At the Artyn orphanage, several children graduated — children I remember as toddlers. All these years, we’ve invested in them and cared for them, and now they’re stepping into adult life.
One especially meaningful moment at the graduation was seeing Sergey Kun play the synthesizer and guitar. This boy once had no future — there were plans to send him to a psychiatric institution. He couldn’t control himself and was considered dangerous.
We spent a lot of time with him and eventually found a way to his heart — through music. First, we bought him a synthesizer, then a guitar, and he became passionate about it. Now he’s learning hymns from a songbook and singing. For me, this is a real miracle.
This week, a girl named Anya was admitted to the oncology ward with a relapse. Her condition suddenly worsened, and test results were very poor. She now urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. Preparations have begun, but they need help buying tickets and some essential items.
Anya’s mother is raising her alone, and also has another child with a disability. She’s completely worn out.
Please pray for this family. Thank you, dear friends, for your support. We’ve received many responses from parents and children — they are deeply grateful to all of us.
In the oncology department, we hold a group for parents — with tea, Bible reading, and open conversations. Twice a week, we visit the children, spend time with them, play games, bring gifts, and build friendships. The atmosphere is very warm and positive, and that’s the most important thing for the children.
Saveliy was born with a disability and a very rare diagnosis — he has no kneecaps. When we first met, he couldn’t speak due to having undergone 19 surgeries. The pain had tightened his facial muscles. He couldn’t move without a wheelchair. His mother died from drug abuse, leaving him completely alone.
For the past six years, we’ve been walking alongside him. Today, he speaks well, studies foreign languages, walks with a cane, plans to start a family, has been baptized, and actively participates in ministry. Just a week ago, he left for St. Petersburg to pursue his studies. He wants to earn a living so that he can help others like him get back on their feet and introduce them to Jesus.
Right now, we’re also praying especially for five-month-old Anya, who is in hospice care. She is the fifth child in her family, and all of the children have been abandoned by their parents. Anya has already survived three heart surgeries and is currently in critical condition. She is fed through a special machine with nutritional formulas. Despite clear developmental delays, she responds well when I visit and reaches out to be held. We’re providing her with food and care.
I’m so thankful that you are always near — praying, supporting, and helping us. Every month, I receive dozens of calls and letters from children and their relatives expressing deep gratitude. It’s hard to describe what that means.
At the moment we have more than 50 children who have graduated from the orphanage, but we only have influence on those with whom we managed to build friendships while they were still in the orphanage. There are children preparing for baptism, and they have become part of the new team. At the hospice the situation is stable — we deliver personal hygiene items and special baby food every week. In the oncology ward the children are waiting for us, and the parents come every week to our gatherings, where we talk about life and read the Bible. I ask you to pray for Anya — she is 14 years old and has leukemia. She is being prepared for a bone marrow transplant. Her mother can be the donor, but Anya’s test results are poor, and the doctors are unable to prepare her for the flight and operation.
There is also a very bright little girl named Korkem, she is 9 years old. She also has leukemia, and the doctors are preparing her for a bone marrow transplant; she needs special care, including special nutrition. We rejoice for little Kristina. She is recovering and, after chemotherapy, has started to improve. I already asked you to pray for her — she is still hospitalized with her mother because she is very young, but very smart. I want to express gratitude on behalf of the parents and our team for your participation and help! Thank you, dear friends!
When we are joyful, we have the strength and desire to live. This is such an important truth — especially for children who have been through trauma. This month, a new room was opened in the children’s oncology ward — a space where kids can rest and spend time with us. The head doctor of the department says she can’t imagine her work without our presence. We thank God for this favor — and we thank you, too. Your faithful support has made this ministry possible! On the day the room opened, it was Ksenia’s birthday. We bought her a big stuffed animal, dressed up in her favorite animal costumes, and threw her a celebration. Although Ksenia is in very serious condition, her mother told us she had never seen her daughter so happy.
We are praying for them, as they soon must travel for a bone marrow transplant. We would like to help raise funds — they have no way to pay for the trip or the medications. Ksenia’s mom is now actively involved in our gatherings and has even come to church. At the Artyn orphanage, we also met Sergey. He was 9 years old when we first met him — angry and always fighting. Now he’s 14. A year ago, we bought him a keyboard, and he fell in love with music. He started playing, learned a few hymns from the hymnal, and now when we visit the orphanage, he plays them for us. It’s a miracle to me. Jesus heals! Thank you for your open hearts and your help!
When I look at the children, the parents, and all the pain and despair they go through, I am once again convinced that we need each other. We speak to them about hope and faith, and they remind us to examine our values and priorities.
We visited three orphanages, a hospice, and a children’s oncology unit. What brings me joy is that the children wait for us, and most importantly, they understand that our relationships will continue even after they leave these institutions. One boy, Roma, wants to be adopted, and there are people willing to take him in — but he has two brothers with him, and they can’t be separated. Please pray that God would resolve this situation.
There is good news: we now regularly hold a small group for the parents of hospitalized children. Before, we simply provided meals and helped as best we could. But now, they themselves are ready for serious conversations and discussions about faith in God and the Church. Their number is growing, and seven moms have already attended our women’s gatherings.
I also want to ask for prayer for a girl named Kristina who has leukemia. She was going to be sent for a bone marrow transplant, but her condition is unstable, and doctors are afraid she may not survive the journey. Please pray for her family! They are also in need of financial support, as the treatment requires additional resources.
We had an interesting trip to the Artyn orphanage, and it stood out to me especially because I spent time with a new boy named Egor. He is 13 years old. His mother died, and his father is in prison. Egor used to do sports and had success in mixed martial arts. His foster family sent him to a psychiatric hospital, and from there he was brought to the orphanage.
He told me his story: his foster father humiliated and beat him, and Egor couldn’t take it anymore — he fought back and nearly killed him. People think the teenager is a thug and mentally ill, but when I became friends with him, I saw a little boy who lost his beloved mom and doesn’t know how to take care of his two younger sisters and little brother.
I want to take him home for the summer and give him protection and love.
We are also going through a special season ministering to children with cancer. Their numbers have grown — but so has our team. We have a special concern for a little girl named Anya. She is five years old, undergoing hormone therapy, and being prepared for a bone marrow transplant. They came to us from Ranga. Her mother is emotionally overwhelmed, and they have no money! We want to help them. Right now, they need help with housing rent and airfare to the clinic where the transplant will take place.
Thank you, dear friends, for carrying this ministry with us. Together we can do more for Christ! May God bless you!
