Every day I hear words of gratitude from the parents of the children you help, and I see the eyes of children when they are in great pain, but we are there with them.
Currently, we have a special prayer for Karina and Dinara, two girls who are preparing for bone marrow transplants. The issue is that their tests are unstable, and their condition changes suddenly. In order for them to undergo chemotherapy and survive the flight to St. Petersburg, they need stable and good test results. For that, they need treatment, care, and the inner strength that God can provide through us and you.
We are also taking care of children from the hospice, where a new boy, Kirill, has been admitted. He is a full orphan and will not be able to live independently; he needs care and attention. I don’t know how effective we are for such children, but I know for sure that we cannot pass by. If God sends us such children, we must show them His love and care as a Father.
There is also good news: the girl, Nastya, from the hospice was transferred to a special boarding school. Her life is now safe, and we played a part in that, as we worked with her for a long time. Thank you, friends, for your prayers and financial support. We really need you.
Today I want to introduce you to Andrey Afanasyev, who is 57 years old. Our first meeting with him took place just over a year ago. One day, a woman called and told us about her neighbors. The husband had suffered a stroke and was unable to care for himself, while his wife was constantly looking for alcohol, not working anywhere, and would disappear for several days at a time. Andrey, the neighbor, was almost always alone. His house was in disrepair. There was no firewood, and there was nothing to heat the place with. The house was full of filth. He was constantly hungry, cold, and alone.
We offered to take Andrey to the shelter, and he cried, asking not to be left to die alone. We joyfully took him to the House of Mercy, where he was accepted and surrounded with care and love. And so, for a year now, Andrey has been constantly hearing about the love of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the image of a loving God. Now, Andrey remembers his past life, the time when he was on the brink of starving to death, as a terrible nightmare. Today, he is well-fed, clothed, and regularly receives medical care, emotional, and spiritual support. He is cared for in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We believe that the Lord guides us, and we understand that there is still much work to be done. We must stand in the gap for the souls of the people entrusted to us by Jesus.
We ask for your prayerful support for this ministry:
1. We pray for the people living in the shelter, that each may reconcile with Christ.
2. Pray for the team of servants at Bethesda.
3. We pray for the completion of the repair and construction work and the improvement of the premises.
This month, we visited three orphanages and organized three gatherings for orphanage graduates at neutral locations in the city. We are mentoring over thirty children who have graduated and remain connected with us. We assist them in studying, earning money, and managing their finances while providing guidance and mentorship.
A few years ago, we saw children dropping out of school, turning to theft, using drugs, having children at 15, or ending up in prison. Today, these same children pray and have a chance for a happy and meaningful life.
Our ministry in oncology wards and hospices remains challenging and energy-intensive. This week, I brought a young woman to the hospice for the first time, and she became unwell while there. On the way home, she had countless questions, such as, “Why do these children get sick?” I told her that I don’t have the answers to such questions, but I know that they all need God and our help, and we will continue to provide it.
A new girl, Nastya, who is six years old, has joined us. She responds to touch, tries to speak, and sings songs with us. Her mother left her in the hospice as she is unable to support her, and we are committed to helping her.
Thank you so much for your support and assistance. We need your prayers and involvement. May the Lord bless us all.
Hope… Isn’t it what revives us? Especially during cold and long winter evenings, it gives us strength to keep going. When parents come to visit their children, we invite them to play together in the snow—a time when they share many warm and happy moments.
The celebration begins with the first sounds of bells as decorations are hung, handmade paper garlands appear, and songs and skits for the holiday are rehearsed. The entire “Children’s Ark” prepares for this important event. Staff create programs, prepare decorations, costumes, and crafts. We also invite parents to help, as it strengthens their bond with their children and teaches them how to create joy together.
As Christmas approaches, we seek opportunities and reach out to various organizations and individuals to collect gifts for the children. It is heartwarming to see how many respond and are willing to contribute and participate! This is vital support for us and an essential part of the holiday for the children.
On Christmas Eve, the shelter’s doors open wide, and parents enter the hall. It’s celebration time, and hugs and laughter fill the air. Together, we sing Christmas carols, share memories, and talk about the most important thing—Jesus was born and came into this world to be with us and to bring salvation.
On this evening, every child feels the warmth of family comfort and the solace that comes to the heart through hope. Parents experience a unique closeness and warmth with their children. During the celebration, they realize that their presence and involvement in their children’s lives are what matter most.
Our team of volunteers, representing eight congregations from the region, along with some young people who are not yet church members, conducted two family retreats. Over the two sessions this year, we hosted a total of 145 people. This year, we had a new addition to our team—a young woman taking her first steps in faith. She was inspired to join us by the testimonies of others who had participated in these retreats before.
About a month before the retreat, a brother and his family were returning from vacation. While sharing their faith on the train, they met a woman who turned out to be a sister in the Lord, though she was struggling in her faith due to her husband abandoning her. This event had divided her life into a “before” and “after.” She was traveling with her children—two teenagers and an 8-year-old girl—to the Altai region in search of a new home. But after connecting with the brother’s family, she felt God’s guidance and, a week later, arrived in Omsk to visit the brother’s congregation.
After attending a service—and through the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit—she decided to settle in Omsk. God’s intervention in her life didn’t stop there. Just at that time, a family canceled their attendance for the first retreat session, allowing her family to join us. God affirmed their decision, and they were deeply satisfied with the experience. Now, they are integrated into the brother’s congregation that welcomed them like family and are actively working with children in the ministry.
This month has been filled with joyful events as well as challenging situations. Our friend Saveliy was baptized and immediately joined a mission team. He can’t keep silent; he shares about Christ with everyone he meets and tells his testimony. His grandmother has also started attending church, and the brothers are reading the Gospel with her. When I see his life, how he finds joy and encourages others, even while on crutches, I am sure that he is a blessing for the church and society.
We had several trips to orphanages and spent quality time with the children. I can say for certain that they are no longer orphans; we live like one big family. Over the weekends, we placed more than thirty children in families. This is a blessing for everyone!
There is also a concern. A girl named Ksenia in the oncology ward has experienced a relapse, and her condition worsened suddenly, so she was taken to the hospital. For three days, she couldn’t even stand, and we visited her every day, helping and praying. She is feeling better now, and she is being prepared for a bone marrow transplant. Things are stable at the hospice; we brought a screen for the children to play music and movies about God, which has brought comfort to both the children and the medical staff.
I am deeply grateful for your prayers and support. Many of the children battling cancer have survived, learned about Jesus, and are learning to trust, believe, and pray. Praise God for His mercy!
