We had an interesting trip to the Artyn orphanage, and it stood out to me especially because I spent time with a new boy named Egor. He is 13 years old. His mother died, and his father is in prison. Egor used to do sports and had success in mixed martial arts. His foster family sent him to a psychiatric hospital, and from there he was brought to the orphanage.
He told me his story: his foster father humiliated and beat him, and Egor couldn’t take it anymore — he fought back and nearly killed him. People think the teenager is a thug and mentally ill, but when I became friends with him, I saw a little boy who lost his beloved mom and doesn’t know how to take care of his two younger sisters and little brother.
I want to take him home for the summer and give him protection and love.
We are also going through a special season ministering to children with cancer. Their numbers have grown — but so has our team. We have a special concern for a little girl named Anya. She is five years old, undergoing hormone therapy, and being prepared for a bone marrow transplant. They came to us from Ranga. Her mother is emotionally overwhelmed, and they have no money! We want to help them. Right now, they need help with housing rent and airfare to the clinic where the transplant will take place.
Thank you, dear friends, for carrying this ministry with us. Together we can do more for Christ! May God bless you!
Ministry in Omsk – Sasha Melnikov