For over a year now, Stoneworks has been partnering with several people in the US and Estonia to help establish a day center for children with disabilities. There are over 100 children with disabilities in that area and they have no access to services; they are at home, quite isolated from the world. They need help, and we are called to help them.

An American donor is giving a significant amount to help start the program, and in the process we’ve opened an Estonian charity named Päikesekiiir (Sunbeam) to run the program. But we didn’t have a building. Until yesterday.

The city of Jõhvi has given us use of a great building in the city center. And here it is:

We have it for 30 years at no cost! We have the keys and will start renovation soon.The building is in better shape than it may appear. It has a new roof and new high efficiency windows, it has a new security system and recently had firewalls and fire doors installed.

Pastor Artur Põld, architect Andres Toome and myself are the founding board members of the Estonian charity Sunbeam. Stoneworks represents the US side of the project, and also involved are Finns, Swedes, Norwegians, Germans and Brits.

In addition to housing the center for children with disabilities, the building is large enough to house many more activities. It has a great assembly hall, conference rooms, we’ll build housing for mission teams, and host other events there. It’s in a great location, in the middle of town.

Currently a youth center and kindergarten use a few of the rooms. They will pay rent to help offset operating expenses. There is much more room for expansion. And there is a smaller building on the lot that we hope to turn into a wood-working shop.

There is much to be done to prepare the building for the ministry. Though some parts of the building are in good shape, we need to renovate several rooms, build two wheelchair accessible bathrooms, reconfigure and rebuild the entrance (ramps, roof, doors) and offices, upgrade the heating system, renovate the kitchen, build a fence, and much more. Here are the initial designs for the first floor, where Sunbeam will be housed.

So, now that we have the building, much more is needed: mission teams to do construction, funds for equipment and operations, people to help train volunteers, and on and on.

We hope to open Sunbeam on June 1 — International Childrens’ Day.The next four months will be quite full and quite fun! And I’ll be posting more news as we move along.

You can read more and see more pictures and videos here.

Donations to support the center can be made here.

Soli Deo Gloria — To God alone be the glory. He has put this in our hearts, and He is bringing all the resources needed to help these children. We thank Him for guiding us.

Related posts:

1. Snowy Beginnings
2. Growth in Estonian Ministry
3. The End of the Beginning

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

Related posts:

1. Holy Days in Belarus — Christmas Ministry 1
2. You Can Help — Christmas in Belarus
3. Holy Days in Belarus — New Year’s

February retreat preparation

I’ve been driving around the Region meeting with pastors, presenting the Forge (as we call it) ministry to the churches and pastors. Although I did it already last summer, most pastors take it as something new. But anyway, I’ve met a lot of support from them. I will even have a chance to preach in one of the churches on Sunday before the retreat. That’s what we discussed at pastor’s meeting mostly.

This time we will have the retreat at a new place, together with new people, so it all is going in some different way. I will have to go to Rickolatva, the place where the retreat will be, on Sat, 4th. The people there, who are helping this time, seem to be not understanding exactly what it is going to be. we need to discuss some issues in person.

Men’s meetings in Monchegorsk and Zapolarny

We had 2 small group meetings this month – in Monchegorsk and Zapolarny. There were 11 men in Monchegorsk and 12 in Zapolarny. Monchegorsk meeting looked more like a core team meeting. There were men who have always attended all the meetings and who share the vision. we discussed the Feb retreat, set out the agenda for it, made the schedule for all 3 days. One of them will lead a class in Feb, he took a topic about the “Father wound”.

vWe also agreed to collect funds, we set out the minimum sum we pay every month – 500 rub (app $17). So that day we collected 2000 rub. we will use those funds to cover somebody’s expences to attend the retreat, if this somebody is not able to pay for himself, or purchase gear – tents, sleeping bags and mats, ski, etc. I want to collect enough to buy a rubber boat by summer. We are planning a rafting trip in July.

The meeting in Zapolarny was different. There were many new people, whom I’d never met before. There were 3 of us from Polarny, and the others were from Zapolarny and smaller towns around. we had an “All alone wound” class, which caused much discussion at the end. Some of the guys are planning to come to the retreat.

Our group in Polarny

Good news – a 14 year old boy accepted Christ 2 weeks ago. It doesn’t happen here very often, so we are really encouraged. Right after he accepted Christ he went to the men’s group to Zapolarny with us. He prayed and worshipped with us. Very encouraging. The family which had marriage problems is getting better. The guy looks like he is getting close to the Lord. Very slowly though, but he is moving anyway. Some outreach events are scheduled for later Feb and March (after the men’s retreat).

We are also working on Alfa project. it is new for us, but we already purchased the books and booklets for teachers and workbooks for attendants.

Some personal news

My father came to visit and stayed with us for 4 days. It was really great time. Really great. My father is a painter, and he brought 30 his paintings with him. Our local museum made a special exhibition of his paintings. The opening was on Jan 21. But it was way more interesting, because that day also was 45th anniversary of the naval academy which he graduated from back in 1975.

Our fleet commandment organized a celebration, where my father was invited, and it all was at the museum among his paintings. reporters from newspapers and local TV channel came to intervew my father. He said a speach before the audience of nearly 80 high rank navy officers. Some of them appeared to be his old classmates who he hadn’t seen for decades. I haven’t seen him that happy for a very long time, maybe never. And I was very proud of him. We organized an excursion for him to the ship where he served as an commander’s assistant. That was a surprise for him. It was a very, a truly blessed time.

Masha was recently in Polarnye Zori (a town 300 km south from here) right now with a master class. She helped the church there develop their women’s ministry. She also worked with the town crisis center, a municipal organization which helps people in crisis situations.

Related posts:

1. Men Meeting Above the Arctic Circle
2. Russia — Orphanages, Church Life and Visas
3. Stoneworks Retreat In Estonia

Larry moved to San Antonio in 1975 to attend Trinity University (BA in music), met his wife-to-be Kim the year after graduation, and married in 1982; they will celebrate 30 years of marriage this July.

Larry and Kim have five terrific children – three of which were adopted from Russia as older-age adoptions. Sergei, 18 (adopted at age 8), Olya, 21 (adopted at age 12) and Zhenya, 20 (adopted at age 13). Their oldest children, Tyson (27) and Max (23), are graduates of Rice and Texas A&M Universities respectively. Tyson will receive his M.D. this May.

Larry’s first mission trip to Russia (summer camp ministry) was in 1999, and he has been coordinator of missions to Russia for the Oak Hills Church since 2000. Larry has served on the boards of Springs Of Revival, MIR and Road of Life, a transitional living program for orphanage graduates in St. Petersburg.

As a result of 13 years of summer camp ministry, Larry dedicates one trip to Russia each year to advance the many strong and deep relationships he has with orphans, children, young adults, interpreters & their families and the Russian families of his own adopted children. Larry is blessed to serve as father, godfather, mentor, supporter, life coach, financial safety net and prayer warrior to several dozen people in St. Petersburg.

Related posts:

1. Welcome to Our Newest Board Member
2. Welcome to Jill Tyson — new SII board member
3. Making an Effort

We both decided that it’s a great opportunity for them to have totally new experience, to have fun and joy without alcohol. We asked our church leaders if we could use church facilities for a New Year’s party and invited them for this event to our church. Other church members expressed their desire to come and some of them came early to help prepare.

Yan had been working hard on a program, putting together games, music clips and slides.

Twenty people came including our graduates, Yuri and Marina also invited another graduate girl Ksusha.

Yan was leading a party and did a very good job! In the beginning we sat at a festive table and Yan asked every one to say their name and one thing special about themselves. At 20 min till midnight we all came to the sanctuary. Yan showed a video of the fireworks in Sidney and invited everyone to make fireworks of our praises to our Lord who is worthy of all glory, so we entered in the New Year worshiping God!

Then Yan started his program dividing everyone in two teams. Each team had to collect letters, winning in competitions, then to make a word from these letters. If a team lost in the competition, team members could get a letter if they were singing karaoke. The word which had to be found was ‘Christmas’. We wanted everyone to realize that even year 2012 means that 2012 years ago Christ was born and that was such a remarkable event that changed not only a calendar but whole world!

In the end when Yuri and Marina with their son Dima and Ksusha were leaving everyone came to say goodbye saying warm words and inviting them to come to church as good friends! They were pleasantly surprised how cheerful, fun and active Christians can be. Others thanked us for the invitation and said that they had a very good time!

Please pray for Yuri, Marina, their son Dima, for Ksusha and her son Igor’ to draw closer to the One, who loves them very much and want to change and bless their lives.

Related posts:

1. Yuri and Marina – Breaking the Cycle
2. Holy Days in Belarus — New Year’s
3. Minsk Family Prayer

A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times gave an interesting look into the issue of corruption.

I found this quote especially interesting:

“Russian bureaucracy is such a giant beast that what is sometimes termed as corruption is just a misconception that actually has more to do with the heavy bureaucratic structure where there is an unwillingness to accept responsibility. It’s easier to say no than it is to say yes because saying no doesn’t carry any risk.” (emphasis mine)

There is no doubt about the existence of corruption in the Russian government, yet in day-to-day life I try to think the best of people and see them as humans rather as The Machine. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been a victim of corruption, and I’m not sure I would catch on if I were being encouraged to pay a bribe.

Who is corrupt?

I came across my residency permit honestly, although it took a lot of sweat, blood, and tears. As I look around at the other people in the Immigration Office, I see their sweat and tears (literally) as well, and it’s hard to believe any of them are offering bribes. Who is, then? I remember a couple of times when there were line-jumpers. Someone barges in with a baby or some other sort of diversion, and the next thing you know he’s in with the Inspector and doesn’t come out for an hour, while everyone else is still waiting out in the hallway. Did money change hands for him to get into The Room, or was it just a case of being pushy? Did the The Inspector act illegally? Hard to say.

Short-cuts: Corruption, or not?

Is hiring a lawyer to get your documents in order legal, or not? I’ve seen representatives of different companies waiting in line just like everybody else, to hand in their client’s documents. But I don’t know if all lawyers do that. People say the working hours are few because during “non-working” hours the officers are serving clients through the back door, so to speak. Or…they could be just doing desk work.

Whose problem?

Back to the issue of responsibility. As you know, I have had some issues with my case being unprecedented and the authorities “not knowing” what to do with me. In general, this is because of a lack of knowledge/ communication between different government outfits, as well as between the standards of different countries, especially when changes have taken place recently. Exhibit A: My FBI check. Exhibit B: My name-change documentation. All’s well that ends well…

I can tell you, it’s frustrating when they make up requirements just because they don’t know what to do with you. You so want to hear the words “Okay, we’ll let it slide” or “We’ll take your word for it.” Yeah right! Okay, I understand that they want to see things looking official. But why, if they work with people from dozens of different countries, do they expect everyone to have the same information? Do they really all think that all nationalities in the world use patronymics? Why do these things come as a “surprise”?

Wild Goose Chases

The result of made-up requirements is that when you go to wherever you’re sent, nobody there can help you, obviously, since this service does not exist. I was directed to go to Moscow for a document that doesn’t exist (a phone call saved a wasted trip), and I was sent all around St. Petersburg searching for something that even the people requiring it could not describe.

This was all because they were afraid to just say “Okay, your country does things differently. We’ll think of something.”  They were afraid to take responsibility and get in trouble for not being rigid enough, I suppose. What confirms this suspicion? The fact that the Boss didn’t seem to see a problem at all. Sure, he wanted some stamps, a nice format. But in general he was willing to listen to a logical explanation and make a fair conclusion. Something his subordinates either couldn’t or didn’t want to do.

Interestingly, I started writing this post before elections came into view. Now there is corruption for you. I’ll address that in another post!

Related posts:

1. More Progress
2. Challenge
3. Specific Needs in Russia

Dear friends,

After returning from Finland, I only had a week to complete the preparations for the men’s camp, and it was very busy time. I spent much time walking and hauling equipment to the campsite; we built a large tent for the meetings. There was a guy from our group in Polyarny who helped a lot.

So, in the morning Aug 19th we all met at the intersection from where we headed to the camp. There were 19 of us, and 2 more guys were going to join later that night. We successfully got to the place where we left our cars and started walking. I reduced the distance to only 5 km, and it was good, because some of our guys were in senior age and had some problems walking. But everybody got there safe and fine. We walked on fairly flat terrain along the system of lakes connected with creeks. The weather was very warm, unusually warm, even hot. We rarely have this kind of weather here, but this year it was not only warm, but the period of this warmth was strangely long.

About us: There were 21 men, very different men: 3 of us including me were with the sons. One guy was with his father-in-law. So we had two 10 year old boys and a teenager, 3 guys over 60 years old, We were from 7 towns of the Murmansk Region and 2 towns of Sweden. 3 Swedes and 18 Russians; 1 police officer, 1 bodyguard of a serious businessman, a few elders from different churches, 3 engineers, a whole bunch of former drug addicts and criminals. And despite that enormous difference we were a team. There were not closed circles or single individuals, we acted as a team all the time.

The problems started when we arrived. I discovered that all the stuff we hauled there during preceding weeks was stolen. All pots, a gas stove, 10 canisters of natural gas, all tools, the film for the big tent, a football, canned milk, something else… It was a real frustration for me.

All plans broke, I didn’t know what to do, had no idea. And all this bunch of people was walking behind me not knowing what they are supposed to do and what the plan is. There were still some cans of meat. I suppose the robbers just didn’t have enough room to take them. So we had food, but had nothing to cook it in. Just to do something I sent a team to chop trees for fuel wood. The others started setting tents. I was just out of trek. So frustrated and angry and not able to do anything.

Then, I started praying and praising the Lord. It didn’t feel that it helped first, but then I remembered that there was a fisherman’s cabin a few kilometers away from there, so there might be some pots. I took 3 guys and we went to look for it. A couple of hours later we came back with 2 rusted and dirty pots and 2 kettles in the same condition. At least we could cook dinner. I called the guy who was going to join us in the evening and told him about this situation. When he came later that night he brought 2 new big steel buckets to cook in them, a new stove and enough gas canisters. But even before he came peace came again into my heart.

So on the 1st day my plans were ruined and I had to get humble to receive God’s plans. 

On the second day God revealed why He got us together there. We had a class in the morning, and it was great. In the evening Martin (the guy from Arjeplog, Finland) preached and prayed after he preached for all of us. And that was the time. Everybody opened. The guys confessed their secret sins to each other being very open and true.

I never saw anything like that. Church leaders confessed pornography addictions, smoking, anger, fear, etc, along with other guys. We humbled ourselves to be that honest with each other, and God just healed us and set us free as we confessed and prayed for each other. We had no longer masks on. Now we know each other and can talk about all those things being accountable to each other.

Right after that meeting we split into smaller companies to do different things. I walked with a guy to another side of the lake just to check fishing places, but we were talking all the way. He confessed all the sins he couldn’t overcome in his life and I shared how I was struggling. It was something I have never experienced in my Christian life. True openness, being honest with each other not only on a prayer meeting, but in a private conversation.

You know, very often we wear masks when we attend church meetings, or small groups, or even leadership meetings… I behaved like that, I know. I tried to look good, that I had no problems at all, but inside I was struggling. And I wanted nobody to know it. The problem was that I thought I was alone like that, but there I saw that other church leaders confessed the same. All of us were wearing masks! Awful…

But praise God now we are open and accountable to each other. When we came back to the camp I discovered that everybody else were doing the same – the guys were talking and continued sharing their lives with each other. In the tents, by the fire, at the lake – they just sat and talked and prayed for each other.

The next day we had another class, and it was very different, the atmosphere changed from previous morning. We had a lot of fun, too. We played soccer, shot the water balloon sling, went swimming (it was very warm, but the water was about 12C). Some guys went alone for prayer walks. It was a perfect place for that.

After lunch we walked back to the cars and headed home.

Now I receive messages from the guys and their wives thanking me for the camp. I am happy and excited. I saw the Lord working in men around me, in myself. We didn’t have just another 3 day picnic or fishing trip, but that was truly life changing time. The best thing, now there are men who want to share this vision and be the team. We will meet with them soon. I see we need to start local men’s groups in every town. I am leading 2 groups now, I can take 2 more. So I will teach new leaders and they will start men’s groups in their towns. And we will meet with them every month.

God bless you all!

Yura

You can support Yuri’s work by visiting our Support page and choosing Far Northern Russia from the drop down menu.

Related posts:

1. News from the Far North of Russia
2. She’s there!
3. Meeting in Estonia

Board member Larry Heller makes the introduction:

Yura has been interpreting and ministering with American short-term mission teams to Russia continuously since 2000. About five years ago, Yura, his wife Masha and their two young boys were commissioned by their church in St. Petersburg to go to the northernmost reaches of Russia – to the region near Murmansk.

Yura, 2nd from R, with a short-term mission team from San Antonio

His church discontinued support less than a year later, but he continued on, being convicted about the need and encouraged by the fruit of the work. Part of his ministry now is to the men in this remote place. Without Jesus, many of the men are (or will soon become) drug addicted and without hope.

Yura has been translating into Russian a CD audio series about men taking leadership in their families and presenting it to the men. (The Quest for authentic Manhood, by Robert Lewis.) Attendance grows steadily.

A growing part of Yura’s ministry is organizing and mobilizing men’s spiritual retreats. Yura sets the agenda, makes the logistical arrangements, lines up the speakers and teachers (often in partnership with Swedish pastors) and commits the event to prayer.

The Lord continues to increase our ministry through the relationships that He ordains. We are very happy that Yura and his family are being set as living stones with us. You can support his work by visiting our Support page and choosing Far Northern Russia from the drop down menu.

Related posts:

1. Men Meeting Above the Arctic Circle
2. News from the Far North of Russia
3. Jill Tyson in Belarus – It is Good, Good, Good

Hello friends!

How are you these days? Busy before the holidays?!!

We are doing alright in general; finishing the semester at school. Danik is really enjoying the courses of French language. It took us about 340 dollars to pay for the two months fee and the text book (they required the first payment for two months) and further on we are going to pay 135 dollars for each month. I am working a lot these days and have almost finished the script, hopefully soon and will be able to pay the debts we had to borrow in order for Danik to be able to take the course on French.

He really likes the courses on French, he is really happy he fell in love with France. Their teacher tells them a lot about France and history, they learn songs in French and he has already learned some phrases and is able to speak a little bit, so the courses are really good. At the end of this school year they have a task at school to write an essey. He taked to the French teacher and decided to write on a subject ” The Language influenced by history” on the basis of English and French. So personally I think that he is very gifted to study languages and this course is what he needs.

My mum is coming to visit with us for the New Year. And How are you going to celebrate Christmas and a New Year’s Eve? We are going to celebrate Christmas with the church and did some rehearsing during our homegroup. Nastya is going to sing and I will help her. Danik was also singing for us.

On our shopping list we have winter boots and a winter hat for Anastasia. Praise God it is quite warm these days and winter is not rushing to come.

Wishing blessings to you all! Thank you so much for your prayers!!

Hugs from us

Alina

Danik and Anastasia

Related posts:

1. About Danik
2. Alina: Foster Care in Russia
3. God’s Perfect Timing

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

Related posts:

1. Alesya Reports!
2. Belarus — Families, Cooking and Conferences
3. Holy Days in Belarus — New Year’s