Global Aid Network Mission Reports

February 5, 2010:  Correctional School 

The team visited a correctional school this morning. When we mention a “correctional school”, you may wonder what it is. I know that I was curious, since this is my first trip to Siberia. A correctional school is a special school for folks with emotional and mental disabilities. The students put on an amazing program for us! They sang and danced. One of the songs was about sailors in a storm. The sailors were doing well because they had faith, hope and love. Here in the distant, snowladen land we found  a nurturing enviroment. I’m not sure if we were on the giving or recieving end… I believe it was both! The kids never have anyone to visit them and we enjoyed their talents.

In the small group in which I participated, the eight girls made beaded bracelets that were provided by a group at an Arcitecture firm from Pennsylvania. The really cool thing about this is… about a week before I left for this winter wonderland, one of my clients called and said that it was on her heart that her office wanted to contribute kits to make beaded bracelets. We have been to many places and my bag of gifts is now referred to as ”Mary Poppins Bag”… you never know what will come out! With only four sites left, I was hoping to use them soon. We have had mixed groups of boys and girls until this day. Plus the really beautiful thing is that this was something that the girls could do! Not only do they have a lovely treat, but God provided them a new skill and some supplies! 

February 5 2010:  Beryozovskaya School for the Deaf 

The Director, Staff and Children anxiously awaited our visit. This school prepares children with the basic fundamentals of sign language. Then at age 8 or 9 they are sent to other schools to continue their studies. Many are totally deaf and other wear hearing aids for limited hearing. They also exhibit other physiological issues. We spent time with the children in their ‘family room areas’ but also were able to visit their classrooms. They are currently working in signing both wild and domestic animal names. 

The highlight of our visit was seeing the children dressed up for a performance of the story entitled ‘The Cottage’. The staff here shows an amazing genuine love for these children and work very hard to get them to prepare for this performance. The kids were so enthusiastic! 

The staff thanked us for the love that we showed the children during our short visit. The children obviously were impacted. We could tell by the tears that rolled down their face and the hugs we got as we prepared to leave. 

English, Russian, Sign Language… God’s love knows no bounds.    

February 2, 2010 

When we were in Krasnoyarsk last year, several of us were interested in visiting more remote orphanages.  At our final dinner, the leader of the church we work in this area asked us if we would visit sites out in the remote villages when we returned the following year.  This was an answer to our prayers.  We were so excited when these dreams finally became reality!

Today, we traveled to two places that are 150+ miles from Krasnoyarsk, which is a 3 hour car drive. We were welcomed by smiling and excited faces.  Our small group met with older kids, most around the age of 16.  As I shared the gospel with them, they seemed to be contemplating each word I said.  Our team felt that the kids clearly understood the gospel message by the end of our meeting.
Our second group of the day was totally different than the first.  All the kids were younger and between the ages of 3-8 years old.  They were full of energy, so we played many games of “Duck, Duck, Goose” (Ootka, Ootka, Goos).  They knew the chicken dance, so we played that as well.  Betty explained the gospel bead bracelets to the older children while I played with the three year olds.  Rich and Stuart distributed the gifts and Bible story books.  The kids enjoyed our time together almost as much as we did.

I had an unexpected opportunity as we were gathering together to leave.  A boy from another group came to me and asked if I believed in God.  I quickly responded, “Yes, he lives in my heart.”  I then asked him, “Do you believe in God?”  He replied, “A little bit.”  I pointed to his gospel bead bracelet and encouraged him to remember what Jesus had done for him.  I reminded him that if he asked Jesus to live in his heart, then Jesus would always be with him.  I was so thankful to hear this boy asking questions about God. Please continue to pray with us that each of the children we met today will make a commitment to know and follow Jesus.  God tells us that it is His will that no one would perish, but that all would come to repentance.

The ice-covered road to Primorsk snaked up, around and down the mountain.  Pastor Pasha guided the 100+ kph vehicle expertly, but we now know why he encourages people to pray more fervently.  We enjoyed the scenery with quaint villages where homes had had 2 feet of snow on the rooftops.  Thick forests of pine and birch trees had heavy clumps of snow clinging to slender branches.  The drive took over 3 hours, but it was well worth the reward.  When we arrived safely, we were greeted by welcoming and loving children.  We shared fun games, hugs, and laughter with them.  As we were leaving one boy shouted to us, “I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life!”  I thought to myself, “So will I!”.

February 1, 2010 

What do Twister, bells, and the chicken dance all have in common?  They were part of the fun we had today at Emiliovsky Children’s Home.  Our group of boys, aged 9-14, seemed to enjoy all the activities.  When we first entered the room they were seated around a table, but we soon had them on their feet playing Twister.  Believe it or not, several boys had played Twister before!  Other boys enjoyed looking at the big U.S.  map and asking us questions about America.  After Twister, we taught the boys how to play “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” on hand bells.  They caught on quickly and sounded great.  Later, we shared our pictures with them, and Cathy shared the gospel message.  Afterwards, I asked if anyone had decided to ask Jesus into their hearts and several children indicated that they had already done so.  I encouraged the others to seriously think about this decision and I offered to help them pray. 

After we prayed together, I shared my excitement about now being brothers and sisters in God’s family and I explained to the children what that meant.  It’s exciting to know that we will have a family reunion in heaven one day with some of these kids.  Later, since we had extra time, we played the chicken dance together.  Then, we handed out CarePacks, books with Bible stories and gifts.  As we left, the children hugged us and gave us pictures to remember our fun day together.  By this day’s experience, I know that God can use anything to work His good will – even Twister, bells, and the chicken dance!

February 1, 2010 

I was so excited to be back at the children’s home today to see the children we saw last year. The kids seemed very excited to see us again. They paid close attention as we performed a skit and sang songs. 

Today, our small group had the opportunity to share pictures. The kids were very responsive and asked many questions. I had all of them sit on the floor in front of me while I explained the gospel bracelet. Then, I led the children in a prayer to ask Jesus to come into their hearts. They all prayed this prayer with Tanya as she interpreted in Russian. I explained to the children that if they had prayed the prayer from their hearts and believed in Jesus, than Jesus did come into their hearts. Afterwards, we sang some songs, passed out a few gifts and then ended our time there. As we were leaving, the children ran to us and hugged us tightly, begging us not to leave. They asked, “Will you come back?” I told them that we hoped we could. I also assured them that if they asked Jesus into their hearts, then I would see them again one day.

This morning our caravan of 6 cars departed the hotel at 7:15 am. The temperature was -32.8 F. We traveled to Divnogorsk, about an hour away, to pick up some of our interpreters and then the journey began.  Our driver Ivan drove over the snowy and icy road ways with keen agility. Our caravan progressed with snow piles to the left and right, towering 5 to 6 feet above the roadway. We passed unknown city signs with an endless view of snowy mountains and massive evergreen and birch tree forests. We saw few cars on the road. Do I dare use the word desolate?  We finally arrived at the town of Primorsk. The people at the 3 locations we visited were so excited to see us! The children rarely get any visitors, especially those in such remote areas. We sang, we spoke and shared the message of Jesus with these children. Some children had arrived at these facilities when they were 2 or 3 years old and were still living there after 12 years. We heard some great karaoke songs and Russian accordions. These children are smart, beautiful and amazingly talented.