OUR DIARY

Hello, my friends. I’d like to share with you how we spent time with the kids this month. Currently, there are three kids, ages 10-13, in Smilovichi. They are quite grown up, so it’s easy to connect with them.
First, in December, we made a craft from cotton swabs. They were really nice winter snow scenes. The craft required meticulousness and perseverance, but the kids coped with it well.

On the next few trips, we taught the children the significance of Christmas: that through Jesus’s birth, we receive happiness, light, and love.
Sasha used figurines to help the kids imagine the Christmas night. Katya turned off the light and lit a candle to show how Jesus shines for people in this world, like a candle in the darkness. Such illustrations help them understand difficult concepts perfectly.

I noticed that the oldest, Violetta, was interested in reading these stories in the Bible. So we found one for her and saw that she was actually reading it. I was especially impressed when she mentioned the prophecies about the birth of Jesus.
It’s heartwarming to see that the children are friends who help and support each other. We notice this when playing with them. Their favorite games are active ones, like ball games.

December is one of my favorite months because the kids receive gifts. It’s impossible to describe their emotions. They are so happy getting those huge boxes filled with things they have never had before or maybe never even dreamt of. Personally, I get a lot of joy from their happy faces at these moments.

On the last trip, we celebrated Christmas, ate cake, sang “Happy Birthday, Jesus,” gave gifts, and danced in a circle around the Christmas tree. It was a really wonderful month!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, friends!

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters,
December is coming to an end. The year has passed so quickly, and we thank God for the wonderful time He has given us in our lives. This month was special because not only adults, but also children were joyfully anticipating the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of the month, we completed a series of lessons about relationships — how to build healthy relationships, how to respond to pain and betrayal, and what to do with our hurts and offenses. These topics addressed very important issues, because every child carries their own pain and often does not know how to respond to it in a healthy way. How do we know this? Every time we visit, the children come to us and openly share what is happening in their lives — their victories as well as their struggles. Normally, parents help children learn how to respond to life situations and even shape their reactions, but many of these children have no parents and no example to follow.

As Christmas approached, we also talked about what the birth of Jesus brought into our lives. We shared that the birth of the Savior brought joy to the world. At that moment, Sasha, a teenager, asked a very honest question: “How can you rejoice when you are sent to live in an orphanage? How can you rejoice when you are alone?”
This was a challenge for us — to help him feel that he is not alone. We explained to all the children that throughout life we will always face challenges, but what truly matters is how we respond to them. You are not alone because you have God and friends who come to visit you and spend time with you. An orphanage is not the worst place — there is food, care, and warmth; you are not on the street in the cold. After the meeting, we offered to pray for Sasha and the other children so that they could feel our love and care.
We also talked about how sin steals our joy, but Jesus restores our joy when we ask Him to forgive our sins. Our closeness to God helps us regain joy and a positive outlook on life.

When we visited again, we spoke about how the birth of Jesus Christ brought light into the world. We explained that light reveals dark places where bad habits, hostility, unforgiveness, pain, and disrespect can hide. When light comes, it becomes easier to live in friendship and peace because you are no longer seeking personal gain. God’s light frees us from the chains of bondage and gives us hope.

On the eve of Christmas, we talked about how the birth of Jesus Christ brought God’s love into the world — an extraordinary love. As the Bible says:
“We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
Together with the children, we recalled the Christmas story. We held quizzes, and many of the children actively participated, sharing what they knew about Jesus’ birth — how the angel spoke to Mary, how there was no room for them at the inn or even in a regular home. Some children were hearing the Christmas story for the very first time. It was clear that they were deeply interested, and their reactions were very touching as they listened and wondered: “Oh, I would be so afraid if I saw an angel!”
As we concluded, I asked the children: “What do you think Jesus would like to receive as a gift from us?”
They mentioned many things — our hearts, good deeds, the best gift, a dedicated life — and one child simply said, “Our time.” Indeed, spending time with God is the greatest gift we can give Him.

Dear friends, we are truly grateful that you have been with us throughout this entire year. Thank you for your prayers, your messages, and your support. May the new year bring victories and wise decisions.
May God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

December trips to the children were especially joyful. Every Wednesday we prepared lessons that revealed the true meaning of Christmas and gave answers to many important questions: Why did Jesus come into this world? Why did God choose to be born as an ordinary human being? How did the birth of Jesus Christ change humanity?
It is encouraging to see that the number of children is growing. We also see new children who have recently arrived at the school, and they especially need support.
We are grateful that our Wednesday team now consists of ten committed members, which means there is enough attention and prayer for every child. Very often the children ask for more team members to come. We tell them, “Pray, and God will answer your prayers.” And it is such a joy to see how God answers them.
The children say, “Faith is not something we invented — it is something that truly works.”

One evening at the school, Ilya shared about how Jesus brought joy to everyone — a joy that does not depend on circumstances, new purchases, or what we own. This joy flows from our hearts and from a personal relationship with God. To live in this joy, it is very important to forgive those who have hurt us, to ask forgiveness if we ourselves caused pain, and to repent of our sins. We do all of this so that space can be freed in our hearts for true and genuine joy because our hearts are often filled with pain, hatred, jealousy, and other darkness.
The children responded to this message, and we prayed together. They sincerely asked forgiveness from their Heavenly Father, opening their hearts to Him and confessing their sins and wounds.

Sasha, a 16-year-old boy, came up and apologized for his behavior and for often being disruptive during our meetings. Already the following week, he was attentive and very obedient. It brings us great joy to see how the Lord heals their hearts and transforms their lives!
What inspires us to continue serving these children is their hunger for God’s Word and prayer. This year, without exception, all the children come to the meetings and genuinely desire change in their lives. Glory to God!

I taught a Bible lesson on the topic: Jesus was born to bring us Light, and that our choices determine how we live — in the light, joy, and His love, or in the darkness of sin, offense, and harmful habits. I shared my personal testimony about how for a long time I blamed my parents and did not want to take responsibility before God or confess my own sins. It was clear that a personal example sparks interest and helps the children see how to practically apply what they learn during our meetings.
Testimonies give them confidence that with God they can experience freedom from addictions and unforgiveness, and that His unconditional love will heal their wounded hearts.

On the last Wednesday of December, we answered all the children’s questions about Christmas and once again shared the full biblical story of the birth of the Savior. This was especially important for children who had recently arrived at the orphanage because many believe that Christmas is simply the birthday of Santa Claus or just the New Year celebration.
When they heard the truth, their eyes were filled with hope and faith that only Jesus can help, that only Jesus can fill their lives with love and meaning.
When we asked the children, “What gift do you think Jesus would like to receive?” they excitedly answered: friendship with us, more joy, and some said health. One teenager, Sasha, said, “Our attention and deep faith.”
We are grateful that the children and teenagers came to this understanding on their own.

Dear brothers and sisters, we thank God for the opportunity to serve Him and to be a light where it is so deeply needed. Please pray that in the new year even more children’s lives will be transformed, and that each one may experience God’s love.
Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you.

Hello, dear friend!
I am very glad that you have come to this site and are reading stories about how God works through our team. Together we can see how the lives of young people are being changed. We understand that this is a time consuming process.
For example, there is a young man named Rostislav. Sometimes it is difficult for him. He says that he does not believe in God, yet he comes to every meeting and actively participates in the program. And Rostislav is not the only one—there are other young people in a similar state. It is so wonderful that we can pray together with them.
I am grateful to everyone who takes part in this ministry! Thank you for your prayers and generosity! I wish that the Lord blesses you and repays you a hundredfold!

We began this month with creativity. When the children do modeling, drawing, cutting, gluing, and so on, they develop fine motor skills. They really enjoy it. And emotionally, it calms them down and distracts them from some of their problems. The children get carried away with the process.
Also, when we do creative activities together with them, we have a unique opportunity to talk with them—to learn their stories, understand what they like, and simply discuss any topics. After all, it is very important to make friends and communicate. We made a very cute hedgehog, talked with the children, and had a great time. Glory to God!

We also had meetings on other days. At these meetings we talked about friendship, conflicts, and how to deal with them, as well as about the value of obedience. It turned out that some of the children, for various reasons, do not know how to make friends. That is why we raised this topic, fully aware of its importance.

We spoke about what true friendship is, how to find real friends, and how to become a good friend yourself. When the children listened about friendship, many of them gained hope that they would surely have faithful, kind friends, and that they themselves would learn to be friendly.
We also talked about conflicts: offenses, quarrels, and how important it is to forgive and make peace. If someone offends you — you need to forgive. And if you offend someone — you need to apologize. When we are in conflict, it harms us first of all: negativity arises inside us, which destroys. That is why it is so important to learn to forgive and to ask for forgiveness.
And finally, about obedience. Obedience helps us avoid mistakes and difficulties. When we obey, we become kinder, more caring, and more honest. It is an expression of love and respect for those who help us grow.

Friends, our team prays that the lives of children and caregivers will change for the better. Every time, caregivers come to the meetings, and sometimes they even participate in the program. It is so wonderful to see that we can influence not only the children but also the caregivers. We believe that every topic spoken within the walls of the orphanage penetrates the heart of every person who comes to the meeting. We are grateful to God that He opens the doors to the orphanages! We are thankful for the opportunity to tell the children about His love and care through our ministry! Let us continue to pray together for this ministry, for the children, for the leadership of the orphanages, and for the team!

I cannot stop giving thanks to the Lord for His mission in my life — the ministry to orphaned children. This month I spent much time visiting the children in Smilovichi, and the first thing I must say is: they are truly wonderful! All month long they amazed me with their openness, quick minds, and genuine hearts.

We began November with cartoons and tea. Since it was school holiday time, we decided to keep the lesson easy: meaningful cartoons and some treats to help the children relax. Also I was astonished when I asked, “Would you like to watch one more cartoon, or spend more time talking with us?” They unanimously chose conversation. That moment touched me deeply because children usually love cartoons so much that it’s hard to pull them away from the screen. Instead, we had a warm and thoughtful discussion: each child shared impressions about the stories, the characters, and the lessons they had learned.

The following visits were less unusual in format, but no less inspiring. The lessons were a joy! Katya’s teaching on obedience stirred strong emotions, especially as the children shared their own difficult experiences. Violetta, for example, told us how her parents used to send her to buy cigarettes — echoing Katya’s story of her own childhood struggles. She explained that she couldn’t refuse, because they were her parents whom she valued so much. Together we prayed for wisdom that the children would learn to discern between those who truly wish them good and those who bring harm.

Sasha’s lesson on friendship was equally moving. The children showed remarkable sensitivity. When asked to describe a good friend, they named the simplest yet most profound things: kindness, respect, and the absence of bullying. The games were lively and full of joy. Many of them were reaction-based, and we noticed that some children showed a little slowness. It reminded us how valuable such games are for their development. What impressed me most was their ability to encourage and support one another. Truly, they are incredible! I pray that we will continue visiting these children, planting the Word of God in their hearts, and teaching them to rejoice in life’s smallest blessings. Blessings to all!

A trip to an orphanage is not just a visit but a meeting that changes hearts. It reminds us that true strength is not found in loud words, but in simple gestures: a smile, an attentive look, a shared game.
When we go to visit the children, they greet us with shining eyes and a special desire to communicate. And it is a wonderful feeling to know there is a place where you are needed and awaited, where you can be useful to someone.
During the games, songs, and conversations about God you understand especially clearly: children need not only care and gifts, but also spiritual support, words that bring hope and strengthen the heart.

During our recent trip I had a unique opportunity to talk with a boy named Sasha. He is very different from the other children, according to him, he comes to us not for games, but for conversation and learning about God. While other children enjoy singing and playing, that’s not what draws Sasha. What he truly loves are the Bible stories and the conversations.

Over the past two weeks the children and I have gone through a journey full of discoveries and meaningful conversations. We talked about friendship, about how it is a precious gift that requires care, honesty, and time. We learned to see in each other not just roommates or classmates, but those who can become true support. And perhaps most importantly – we saw that God does not leave us when things get difficult. He is near when we are angry. He helps us forgive. He teaches us to love.

The moment of departure is always the hardest, when you walk out of the building and see the children waving at you or sometimes even knocking on the window. It touches the heart deeply and at the same time fills you with joy in anticipation of the next meeting. Hope remains in their eyes and in our hearts – gratitude for being able to share a piece of warmth with them. For me, each trip is a reminder: true value is not found in things, but in being present, in words of support and in shared moments of joy.

“November 09 is the World Day of Prayer for Orphans. If you care about the futures of orphans, you can make a difference! You may not only pray for orphans during the day, but also visit them in orphanages, run charity campaigns at you local church or organization. Besides that, during your church service you may devote sermons, songs, poems etc. to this issue.”

October was full of events and positive emotions. We hosted sports competitions where children showed character and teamwork. This time, two teams tied as they were equally strong, with Nadya and Nastya supporting and helping participants. At the end, all children received sweet awards, as per tradition. We always encourage those eager to help, making sure everyone feels important.

During other meetings, we discussed the issues that everyone faces at different periods of their lives. We were discussing storms in our lives and the tools that God has given people to navigate such periods. We talked about prayer, the Bible, and church during the previous month. And when we were talking about life hardships, we mentioned how these tools help us.
The next meeting was devoted to the topic ’Our thoughts’. Vlad was telling the children how our thoughts affect our behavior and our lives in general. He used the biblical examples to show them how evil thoughts can lead to dangerous and serious doing. For example, the thoughts of the Pharisees affected them in the way that they started to search for the opportunity to kill Jesus Christ, and as a result, they crucified Him on the cross. Moreover, Vlad was giving practical advice on how to stop negative thoughts on time and also taught to turn to Jesus Christ for help, who is mighty to cast His light upon our thoughts, hearts, and any sphere of a person’s life.

Then, we talked with the children about sin, which is presented as something nice and attractive. In her Bible lesson, Nastya was using different candies as a visual illustration. The candies in beautiful wraps were not delicious at all, and, on the other hand, the candies in simple, not bright wraps were delicious. That is how sin works in our lives. At first sight, everything looks appealing, bright, and pretty, but the consequences are always bitter and sorrowful.

Also, I would like to note that the children from Rudensk make an effort in reading the Bible, and when we have Bible lessons, some of them try to find the extracts from the Bible that we use during our meetings right away. Moreover, they learnt to boldly share not only their prayer needs but also the things they struggle with.
For example, Sasha was asking us to pray with him to stop using swear words, and Polina is now asking to pray not only for the healing of her leg but also that God could change her character and help her not to fight with her friends and not to be rude and disobedient with the teachers.
In all these moments, I see how God takes care of these children, wants to transform their characters, and give them both physical healing and healing of their spiritual wounds, and change their destiny. That’s why we still need the prayers of people who are not indifferent to the future of the young orphans! Thank you, dear friends, for being with us!

October, I visited a orphanage in Smilovichi. There were children who had already been there for a long time — Roma and Masha. And there were also two new children who had just arrived — Violetta and Vadim. I was struck by how different these children were — and at the same time, how similar!
Masha and Roma are so open and free — they run to meet you, hug you, try to show themselves, to stand out, to say something.
And then there are Violetta and Vadim — so closed off. Violetta avoids eye contact, shies away from touch, and feels very tense in a new situation. It seems that it’s a little easier for Vadim, but only until you start talking with him.

We were reflecting on the topic of good and bad thoughts. And it turned out that all the children’s thoughts were about one thing — going back home. These children are here because life at home was very difficult for them. But despite everything, they want to be with their mother — they want to give her flowers, to hug her, to help her. They love her and miss her deeply. Lord, please preserve this genuine childlike love in their hearts for their whole lives! May it be stronger than all human hurts. Heal their wounds. May they never be orphans, because of knowing a loving and caring God the Father! Amen.

Each trip to the children’s home reminded us that even in autumn, warmth can bloom — like summer. The warmth of smiles, conversations, games, and God’s presence. Our October visits began with lively, laughter-filled relay games. There were balls, challenges testing agility and teamwork. The kids competed, cheered for one another, laughed, helped, and supported each other. It was a day when everyone felt like part of a team — needed, strong, and seen. Throughout the month, we held three deep and heartfelt meetings, each opening space for reflection and honest conversation:

“Hard Times and Storms”: We spoke about storms — not just in the weather, but in life. And how important it is not to face them alone, but to cling to Jesus and be part of the church — like a ship that doesn’t sink, even in the fiercest waves.
“Our Thoughts”: We explored how thoughts can take hold of our lives, shaping emotions and actions. Together, we walked through six steps that help “reprogram” our thinking and keep us from drowning in anxiety or lies.
“Sin in a Beautiful Package”: We talked about how harmful things can look appealing — like a candy wrapped in shiny paper but filled with poison. And we remembered that there is One who always waits for us and loves us, even when we’ve made mistakes.

On one of our trips, we were joined by an incredibly gifted young woman — Masha, a professional theater director. She shared with the children about the world of theater, how performances are created, and the importance of teamwork and listening. Together, they tried articulation exercises, and then — to everyone’s delight — Masha performed a juggling show. First two, then three, then four balls soared gracefully through the air. A few children even joined her for a mini juggling workshop. It was joyful, inspiring, and unforgettable.

I especially want to share Danik’s story. During one visit, he quietly came up and told me he was going to be hospitalized soon — his test results were bad, and he was very afraid. We talked about how he’s not alone, that God is with him every moment. Then our whole team gathered in a circle and prayed for him.
A week later, Danik greeted us with a wide smile and joyful news: “God heard the pray! I’m okay now. It was definitely God! I even prayed myself and thanked Him for healing me.”

That was our October — vibrant like autumn leaves, and warm like summer. Each meeting wasn’t just a program, but living connection, relationship-building, support, and love. We’re deeply grateful to the Lord for open hearts — among the children, the caregivers, and the administration who join our meetings and hear the Truth. We’re already looking forward to November, trusting that God has filled it with blessings and bright new moments.

Greetings, brothers and sisters!
This month we resumed our trips to the orphanage in Belynichy after the children’s summer break. Praise God that the doors of the orphanage are open and we can continue sharing the Good News. The first trip in September was truly unforgettable and special for me. I missed the children so much, and I was very glad to see how mutual that feeling was. The kids welcomed our team with great love and warm hugs.

This was our first visit without seeing our beloved graduates, who left the orphanage at the end of the academic year and began their adult and independent lives. We ask you to pray for them, that the Lord would protect and bless them in this new chapter of their lives.
This summer, I had the opportunity to serve at one of the Christian camps for teenage orphans in Belarus, near Mogilev. Some of the children from the orphanage in Belynichy came there. In that moment, I realized what a great blessing it is that during the summer holidays, the orphanage administration allows the kids to attend Christian camps and hear about Jesus Christ. It was a blessed time – another opportunity to share God’s love with these children.
In September, new children arrived at the orphanage from other small towns in Belarus. Many of them came to our first meeting with a huge interest. We immediately got to know them and continue building relationships. I already knew some of them from before, so our first meeting after a long time apart was especially warm. One of the greatest joys was seeing how many children attend our gatherings.

During one of our visits, when Dima was teaching a Bible lesson and I stood in front of the children handing out prizes for correct answers, I saw their eyes light up and their genuine eagerness to hear about Christ.
For me, it was an absolutely incredible moment – it was clear how good God is and how favorable this time is for spreading the Gospel. This moment became a great testimony and encouragement for me. During our first trip, we talked with the kids and reviewed Bible stories we had shared with them previously. The children were very engaged, and to our joy and surprise, they remembered even the smallest details.

In the following visits, we focused on general topics such as “God Exists,” “Prayer,” “The Bible,” and “The Church.” We wanted to remind the children of the foundations of our faith and introduce the new kids to the basic truths—things they might not have heard before or might not have fully understood.

We were also very happy to see the caregivers again. We’ve noticed how their attitude toward us has been changing, it’s becoming warmer and friendlier. The caregivers have also started participating more actively in worship when we sing, which is a blessing to us because the children see this and join in with even more enthusiasm.
Please also pray for the caregivers, that their hearts would be open to receive the Good News and that our Lord would be glorified through this.

May the Lord bless you!

Greetings, brothers and sisters, I thank God for the opportunity and privilege to be a bridge of communication and to share news from the ministry.
The new school year has begun, and we were eagerly waiting to meet the kids again. Memories of the past camp in Rudensk and all the blessings still stir our hearts with joy. When we arrived, the children were already waiting for us outside. Joyful shouts and the calling of volunteers’ names filled the air, sometimes even drowning out the excited conversations of those who had run up to us first.
We noticed how much the kids had grown over just a couple of months — not only physically, but also in awareness. And yet, they remained just as wonderful. They were eager to share everything that had happened to them. It became clear to us that we are not just volunteers — we are friends, we are family. The camp we held brought us very close, and now the children are more open and affectionate — this includes the teenagers as well.

There were also new faces — children who had just arrived. Recently taken from their families, they were now in a new and unfamiliar environment, full of fear and uncertainty. But our volunteers already knew how to approach them, to be an encouragement and a blessing.
“Are you believers?” This was one of the first direct questions we were asked. “Everyone talks about you.”
Yes, we are believers. God found us, and now we are here to share His most important message: He loves you.

We began the month with the topic “God exists.” For many of the new children, this was a kind of revelation. We shared our testimonies — how God came into our lives and what changed in us and in how we see the world. The children also shared their thoughts and how they often had a wrong image of God, thinking He was harsh or cruel.

During another visit, we spoke about prayer — what it is, why people pray, and why it matters. Some of the kids asked how to pray properly and what they could say to God. It was a beautiful time — after the meeting, several children eagerly said, “Let me pray!” Glory to God that there is desire and understanding! Their prayers were simple, but so sincere:
“God, restore my family. God, bless my health. Help me with school.”

On another trip, we talked about the importance of God’s Word — the Bible. Why can we trust this book? It was amazing to hear the kids who had been coming for a long time say things like: “It’s not just stories — it helps us understand God’s character.” “It’s the most important love letter from God.” One teenager said, “When I read the Bible, I find peace and calm.”
This was a unique lesson because it was the kids themselves who testified to the power of the Word of God in a reader’s life.

At the end of the month, we spoke about the church as a place to meet with God. Many said, “I’ve never been to church… but I would really love to go because I want to see others who are interested in faith like me.” We explained that church is a community of people who seek God and serve others together — it is an expression of God’s love and care through people.
Church is the family you’ve been dreaming of.
This touched many of the older children, especially those who feel unwanted or unadopted. Many said, “If church is a family — then I want to be there.”

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for your prayers and support.
We ask you to continue praying for open doors into the orphanage and for the children’s understanding of the Gospel. We are grateful that, together with you — despite the distance — we can serve and spread the Gospel. May God bless you!

In September we resumed our trips to visit the children. Altogether this month there were four kids: two new ones—Violetta and Ignat, who are brother and sister, as well as children we’ve known since last year—Roma and Masha. As before, we spent time with them, sang Christian songs together, played various games, and discussed some Bible topics. During one of these visits, Roma shared that his greatest desire was to return home to his parents while still being able to see us. It sounded quite funny because technically it’s impossible for Roma to be both at home with his parents and with us at the same time but it was very nice to know how much we had become important to him. The teachers told us that the children look forward to our arrival and that meeting with us is a real celebration for them.

It was a pleasure to meet Violetta and Ignat. We tried to be friendly with them, talked with them about their lives, and found out what they would like in the future. Unfortunately, their mother has problems with alcohol, which is why they were taken away from her. Earlier, they were in another orphanage, but then they were transferred to Smilovichi. Perhaps soon they will be moved again, this time to a family-type children’s home. Fortunately, we managed to get Violetta’s contact information so that we could continue supporting communication with her. They also have a younger brother who is two years old, but due to his young age, he is placed in another institution.
Violetta mentioned that she looks forward to finishing school and entering college where she can live independently. She also spoke about her relationship with her mom and the difficulties they face. It was evident that Violetta finds this path challenging. Thank God, despite not knowing each other long, she openly shares her thoughts and feelings with us. This was especially noticeable during the Bible sessions. She said that she doesn’t believe in God, yet always listens attentively and with interest when we talk, and remembers everything well. In childhood, someone from her relatives forced her to read the Bible, so now she has negative emotions towards faith.

However, during one session, we tried to convey that believing in God isn’t foolishness but rather something reasonable and logical. Additionally, we discussed what prayer is and how to communicate with God, explaining to the children what the Bible is, why it’s unique, and why it truly deserves to be called a treasure for all humanity and personally for ourselves. The final topic of the month was “What is Church?” While covering this subject, we also mentioned its impact on our own lives and explained why it is indispensable.

Throughout almost the entire month, the main thought was that God loves when we’re happy and doesn’t want anything bad for us, emphasizing that prayer, the Bible, and the church are God’s best gifts to us. This point was highlighted even more considering some of the children, including Violetta, developed the rejection of faith over time.

To sum up, September turned out to be very productive. Thanks be to God for those trips already made, and we sincerely hope to keep visiting these wonderful children, befriending them, and telling them even more about what kind of God we have.

Our camp themes were “One Step Closer”: to joy, to love, to hope, to faith, to victory, to freedom, to forgiveness, and to God. In most families, parents help their children develop their feelings and skills, but who will help an orphan? These children live in groups of 15, and a single teacher cannot teach them how to behave or respond to situations. Every day we discussed one topic.: “One step closer to…” For example, on Freedom Day, the guys shared what they want to get rid of — bad habits, anger, obscene language. One teenager asked: “Please pray for me, I’m tired of living in this sin, I really want to be free!” After him, all the other teenagers from his class began to ask for prayer support and opened their addictions to God.

Dear brothers and sisters! With gratitude to God, we share the fruits of the Christian summer camp “One Step Closer”, which took place on the territory of Rudenskaya boarding school for orphans with mental and physical disabilities. We have been praying and preparing for a long time, dreaming of bringing light and hope to every child at this school. There were 23 volunteers in our team — people who love God and these guys, people who work and have dedicated their summer vacations to serving at this camp. The camp program was designed to take into account all the children’s needs and to make it easy for them to understand simple but very important truths.

Our camp themes were “One Step Closer”: to joy, to love, to hope, to faith, to victory, to freedom, to forgiveness, and to God. In most families, parents help their children develop their feelings and skills, but who will help an orphan? These children live in groups of 15, and a single teacher cannot teach them how to behave or respond to situations. Every day we discussed one topic.: “One step closer to…” For example, on Freedom Day, the guys shared what they want to get rid of — bad habits, anger, obscene language. One teenager asked: “Please pray for me, I’m tired of living in this sin, I really want to be free!” After him, all the other teenagers from his class began to ask for prayer support and opened their addictions to God.

Hello everyone! First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you who supports such an important ministry — the ministry to orphaned children. Thank you for your prayers, actions, and resources! Your support is precious. I pray that the Lord blesses you in all your needs!

I’m delighted to share with you some news about our team’s May visits to the Rudensk orphanage. I want to say that it’s a great blessing that the doors of the orphanage are open and that we have the opportunity to visit the kids every week and build up relationships with them. This month we had lessons about Joseph. Together with the kids we were inspired by his story and learned from his life experiences. We talked about how important it is to walk with God —that each of us may face difficulties, betrayal, and hardships, but in all of it, we must seek God and stay close to Him. He can comfort us, strengthen us, and He will never abandon us. Our team is grateful to God that the children remember these stories! We pray for their transformation, and we really want each child’s life to change for the better.

At one of the meetings, the difficult topic of forgiveness was raised. We read in the Bible how Joseph, despite betrayal, suffering, and everything he went through, chose to forgive his brothers. We discussed with the kids why forgiveness is so important. Ilya, a guy from our team, shared personal stories from his own life when he struggled to forgive but overcame it with God’s help . I believe adding personal testimonies to lessons brings everything to life in a new way. Afterward, we invited the children to pray together, asking God to help them forgive those who had hurt them. It was a touching moment. Unfortunately, not everyone wanted to pray, but 5-7 kids did, and that’s already a victory! Glory to God!

We also have kids with health problems who attend our meetings. They are very open and sociable. When we hug them and ask how they’re doing, their faces just light up. What’s amazing is that some of them remember material and even try to answer questions afterward. They’re really awesome. One of these kids is a boy named Nikita. He tries not to miss our meetings — always joyful, active, and smiling. Nikita is constantly smiling – we could all learn from him! We also worship God in songs every time we meet. We play uplifting Christian children’s songs, and everyone sings together. It’s so wonderful to see the room filled with praises to our Lord! I encourage each of you to keep praying for the children and our team. Grace and peace to all of you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

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May is always a particularly exciting time in our ministry because very soon some of the graduates will leave the school forever. This is a period when they start telling us which cities they will go to for further studies, begin to exchange contact information and at that time we try to support and encourage them, as well as introduce them to local churches in the cities they are moving to. After all it is great that the doors of churches are always open for such special young people, and there they can find support and help during this challenging period for orphan graduates. For them this time is a step into a new, unknown adult life!

At first, it is really difficult for the young people to adapt to society, which always carries the risk that teenage boys might fall into bad company, and girls might enter into complicated relationships. They are very vulnerable and easily influenced during this period, so we try to help them find worthy friends in the church and avoid negative influences. This year, there are 23 graduates at the Belinichy orphanage. We have known most of them since their very first days at the orphanage when they were 5-6 years old. Before our eyes, these young people have grown up learning, falling in love, crying and laughing; being kind and angry; joyful and strong; sometimes weak and defenseless. It was with our team that each of them first encountered God and learned concepts such as faith, love, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

We send these young people into adulthood with special tenderness and fully entrust their futures to our good and loving God! Regarding our trips in May, they were quite interesting and full of activities. We dedicated the entire month to the biblical hero Joseph, who faced betrayal by his brothers, loneliness and injustice throughout his life. But in all these circumstances he remained faithful to God and God consistently supported Joseph by giving him strength and wisdom in various life situations. At the end of the story, the children learned how greatly God rewarded Joseph for his faithful and kind heart and how He gave him strength to forgive his brothers who had once betrayed him.

During our final meeting where we discussed Joseph’s example, we had an opportunity to talk with the children about forgiving themselves, forgiving those who hurt them and forgiving God. This topic is quite relevant for orphans because each of them has faced betrayal and pain caused by the most closest to them – parents. Some children still struggle with resentment towards their parents, others blame God for placing them in an orphanage, some live with feelings of guilt for various reasons. All these issues require time, special attention, patience and most importantly – God’s work in their hearts! On our part, we try to be instruments in God’s hands so that all the good things our Heavenly Father wants to give thesechildren can come true, with love, care and friendly hugs.

In May we continued our trips to visit the dear children in Smilovichi. Some of the kids were known to us, but the new ones joined as well. Some of the kids were taken home. For example Nastya, who had only been in the orphanage for about three weeks, went back to her parents. Miraculously, during our last meeting, she wanted to exchage contacts with us. So now we can send messages to each other and stay in touch. Nastya comes from a difficult family and has some development problems but she still reaches out to us.

During the Bible lessons, the older children actively – and often competitively – answer our questions. Artyom reads the Bible, which we once left for them, on his own. Sometimes it’s surprising how well the younger kids remember and answer our questions, like Roma, who sometimes does better than the older children. Of course, some of the little ones struggle with remembering biblical stories, like Kirill, who has developmental challenges. Despite this he’s always with us, eager to connect, and waits for us just as much as the others. In May we had a series of lessons about the life of Joseph. The kids learned about his story and the vital role of God in it.

We also discussed how they could apply these lessons to their own lives. Additionally, we encourage them to read the Bible by themselves. We hope that the vivid story of Joseph, which most of them remembered very well will leave a deep impact on their hearts. We didn’t forget about the songs they’ve already come to love. They have their favorites, which they sing enthusiastically, knowing the words by heart and performing the motions even better than we do. What’s especially encouraging is that these are the songs with good Christian messages, using simple, child-friendly language to remind of important truths. Glory to God, Who has made possible these wonderful meetings with the kids. With God’s help we hope to continue serving these diverse, fascinating, and wonderful children.

This month, I was surprised by the boy Sasha. We had a topic about the story of Moses, his life. And one of the tasks for the guys was to read the story about Moses, and next time we said that we would check which of them had read it. The next time we came, we had the opportunity to personally chat with some of the guys. And one of them was Sasha. Who, surprisingly for us, began to tell us the story about Moses with great interest. It was clear that he read it, and not just remembered what we had already told to the guys.

At such moments, it is very joyful that the Gospel touches the children, that they hear and even study the Bible on their own. On one of our trips, we had the opportunity to get together and talk only with the girls. We talked about self-esteem, about what forms self-esteem. And during the conversation, many girls opened up and shared their experiences. I think it was a special time for each of them. And their hearts were being healed of the pain they had been holding inside. At this meeting the girls learned to compliment each other, to thank each other for the good things, to see the beautiful things that God has placed in their hearts. Not so long ago, we started to organize a culinary club for the guys. For them, this is an opportunity to cook something delicious and unusual, and for us, to communicate more with them personally. At the culinary club, we cooked pizza together, and after that we ate and talked. It was very interesting for the guys to cook with us, they were all involved in the cooking process, each of them had their own task, someone grated cheese, someone sliced sausage. And we helped and told them how to cook properly. The most important thing is that we managed to involve them in the cooking process and chat with them on various topics. They asked us various questions, including questions related to the Bible. One of the difficulties we have encountered is safety. I had to make sure that none of the guys got hurt or burned, because they were all active. But we always remind them about safety so that all classes were uneventful.

Greetings, brothers and sisters. I thank God for the opportunity to serve the orphaned children of Belarus. April was a special month when we prepared the children for Easter. In the first two weeks of April, we talked about the election of Moses, how God protected him. It was important for us to tell and show where the Easter celebration started from. And during the topics, we realized that many of the guys had forgotten, and the new ones didn’t know at all. Easter is a celebration of hope for all mankind. It was interesting to hear how the children assume what Easter is. But in the established tradition of Belarus, they often talked about painting eggs, as well as how important it is to bake Easter cakes. I say okay, your answer is accepted, but what does it have to do with Easter? One of the older children said, I’ve never even thought about the meaning. I just believed that it was necessary to do this on this holiday, but I do not know why.

At the third time, we talked about the Easter holiday itself. We talked and remembered what Moses did, how he brought the people out of Egypt. But our main character was a sheep, which was the prototype of Jesus Christ. When we were talking about cooking the lamb and anointing the doorposts, one boy said, “That’s probably why we need to paint the eggs!” Then we talked about Jesus, that He came to earth to redeem us from our sins. That only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. We said that God wanted people to be saved, but not all people believed Moses and did not paint their doors, and now many people do not believe in Jesus, and therefore they do not have an Intercessor.

After completing the topic, many guys asked a lot of questions as we walked to the car. And it was clear that they were really interested in knowing more about the holiday itself. When we arrived on the fourth Thursday, we had a stag and hen party. It’s a special time when the girls get together separately and the boys too. The topic was general – “Self-assessment”. During long time, we noticed that the guys have very low self-esteem. They are often told that they are somehow wrong. Accordingly, they are often shy and afraid to try something new. And we talked about the reasons that destroy self-esteem and about God’s view of us and the labels that people put on each other.

After the meeting, many guys came and asked us to pray for them, so that God would destroy the misconception about themselves.Despite the diagnoses of the children, sometimes people are too cruel when they say hurtful words into the lives of children. I want to share that it was my birthday this month and it was nice to see how the children prepared gifts and surprises for me. And at that moment, I thought that they were no longer demanding anything, but learning to give. The problem with orphans is that they say “they owe me everything”. But thank God, I see how orphans open their hearts and begin to give to others.

“We are so glad,” the guys said, “that you are teaching us to believe in God, this is what gives us the strength to overcome difficulties in our lives.” I understand that this is something good that has been planted and constantly cultivated. Dear brothers and sisters, thank you so much for your prayers and for your messages. We believe that serving together will bring great fruit for the kingdom of God. And now I want to ask you to pray for the guys so that the word of God changes lives and gives strength to resist sin. Also, pray for the team so that God will keep them healthy, many of the guys were sick, and that all the plans in the ministry will work out. Thank you very much, God bless you.

Another month has passed. I recently realized that I have been visiting my children for almost the entire school year. It’s surprising – time is running fast. When I analyze, I want to see the results of these trips, and I do. Recently, a guy I know asked me how I understand unconditional love. To what extent are we humans capable of experiencing such love, or is it available only to God? I told him that this is exactly what I feel for the children we visit. It doesn’t matter how they behave, we still love them, tolerate them, and admire their successes so much. But, of course, the children’s attitude towards us is also pleasant. They look forward to seeing us again, show interest to our lives, notice the little things, and say goodbye every time as if it was for the last time.

I am very pleased that they not only participate in what we offer them, but also ask questions, it is clear that they are interested in the stories from the Bible that they hear, they are happy to learn new songs with us, come up with games, etc. It is impossible not to notice the transformation of children. For example the boy Kostya, who had only recently arrived at the orphanage and was at our meeting for the first time, he was so emotionless, like frozen. He seemed to be in contact with us and kept up the conversation, but it felt like his thoughts were in his life’s tragedy and he hadn’t adjusted yet. We have seen a similar situation with many other children who have just arrived. But over time, the ice melts, and the child becomes himself again. I want to believe that the Lord also changes them, and they become better, kinder, more honest. Because talking about good and bad deeds, about Christ’s sacrifice, about His victory over sin, and many others cannot go in vain.

By the way, we celebrated Easter in April and raised all these topics with the children. In honor of the holiday, I baked cupcakes and we took them to the orphanage, which the children were delighted with, although, of course, we explained that Easter is not about cakes and colored eggs, but about the Resurrection of Christ. I really liked that the children asked a lot of questions and were interested in the details of this important event. I remember 12-year-old Artyom saying, “So it turns out that’s why we say ‘Christ is Risen!” It’s so wonderful that now they know the essence of the holiday. We also gave them gifts that day. The girl Nastya spent only a few weeks in the shelter, she was in shock, when she received the box, and asked: “Is that all for me?” The following Tuesday, when she found out that such gifts are not given every week, she was upset.

In addition, in April we held a creativity lesson. I really like watching children when they create – it shows each child from a different perspective – something that is not visible at first glance. You can see who is more organized, who needs to finish the job, who does not like monotony, who needs to follow the example, and much, much more. And, of course, as a result, all the art objects come out completely different, fully reflecting the character of their creator – it’s incredibly interesting . On our last trip, the behavior of 5-year-old Roma was very memorable, which we later remembered more than once and laughed. In order to motivate children to listen carefully and then answer questions, we give them candy for the answers. Roma is a very bright boy with a good memory, although he is restless and it’s difficult to keep him in place.

Roma remembered the story well from the previous meeting, but this time he listened inattentively and, raising his hand, answered the questions simply by saying what he remembered from the last time. “Roma, that’s another story.” “I just want some candy,” Roma replies. That’s the truth written in the Bible, that we need to be like children – sincere and real. It’s nice to know that not only we, but also the children can teach us something. So, going back to the analysis, what results of trips I observe, perhaps, is that children change us a lot. I believe that we influence them by bringing God’s love, but they also influence us. These spontaneity, sincerity, desire to learn new things, activity, flexibility, lightness are what we adults sometimes lack so much. And I want to learn this from them. We sometimes have a game where someone hides an object in a room while the others search. There are children who give up after a few rounds and no longer want to search, but there are more who do not want to give up, but are ready to search again and again until they find it. They tell us so much that we can apply in our lives. But we have to listen. And notice.

I thank God for the opportunity to glorify Him through ministry to orphaned children! I’ve never thought before that I would ever participate in such a project, although I sometimes thought about orphans. And, apparently, for a reason! God had His own plan, which He decided to accomplish, including my life in it. For almost a year now, I have been part of a team that serves orphaned children. Being a part of such a team is not just about being a member of it, it is an opportunity to be a friend who is ready to support, talk, understand and even encourage. Every trip, which I have the privilege to participate in, is a challenge for me. After all, it’s a different thing to just go to the children and make them happy, but it’s quite another thing when you have the opportunity to talk about Christ! Children abandoned by their parents are seemingly doomed to the worst outcome in their lives. This is one of the best opportunities to hear and understand who Christ is. But I repeat, having the privilege of being part of the team that comes to them, I felt the need to become a part of the lives of these children. To be not just a friend, but a friend who will help them get to know God. Christ said for a reason: “Therefore go to all nations and make them My disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do all that I have commanded you. And I will be with you all the time, until the end of time.” Having received God’s approval, it would be foolish to remain silent and not share with others!

One evening, while chatting with the children, we had a topic : “Jesus is a lifeline.” And in a dialogue with one of the girls, I was pleased with her desire to hear who Christ really is. Literally, her words sounded like this: “I’m finally going to find out who Jesus is!” I do not know if she received a full-fledged answer, but her desire to find out who Jesus is made me happy and brought a smile to my face. I remember my childhood moments when I was in her place, and it’s an incredibly cool feeling when you want to get to know Christ even more! And also try to understand this issue, there is nothing better and could not be! Watching these children, I understand more and more what we need to say and show them. To show not so much ourselves, but Christ through our own lives, so that they really come to realize the importance of God in their lives.

This month, we talked with the guys about sin and how it affects both earthly life and where a person will spend his eternity. But it was in the lesson “Jesus is a lifeline” that we told the children that there is a way out and it is in repentance, reconciliation with God and acceptance of Christ as their Savior. At the last meeting, the guys had a creative lesson. I tried to use this time to not only participate in the creative process of some of the guys, but also to communicate personally with the guys. They especially love such moments because each of them has their own personal story which they want to share and their personal experiences which they ask to pray for. Together with our team, I rejoice and thank God for the open doors to boarding schools and for the opportunity to serve our dear children!

Hello everyone. I want to share how we went to Smilovichi in March. When we first arrived in March, there were only 2 kids in the shelter, Roma and Kirill, they are about 5-6 years old. I was glad that I could play with them, take them on my shoulders and hug them.I am glad that the children are happy when we arrive and say that they are really waiting for us when we arrive next Tuesday. We played the game “cat” with them, where the cat catches mice, the cat is blindfolded, we were cats in turn and mice too. The kids really enjoyed this game.

Sasha taught the lesson and told the children about our heart and that without God it is black and dark, but with God it is in light, and using the example of a glass of water, we tried to show them how Jesus heals our heart.
Masha Varya and Artyom have already returned from the sanatorium on our next trip. They are older, Masha is 8 years old, and Artyom and Varya are 12 years old. We played the “coin” game with them, and all the kids wanted to flip a coin and determine who won.

We also sing Christian children’s songs about God with them every time, which children also love, especially when the song has movements. We held a lesson with colored markers and painted pictures, we tried to tell the children about Jesus that he is a lifering for us and discussed this topic what to do if we are spiritually drowning, then who can help us? Who should we go to for help? We also try to pray with the children and ask them questions about their understanding of the topic after the lesson to make sure that they understood our idea correctly.

The next time we came, we were holding relay races. We split into 2 teams and ran, jumped, rolled balls and all that. During the relay races, the children’s hearts were very open, and they had to be comforted, admonished, and encouraged a lot. Since they often get upset when they don’t win, they often treat each other badly if you let their team down. I think this was a good reason to remind them of God’s principles that we do not humiliate other people if we have not won because of them, and in general we should love our neighbor and not insult him.
We were teaching a lesson about God’s gift to us and whether we deserve it. We tried to talk to them about the truths of the gospel and prayed for them that God would give them understanding.

We also had a crafts lesson with them this month. The guys made paper crafts on it. I am grateful to God that there are people who can contribute to this cause, and there are people who are ready to travel and play and sing and conduct lessons with children. I hope that this will be a good testimony for God, first of all, and for people. It often happens that the caregivers who are in the orphanage also hear some of our songs and see our attitude towards children and ask them to pray that we would also be a good witness for them about God, Christ and the Gospel.

March was a bright and joyful month for our visits to the orphanage in Belynichi! We not only had meaningful conversations with the children but also spent some wonderful, fun-filled time together. And finally, spring arrived, bringing us warm, sunny days that made the perfect backdrop for our meetings. This month, we talked with the kids about how sin can grow, like a snowball, if we don’t stop it in time. But there’s no need to panic—there’s always a way out! And that way is repentance. We discussed how Jesus came into this world to show us the path to forgiveness and cleansing. It was an important conversation, full of hope and light! Additionally, we taught the children a new, catchy song, which they almost memorized right away. The song is called *”The Universe in Polka Dots”* and is about how Someone (we all know Who) scattered the stars in the sky. The kids had a blast singing it, and couldn’t help but smile, because the melody was so lighthearted and fun! We not only learned the lyrics and tune, but also had a great time practicing the dance moves that went along with this cheerful song.

At the end of the month, the kids finished their school quarter and proudly shared their results! Some talked about their successes, while nearly everyone was eagerly looking forward to the upcoming break. After all, school days can be quite a challenge. They were excited to finally relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off. Each meeting with the children leaves a bright mark on our hearts. We’re so happy to be a part of their lives, to support and inspire them to live with kindness and light! A huge thank you to everyone who helps make these trips possible!

Greetings, brothers and sisters. We thank God for the opportunity to serve the orphans of the Rudensk boarding School. Every Wednesday in February, we were with the guys and spent a unique time with them. These trips always bring joy and really energize us. We see how God opens children, and they become able to change their lives. Change begins with the attitude towards other children, and more and more often we see that this is not fake in front of us, but natural. Even the teachers see the changes in the children. This month we talked about the importance of prayer. Some of the new guys wondered why we should pray, because God knows our needs anyway. And we said that it is important for God that we build a relationship with Him. When we pray, especially when we feel bad, we always feel better after we pray and have peace in our hearts. The guys began to practice and then shared how God answered their prayers. It’s nice to see the joyful children shouting, It worked, God answered.

Another time, when we arrived, we held the theme “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” And we talked about how God takes care of us and how He takes care of the little birds. God knows what we need and His response is always on time. We said that there is no need to worry about clothes, because God has already planned everything in advance. One child stood up and said, “I need a sweatshirt”, the other said, “and I need pants!” The guys were surprised that we had just brought everything they needed without any agreement. Our ministry just handed over the things for the guys that we brought. And this was a practical example of God’s care for the children. In the end, we said that worry doesn’t help, but trusting God helps us. Therefore, we encouraged the children to trust God and pray, because God hears us. And also read the Bible, because there are many examples of how other people trusted God and this strengthens faith.

The next topic was “Faith without a doubt makes God happy.” We talked a lot about faith, what it is based on. The guys said that my faith is based on the promises of adults, another said my faith is based on my own strength, someone said about the ability to adapt that both now and later it will help me. But we talked about how strong faith is based on trust in God. After all, when we fully trust God, He is able to change circumstances in spite of difficulties. We were talking about Bartimaeus the Blind that evening. We talked about what he had heard about Jesus and believed, and when Jesus passed by, he did not miss the opportunity, he turned to Jesus. Faith is calling out to Jesus even though others are in your way. We noticed that both then and now people sometimes prevent us from believing in God by trying to drown us out. But if we break through the crowd of unbelief and criticism, we will get what we pray for and ask God for. God likes it when we trust Him. One boy said that sometimes it’s so hard to trust God because you want to see, not just believe. Another thanked God that even though he couldn’t see God, he could see how God was responding.

Our next trip was relay races. We decided to just spend some informal time with the guys, playing with them and having fun. It was obvious that they really liked it. We also bought diapers and detergents for school this month. Brothers and sisters, let us pray with you that God will transform the children and educators, so that the changed lives will bring glory to God.

In February, we discussed rather deep and fundamental biblical topics with the guys, and also explained to them how it affects their lives. The first topic of February was about prayer, we divided the children into toddlers and older children and told the topic to each group separately. The kids had a visual story about what prayer is. We also showed and explained by example how we communicate with God. The older children also talked about this topic. The answers and questions of the children showed a response from them, especially from Miroslav, who gave quite deep, informed answers. Later this month, we talked about the fact that God is loving and that He cares about each of us. The children are always willing to answer the speaker’s questions both during the course of the story and after it, which contributes to an interactive atmosphere.

Another topic that was raised in February is faith. Unfortunately, the older children missed it because they were sent to a sanatorium, but despite this, we held it for the children who stayed there. In the most accessible language and using good visualizations, we tried to convey to the children the fundamental truths about what faith is, emphasizing that God Himself and living with Him changes a person’s life and heart. On the last trip in February, there was creativity, the children did a beautiful craft that they really liked. It was another reason to talk and interact with the kids. It is interesting that, according to the idea, everyone had to paste their photo (which we printed out in advance) on the craft, as if they were a passenger in a balloon. But some of the guys wanted to paste not only their own, but also our photos next to their own.

Just like in previous months, we played with the children, and the children still loved this time very much. There were new fun games this month, and the kids enjoyed participating in them. As before, we sang songs with the children that they had already learned and loved very much. Also, on one of our trips, we gave the children a real surprise: we brought delicious homemade pizzas with us and set up a table for them. Of course, the guys really liked it. And anyway, with each trip, the guys were getting better and better disposed towards us.

In addition, I would like to describe a little boy about 5 years old named Kirill. It is clear that he had a difficult past, it is clear that he is an anxious, intimidated child who, despite this, is very attracted to us, and even one day burst into tears when we left. The older guys periodically opened up to us and shared with us their feelings about their parents, we tried to listen to them and support them. Summing up, we can say that the children are really looking forward to meeting us and want to be friends with us. Also, thank God for the opportunity to tell the guys about Him. Our fervent desire is to continue bringing the guys closer to Him.

This month we had not that many trips to the orphanage in Belinichy than usual, as the children were sick, and at the request of the administration we had to pause our visits. On the one hand, this is disappointing but on the other hand, there are some positive aspects to it. For example, the children missed us a lot, and when the visits resumed a little later, they treated those meetings with special care. In such moments, the children always reassess their values, and they begin to cherish the time spent with us even more. Each of the kids joyfully welcomed our team, and each of them wanted to share something special that had happened during that break.

This month we still managed to talk with the kids about what faith without doubts is. I think it is very important to have such conversations with the kids, so they always have hope and don’t fall into despair or gloom in difficult moments of life. They need to remember that everything that seems hard or even impossible for humans is always possible for God! The Bible has many vivid examples of the power of faith and how people received their miracles because, in their struggles they seek help from Jesus Christ and were confident that their healing was found in Him.

A striking example of this is the story of the healing of the blind man or the woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years, and all she needed was to touch the hem of Jesus garment to receive her long-awaited miracle. At the next meeting we had sports relays. This is always a special time because during sports the children’s personalities really show, such as their desire to win, their self-esteem and their ability to work as a team. It doesn’t always go perfectly for them, but the guys from our team always try to actively participate in the relays and, at the same time teach the children about unity, patience, and how to support weaker members of the teams.

This time, the teenagers with Down syndrome, whom I especially love, participated with great enthusiasm. What touched me the most was how joyful and grateful they were to be allowed to participate alongside the other children in all the contests, and how hard they worked to bring victories to their teams! I am grateful to God for the opportunity to be with the children in these moments! And over the years I understand more and more what it means to have lived a day meaningfully! Thank God for the open doors to boarding schools and for the administration that is open to us and allows us to come to the Belinichy orphanage!

Our January trips to the Rudensk school began with a Christmas theater production, which our friends, the actors of the Christian theater, were happy to show. The children were captivated by the plot and the bright decorations, and after the performance they were filled with joyful emotions from what they saw. The children, who recently became orphans and came to live in a boarding school, told us that for the first time they learned about the true meaning of Christmas and now they want to learn more about God and will attend our Bible lessons on Wednesdays.

That evening, the children’s eyes shone with joy and hope, hope for a loving and faithful God, about Whom they watched the production. The celebration ended with the distribution of gifts, each of the 140 children received a package or box containing everything necessary for hygiene, warm hats and gloves, school supplies, educational toys and, of course, sweets.
They jumped with happiness and gratitude to God that they were taken care of and now they have everything they dreamed of! Sasha said that now he would have his own purse and he would carry a Bible in it and read anywhere in his free time. Ksyusha was delighted with the big doll that looked so much like her. My team and I were glad to be able to see the emotions of each child and returned home overwhelmed with joy from serving orphaned children.

For our next trips, we prepared biblical themes about Zacchaeus and Jesus, who loves children, and explained their meaning, showing that everyone is important to God and even a bad person can turn to Him. We said that the Lord never rejects us and wants to heal them from rejection by their parents and close relatives. At the end of each meeting, we pray with the children in groups and they share what bother them or how God answers prayers.

I also want to introduce you to Sasha, who comes to us all the time and loves to read the Bible very much.
— I’m Sasha and I’m 15 years old. I don’t have any siblings, and I’ve been living at a boarding school since the first grade. I was taken away because my parents didn’t take care of me, as I was told, they drank a lot and led an immoral lifestyle.
— What do you like to do, do you have any hidden gifts or talents?
— I really like singing and I often perform in front of the school and in front of the guests. I love to sing!
— Sasha, tell me, how do you overcome your failures in life?
— I endure, but when I’m really worried about my defeat, I talk to the caregivers and ask for help to figure it out, because it’s hard to solve my difficulties alone.
— When you have free time, what do you like to do?
— I love reading, and reading the Bible brings me special joy. I like to read the New Testament because it says how Jesus Christ forgave our sins. It makes me very happy.
— What is your goal in life and what do you want to achieve?
— I really want to study well, and therefore I try to spend a lot of time preparing for lessons. I also want to become a singer and they tell me that I have a good voice. I try to perform at all school concerts and it helps to get closer to my dream. If I suddenly fail to become a singer, then I would like to become a massage therapist. I think I have strong hands).
— What are you worried about?
— I’m worried that I don’t have many friends with whom I can talk openly. Lately, I’ve started asking God for friends. Looking to the future, I think it will be difficult for me without friends, but when God answers, it will be easier! I trust Him.
— What important decisions have you made in your life?
— One of the important decisions was to quit smoking, another decision was to forgive my abusers and the guys who often offended me as a child.
— What are you appreciated for in class?
— I think it’s for my openness to help others, especially those who can’t do anything at all.
— You said you read the Bible a lot. What principles of the Bible work in your life?
— I’ve become more obedient, more compassionate, and I’m trying to control my anger.
— What would you like other people to know about you?
— That I am kind, polite and that I am the one who can help in a difficult moment.
— What is your strongest quality?
— I think I’m faithful!
— What surprises you about God?
— That He is All-powerful, kind and merciful.
— If you could turn to God, what would you ask Him for?
— I would ask God to be my protector, so that He would keep me safe in difficult times. I would also ask for good health.

Dear brothers and sisters, I greet you! So the new year has begun, and with it our trips to the Belynichy School. We are glad that God allows you and us to move on to a new stage of life. Thank God. At the beginning of the year, we had the opportunity to visit graduates from the Belynichy boarding school in Bobruisk. When the guys found out that we were coming, they were very happy and prepared for the meeting in advance. We agreed that we would meet with them at the Reconciliation Church. So even before the appointed time, the guys were there two hours before our arrival. We are glad that the guys got to know the pastor of the church and the youth. When we arrived, we brought pizza with us. We listened to the guys, it was interesting to find out what they go through and how they overcome the challenges along the way. We realized that since they are orphans, there are much more difficulties for them to integrate into society. Danik the pastor told the guys, we want you to become a part of our family and a part of the church. It was obvious that the guys were surprised by the pastor’s suggestion. But they agreed anyway, and Andrey said thank you very much for your concern and for your love for us. We haven’t seen much love for us lately, and you’ve given us what we needed. We brought the guys grocery bags with food, as well as everything they needed for cooking. We talked, prayed, and then took the guys to the dorm.

Also on January 11, we came to wish the guys a Merry Christmas. Our friends, the puppet theater, came with us. It was a surprise for the guys, and when they saw the team, they were very happy. When the performance began, the dolls told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and, in general, why he came into this world. The guys were so immersed in the story that silence and exclamations of emotion sounded during the performance. More than 40% of the children were new ones who had never heard of the Nativity of Christ. Thank God that there was an opportunity to tell an amazing story, as well as to show how the birth of Jesus changes a person’s life.

Another time, when we arrived, we discussed the topic of Zacchaeus. We talked about how a small person became big in the eyes of God. Because of their diagnoses, children have congenital developmental features and sometimes think that they are not good enough for God to pay attention to them. But when we told about Zacchaeus, how he lived and what he did, how he offended and robbed. Zacchaeus is bad, the children said. But God sees both good and bad children. For God, everyone is important. And when, during the story, the guys heard that Jesus had come to his house and had a good conversation with Zacchaeus, our hero decided to change his life. And he said I’ll give it all away if I’ve offended or robbed someone.
The guys said it’s hard to forgive someone who does bad things to them and it’s hard to change quickly. But with God, anything is possible, Sasha said. The story has shown that God sees even in a crowd, and even those who are short, ugly, or act badly. God can forgive us if we ask for forgiveness. Faith in God can change us. Escorting us to the car, the guys recalled different situations that happened to them and when they thought that God did not know and did not see them. Thanks Dima for sharing this story, it helped me to understand that God cares about me.

We had another topic this month when we talked about how Jesus loves children. We have shown by our lesson that Jesus values children and wants them to trust Him as children trust their parents. And that God doesn’t care only about adults, or stars, presidents, or teachers. Everyone is important to God. Coming to Jesus is easy. It’s okay to be curious. Children ask a lot of questions and want to learn. God likes it when we want to know God more. But it may happen just like as the disciples resisted the parents who brought the children to Christ, so sometimes the older guys may not believe in God and try to destroy faith in you. We need to remember that God is waiting for us and he loves children. The guys exclaimed, I am important to God! I say, of course. Dear friends, thank you for your prayers and for your support for us! Pray for the children to have a solid foundation and a breakthrough in their life and faith.

There were some trips to the orphanage in Smilovichi in January. Probably about half of the children were either taken to a foster family, or returned to their own family, or sent to a sanatorium, and we also got to know the new arrivals. Here I had to deal with the fact that an attachment to children grows, and when someone suddenly leaves, to be honest, the first time I cried. There was a boy about 4 years old who practically settled in my arms. He chose me once, and since then he has taken a piece of my heart forever. Somehow, miraculously, I managed to calm him down. The baby began to constantly show tenderness and love towards me. And recently he was taken into foster care, I had to convince myself that it was better for him and I should be happy about it. I understand that this is our ministry: first, to give the maximum to the children, and then to let them go and remember them in prayers, to entrust their future fate to God. And of course, giving is much easier than the rest.

In January, one significant event happened for me personally: I had a birthday, and the idea came up to celebrate it with the children. It just coincided with the day of the trip. I made a cake, bought candles and took it all to Smilovichi. Unfortunately, there were only 5 children, but they were so happy! It turned out to be no less valuable to them than it was to me. They congratulated me, hugged me, kissed me – they just bathed me in love, and there was a family atmosphere. We laughed a lot, and the cherry on the cake was blowing out the candles, which every child participated in. I guess now the rest of the guys from our team will also want such a holiday.

Recently, I had a chance to teach kids about how much the Lord loves children and wants all people to be like them, to tell them what it means. I liked that even the youngest ones know that every person is equally important to God: regardless of status, age, skin color, profession, etc. But the fact that He always loves us, even if we act badly, we have to constantly remind them – they forget: it is difficult for a child to believe in unconditional love, and they think they have to earn it.

Every visit, my team and I try to ask questions about previous topics to make sure that the material is fixed, and, of course, the elders remember it better. For this, special thanks go to Dmitry, who knows how to convey to children in a way that probably no one else of us can yet. I notice that the guys already have confidence in us, they are always very happy to welcome us. From my observations, they look for some kind of approval from us: they brag about things, grades, and some of their achievements. This is pleasant and means that they can listen to our advice, read the Bible, pray, etc.
Among the new arrivals there is a 5-year-old Roma, who is superactive and practically restless. How loving he is, the phrase “Nadia, I love you” spreads warmth all over me. The Lord gives us so much through these children!