» Belarus

Belarus — Good News and Great Joy

Mike — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:11:29 +0000

Dear friends,

Today, I am thankful to God for having all of you in my life. You help me grow in the Lord and become what I am. I am thankful to you for helping the ministry to continue and grow. On this very cold Belarusian winter day (minus 10 F) your friendship warms up my heart and I want to share our latest news.

Christmas projects

Christmas is a wonderful time of opportunities for us. We can start talking about Jesus to almost anybody and it will be just to the point. In Belarus we are double blessed as we celebrate Christmas twice. Actually once, but the second Christmas day is always an outreach.

This Christmas we were able to bring joy, good news and gifts to many kids. We started with Our Annual Christmas Fair at Stankovo orphanage for 75 kids. All of them got sweets, shampoo, soap, toys, school supplies and clothes. Our team was dressed up in the costumes of Mary, Joseph, Angel, shepherds, wise men and we did a little reproduction of how Jesus was born. Many kids already knew the story, but it’s always great to remind about it.

Later we did similar Fair and the story at another place, in the shelter for 15 kids. Besides, we got ideas of what each child in the shelter wanted for Christmas and we got the gifts. Among the wishes there were watches, toys (cars, planes) and some kids wanted clothes. Vika,6 years old, who was in our summer camp wished for a new dress and another Vika of the same age wanted a coat. It was fun to give it all to them.

On Christmas day we were able to take 20 orphans out to a church celebration and later on to McDonald’s. They always want to go.

At the other orphanage for 60 younger kids with disabilities our main gift was diapers. Many, many diapers and, of course, some sweets that we call “zefir” , which is like marshmallows. The kids were eating it greedily as they usually do not get sweets due to allergies. But Christmas is different! It brings a lot of joy to us, including joy of eating candies.

Our friend and SII Board member Jill Tyson came to Belarus in December. Together we got to go to a place called Zhitkovichi, where we have friends , who are foster parents and the ex-director of the orphanage Irina, who is now a director of a very poor village school for 52 kids. We got to spend nice time with the families, we encourage them to walk with the Lord. We also brought Christmas gifts for the foster kids.

The school in the village has an outdoor toilet, there is no sports equipment at all, and many other needs. The kids say that they come to school only for food, as they get it free because they live in Chernobyl disaster area and meals at school are provided by the authorities. Having alcoholic parents, who don’t take care of them, they see no future for themselves. We want to help them think differently.

For New year we bought food for the orphanage and the shelter, so orphans could celebrate New Year just like all the other family kids do.

And after the New Year we continued Christmas celebrations at the village near Minsk with pastor Tamara and her outreach. Our American friend Stephen Singley has joined us for that and shared a word.

There were also many young people, who used to come to our camps as kids. Now they are with their families and they know where to bring their kids. Praise God for the great job He continues to do! About 35 kids got Christmas gifts that day.

Prayer needs and financial needs

1. Pray for Masha from MFH as she is taking her winter exams at Belarusian Economic University and they are hard. She tried to pass one exam 5 times , but finally, she made it. We encourage her not to give up.

2. We would like to help the village school with sporting equipment, soccer and volley balls, jumping ropes,ect.

3. We are working on installing internet connection to the orphanage in Stankovo, so that the kids can connect with friends from schools in USA, so called Club of International Friendship. For that we need 100$ for one year (with webcam 150$). The amount depends on getting a webcam and a microphone. Should you have one at home that you do not use, please mail it to us. Contact me for mailing address.

4. Pray for our new team of volunteers and Easter projects that we are preparing now.

Blessing to you,

In Christ, Olga

Belarus: Alesya’s Last Update

Mike — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:43:18 +0000

Greetings dear friends,

Merry Christmas!!! Happy New Year!! May God be with you during this season and all through the year of 2012. May you know His presence, joy and peace in your Life every day. Thank you so very much for being with us in 2011 and making so many kids smile. We love you.

The Goncharenko family — Olga, Yasha, Thomas, Stephanie and Erika.

Here is an update from Alesya Kuleshova. Many of you know her personally. Besides being my sister, she’s been with Spring of Revival for almost 10 years serving in many different ways: as an interpreter, as a counselor, a clown, a teacher and as a Minsk Family Home counselor for the last couple of years. (Alesya is second from right below)

Hello dear friends,

This is my last newsletter as a counselor of Minsk Family Home as I am leaving this ministry and moving away. In March I am getting married to a nice guy named David from Florida. So in January I am leaving Minsk Family Home. It has been an honor and a privilege to be there and I love the girls deeply. They have grown up a lot and now of of they will care out the responsibilities of a counselor in MFH.

This month of December MFH celebrated two birthdays. It was Alla’s birthday and also it was Nastya’s birthday (she is the one who comes for the weekends).

For Nastya’s birthday we had a nice day out. We went bowling and we had some pizza after that. It was a big surprise for Nastya who did not know that we were planning for her.

And for Alla’s birthday we invited some friends over and made sushi for them. It was a first time girls made sushi. Both Alla and Nastya had great birthdays.

And now we have a visitor in MFH. That is Jill Tyson who came for two weeks to teach English to some students. In the evenings she is also working on improving English skills of the girls from MFH. We are enjoying having her here.

December is a Christmas season and we are preparing our hearts to do good things for other people. In Our church we had a Women’s conference dedicated to that topic. Spring of Revival had a table there with all our information on how people can help in our work with orphans. Olga made a presentation with photos and MFH girls made many cards to sell. It was a great time and many people showed interest in our work.

Our orphanage and shelter visits were dedicated to preparations for Christmas. We shared with the kids what is Christmas, we learned how to make small pies, cakes and cookies. We made Christmas cards and decorations. What gives us a lot of pleasure is that we now haveenough belarusian volunteers to go with us, so that we can divide our team into 5 groups and go to all the orphan groups at one orphanages at the same time.

Now we are making our Christmas visits, that you’d read about in our next newsletter.

Blessings,

Alesya Kuleshova

The Heart of Ministry

Mike — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:18:46 +0000

I love it when this happens –

Last month, Olga Gonchrenko posted this as part of her update:

We were given 2 wheelchairs that were a great blessing to 2 women who were in great need for the chairs. Valentina, the first woman, got into a car accident 2.5 years ago. She can’t move her lower part of the body, she lives all by herself and she is praying for a computer, so that she can keep in contact with the outside world as well as work part time on the computer.

One of our supporters, Erin, was touched and gave money to purchase a computer for Valentina. Erin’s Bible study class gave money to pay for the first year of internet service (which is very considerate).

To me, this is an excellent example of how the Lord uses living stones (1 Peter 2:5), the body of Christ, to express His love to those in need.

Several people in the Stoneworks family fulfilled their roles; Mary Jean Preece, Stoneworks Administrator, handled the transaction well, Olga Goncharenko guides the ministry, and Valentina’s prayers have been answered.

And perhaps best of all, Valentina and Erin (with the help of Google Translate) are now in direct communication.

Bible Studies and Birthdays in Belarus

Mike — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:58:38 +0000

Here’s some news from Olga Goncharenko:

Greetings dear friends,

Last month was very eventful for us. Let us begin with

MFH

The girls are doing well. Every week we get together for a Bible study (home group). Besides, we keep in contact with the former MFH girls. This time we had a baby shower for Tanya, who has been out of MFH for about over a year. Tanya is going to have a boy , whom she wants to name David. It was a surprise party for her and she was thrilled. Besides a having a great time together, she got most necessary things for baby such as a crib, a high chair, clothes, bedding for the baby, etc.

This coming month we will have a birthday girl in MFH home. Besides, the girls are preparing a Christmas theater program, that we will show at different orphanages.

Orphanages

We got to go to Stankovo 4 times in two weeks. It was the big even of 50th anniversary of the orphanage. First we were helping to prepare for that. We had a Master class of making fall crafts and gifts out of natural materials. Later on the gifts were given to the former graduates of the orphanage, who all came for the big event.

Second, we helped to get some food items, as after the even there were tables with food . And thirdly, we attended the big event. It was really great to see so many familiar faces of those teachers, who used to work at the orphanage. We had very good relationships with them, and the most exciting thing was to meet many graduates, who came back for that day. We talked and we remembered some of the things from the past.

As a gift for that event we gave the kids a big football table. I hope they will have a lot of fun with it.

And our last visit was during their fall break, as we played some games, had tea and talked. It’s so sad to see how young girls make wrong choices and start smoking at very early age. Please keep them in your prayers.

Now we are starting to prepare for Christmas and we need your help to get Christmas gifts and things for the Christmas fair.

Every month or so we bring diapers to the needy kids of Zhdanovichi orphanage. They are ages 3 to 6, but they look so much smaller, besides many of them have health problems, they do not talk, and they many allergies. We come to embrace them and give them a little bit of love. One boy Sergey had broken his arm and it didn’t heal for a long time, as the is allergic to milk and the orphanage can’t buy him calcium vitamins. It seems like a very easy thing to do to help Sergey, but it does need a person like you and me to come and help. Pray for Sergey’s healing. He has vitamins now as well.

Shelter birthday party

And almost not a month goes by without a Birthday party. One girl Olya and three boys were the birthday kids this month.

They were new to the shelter and it seemed that they didn’t really realize what had happened to them. Olya almost didn’t smile at all.

We are planning to visit them again and we would love to make a kitchen in the shelter.

Women’s day: Concert at the village

October,14th was Women’s day in Belarus. It’s a new holiday for us to celebrate, a few years old. But we held a concert in one of the villages, where we support some foster families. There were about 50 people and kids from the village.

The message was about a role of a mother and how to be a good Godly mother. There were also some songs, poems and gifts. Afterwards we had some pastries.

Thank you all dear friends for your prayers, your love and your support.

In Christ,

Olga

Meeting in Estonia

Mike — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:56:00 +0000

I was in Estonia for a few days earlier this week. Yasha & Olga Goncharenko and their children came up from Belarus, and it was nice to meet them there and introduce them to our Estonian friends.

The Goncharenkos stayed at our ministry flat in Johvi. Pastor Artur Pold and his wife Valya welcomed them with open arms. They took them to a spa and treated them to a fresh fish dinner (you catch your own fish). All in all, it was a great trip, though it was too short for me. We look forward to their next visit.

Yasha and Olga were able to take back a large load humanitarian aid, too. Now there will be many gifts for orphans this Christmas.

You Can Help — Christmas in Belarus

Mike — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:33:10 +0000

Olga Gonchareko writes:

As we are planning our Christmas visits we really would like to ask you for your prayers and donations towards Christmas gifts.

Here are some ideas or/ and needs for Christmas:

- a Christmas box of sweets and chocolates — $5 per child (we need about 250)

- school supplies — $15 per child

- new kitchen for the shelter (electrical stove, table, sink, refrigerator, dishes, etc)

- food baskets for foster families, handicapped people, poor families – 20$ per basket

Belarus: Shelters, Teachers and Weddings

Mike — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:31:34 +0000

From Spring of Revival Director Olga Goncharenko:

Dear friends,

As fall is here in Belarus and we enjoy the pretty leaves and colors, the ministry goes back to its regular schedule after summer. We continue to visit orphanages, shelters, foster homes and spend time with orphan graduates.

This time we want to share about our clown party that we had in one of the orphanages. There were 160 children, most of them had some health issues. We had 5 clowns, who led games for kids and gave out small gifts and candies to the kids. It was held in a big assembly hall where all the kids could come.

We had a great audience that enjoyed our play and we really enjoyed those kids. We also made some new friends. Most kids wanted to talk to us and spend some time afterwards.

Last weekend it was Teacher’s day in Belarus. And we decided to get some gifts and congratulate all the 15 teachers at Stankovo shelter. We got all of them a bottle of shampoo and a box of chocolate. They were so thankful.

At the official part we enjoyed our time together with the teachers at the table having food and cakes. Then we also had time with the kids. We brought them some fruit, drinks, cookies and candies. While teachers were having their party the kids were snacking on their goodies. It was fun.

Also we were given 2 wheel chairs that were a great blessing to 2 women who were in great need for the chairs. Valentina, the first woman, got into a car accident 2.5 years ago. She can’t move her lower part of the body, she lives all by herself and she is praying for a computer, so that she can keep in contact with the outside world as well as work part time on the computer.

The other women Vera hasn’t been outside for a long time (she lives in a tall apartment building). Now with the wheelchair, she can go out. She was so happy. Please continue to pray for those ladies.

MFH News

October 1st was Katya’s wedding. Katya was in MFH for 2 years. She was a good girl, who learnt a lot during that time. We are happy for Katya.

The ceremony was very small, it took places at a court house near Minsk. Katya was a pretty bride that day. We continue to pray for her as she enters her own adult life. May the Lord be with her and keep her safe, helping her to remain in the teachings she received, and we trust that her life will be successful.

Thank you all dear friends for your prayers, support and for my birthday wishes,

Love,

Olga Goncharenko

News from Spring of Revival

Mike — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:49:59 +0000

Greetings dear friends,

We are glad to share with you some of our news.

The rest of our summer after we finished the camp wasn’t very busy for us. It was a time of learning.

I attended a conference dedicated to problems of orphans in Belarus, as well as shared our experience in running family home with other church group, who are thinking of the same idea.

As most older orphans were at camps, we got to visit younger children in the orphanages and shelters. We brought diapers for them with some drinks and fruit, and in August we delivered school supplies to the shelter, as kids needed to get ready for school. We played, made some crafts and drew pictures. It was a lot of fun. We also brought some watermelons for them. They love it and don’t get it at the orphanages.

Meanwhile, we visited foster families, spend some time there, went fishing with the boys, watched milking the cow, pigs. One of our purchased pigs had piglets and it’s great to see how the ministry is expanding through that. The foster family is giving away one pig to a needy family in the village. That’s so wonderful.

Now, as the school year began, we are planning to do some big events in orphanages, such as clown program tomorrow. After that we’ll plan a few birthday parties and cooking classes.

We also would love to start a cooking class program in the shelter in Stankovo. They have a separate room for it, but it’s not equipped for a kitchen. To do that we’ll need a stove, cabinets, fridge, pans and pot, dishes and cups, and a sink.

Please pray with us for all the programs and for our land. It’s really a difficult economical time here now.

– Olga Goncharenko

Minsk Family Home — New Faces

Mike — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:29:42 +0000

The summer is over and new school year began for the girls. They had good rest in the summer time and also were able to work.

Alona was in Russia working as a cook-helper in a summer camp. (That’s what she plans for her future profession.) Masha and Alla were councilors at a camp for orphans and unprivileged kids. Alla is also went to driving school in the summer time. Our girl Katya is out of the family home as she is getting married in a few weeks.

We also have three new girls. September is a a trial period for them. One of them Is Dasha (17) who is Masha’s biological sister, they used to be in the same orphanage, but were separated years ago. Dasha is studying to be a hairdresser.

Two other girls are Lena (15) and Nastya (15) were is a shelter and then in the same foster family. They both are learning to be a seamstress. We are taking them to the church, home groups and to participate in other programs. We hope that this month of trial will be good for them and they will have desire to change their lives and to stay in Minsk Family Home.

Please pray for them.

A Letter about Minsk Family Home

Mike — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:48:03 +0000

We’ve recently sent this letter to previous donors who have supported Minsk Family Home —

We value you as a prayer partner for Belarus and the ministry of the Minsk Family Home, and thank you for your previous financial support. I want you to know about the challenging time that the ministry now faces.

Minsk Family Home needs our support more than ever. In addition to the Belorussian economy facing serious trouble (inflation is rampant, the money supply is drying up), social unrest is growing and the culture is less stable each week. Olga Goncharenko recently wrote,

“Please keep us and our ministry in your prayers as life here is very unstable. You can read it online in the news, but besides all the prices going up rapidly and being tripled in the last two months, it’s also becoming strange to us how many people get arrested downtown. So we need God’s protection.”

Supporting Minsk Family Home is a way we can help believers in Belarus. Our support (spiritual, emotional, financial) has always been an encouragement and a ministry tool but is vital now in the midst of the unrest.

Also, after looking over past and current support levels, it’s become clear that Minsk Family Home needs an additional $3600 in gifts or pledges to keep the program viable for the remainder of 2011.

These are trying times, and Christian workers and orphans need a sense of continuity and provision from those outside of their culture.

Please feel free to share this letter with anyone you think may be interested in helping Minsk Family Home continue their-life changing work in Belarus.