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!
Recently, I have witnessed how God miraculously heals children through our prayers. This month, we visited orphanages, paying special attention to graduates. Currently, we are supporting thirty-seven young people who have graduated and are eager to connect with us and seek help. Three of these young individuals will be baptized. This is God’s grace!
The children’s hospice has moved to a new location and is in need of renovation; we are diligently assisting the medical staff. We have special concerns about Yarik, a child who is practically immobile and relies on artificial respiration. His condition has worsened, and we have prayed and cared for him as best we can. Yarik is in critical condition; I understand these children are severely ill, but over the years, you become attached to them as family and fight for each day of life.
When we come and spend time with these children, we sing songs, pray for them, and see the sparkle in their eyes. We hope the Gospel reaches their hearts. In the pediatric oncology unit, there aren’t many children, which is good; those who are there receive our love and hear about hope, and they themselves ask us to pray for them.
A few days ago, three of our young men were baptized as a confirmation of their renewed lives through the risen Christ. Each of their journeys to this event is unique, long, challenging, and not easy. Yuri, 42 years old, has been with us in the shelter for 1.6 years. He was baptized and is praying to enroll in a missionary faculty. He came to us from a garbage dump, where he lived for 2 years, gradually dying from alcoholism. Vladimir, 45 years old, has been with us for a year; he was homeless, suffering from drug addiction and incurable diseases, living on the streets. Sergey, 63 years old, has been with us for 1.2 years; his relatives kicked him out onto the street after the death of his aunt, whom he cared for for 5 years. He wanted to end his life.
But this is how they lived until they met Jesus, after which they want to live differently and be useful. Today, they are different people—radiant with joy and happiness. Joy accompanies us throughout our time running the shelter, which has been in operation for 8 years this year. On this occasion, we held a festive service attended by many guests and friends. Over the years, the shelter has become a home for many young people battered by fate. Guests are amazed by the changes that occur in people who have been deprived of shelter, health, and hope for a better life. But everything changes thanks to the Lord and the help of those who care about the suffering of others.
The evangelization of non believers on the Khan side of the Yamal Peninsula has been ongoing for decades. As soon as the Iron Curtain of atheism fell, compassionate followers of Christ began to actively participate in missionary work.
One day, preachers on the shore of the Ob Bay encountered an unusual tourist who was traveling along his route on a dog sled. As the travelers drew closer, the brothers began to testify to the lone traveler about Christ. He listened attentively to the evangelists, and then, breaking the silence, said, “You found me even at the ends of the earth! My mother is a believer, and she tells me about God every day. I thought I wouldn’t hear about this in the Arctic latitudes, so I embarked on this long journey with my dogs… But you found me even here!”
The owner of the dog sled turned out to be a Finn. He had been inspired by a long-held dream since his youth: to independently traverse the northern coast all the way to Chukotka. No one knows if he ever fulfilled his dream, but the Lord certainly reached him, even at the edge of the earth!
Misha, Nastya, and Petya lived together in a large family and loved each other very much. Unfortunately, their parents suffered from alcohol addiction and were unable to give the children the attention and care they needed. The large family of six lived in a small room, which eventually led these three wonderful children to come to us at the “Children’s Ark.” This place played an important role in their lives because it is a place that helps children and families in difficult situations. Here, remarkable people work tirelessly to relieve the pain and sadness from children’s hearts and help them reintegrate into family life.
Despite all the care and effort, the children still dreamed of returning to their parents. We realized that to help the children, we needed to help their parents as well. So, we began working with the parents to help them change their lives. Before the children could return home, it was crucial to engage the parents in the process. In the case of these children, the parents needed to overcome their alcohol addiction, find employment, and take steps to improve their living conditions. They went through rehabilitation, received a new apartment, and importantly, found jobs. Finally, the day came when the children could return home. Their faces were so full of joy! We hope that we were able to instill in the hearts of the children and their parents a faith in the living God and give them hope!
