We never know how long our children will live. Therefore, we do not waste time in vain: we engage in activities, learn to read and write, solve problems, and much more. It seems that just recently the first bell rang in schools, we were assembling backpacks with the children, wearing lush bows. And now it’s already November, and that means it’s time to prepare for Christmas. And although it’s gray and rainy outside, as the saying goes: ‘Prepare the sledge in the summer.’ Christmas is a holiday of love and mercy. Therefore, we do not remain indifferent, and with great pleasure we open a collection for Christmas gifts. We invite you to this wonderful atmosphere of preparation for the wonderful and bright holiday of Christmas. Gifts will be collected not only for children from the orphanage in the city of Saint Petersburg but also for children from other regions of Russia. Everything in the world starts with something small, everything is born small, and then grows: a small sprout becomes a big tree, a stream flows into a river, words grow into sentences and big novels, great melodies are composed from a few notes. Dear ones, let’s all together gather Christmas gifts for our children!
Greetings to you, brothers and sisters! The ministry of mercy and care for children continues successfully. The number of children in need is increasing. When you see the need, you want to help everyone, comfort everyone, and heal everyone. We understand that we can pray for everyone, but can only help a few.
This month we visited three children’s homes and welcomed 17 graduates to the city. They are now students and have started living independently, and we have managed to build relationships with them. These young people now have a great chance to survive and become good people and Christians. We also visited a hospice 10 times and participated in the lives of many children, especially in the life of Apollon. His condition has improved, and we hope he will recover! A special need is for children in oncology. The department is overcrowded with children who need care, encouragement, and prayer.
Rita and Yaroslav are on hormones, and their condition is severe. They are looking for donors for a bone marrow transplant, and in the meantime, they need expensive medications and special nutrition. We try to participate in their lives prayerfully and financially. Every day, buying medicines and food costs up to 100 dollars. The family cannot afford this and needs help! Therefore, we ask you to pray and participate with us in the lives of these children! The children are very kind and want to live! Today, much depends on us. I want to express my gratitude to you for your participation in the lives and treatment of the children. Glory to Jesus for the honor of serving sick children and accompanying families on their difficult journey!
We continue to develop ministries for children facing difficult circumstances and see a tremendous need and blessing. We want to convey a huge thank you for your prayers and financial assistance! This month has been particularly busy as more than 30 children were admitted to oncology and hospice care.
I have also started a small group with parents. While the children have their one-hour sessions, I gather the parents in the kitchen, and we talk about their fears and concerns. They listen to the Gospel in a special way.
There is a special need for Rita and her family! She is 8 years old, and they are preparing her for a bone marrow transplant, which requires a lot of strength and finances. Currently, the child is on hormonal treatment, and at this moment, the children are particularly downcast.
In the hospice, we visit Dasha, who is 12 years old. When she was very young, she received a vaccination with an incorrect dosage, which caused her paralysis. She requires round-the-clock care and is confined to her bed, unable to do anything independently. Dasha’s mom is very tired and in despair. She is raising Dasha alone and needs a lot of strength, finances, and emotional support to keep going and not give up.
We decided to help this family and support both the mother and Dasha. Dasha’s mom has started listening to the Gospel and praying, which is very encouraging for us.
We have also gathered 250 children from three orphanages into our school and welcomed 20 graduates in the city, participating in their placement in dormitories near educational institutions. Thank you for your involvement in serving underprivileged children!
Children who come to foster families often carry a heavy baggage of distrust, pain, and disappointment. And when you see happiness on the face of an adopted child, you rejoice twice. Parents of such children need a lot of love, strength, and wisdom. That’s why supporting foster families is so important! When parents have support, it’s easier for them to love. When parents can get answers to their questions, parenting becomes wiser and more balanced. When parents have time to rest and socialize with other parents in the same situation, it’s a time to recharge.
That’s why one of the directions of the Children’s Ark is to support foster families. We hold regular Saturday meetings for parents and children so that everyone can spend this time productively, joyfully, and soulfully. Every Saturday, we meet with teenagers from foster families and run a club. This summer, there was a wonderful opportunity to interact with the kids on hikes. During this warm season, we equipped the boiler room, reconstructed the water supply system, repaired the summer shower, and renovated some rooms in the house. In September, we completed the cleanup and garden rearrangement.
We would be delighted if you become a part of the Children’s Ark ministry!
For the first time, a camp for children was organized in the Priuralsk tundra. For nearly a week, tundra children had the opportunity to get to know Christ as the best friend of all children. The hymns they learned became part of the program and the overall celebration.
The communication with adults before the camp usually culminates in the Lord’s Supper. This fellowship is eagerly awaited by reindeer herders, a tradition that has been ongoing since February 2023, with a similar gathering in the prayer house in Vorkuta. After the official part of the gathering concludes, local friends willingly express their desire to continue informal communication. The demonstrated love and involvement often solidify theory into practice, a significant aspect of mission work.
After the fellowship, local residents, some on reindeer sleds, some in cars, and others on foot, disperse to their camps and tents, ‘so as to live for the rest of their earthly lives no longer by human desires but by the will of God.’ 1 Peter 4:2.
Last year, Lena came to us. At that time, she was seven years old. Unfortunately, Lena’s mother did not arrange for her to go to school. We never know how long we will have the children with us. This year, we were among the first in line to submit an application for enrollment in the first grade. We have even passed the medical examination with the future first graders.
And then we encountered a surprise in the form of a refusal, as it was also necessary to pass a psychological-medico-pedagogical commission. In short, our eyes twitched, and our brows turned gray, but we passed the commission. And the child was enrolled in school. When a child enters the first grade, the requirements for their speech, behavior, and way of life change dramatically. It’s an exciting moment for every parent and future first-grader.
Lena is eagerly awaiting the day when she will go to school. So we don’t waste any time: we study, learn to read and write, solve problems, and much more. And from September, our socio-developmental center will open its doors again, and the children will attend additional developmental activities.
Everything in the world starts small, everything is born small, and then it grows: a small seedling becomes a big tree, a stream joins a river, words turn into sentences and great novels, a few notes compose great melodies.
We thank you for your heart and prayers, for your cooperation and assistance in serving the social orphans! May God bless you abundantly!
