LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN

This month the children were waiting for us as always with anticipation and joy! They greeted us as if he had not seen for a very long time. They were happy to share their experiences, did not want to leave when the program ended, and even more they do not want to let us go home. Everyone wanted to talk to us as much as possible.

We spent a lot of their time outdoors, playing different games, as well as communicated in classes where Bible studies were conducted on different subjects. If we consider only the period of May, and for the year as a whole, it is clear that many kiddies have changed for the better. Several children: Juliana, Mary, Nikita, Valya, Kiril were not afraid to pray in front of everyone, but before that they were shy with each other. They try to help each other and learn to listen to each other, even though it is do not always work. But, at least, is very noticeable that they genuinely want it and do not deny that when they are told that they are doing wrong things. We were very happy to see how the children are open to us, they trust us and they want to spend as much time with us together as possible! Thank God for these children! Only He can change our hearts and the hearts of these kids!

In addition, this month, separately for the younger kids, was organized children’s puppet show. Through the dolls children can hear about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross of Calvary. Subject performance was dedicated to the Easter holiday. Thank God for that time, so it was an opportunity to show the children that Easter – is not just a fragrant bread and colored eggs! Now they know that Easter – is primarily a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, who suffered for everyone!

We believe that with God every child’s life can change, because God helps to get up when we can not do it!

Hello! I remember those minutes in April which we spent with these boys and girls. I like to see the changes in their life: as some of them get mature, start thinking of life in a different way, we see them changed, and they start asking questions about God, because they are really interested in God. April showed me that they miss us very much, they miss worship, games, preaching which answer their actual problems and difficulties. This month we spoke about grace and about the differences of it from justice and goodness, whether grace is necessary to us, that grace is a component of our rescue, and that grace accepts each person … It is a gift which God grants to everyone and it is the right of everyone to accept it or not … We affected an aspect of love … That the love is an action first of all, it is not a feeling that you have to grow in love, the love is not just a habit. We showed that the true love makes the person special … This month we also carried out boys’ party and girls’ party…. For example, with guys we played business monopoly game, teaching them how to set correct purposes and plans in life, how to spend money in the right way, how to find way out from problems and difficult situations. Such intellectual and informative board games unite us and teach us of the handling of money, things, push all of us to decision-making. All of us enjoyed this game very much…In general it is joyful to see in children desire to change their life. Please pray that the Satan couldn’t prevent it …

Hi! Once again I’d like to share about the events at Grozovo Asylum. This month has been a very busy one and a very fruitful too. I’d like to tell you a story about one boy who attends our classes. His name is Nikita and he is 9 years old. This boy gave us a tough time misbehaving and trying to attract attention to himself by all kinds of means. Some time ago one more guy joined our team and he began to give more of his time to this boy. He managed to find a key to his heart and love him unconditionally. And it bore such good results. Nikitka became more active at the lessons and his behaviour has greatly improved.
There is also not very good news. During this winter a lot of kids fell ill and are still unwell. We always pray for their health. But I know that physical and emotional strength is usually the result of good relationship with God and family. So that’s why I encourage you to pray that God would give the kids a family of their own where they would be loved and wanted. They all dream about that!
I would also like you to know the topics we discussed this month:
1. “How to fight discontent?” We talked to the kids about the importance of staying grateful and taking a happy attitude to life.
2. “Gratefulness” Some orphans are getting the idea that the society is in debt towards them and take acts of kindness for granted. We told them that gratefulness is something we all need to learn.
3. “Who is God?” The kids were challenged to ask themselves what role God plays in their lives.
4. “Prayer – talking to God” God wants to have close relationship with us where dialogue takes a very important place. We talked with kids how prayer becomes the avenue to building a strong relationship with God and sustaining a dialogue with Him.

   The March is nearly over but it is still winter outside with a snow layer of about a meter high. Well, even if we don’t have a spring mood still we are always in the right mood to visit Grozovo orphanage. During the whole month we have made trips to the orphanage and had personal contacts with the kids and team members. When communicating in small groups or face to face, kids are more likely to open and talk about their pain and fears and tell what they would like us to pray about. That’s how you actually make friends with the kids and become their older brother or sister, someone they would listen and look up to. You begin to pray fervently for those kids and see the ways you can help and bring comfort to them. Praise the Lord for those wonderful relationships.
This month I have also managed to motivate the teens from my church to come to the orphanage and play football with the kids. They were so happy to play against a new team as they had got really bored playing with each other all the time. The game was a thrilling one and as the orphans lost they asked us to come again so that they would play back. There is a big chance to make friends with the kids by playing sports with them and doing things together.
During the spring holidays our family had a chance to invite some of the kids for a week’s stay. We are having several girls staying at our house now and yesterday we went for a church meeting altogether. We’ll tell the stories about our holiday guests in our next report. Meanwhile we thank everybody for your kind prayers and support. God bless you all!

Here came a long-expected spring month. Although it doesn’t differ from winter months at all, I am glad that we can visit children in the orphanages, even when it is cold. I would like to tell you about the devotion to the children in Grozovo orphanage. As usual we had an opportunity to spend time with the children, tell them something new and important, play with them and just converse with those who needed it especially. The program of this month was very eventful and diverse. We had following topics: “kindness”, we also told about lives of some biblical heroes such as Ruth and Elisha. Besides, we decided to diversify our meetings by watching Christian animated films.

There is one boy among the others, whose name is Kirill. It is always difficult to deal with him. He often interrupts, makes noise, when we organize our meetings. However, this month I enjoyed the fact, that although he tried to make noise, he listened to the things he was told about. Moreover, during all this time he became more tolerant to others and this fact makes us happy.

We believe that the life of each child can be changed with God!