The first trip was very informative for me. I met some guys and from some of them I immediately felt 
good attitude and love towards me. Some guys have a very difficult fate and a very difficult character. But the love manifested makes its work in their hearts. Each of the guys wants to be heard and understood, and we try to fully devote ourselves to them during our time with them through games, communication and discussion of certain
topics. All this makes positive result. I can see changes in them. They become more open, friendlier and more peaceful. The first issue we addressed was the fears. We were discussing it in a playful way. Dmitry Nachina gave a talk on the issue explaining the 
reasons which cause fear. The guys were very actively involved in sharing what they are afraid of and what they are not. They were opened to share with us their thoughts and feelings. In the end of our meeting the guys came up and told that they missed us so much during summer holidays. They shared about how they spent their holidays and what’s going on now in their lives. Some children shared about their fears and asked to pray for them. During the whole meeting we felt very cordial and positive atmosphere. All the children were happy and glad to see us. The second meeting began with communication and acquaintance 
with some new people. Two not really active teenagers who don’t attend our meetings regularly came this time. We talked and played with the guys trying to create cordial atmosphere and get to know them better. Then we switched to discussion. The topic was deception and Anastasia 
Dobrovolskaya gave a talk on it explaining to the guys what it is and what it can lead to. Some guys shared their life stories and did not hesitate to admit that they deceived others. This topic was useful for me as well because each of us faces the problem of deception in our own lives. Some guys came up and asked me to pray for them. Sasha and Nikita asked me to pray that their fear of darkness went away. After they thanked us that we visit them and pray for them. This time guys weren’t only glad to see us but they were also hugging us not wanting to let us go. 
It touched our hearts as we saw that the walls between us are falling and that they need our love. During our third meeting in September, we discussed the topic of laziness. This topic was quite interesting and informative, both for myself and for the children. Alyona Burykina was revealing this topic to the guys. Before starting our communication, we played and found out which news the guys had for the last week.
When we started discussion of the topic they shared that they are lazy both in school and in their everyday routine life. So we discussed how we can overcome laziness. I really liked that the guys actively participated in all games, in communication and in all discussions throughout September. There are even some new children who try to attend our meetings regularly. I want to note that during this month some guys were more approachable and easy to talk to than before. They communicate, play and talk about their lives with us. It is interesting that every manifestation of love, attention and kindness to them has a very positive effect on them, and also had a very positive effect on me personally. You can see how the children want to share the love they receive from us, they
do not hesitate to send greetings to other team members from our ministry and openly say that they love us. I also noticed that children really like to sing and play. When they see us adults playing with them and communicating with them, their hearts open more and more because they rarely see this. The children from this orphanage inspire me the most to move and continue our ministry. Their love and changes that I see in them also have a good effect on me. The team that serves to these children is a support and inspiration for me. During a very long period of my absence from this ministry, I noticed that the members of the team did a great job and each of them made a huge contribution to the ministry, each of them is ready to share all the love he has. The team of the ministry “Life for children” is very cohesive and effective.
would open the doors for 
evangelization and that God would answer our prayers throughout the month. At the beginning of the year, we visited many villages where there were meetings with performances and gifts. Usually, many children from villages end up in boarding schools and orphanages. We decided to prevent that. The villages of Belarus look very poor, but it is there that children and parents are very open to the gospel. Hopelessness, unemployment, drunkenness: here are the frequent “companions” of the villagers. Usually, after arriving, we showed a performance showing that there is hope even in the darkest of times. It was said that Christ was born and the birth of Jesus brought peace into the world. There were brief testimonies of people how God helps in life. It is clear from what we saw that the people are not spoiled by such ideas, and the children enthusiastically looked at the heroes of the Christmas story.
After that, we talked about how God gave Jesus Christ to the world, and that he brought salvation to people. Which is the most valuable gift. But we also want to give a gift that will be a good reminder for the guys about this event. It was so nice to see how the guys received gifts! There were cheers from the guys. And some children couldn’t wait and decided to open the gifts to see what was in the box. Parents, as well as grandmothers who raise children, came and thanked us, saying: “We are so poor that we save on everything”. They thanked me for the mug that was in the gift, for toothpaste, brushes, socks, and for every toy. The children were going home, and, seeing off the guys, we heard them retell the meaning of the story and how they were glad to learn about the true meaning of Christmas.
Also this month we visited boarding schools. Rudensk became the first boarding school where we arrived. We have talked a lot about the life of Jesus Christ this month. And that’s why, when we showed the performance, we saw that many guys knew the right answers. I like to see how children not only remember Jesus Christ but also try to put their faith into practice. They pray and it’s nice to hear what they say to God in simplicity. For the children, the great evidence was that despite the wind and snow, we come to them. “You probably love us so much that you come even in bad weather”: the guys said.
Just recently, we recalled a story about a paralyzed man who was brought by four friends and Jesus healed him. In the beginning, the friends could not carry him through the doors, but only after disassembling the roof could they carry him, and seeing the faith of friends, God healed a friend. Difficulties teach us to be persistent in achieving our goals.
remember Bible stories very well, and going through the topics of the life of Jesus Christ, we see that children shout out answers. And it’s also interesting to watch the educators who come to meetings with the guys. We see that they are also changing, it can be seen from the reflections that they voice. Thank God for reaching their hearts. We were talking about the healing of two blind people. Such stories especially touch children in Belynichi, they know how to sympathize with the characters of the Bible, as they themselves need a miracle. It is very nice to see the joy of the guys when we say that Jesus healed two blind people or fed 5,000 people. This is joy and surprise, which is difficult to describe, you can look at it forever. That’s why we buy children’s Bibles so that children can read and look at bright pictures in their free time, telling stories that Jesus did.
The school year in Belarus is over. 
That was a special year when we could see the joy of seeing each other after the long quarantine as well as temporary separation. After this time of being apart we have noticed the transformation in our values. We used to have such a time when all the children were not allowed to attend our meetings but now after the quarantine, we feel the difference. We are so glad that around 60-70 children constantly attend our meetings. It brings us great joy. The first thoughts that I had were about the little children with Down syndrome whether they would be able to understand that we told them about God. After a while we realized that they understand everything. It is surprising that when we come and ask what we talked about last time they are eager to raise their hands and share in their language what theyremember. 
we talked
about betrayal and pain that they got after being left. We mentioned that it was impossible not to think about it. We have to deal with any betrayal and eventually overcome it because the pain that overflows us can destroy our present life. There is only one way out. It is forgiveness that can bring us freedom from betrayal. 
of forgiveness and love which only God can give. God changes their hearts so the children become more reserved. 
teenagers are graduating this year. They come to our meetings. We see that they are worried, many of them cry because the school was their home but now, they feel uncertain. Vadim says that if he was allowed to stay at the orphanage he would stay there. Vadim is going to the old people’s home. Igor came up to us very upset. We asked him what happened. He said he was going to the nursing home. He says ‘Dima I was dreaming to leave this place but now I am really afraid’. Igor’s mother left him. She promised him to take him back 
for so many times but he ended up at the orphanage. Only 6 teenagers are going to colleges to get the education and become wall painters, gardeners or tailors. Thinking about orphans we see that they need a relevant person in their lives and I am glad that we can be such people who set an example for them. We are happy to pray together with them and talk about God. We see that they grow in their faith. We are praising God that we are in the place where he wants us to be.
LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN 