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!
We organized a big celebration on Children’s Day, June 1st. Over the summer, new graduates from orphanages arrived, and we are actively communicating and working together. Working with children transitioning to adulthood is, in our view, the most important and challenging task. If we don’t reach out and win their hearts, they may start living a life of crime. Two girls gave birth at 16, and we are now helping them to survive. It’s crucial to teach them to choose life over death.
In a previous letter, I wrote about a girl who suffered from epilepsy, and her mother asked for prayers for healing. After our prayer, the child recovered. God showed mercy, and we began to regularly communicate with this family. For two months now, the girl has been rejoicing and praising God! This is a great encouragement for me.
This month, Lera, a girl we had been caring for for about five years, was admitted to the oncology department. Her health had suddenly worsened, and metastases spread to her internal organs. She was in a lot of pain, so our team created a schedule to ensure someone was with her every day to support her. She desperately wanted her mother to be with her, but her mother had lost parental rights and squandered all her resources. Lera was very tired of fighting the illness. We prayed with her, and she understood that she was going to the Heavenly Father. Lera was buried on June 7th. This is a difficult ministry, but we are needed by these children.
For the past six months, repair work has been ongoing at the shelter to improve the living conditions for those who couldn’t manage life and ended up on the streets. Of the 28 people living in the shelter today, 24 are elderly, and many of their days are numbered.
The most remarkable thing is that even when they were young, they never had such living conditions. Praise the Lord, who is wise in His plan to transform the soul and life of a person. Many of our residents have tears in their eyes as they see the rooms and the building where they have found refuge transformed in the final period of their lives.
These people, who were once considered unnecessary (and our residents were just like that before meeting Jesus), find it hard to believe that all this beauty is for them and that it is done by the One who left the glory of heaven and came to earth to make others happy. The work being done at the shelter helps many to reflect and reconsider their values. This is how the Lord changes their hardened and callous hearts.
Daily Bible readings reveal Jesus, who lived for others, in a new light. There is still much work ahead, but we do not give up, as we feel and have your support, both in prayer and financially. The Holy Spirit, who moves your hearts, also helps us in this difficult task.
I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your contribution, dear friends. Through charity, many accept Jesus as their Savior!
