We returned a few days ago from a two-week missionary trip. We prayed for that trip many years, and behold, glory to the Lord it took place. The Lord let me drive 5 thousand km through the western part of Russia. We visited 7 rehabilitation gospel centers and testified of the wonderful things God has done. A total of 250 more people heard the good news about our Savior. In addition, we shared a lot of joy great joy in their hearts, and we exchanged experiences and advanced the kingdom of God on earth. Many people accepted the Savior, and Christians glorified our heavenly Father when learning about His wonderful action in the ministry of mercy, on our Siberian land. During the trip, a brother called us and asked for help for a person who recently had his leg amputated. Today, Gennady is in our shelter. He came from Uzbekistan and lost all his documents. Hospitals are only giving him first aid, but can’t do anything else for him do.
I believe that the Lord will continue to take care of Gennady and others. We have 30 visitors who are currently living with us. And I thank you all, my friends, for your participation in the life and fate of these people. We are grateful and pray for you!
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.
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.
Recently, a father of a boy wrote me and began to simply to thank me for everything he felt and how badly he needed support 3 years ago. Back then we accompanied them to St Petersburg for a bone marrow transplant. When I read the message I cried and rejoiced, and clearly realized that it was the grace of God, and through us God was glorified. We have good news from Lera, she was taken back to her family. Her mother fulfilled the custody requirements. Even though not everything is over yet, but Lera really wanted to go to her mother, and now she is.
Our team also visited the orphanages to do some projects. We worked together with the boys, replaced sinks and toilets, and built a sandbox for the little ones, and in we have a bigger project, where we reconstruct a bath complex. The fact is that in this orphanage many graduates come for summer, for them it’s like their parent House. While we worked, I met Roma a little closer, he will soon be 6 years old and has no parents. Roma speech is impaired and intellectually not fully developed, but he is very nice and a sunny child. The director of the orphanage says that if he finds a speech therapist and the correct treatment, he will be able to go to school. So, they want to send him to a special disability boarding school. When I was teaching him things a Christian song started to play on the radio, and he began to sing along. I asked him: “Do you believe?” and he said: “Of course”, we even prayed together. Please pray for all our children.
How many children live around us who are deprived of the opportunity to feel brightness and joy of a festive atmosphere? How can they see care and participation in their life? The first Saturday of summer, we, the Word of Truth Church team, installed sound equipment and other inventory in the yard apartment building. The children had the chance to play outside games and races, inflatable slide and trampoline, face art and songs with movements, of course – sweet prizes and treats for all participants.
The holiday was a success! Though and certain changes in society. People have become careful, and a lack of initiative. They also beware of large people clusters. Some parents, walking around with children, so and did not dare to join this celebration. After all, as it is written “Many are called, but few are chosen …” most of the children at the party were not from the home, on the site which the event took place, but from the nearest neighborhood.
By the grace of the Lord we have succeeded unite the church and find contacts and build relationships with local residents. Thank you everyone who prays and supports the ministry Church “Word of Truth” in Omsk! We are praying for you.
