the girls. Moreover, children very often consider themselves useless and worthless. The adult world, unfortunately, does not accept children with peculiarities!
This month we have had several meetings with the children from the orphanage in Belynichi. We tried to make emphasis on the love and acceptance of God. Because God loves man, and especially children! On the example of the last lesson, when talked about the life of heroes of the faith, like Joseph and Moses, we demonstrated that whatever happens in one’s life, God had everything under control. In spite of all the circumstances that just crush you, God is near and He does care about what happens to you. An example of biblical heroes showed that due to their obedience and fear of God, He particularly took care of them. And in this country, if we are obedient and have the fear of God, our lives will be transformed and changed completely. Difficulties remain, but through these difficulties will have comfort, because now we have hope. The hope is that God is near and that he is able to support when it is most needed.
Advent is coming – it’s time of waiting of Christ’s birth and asserting that the Christ is alive to this very day. It can help everyone who needs it. Every kid dreams to leave orphanage as soon as possible. They dream that the words they constantly heard as a curse would never be spoken to them again. After leaving the orphanages they enter the adult life for which, as many years’ experience shows, not everyone is reedy. But there are also examples of guys who after graduation have chosen the right path, and their lives changed. Now they are successful people (as they say), because their heart belongs to God. They go to church and do ministry.
Dear friends, let us pray that the children who are in orphanages, acquire saving faith and hope. And also let’s pray for those who have accepted Christ into their heart and so that sown seed brought forth fruit in his time to the glory of God!