Shamil came to the Children’s Ark quiet, a shy seven-year-old boy who hardly spoke Russian. Shamil did not cry, did not complain, and did not ask to go home, he has a strong character and he learned to survive in a foreign country and among strangers. One can only guess what he felt during this time. He didn’t give up. He learned Russian fast and he easily gets an A on literature for recited poems.
Shamil is well versed in math and solves equations in his mind. In the summer, when his stay ended, his mother took him home. But since she failed to organize and arrange for her son to start school in time and settle the issue with accommodation in Russia, she asked us again to take him back. We are seeing this quite often. We believe that by staying with us, children like Shamil and his mother will be able to receive and already receive the necessary help and support in life. Thank you for supporting and participating in the life of social orphans of the Children’s Ark.
Living and raising children in the jungle is not an easy task, I’ll tell you but we try to be not “correct” but “real”. We include them in conversations discussing everything as it is. Recently I was talking with our teenager Matthew. We discussed our upcoming trip home. I have for the millionth time described the snow they will finally see, a McDonalds which they can again
visit and many more other things that my little Papuans already have forgotten after many years of life in the jungle.
I told them that in Ukraine, we will visit many churches and most likely they will be bored listening to the same story hundred-thousandth of times, but they should try to be quiet (to which Matthew stated that he can handle it easily until it’s time to eat.)
And then I said: “Children, you know, nobody us will understand us. Some will admire the way missionaries live, others will condemn us as parents that we took our children’s childhood away. You will ask and you will need to answer the most stupid and serious questions. In the world of white people its not that easy. There are certain rules how you should be dressed and how and when you should talk”. I know life on a mission is not easy. But you know what? This life is the most real life.
When preaching in Russia about the wonderful deeds God does in Southeast Asia, God gives us different people to meet. I dream to do this work, the Lord prompts his people to teach the gospel and someone will respond and even join our team. God answered our prayers and desires, three families want to go on a short-term mission to Vietnam.
We recently attended a meeting called “Baza-2021”, were also received equipment and tools for an effective ministry. Many brothers came from different cities and countries to talk about their vision and experience. At the same place in Moscow, I talked with a brother in charge of the foreign mission, and he offered me to study at a missionary school. “During the pandemic brothers and sisters came from North Korea, Indonesia, and China to Russia, and it will be good if you take part in the training. They have been studying for a year, and I think we will accept you if you don’t mind.”
I replied that we are waiting for the opening borders, and as soon as they are opened, I will go to Vietnam, to which he replied: “It’s okay to study while waiting”. Now I’m flying to the Caucasus, for a session. Thank you for your prayers for us, for your hearts full of God’s love. I am thanking God for you.
I speak with a lot of people in the remaining days and hours of their lives. This changes their whole worldview and makes them change priorities in life. Those who accept it live the words of Christ: “Seek before the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and it will all be added to you.” Friends thank you for your participation, we have been helping several underprivileged sick children and their parents for years, and Thank God, many have been healed and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We started helping Roma and Polina and supporting them spiritually and emotionally. So far there are many questions, but children already know that they are not alone. We have a special concern for children with leukemia, the hospital department received five more children which we befriended.
Lera, whom we have been helping for a long time, says hello, she’s in remission, but twice a month I take her from Artyn for examination and procedures. Her mom is a drinker, an unstable person but Lera still wants to be with the family. We are taking care of them. Lera has an older sister Anastasia, we took her to school, bought textbooks and clothes. When talking to her, she was very grateful to us and God and prayed with us. Children feel and understand everything. I personally thank you very much for your help. Without you, we could not do it all!
On May 10th, 2000 our plane landed in the village of Palana, Kamchatsky. We got off the plane, but no one was meeting us. It was cold and snowy. The Lord alone knows what happened in our hearts. He was with us. He blessed the birth of our fifth child. On July 14th, our beautiful daughter was born. Truly, our God is Wonderful, although there were many difficulties, we had to sleep dressed since it was cold. When drunk people came, with knives, the Lord was with us and showed His wonderful love and care. Today in Palana there is a Church, a house of prayer, a small choir, orchestra. We try to bring the Gospel to the poor and unfortunate souls that do not know and have not tasted the love of the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. We thought we were going for two years as we were offered, but now it’s over 10 years we still do the ministry on the edge of the earth. And with complete confidence, we can say: “Up to this point the Lord helped us.” The life lived for Christ, is a beautiful life.
And the beauty of this life is contained in that it intertwines and joy, and sorrow, and tears, and laughter. And the greatest happiness is that we are witnessing when the unfortunate sinner is reconciled with God’s blessing. I sincerely want to thank you all for participating in Gospel with us.
Dear Church, we are very grateful for your earnest prayers and support, we believe that all this work is for building God’s Kingdom and bringing glory to Him!!
We believe that in God’s Kingdom there is no age limit to do His work, everyone has a responsibility to bear fruit!
One unique group in our church are ladies who are over 70, but it doesn’t stop them to ride a bicycle, work on the field or carry big baskets on their back. The blessing is to see their growing desire to learn/listen to the Bible, to memorize and share with others about our God. Together, we learned the main characteristics of God, using pictures for better memory, they were
even practicing writing Bible verses and memorizing in their tribal language and Thai. We learned how to share the Gospel using personal testimony or story and they were able to visit one elderly couple in another village, share their faith, and pray with them. The more we learn the Word of God the more changes are happening in our lives. “I am very sorry that before I didn’t know what is right before God and made a lot of mistakes, but now I know and am very thankful for the time we have together” – said one of the ladies. Recently we were able to purchase Children’s Bibles with pictures for them, this way is easier to remember stories and share them with grandchildren. Yes, we believe that children are the future of the country, but the elderly is the power behind them! Because of their prayers, God will continue to lead a young generation in the right way!
Thank you very much for your support in the ministry with the elderly!
May God bless you to be fruitful for Him at any age!
