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.
This couple got married in 2016 and spent years unable to have children. During that time, Ira decided to volunteer at The Children’s Ark. It was there that she met Kira — a little girl who would forever stay in her heart. By then, Kira’s biological parents had lost their parental rights, and she was about to be transferred to a state institution.
One day, Ira asked her husband, “Could you love someone else’s child?” His answer was simple: “Yes.”
To support the development of relationships between children and adoptive parents — and to inspire more young families to consider adoption — we host family gatherings, individual consultations, group workshops, seminars, holiday celebrations, and cozy evenings of connection. Every donation you give helps strengthen a family and change a child’s future.
After that conversation, Ira and her husband enrolled in a foster parent training course. When they submitted their paperwork, they finally heard the long-awaited words from the child welfare office: “Congratulations — you’re now Mom and Dad!” Kira went home with them, and their new life together began.
But the story didn’t end there.
A year later, due to difficult family circumstances, Kira’s younger sister, Lusya, was brought to the shelter. When the family was informed by social services, Kira began asking, “Can we take my sister too?” And six months later, Lusya joined their family as well.
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!
From a young age, Vladimir lived in a small settlement where he often encountered evangelical believers who, whenever they met him, would tell him about Christ! After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Vladimir began drinking heavily. As a result, he divorced his wife, lost his home, and became a man no one wanted. He wandered between flop houses, and had toes and parts of his feet amputated.
In November 2023, in one of the half-ruined houses — with no light, no windows, no heat — we found Vladimir freezing in rags and brought him to the shelter. At the shelter he was washed, given clean clothes, and reminded again of God’s love. At that time, we didn’t yet know that in two days there would be a severe cold snap down to -40°C. If not for the Lord’s intervention, Vladimir would have frozen to death in that shack.
When we cleaned him up, we realized he had developed gangrene. After several months in the hospital, he began to recover! In the summer of 2024, he began to complain of stomach pains and rapidly lost weight. He was diagnosed with cancer, but he did not lose hope and continued reading the Gospel. His condition worsened. Vladimir began to pray and repented of his sins! The pain grew stronger, but the joy of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life filled his heart. He did not despair or complain. On March 11, 2025, Vladimir quietly left this world for the eternal dwelling place of the Father!
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!
Each session is tailored to the specific child,” says Grigory. “We create something new every time! I always ask, ‘What would you like to make?’ or ‘How could we fix something that’s broken at home?’ This teaches children to find solutions, fosters creativity, and builds confidence.” Our children develop in many different areas: they work with wood and metal, make jewelry or toys, paint pictures, sing, and sculpt with clay. These workshops are made possible by the creative center within our Children’s Ark. Some of the clay and vocal lessons are even conducted together with parents. These become a gentle yet profound form of family rehabilitation. Mary, head of the “Clay” studio, shares her reflections: “Sometimes words aren’t needed. It’s enough to sit nearby, take the soft clay into your hands, and start sculpting.” As it is written: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
We believe that through creativity, care, and prayer, God is healing these children. Right now, we have five instructors. We are currently seeking financial support to employ them full-time so they can continue this important work wholeheartedly, without worrying about tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who supports the Children’s Ark. Here, together, we are raising children for the Kingdom of God.
