And Chocolate Potatoes for Dessert

April 7, 2010

From Olga Goncharenko, in Minsk Belarus —

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