This month turned out to be very active, eventful and joyful! More and more new guys came to our 
meetings. Even the oldest guys, who used to stay away, are now actively participating in our events. As it turned out, the topics of our meetings about various addictions turned out to be very relevant for them. There were moments when the oldest boys with all 
the courage and openness shared their problems faced by themselves or their parents. For example, when Vadim talked about the problem of alcoholism, this topic was especially relevant to many children for the reason that many of them ended up in boarding school because their parents consumed alcohol and led an immoral lifestyle.
At the next meeting, Alyona talked about the dangers of smoking, how much it destroys the human body and how quickly addiction sets in. Members of our team are occupied in different professional spheres. Alyona is a nurse, so she easily, with a lot of illustrations, revealed the topic both according to medicine and to the Bible.
The topic is also relevant for the guys, 
because many of them have already tried to smoke and many of the guys shared their experiences about how easy it is to start smoking and how difficult it is to stop later. Ilya spoke about another widespread addiction in the modern world. We all use Internet resources and social networks. Together with the guys, Ilya identified a list of positive aspects related to the Internet. For example, this is a quick search 
for information, communication, music, sports and other positive resources. But, unfortunately, if we use the Internet and social networks incorrectly, we can fall into various traps with a lot of destructive information, get under negative influence, and also face computer and gaming addiction. Ilya not only told the guys about the problem, but also showed them ways to solve it and shared his personal example of how he copes with not being trapped on the Internet. At the last meeting 
of this month, Katya talked with teenages about watching horror movies. She talked about their negative impact on the human body, soul and spirit, talked about the fears that arise as a consequence. The guys were impressed by this topic because they watch such films quite often and are already familiar with some of the consequences, such as nightmares, fears. The guys talked about how sometimes it’s difficult and scary for them to fall asleep. In my opinion, it is very important to take care of what these children fill their hearts and minds with, because there are no parents next to them who can be there when they are scared, who can hug and calm them down.
And also, I’m worried about the especially vulnerable psyche of the guys! Katya talked a lot about what alternative God offers and how important it is to spend time with Him, filling your heart with His word and how healthy and important it is to pray and ask God for protection both day and night! It’s great that God gives each person from our team different gifts and talents, as well as professional skills that we can use in our ministry! And also, we are glad that God opens the doors of boarding schools and gives us the opportunity to serve the orphaned children of our country! Praise God for everything!
desire to go to boarding schools for communication, friendship, care and testimony to children about the Gospel of Christ. This month, God blessed Rudensk boarding school that we held crafts with children, Alyona talked about the dangers of smoking for health and compared it with what God says in the Bible, about addictions and the consequences not only physical but also spiritual. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”
Nastya also talked about premarital relationships, about the fact that God does not like sexual relations outside of marriage and also mentioned the consequences. Ilya spoke on the topic of “theft” and there were also a boys’ and girls’ parties. There was a conversation with girls and boys about the dangers of pornography. We are grateful that there is such an opportunity to be close and friendly with children, to be a good example for them, to pray with them and for them, and also to tell them about Christ and the Bible. Nikita and Dasha had the opportunity this month to take Sasha Dyagel and Nikita Kirichenko to their home for the weekend. They went to McDonald’s, played board games, attended a church meeting and just had a good fellowship and spent time together and also talked about the Gospel and how the guys understand the sence of the Bible.
On the last trip, Sasha asked to pray for his mother so that she would be found and stop drinking alcohol. And Sveta also asked to pray for her brother, who started smoking, as well as for her mother. The guys in Rudensk really like to hug, when we wait for them at the entrance near the dining room, they come up to us and often hug us. It’s great that a lot of guys come, usually 15-20 people. It’s good that so many kids hear about Christ, the Bible, prayer and God. The last time Katya told her testimony about how she lived and how God changed her life. The children listened attentively and I think they understood that they could find themselves in the same situation as Katya and that no one but God could help them. Please pray for us so that God will bless friendship with the guys, friendship in the team and friendship with the staff of the boarding school for whom I hope we are also a good testimony of Christ and His Gospel. Colossians 4:3 “Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ”.
guys was truly bright and eventful because 
everyone still had the aftertaste of holidays and vacations. Trips to children in Rudensk began with a Christmas program. We love this time very much because both children and adults are especially inclined to hear about God and for us this is a great opportunity to break false stereotypes about Christmas and talk about the true purpose of the birth of Jesus Christ into our world. Of course we told the children the story of Christmas which is written in the Bible. Then there was a time when we sang together some songs for our 
beloved birthday boy Jesus, simply 
hugged each other and were happy that we could spend this time together. After worship we held a Christmas quiz with many interesting questions and tasks. I was very pleased that the guys responded quite well and actively, which means it’s not in vain that they come to our meetings and remember what they hear from us! After the main program we had a tea party with sweets. And at the end of the evening, according to our good tradition, each child received his long-awaited Christmas gift! The children were delighted!
Many of them later returned and thanked us for the gifts! Thank God for the birth of Jesus Christ, that on His own birthday He gives gifts to the people He loves so much! The topic of our next meeting was “Gratitude.” I really want the kids to be able to be grateful not only when they receive gifts, but also in their everyday lives. For example, they are grateful to their teachers for taking care of them or grateful to each other for their help and support in difficult moments of life. Of course, we also taught them to be able to find in every day of life something for which they can thank Heavenly Father, Who is always there and Who gives everything they need for life! As a biblical example we used 
the biblical story of the 10 lepers, in which only 
one person returned to thank Jesus for healing him from a serious illness. We really hope and pray that the word heard will penetrate into children’s hearts and develop in them gratitude to God and people around them. Then we told the children the story of the prodigal son, who realized how good it was to be close to his father only when he had lost and squandered everything he had and was left completely alone, in poverty and in his own helplessness! We dream that every child who heard this biblical story would open his heart to God and never repeat the story of his parents and waste his life on what brings suffering, pain and loneliness.
Children are very impressed and inspired by the testimonies of the team or the guests, which we invite to our meetings sometimes. We hope that the story from Anatoliy’s life not only impressed the guys, but also motivated them to reconsider their own lives. This is relevant especially for graduates who will graduate from school in a few months and go to study or work in different cities. During this period they are seriously faced with the choice of friends, who subsequently have a significant impact on their lives. We always try to involve the children in local churches, but the graduates are the people, who make that final choice! Thank you to everyone who supports us prayerfully and financially, as well as to those who read us!
world. Looking at this year, you and I have witnessed a transformation in the lives of children orphans. I thank God that this year there were repentances, that the guys decided to give their lives to Jesus Christ. I would also like to note the water baptism 
of the guys. All this has become possible thanks to your prayers and grace from God. I thank everyone who prayed, worried and rejoiced with us, seeing how the lives of the children were changing. Many graduates from the Rudensk boarding school attend church, and I’m glad that they well enter adulthood. Thank God! This month we came to the Rudensk boarding school and could enjoy communicating with the guys. We see that especially the new guys treat us not just as guests, but as part of their lives, as friends. We can note that even more children became interested in faith and it is seen in the fact that children actively read the Bible, and their grades have improved. The educators say – thank you very much, because your example and your motivation are passed on to the children and they get a sense and incentive to develop and 
improve grades. Despite all the diagnoses that children have, overall academic performance has improved. I’m writing this to show how the atmosphere can change when guys practice what they believe in. Every trip in December was associated with the expectation of the coming of Jesus Christ. We talked about what the
birth of Jesus gave to people. In general very few people think about the importance of Christmas, but when we discussed two topics that Jesus brought peace as well as hope, the guys said that only these two lessons influenced their attitude to the Christmas holidays. It was amazing to hear how the new kids felt about Christmas. We live in a Christian country, but the children who came to the boarding school from the hinterland either do not know anything at all, or misunderstand this holiday. And therefore it was important to reveal the importance of 
the Messiah’s coming to earth. When we arrived for the third time, we talked about Christmas itself as described in the Gospels. First we talked about sin, about how people made the wrong decision, and in order to redeem the world from sins, God decided to send his Son into the world. Many children were surprised that Jesus
Christ had no place in the house, but only in the barn. And here we stopped and said that even now there is no place for God in the hearts of many people. The reaction of the children was: – That’s right, many even in our group doubt. Then we continued about shepherds and angels, and said that the shepherds came first. One child said: – Maybe this was supposed to happen so that ordinary people could also worship Jesus? I said, maybe you are right. God gives 
everyone a chance to come, both poor and rich. I am so glad that the guys are speaking out and they are not afraid to say something wrong. Then we came to the sages. And we said that God thought of everyone, both rich and poor. The wise men brought gifts to Jesus, and they also bowed down before the Baby. All people in this world need peace and hope in God. Despite the difficult time, only God can send peace. Dear brothers and sisters, we thank you for your support! Your prayers and your encouragement help us in serving orphaned children. May God bless you and your families! We are glad that another year has passed under the guidance of God. Let’s pray that next year God will transform and change children so that they can get answers to all their questions. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Blessings.
first thing I want to note is that before our arrival, the guys wait for us on the street every Wednesday. Despite the frost and snow, each of the older children is looking forward to seeing
us and help with the bags. As one of the guys said, I like this time, that we can help you to carry bags with equipment and most importantly, just talk to each other. When we went to the school this time, the children talked about how God helps them when they turn to Him. The guys also said that they like to sing Christian songs.
the slides and simplicity of explanation helped the children understand the main point, and even after the lesson, and later, while returning to the car, the children said: – I am a proud person. Other teenagers asked to pray for them, so that God would give them the strength to change and not offend others. The next topic was revenge. And for many children, if not all, this topic is relevant. One child said: “When it’s difficult for me to forgive, I begin to take revenge.” And we understand that there is pain, which can sometimes move children to cruelty and they 
start take revenge. Our goal was to show how revenge can destroy people’s lives, how lack of forgiveness leads to revenge. There were many questions, how to forgive your parents who left you? How to forgive a friend who betrayed you? All this shows an inability to adapt to difficult life circumstances. And speaking on this topic, we were able to give answers to all the concerns of teenagers. We see that even the children’s prayers were completely different this time. We believe that good seeds were sown. We believe that this is a process and in this process we all need prayer support. When we came for the third time, we talked about envy. We can immediately
say that many teenagers saw themselves in examples. The guys said that they often envy and often dream about what other people have. Often because of envy children admit that they took things without asking. We talked about 
the fact that there will always be consequences for such actions. We said that envy destroys people’s lives. Envy is like a growing snowball; if you don’t work with it, then life will be difficult and not easy. Dear friend, as you noticed, the topics we discussed this month were simple and relevant. Typically, parents help children overcome every stage of adulthood. But since these children do not have parents, we, as mentors, help them learn to overcome bad habits and already formed reactions. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to minister to these children and also to speak about God’s love this month. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your participation. May God bless you!
LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN 