This year there weren’t many graduates at Rudensk orphanage, that’s why not so many children left school. Currently, the majority of children continue attending our meetings. According to our good tradition, we devoted the first meeting to the conversation with the children so they could share their news and tell us about the events that took place in their lives during the summer vacation. It’s interesting that the children in Rudensk, unlike the children in all the other orphanages we visit, eagerly asked where our team was and how our summer went. They were trying to find out about every person, who had been visiting them during the previous study year. We devoted our next meeting to the relay race as the children from Rudensk orphanage like it so much. Sport is highly appreciated here.
The children go swimming actively, play football, and are keen on skiing during the winter period. They often take part in different contests and competitions among other schools and regions and often take prize-winning places. During one of our meetings, they asked Alyona to pray for the coming football competition. They were asking for getting exactly the first place not second or third. When we came the next time we heard a lot of words of admiration for how God had answered Aloyna’s and their prayers and God himself had helped them win! In such moments, we are filled with joy because God answers prayers and sends such great testimonies to these children’s lives! Glory be to Him for that!
During our next meetings, we started the series of topics of our program ‘You are special’. The fact is that these children experienced rejection, and had problems with self-acceptance, and their appearance which had traumatized them deeply. Sometimes such a state leads children, especially teenagers, to either closedness and insecurity or aggressiveness and wish to mock others or humiliate them. Exactly for that reason, we decided to discuss the series of topics from the program ‘You are special’ so that everyone will be able to know that God treats every person with such love and affection and He created each of these children unique and incomparable!
Thanks to everyone who has been with us for so many years and is still faithful in their prayers!
attending their school on Thursdays. To be honest, we were so glad that he is so nice and friendly and gives us the opportunity to communicate with our dear guys! Thank God for opening the doors to the boarding schools and disposing the hearts of the wonderful administration that works there! The first meeting with the children from 
the Belynichi boarding school began with the joyful shouts and hugs that the kids awarded us! Our team received a lot of bright and positive emotions, because quite recently we held a summer camp, which has brought us very close to both children and teachers from Belynichi! In July and August, all children were taken to the state summer camps. It is amazing that our kids in these camps sang Christian songs and told about God to other children and the adults who were there! 
And when they returned to the school, there were more than 50 new guys. Some of the new kids do have parents, but either they have social problems within their family, or have difficulties with mental and physical health. Interestingly, the new guys were really
looking forward to our visit, along with those who had been in the orphanage for a long time. Someone was just looking for new acquaintances and communication, someone was expecting sweets and gifts, someone felt lonely and was going through a period of adaptation to a new place and to new conditions. At the same time, the children who have been familiar with us for a long time, did 
their best to help the newcomers get acquainted with our team. They said: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy, come up”, “We know them, they have been coming to us for a long time”, “They are kind”. It turned out that the old kids themselves told about us, about our meetings and even about God to those who had just come to the boarding school. At the very first meeting, we just got to know the children, just talked, listened to them and learned more about the new kids. Of course, we would like the guys to also be able to throw out all their accumulated emotions and share their impressions of how their summer went! Due to the fact that so many new children have appeared in Belynichi, we decided to return to the very beginning of the Bible in order to introduce new children to God and His word. For the guys who constantly come to our meetings, it was like repeating and consolidating what we had already introduced them to. And the new children were able to learn about how God created the 
whole world and everything that fills it, to learn about the names of the first people and what happened to them when the serpent deceived Eve. Also, the children got acquainted with the story of Cain and Abel. At another meeting we organized sports games, which were focused on uniting children who played in the same team. And the youngest kids, together with the teachers, actively supported the teams of participants. At the end of the games, all the children got sweet prizes, and our sports meeting ended up with a fun photoshoot. Thanks to God for this time and for the answers to prayers!
So the school year has begun, and trips to boarding school have been renewed. We really missed the guys and are glad that in the new school year, we can continue to serve God and children! This month we were able to visit orphans in Smilovich. On the first trip, we were able to see that some of the children we had previously met at the shelter were also there, mainly Tolik and Vika. On the one hand we were glad to see these guys, but on the other hand we were a little upset. Tolik’s story: he got into a shelter a couple of years ago. We remember him as an inquisitive and very joyful child. Tolik was left by his mom, since they separated from dad. At that time we were like parents to him. After all, sometimes the words “mom” and “dad” slipped by. About a year passed and Tolik was informed that he was being sent to a sanatorium. He was very happy, because he had never been to a sanatorium! When we arrived with another trip to the Rudensky boarding school, we saw Tolik in there. He was very depressed, he was scared because of an unfamiliar atmosphere, but when he saw us, he was very happy. We were worried about him for a long time, because it was difficult for him to adapt there. We started praying that he would be taken to his family. A couple of months passed and Tolya disappeared from sight. We never saw him again in Rudensk. Later, the administration reported that Tolya was taken to a family-type orphanage. We were happy for him that he was safe now!
The Vika’s story that I mentioned before: we met at the Smilovichi orphanage. Her mom was a heavy drinker, so she was taken to a shelter, but she was out of the shelter for a long time, as she was very quickly taken into a family. As it turned out, later they got into the same family with Tolya! When we arrived, the first question we asked was: “What happened, why are you here? The guys said that the parents went on vacation, as they work in a family-type orphanage, and when the vacation is over, they will be taken home again. Vika told me what she likes about the family. There she is allowed to attend church and she especially likes church youth meetings. It’s so great that the orphanage became a start for her in the knowledge of God, where she learned to pray, and also learned that God is loving. A few weeks passed and we were informed that Vika, Tolya and Artyom, who was also with them at that time, were being sent back to the family, since their parents had come back from their vacation. We prayed for the children and blessed them for further knowledge of God and following Him! Also, there were brother and sister Olesya and Maxim in the shelter. It was their first time there.
Their parents are alcoholics. The children, at the first meeting, were very disturbed by the changes in their lives. Sasha and I tried to create a safe atmosphere of acceptance. Getting to know the kids, we ate colorful M&M’s candies. The guys took candy and each color meant something. For example, the color blue – we talked about our dreams. It is noteworthy that the answers were the same for all the children who were there, namely, so that parents would stop drinking and, in order to return home faster, see a cat or a dog. Such sincere dreams! Yellow candies implied the question: “what do you want to change in your life?” The answers of the guys: to be less lazy, learn a language, stop being shy. Red candy symbolised their favorite dish! At the break the children told me what they like! And when we got to know each other better, we told the new guys that we were believers and that we wanted to tell them about our friend Jesus.
At the second meeting, we talked about how God created our world, that God cares about people. At the third meeting we talked about Adam and Eve and the first sin. And the fourth lesson was about Cain and Abel. We talked about how we sometimes behave badly, talk badly, but God would like to help us. He saw Cain’s heart and warned him not to be jealous, because any sin leads to death. Then the guys and I discussed the heroes of the Bible, which we talked about during lessons. “Why did Adam and Eve disobey God”? “Why did Cain kill Abel and is it possible to do otherwise”? We talked about what is important, if we are jealous or really want something, we need to ask God for strength and then God will help us. Either to forgive or not to envy, and if you have already done wrong – not to run away from God, but to ask for forgiveness! Brothers and sisters, thank you very much for your prayers! We really need them! Please pray for the children too, so that the word of God changes and transforms them!
come to our meeting feel at home. Then it was decided to buy cakes, fruits and sit in an informal setting and chat with the guys. We did not know who came to us, because after summer, many graduates left the boarding school, and the other part of the guys was in different state camps. But Friday came we visited Vileysky 
boarding school. Already on the threshold we were expected by children. They said that they were waiting for our arrival. We gathered in the assembly hall, placed chairs, tables and distributed treats. We created family atmosphere. And they began their communication with the fact that everyone ate and drank, because only for the holidays the guys eat cakes. “What’s the 
celebration?” – asked Sasha. “We celebrate the beginning of our trips to you, as well as the beginning of the school year. But also, let’s remember who had a birthday recently. ” The guys said when they had a birthday, and we congratulated them and ate a cake. Together we joked a lot, laughed and, each of the guys told how his summer passed. There were about thirty children and then the younger guys came up and joined us. Denis said that in the first summer he saw how baby chiks are sleeping, how they are pressed against each other to warm up. It was so cute to see little Denis and how it delighted him! When we arrived another time, we gathered the guys in the gym and
conducted relay races for them to unite the guys. After all, when we want to win, we have to work in the team! Despite the age difference and academic performance, the guys tried to rely on each other. In general, in all boarding schools there are difficulties with this, since children are used to surviving and relying only on themselves. Because of this, of course, 
there were difficulties at the beginning of the relay! But we did not give up and constantly talked about how important it is to learn to listen in order to fulfill the task, as well as be able to insure children who are weaker. Even in life it is important! In the middle of the game, seeing that one team is an order of magnitude stronger, we changed some guys. It was like this: everyone stood in a line and every second passed from one team to another. We talked about the fact that it happens in life – we meet with people, but time passes and, they are replaced by others that we may not really like, and maybe even weaker
than the previous ones. But we must learn to live and understand that it will not always be the way we wish. Disappointment and joy were replaced by each other. Later, we talked with the guys that these games show us our strengths and weaknesses, as well as how important it is to learn how to notice what it turns out and what is not. All this is needed to 
avoid problems in the future! The teacher, who saw everything that is happening said: “Thank you very much that you help us to form the right values and installations in the life of the guys”! Also, this month we started a series of talks “You are special.” The first topic was called “You are special.” The fact is that the guys are in a specialized school, namely because of the development of speech. Many guys speak poorly and slurred, stutter, and some children are behind development. We want to show this series by the fact that they are unique. People, even peers, often strengthen their attention on the shortcomings of others, although they themselves have these shortcomings. We raise self -esteem saying that they are special, that they are not superfluous in this world and that God himself created them. One boy asked: “If I am special, then why do I have so many problems”? It is difficult to give the answer to the question “why” … But from the conversation further, it followed that the parents often drank and did not particularly look after him, so it all happened. Sin is an enemy of a person who is aimed at destroying and humiliation of people, children. We each other’s shortcomings. We are all different, but God loves us all. The younger guys began to ask: “And God loves me and me..”? “Yes, God loves you all”! It is nice to see the changes in children and that they have become even closer to understanding God!
including children with Down syndrome, are located. There are 83 children in the school, 56 children were participating in the camp. Our camp was called:”You’re Special.” Our goal was to plant the acceptance of themselves as the Lord created them into the heart of every child, as well as to help them reconcile with God and find a relationship with their Father, getting rid of the aftermath of 
orphanhood and self-dislike forever. We have been coming to this boarding school for 17 years, conducting Bible lessons, helping children develop their talents and gifts, teaching them to overcome bad habits and build their life on the Word of God. Conducting a camp on the school grounds gave us the opportunity to surround each child with love, care and be an example for them of how believers live and act for 10 days. 
On the first day, we shared the theme of the camp and asked the children if they concidered themselves special and what it meant to them. The children unanimously answered that they are specia because of particular diseases and various deviations in physical development that they have. It was painful to hear, and we could hardly hold back tears of compassion, but it gave us confidence that we could help them change and learn the truth about themselves and about our Creator. When we held Bible lessons, we took as an example the heroes of the
Bible who were also without parents, unloved, betrayed, humiliated, but they dedicated their lives to God and accepted by Him, to whom God entrusted great deeds and their names are recorded in the Bible and in history. One of the days we devoted to the importance of forgiveness. 
We shared our testimonies, how we forgave those who offended and even those who did not ask for forgiveness. They said that forgiving makes it easier for us and thus we become more like Jesus Christ, who never kept a grudge. One of the girls, Anya, said that she was able to forgive her parents and stopped being angry at people and even began to sleep better, stopped worrying. Tanya said that she was very angry with God for being born without an ear and having hearing problems with the
second one as well. She asked God for forgiveness for her grudges and anger and began to read the Bible to find out what God is like and how much He loves her. At all evening meetings, we talked about how each of us was wonderfully created by God and the verse that was the most 
influential was Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”. We discussing that they are not a mistake and God will not leave each of them. We taught them to pray and talk about their experiences, pain and fears to God. Even children with Down syndrome (who could not speak) began to cross themselves during prayer, with such gestures they showed their prayer.
As well as Bible lessons we held sports games, which were mainly targeted the ability to work in a team, where everyone is important, and mutual assistance and the ability to support each other are needed to win. At first it was difficult for them and the guys quarreled with each other. Those who were stronger did not help the weak, but after a couple of days each team really became united. Everyone who were a bit stronger, helped the others the most, encouraged each other and, of course, won! At the end of the camp, the teachers told us that they were watching us and 
seeing that love and care for all children, they can say with confidence that we are believers not only by what we say, but also by what we do! We were grateful to God for having an opportunity to be a good example for people! At the last evening meeting there was a call to repentance. God filled the atmosphere in the hall with His love so much so, that even the most 
reserved guys hugged each other and us, and also sang loudly, praising the Heavenly Father! About 25 children that evening prayed a prayer of repentance, for which we are very grateful to God and to all those who supported us through prayer! And the end of the camp we had our traditional “Birthday Celebration Day”, where we were able to congratulate all the children at the same time, regardless of the season and date of their birth. In addition to birthday cakes, the children were able to receive great gifts that gave each child a lot of positive emotions!
LOVE 4 THE CHILDREN 