We have two exciting events:

Our baby girl Erika was dedicated on August, 8 2010.

And our son Thomas is starting school this September.

~Olga

Related posts:

1. A New Baby!
2. Update from Spring of Revival
3. Blessed in Belarus

Our 4th Week in America:

Right now I’m living in a family with Marina Cmirnova, from orphanage #35. The family really loves Marina, especially Charlie, who is 3 years old; he gets really upset when he hears that Marina is going to leave soon.

Over the course of 4 days Marina and I got to see various interesting places: the Benjamin Franklin Museum, the first American zoo in Philadelphia, and the Atlantic Ocean, where we spent a whole day.

On July 24th there was a party, which Marina and the other kids from Ukraine attended, with their chaperons.  It was really well organized for the kids; there was even a pool, nice since the weather has been very hot lately. Marina had a good time and got to know the kids from Ukraine. Marina really likes America and loves her host family.

The family has come to love this little girl from Russia.

Thing are also going well for the kids from orphanage #8: Kseniya Fyodorova is staying in an oceanfront hotel. Zarina and Ruslan got to go on rides, caught fish, and went to a concert, since the host father plays in a band and sings. They also visited an oceanarium. Maksim Udaltsov had his last day at camp on July 23rd and on the 24th ; they went on amusement park rides.

Robert Shigorin and his host family are staying on the oceanfront in a family camp and is helping his host parents to learn some Russian. He continues to study English and says he misses St. Petersburg and his friends and counselors in the orphanage.

Related posts:

1. We Are Orphans
2. Update from MIR
3. Visit to Rita’s Brother

Here is an update from Marina Topoltsyeva, Board Member for MIR:

Dear Friends,

Here are pictures I took yesterday at the shelter my friends from the church started in the village 1.5 hours drive from the city.

There are about 10 kids whose parents are addicted to drugs and alcohol. They simply gave the children up and disappeared.  The youngest child is 3 months old, the oldest is 6 years old.

They have a building but it remained empty for 2 years and renovation had not been finished. Children have no documents–no records at all–but need medical help.  The Director is very busy with paperwork for them.

Please pray for the workers to take care of children and funds to provide essential needs.  We brought them chicken yesterday; they cooked it and ate it right away.  The goal of this shelter is to try to bring mothers back and then send them to rehab centers to become free from addictions.

If that doesn’t work they will look for new families for these kids so that they do not end up at the orphanages.  The Road of Life is going to help sending girls and boys to do some work there and take care of children.  It will be great when the teams come to minister there.

God bless you.

Marina.

Related posts:

1. Orphans Visit America
2. Update from MIR
3. News from Megan Berger

Jay and Joanna Knobel live in Southern California with their two children, Jadyn and Dasha.  Joanna is a 2nd grade teacher and has a great love for children.  Jay has worked in the field of technology services for the last 13 years.

They met in 1993 at Vanguard University where they both earned their undergraduate degrees. In the years since, they have been youth pastors, associate pastors, and have led two teams to Russia as part of our summer camp ministry.

On paper, both have Master’s degrees and Jay is an ordained minister. Much more important to them, on their hearts is the incredible story of God’s redemptive power. Having struggled through some very difficult times, with thankful hearts they gladly tell that it was the Lord’s own hand that led them through it all.

Jadyn, their oldest daughter was adopted from St. Petersburg, Russia in 2004. Dasha, their youngest daughter, was adopted from Sosnova (St. Petersburg Region), Russia in 2007. Jadyn is now 7 and thoroughly enjoys art and anything creative; Dasha is now 5 and lives for gymnastics.

Jay and Joanna are now Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in the system in Orange County, CA. In April 2010, they decided the Lord was leading them to adopt again, this time from the United States. They are a regular part of both a traditional church and a home church, considering both to be a terrific source of community for their family.

The Knobels continue to have a special spot in their hearts for orphans and neglected children, and have desired to be supportive of Stoneworks in whatever way possible. Living in Southern California with 2 young children, the opportunities seemed limited. Then in January, 2010, an opportunity opened up for them to begin helping with our email newsletters . Having worked on those for several months, they look forward to and count it a joy to continue.

Here’s a word from them: ‘The Lord has been so graceful to us in recent years, we are very excited to rekindle our relationship with Stoneworks and count ourselves blessed to be among friends. Our strong desire is to remain open to the Lord’s voice as he directs us in support of His Kingdom.’

Related posts:

1. Meet Mary Jean
2. Welcome to the Bull Family — long-term missionaries
3. Meet Tanya

I had a little friend at camp who captured my heart, about 7 or 8 years ago. She was just this shy little thing that would always beam at me in greeting.

In “Russia-A Love Story,” I posted a photo of us together. That was a day when we were saying goodbye as our group left for the airport, and Yulia gave me a little parting gift. It was her own purse, with my name scrawled on a piece of paper. Inside, a note addressed to me said “Farewell.”

Just what was in that purse? An icon (Saint Tatiana), a hair elastic, and a 2004 calendar. I have no idea why this particular assortment was given to me. Were they her dearest possessions? Ones she thought I could use? Or the quickest ones she could find before running to see us off?

We met again at the orphanage in the fall. When you have a reunion with orphans, it’s not what you would expect. Yes, there is some joy and exchanging of hugs, but it isn’t like a happily-ever-after feeling. I was happy that I had the opportunity to see them again, but there is something about the camp atmosphere where you love and yet keep your distance. And here, we didn’t quite know how to be the kind of friends who saw each other regularly.

So some of the kids who were my little shadows at camp grew cold fairly quickly. Yulia would often come up to give me a hug, but I was working with a different group and without the sports and other mixers at camp, it was hard to find a reason to just “hang out.” The kids had school and were kept pretty busy after school. Well, I wouldn’t have minded just hanging out, but you have to be purposeful in relationships with orphans. Just like in any relationship, if you are going to involve someone’s heart, you had better be serious about your intentions.

Within the walls of the orphanage, I go months without seeing certain children. Whenever I would see Yulia, she had gotten taller. Her smile was now more flirtatious than innocent, although I wanted to believe she hadn’t changed.

The last time I saw her, she was standing outside with a group of…well, teenagers. Smoking, dressed like teenagers, conversing like teenagers. Yulia’s hair was dyed black and I wanted to yank her away from the other kids and return her innocence, and her little brown pixie cut.

Related posts:

1. Russia — Orphanages, Church Life and Visas
2. Making an Effort
3. Visit to Rita’s Brother

The most significant event of 2010 so far has been turning in my application for a temporary residency permit! Prayers for God’s favor were truly answered.

It doesn’t mean the process is over; they have only begun to examine my documents, which will take at least 5 months. But to make a long story short, after much advance planning, it came right down to the wire. In fact, the volcano in Iceland almost hampered my chances! It was a test of faith.

If you’d like to read about the different challenges, you can find relevant posts on my blog [listed below].

Stoneworks Retreat

Meanwhile, in March, I participated in a Stoneworks retreat in Tallinn, Estonia.

Stoneworks is my sending organization, and currently has people partnering/serving in Hungary, Montenegro, and Belarus in addition to Russia. So we got together in a little house in the snowy suburbs and had some fellowship.

In photo at left, partners serving in Montenegro, Russia, and Belarus share notes and smiles over a cup of tea

Easter Time

(photo at right: Zhenya and I pose with our “bundt kulich”)

It was interesting to be studying in a Russian university during Lent and Easter. One teacher gave us some Easter egg decorations with folk designs. Another is a devout Orthodox believer and invited us to visit a Good Friday service since our class had been cancelled.

Valentina said she was aware of wanting to avoid proselytizing, but thought that since Eastern and Western Easter fell on the same day this year, it wouldn’t hurt to invite us. She seated us upstairs in a “backstage” area and then went down to sing in the choir.

On Easter Monday, I saw her in the hallway, and she said “Christ is Risen!” I was able to respond “He is Risen Indeed!” It was a blessing to be able to proclaim Christ in a secular environment.

Our spring church retreat fell on Easter Weekend this year. We took the opportunity to focus exclusively on Passion Week and Christ’s death and resurrection, using the last few chapters of John as our main text.

Russian Classes

My classes have been going well. The schedule hasn’t been as convenient this semester as far as pursuing other interests, but I have had some challenging and interesting subjects.

I participated in a student conference last week. There were many students who did research on social themes, and mine was the orphanage system. Almost all of the students were American, though not students whom I study with.

Here’s a photo of me presenting; don’t I look enthused? J

I wish there had been more Russians there, but at least I got some practice speaking in a more formal setting.

Orphanage Ministry

I still visit the same two orphanages. One of my favorite counselors was chosen to go on the hosting program with New Horizons. I’ve been tutoring her in English for about 3 years now. I’m excited for her and especially about the prospect of her staying in a Christian family. We might just have to do some “prep work” in talking about religion. Please pray for Galina this summer.

Evangelism

One recent outreach effort has taken the form of special interest gatherings organized by a few different churches, including mine, and hosted by a Lutheran church. The idea is to have scholars share their research and invite others to comment. We’ve had various literary and scientific themes, such as G.K. Chesterton and the aging process (separate times).

It’s a bit hard getting started because people don’t know each other and don’t always arrive having read relevant materials. But it is still a good chance to meet people, and fellowship then continues in other forms.

Visa Math

My residency permit will be ready at the end of September at the earliest, and my current visa is up at the end of June. I can either extend my student visa for a few more months to fill the gap, or leave the country to get a new visa. I will probably go home for a few weeks in July and then get a 3-month visa which will hopefully be sufficient.

Prayer requests:

-For wisdom about future visa/work/housing opportunities. Clarity to know what to focus on and which paths to pursue.

-For my last few months of classes; contact with my Russian teachers and fellow students.

-For those preparing for summer camp ministry: local churches as well as any mission teams planning to come.

-For the Russian children and chaperones preparing to come to the States on the hosting program. May they most importantly be exposed to the Gospel! Guidance for families considering adoption through this program.

-For relationships within the church as well as outreach to non-believers.

Thanks for your support, as always!

Love,

Elizabeth

TIMELINE FOR RESIDENCY APPLICATION:

Summer/Fall 2009

-getting fingerprinted for my background check

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2009/08/visit-to-police-station.html

December 2009

-getting my results

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2009/12/progress.html

January 2010

-getting in line for the quota

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/01/lucky-number-13.html

-getting the medicals done

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/01/run-away-run-away.html

February 2010

-taking a trip to Moscow for new fingerprints

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/02/18-hours-in-moscow-on-very-little-sleep.html

February/March 2010

-getting delayed

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/02/another-appointment.html

April 2010

-getting down to the wire

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-not-taking-no-for-answer.html

-receiving my final document at the last minute

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/04/what-difference-day-makes.html

-handing everything in

http://lizinstpete.blogspot.com/2010/04/victory.html

Related posts:

1. Russia — Orphanages, Church Life and Visas
2. Yulia’s gift
3. (Russian) rules for life

We greet you in the name of Jesus from the Belorussian land.  Here is the update from our ministry.  And there is a slide show with many more pictures at the end of this report.

Orphanages

We are very busy with the preparation for camps. This summer we will have two camps, one for Stankovo kids at the end of May—beginning of June and the other one is in July– for Slytsk kids.

You can see pictures of Stankovo kids, who will go to camp with us. Only 4 girls, and the rest is boys. It’s a Christian camp for 18 days.

Meanwhile we continue to do our regular programs such as crafts (He holds the whole world in His hand, was the last one.)

Some kids didn’t know who is He, so we explained and finished with the song in Russian that He holds everybody (we called every child by name) in His hands. It was great.

We also did a seminar for teenagers at Stankovo. The topic was “How do I spend my life? What is important for me in life?” We had some teenagers, who are believers participate as well and at the end, they shared their testimonies over the tea with cookies.

Slytsk orphanage is in the last few months of its existence as the government has decided to use the building for something else and the kids will be spread all over the place. It’s very sad for everyone, but we do hope that our camp that will take place in July will be a blessing. The camp will be on the lake and will go for 7 days and we’ll have a team from Massachusetts.

Sponsorship program

We continue our sponsorship program to help poor, needy children and families to get basic needs met. Right now we are working on getting about 5 kids from our program to go to a Christian camp in Latvia, together with other kids from all over Belarus. It’s a third camp we are involved in this summer.

Raisa, 65 year-old grandmother who takes care of Vlad, 14 years old, (at left, with Steve Singley from the USA) whose parents are alive; the father is an alcoholic and was in prison for many years, and the mother has another family and another child, so she doesn’t care for Vlad anymore.

The family is in great need of what to eat daily and how to have their needs met, but with God’s help and with the help of a sponsor, they are able to go on.

Another family is Lilya, a single mom, with two boys: Lesha (Alex) and Vlad. The need is there and we have been helping them to get food, as well as go through difficult health issues for the boys. Also with our own efforts (just the girls) we made complete repairs of her flat, and you can see the results in the pictures as well.

It took us about three week of every day work there at the flat, but we wanted to encourage her as well, as she is single, we showed her that it’s still possible to go on, even after her husband left her and the kids, with no support.

Minsk Family Home

Our service continues. There are 5 girls: Masha, Alona, Katya, Alla and Tanya, as well as our counselor Alesya.

Three girls have started to attend a bible school at church.

We are planning a retreat for them at the end of May. Two girls will be applying to colleges this summer. Besides, they are very active in the orphanage ministry.

Personal news

Our family is doing well and we are going to have an addition to our family, a baby girl, at the end of July. Please pray for us.

Prayer needs

• Camps for Stankovo kids, Slytsk kids and two groups for a camp in Latvia. Pray for God’s protection, health, for His glory and changes in kids. Also for all the finances to come in and for God’s anointing on the counselors and volunteers.
• In May there will be graduation parties, that we’ll take part in. Pray for all the kids, who leave, especially for Slytsk since they do not know where and when they are going to be moved and for finances for us to do something special for those graduation children.
• For MFH and the retreat, for the girls to be accepted to colleges.
• For health and provision, God;s wisdom and strength for the Goncharenko’s family.

Thank you very much and all the blessings of Heavens and Earth be upon you,

In Christ, Olga and the team.

[[Show as slideshow]]

Related posts:

1. God’s Love in Shelters, Orphanages and Hospitals
2. And Chocolate Potatoes for Dessert
3. Belarus — Families, Cooking and Conferences

Jill has been married to Steve Tyson since 1986.   They have 6 children ranging in age from 9-21, and they attend Trinity Presbyterian Church in Cleveland TN where Steve is an elder.

Jill has her BA in International Relations from the University of TN.    She’s been a La Leche League accredited leader since 1991, and also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

She’s been involved in missions since high school in some capacity.  In 1998 the Tyson family hosted a Belarusian boy who visited the USA with Chernobyl Children’s Program, and Jill began to take interest in Slavic culture and Eastern Europe.

Jill has been on the Board of Chernobyl Children’s Program since 1999, and has traveled to Belarus many times on behalf of this ministry.  She’s also served on the board of Children of Chernobyl US Alliance since 2007.

Jill met Olga Goncherenko in 2004 while on a mission trip in Belarus.  Since then, Jill and Olga have had a cooperative relationship in facilitating SOR’s aim to reach Belarusian children for Christ.

In October 2009, she obtained CELTA certification in Moscow for teaching English to Adults.

In her spare time, she teaches English to a local immigrant population of native Russian speakers, works on-call for Edward Jones, attends tennis matches and baseball games, regularly turns the ‘doctor is in’ sign around when anyone needs to talk, runs a Tyson family ‘taxi’ service and plans nice family trips.

Related posts:

1. Life and Service in Belarus
2. Welcome to the Bull Family — long-term missionaries

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of Jesus! He is risen! May He be glorified in our hearts and deeds.

Here is an update from a country of Belarus.

The MINSK FAMILY HOME is doing great. Five girls and Alesya, the counselor are really enjoying the atmosphere at the home as well as ministering to the other orphans.

In March we celebrated birthdays of two precious girls Masha and Alona (19 years old now) as well as the 8th of March, women’s day. Three celebrations in one. We made it special for them and had a day out: first the indoor swimming pool with a slide, then a lunch in a Belorussian buffet-cafe, where each MFH girl was able to choose what she liked.

For Easter week-end, the girls have invited their friend Zina from Slytsk orphanage. She is in her last year, so it was great for her to see MFH as well make Easter bread, paint eggs and come to Church for a special Easter service.

SLYTSK ORPHANAGE. Cooking classes have become a tradition there.

But it’s so special to have our family home girls go there to do a cooking class.

Four girls were teaching eight kids how to make macaroni dinner and “chocolate potatoes” for dessert.

It’s always so very special for orphans to cook and to sit down at the table as a family does.

The boys are enjoying cooking as much as the girls do. And our Minsk Family home girls have learnt a lot by now, so they are not afraid even to do classes. (we still supervise them a bit on that).

Spring break was also the time we took Slytsk orphans on a day tour to MIR and Nesvizh, two places telling a lot about the history of Belarus.

They loved it and we enjoyed them having a special day during their break. Alona from MFH and Alesya have joined in the group for the day.

STANKOVO. In March we had a fair at the shelter in Stankovo.

Again we do it to encourage the kids to do well at school and at the shelter, to be obedient and to get something nice for them, such as toy, or a chocolate bar.

We love it to see little ones with their coupons, trying to make a choice.

They are all so happy, no matter what they get.

ESTONIA AND RUSSIA. At the end of March we also were able to go to a retreat of SII. All our three workers, myself, Alesya (our family home counselor) and Masha (our accountant) were able to get away for a week and meet other workers of SII. It was a time of rest, prayer and fellowship. We enjoyed it.

SUMMER. We are now into our summer preparation and we ask for your prayers and support for our summer programs, such as camps for orphans and sending kids to Latvia.

If you are moved to pray and donate, may God bless you. It’s a great time to change lives of kids.

1. We are looking for a donation to purchase chickens this spring. One chicken is about $3. We would like to get a least 100 chickens for foster families with orphans.

2. Stankovo orphanage is making a  kitchen for kids, so that they can cook. So far three out of 5 groups have their own kitchen. Two more are needed. We are looking for a possibility of getting them kitchen cabinets or a refrigerator or some pans, pots, dishes,etc.

That’s all for now. God bless you,

Thank you for all your prayers, your friendship and support.

In Christ, Olga

Related posts:

1. News from Spring of Revival
2. Cooking, Museums and Cows
3. Life and Service in Belarus

Around 6 AM on March 14, I hopped in the car with Mike and Olga and we started the drive from sunny Montenegro to cold, snowy Tallinn, Estonia.

In case you are not familiar with central Europe, take out a map.

Find Podgorica, Montenegro. Find Tallinn, Estonia. Yep, we drove that.

Rather, Mike drove, Olga navigated, and I mostly slept in the back seat and woke up occasionally to take some pictures.

Here a a few:

We stopped for a couple of days and spent some time with missionaries Jerry and Jan in Budapest, Hungary. Here we are sitting with Jerry and Jan and Juli, who works at the ministry center there, eating Chinese food (of all things!).

And this is one view of Budapest, split in half by the Danube.

After that, we left again at 6 AM and drove straight north. Central Slovakia looked something like the Sound of Music, except the buildings were too colorful.

We stopped in Poland at Auschwitz, and I think that is enough said.

After staying at a hotel in Poland, we finally finished the last leg of the drive and made it to Tallinn. The Bay of Finland was basically cold water covered with ice chunks.

We had our Stoneworks Retreat in a lovely house with a sauna! Here are the attendees, representing Russia, Belarus, and Montenegro. (We are very serious.)

Tallinn has a beautiful, well-preserved medieval town full of shops and cafes. Here we are trying to figure out where to go:

And this is old Tallinn, in front of new Tallinn…

I flew back to Podgorica on Tuesday (after connecting in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Belgrade) just in time for sunny spring weather!

I will be purchasing knock-off brand sunglasses at the pijaca today.

Related posts:

1. Stoneworks Retreat In Estonia
2. From Russia to Montenegro
3. Serbia and Hungary