God’s Love in Shelters, Orphanages and Hospitals
January 21, 2010
Here’s the most recent from Olga Goncharenko in Belarus –
Christmas season is very important for our ministry as it’s a great time to touch so many lives of children that we know, tell them that we love them and Jesus loves them as well as to meet new children that need our help.
Stankovo
Christmas started for us December, 14th when we went to have a Christmas fair at Stankovo. 65 children waited on us, as we came in with many toys, sweets, school supplies, and other things we prepared for them.
That day the concert room looked like a store with different department, where children can buy things using their orphanage motivation coupons. They come in by groups.
There 5 groups and only two groups have girls (all together there are 10). Each group has made Christmas cards and we too brought them cards from the students of Holden Christian academy.
The fair is a fun event; it’s always a question if we brought enough things or if we sell out before some kids have a chance to get things.
It surprises me that soap and shampoo are the first things to go, as well as food and drinks. (Click HERE to see more pictures from the fair.)
Slytsk
Next step was Slutsk orphanage with 105 children (again less girls, only 40 and more boys, 65).
It was a hard trip, as far as driving. The weather was about 0 F and our diesel fuel froze all the time. We had to stop, the trip one way took almost 4 hours verses 1,5 in the normal weather. But it was worth it.
We invited a Christian musician, who really did a great job in putting a concert, he played 4 saxophones of different sizes, shared his testimony of how he became a believer, told a story of silent night, let children play his saxophones and the concerted finished with all of us singing together a great Christian song. Everyone was impressed.
Our team has packed 105 gifts for all the kids as well as we brought cakes for every group of orphans.
Besides that we gave a special time for 22 Slytsk orphans, by paying for them to go to circus during their winter break. They loved it.
Church and MFH
The next step was celebrating Christmas at church, where Thomas was performing on the stage, he sang two songs with other kids and recited a Christmas poem.
The rest of the day we spent with Minsk Family Home girls. It was a really true family Christmas.
The girls prepared a duck with apples and a Christmas bunt cake. It was really nice.
Stankovo shelter and kindergarten
A few days after the Christmas we were on the road again. Now it was a shelter in Stankovo, with 15 orphans, that are not true orphans yet, but were just taken out of their families because of different reasons: death of parents, alcoholism, etc.
Almost all the girls there have really short hair (because of lice) and in their possessions there is very little. So the best gifts for them are socks, underwear, shoes and some clothes.
Besides that, we brought, sweets, toys, Christian literature and a wonderful Christmas program with clowns (Alesya and Sasha), who really did a wonderful job of spreading the meaning of Christmas.
We finished our time there when kids needed to go for a meal, but the day was not finished for us. We continued with visiting a village kindergarten, where there are 64 children, mostly from poor and unprivileged families (most of the kids from shelter used to go there).
We shared about Christmas, gave them gifts and Christian books. They were very happy and in return recited poems and sang songs.
New Year and village church celebration
New year came along and the celebrations continued. We had a lot of family members and friends, the actual midnight we are in church, giving thanks to God for what He did for us in 2009 and the girls from MFH were there as well. It’s always such a pleasure to see them at church.
January, 3d was a special Sunday, when we celebrated Christmas and New year at Pastor Tamara’s church in the village. 4 families from another village who took orphans into their homes, came to join in the service. It was touching and moving to hear those kids call the parents ” mom” and hear their testimonies. MFH girls were there as well and shared their testimonies. There was a special lunch for everybody and SOR gave out gifts to all the kids there.
Those are the families that we have provided pigs last year. One family needs a cow and we would like to give them a cow this year (about 350$)
Orphan babies and hospital visits
The other visits were made were to the hospital, that has two rooms with orphan babies, some of them were found on the street, we brought diapers and spend some time with them. It’s not possible to go there without tears, as we were leaving all the babies started crying. In the past, several babies from this hospital were adopted. It’s our prayer to have more of those babies in the families. It was also a nice surprise to see one girl Yulia, who was a camper in our camps, and now she works in this hospital.
We also visited a cancer hospital, where15 year old girl Masha and her mom Sveta have stayed for over a year by now. The situation is really bad, please pray for Masha, she has an incredible faith.
Stankovo shelter
Stankovo shelter welcomed us again right before the orthodox Christmas. We had a fair there. All the kids wanted to have toys, socks, and sweets. It was Dima’s 15th birthday and he got a special gift of new winter boots.
January 7th Christmas celebration
January 7th we had a special Christmas celebration at our place, about 30 people, including girls from MFH and two orphan brothers Igor and Vitya, who stayed with us for 5 days during their holidays.
We are very happy that we shared so many great moments during Christmas season and we thank you all for all the help you have given to SOR, so we could do all the above.
Thank you and God bless you,
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One Response to “God’s Love in Shelters, Orphanages and Hospitals”
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It was so encouraging to see all the pictures and hear the stories you told of your Christmas. The children look happy and involved with the task of shopping. What a great idea and a fun way to enjoy the season.
I love the work you do in your country for the children. I will pray for Masha and the illness. And it will be a pleasure to keep your work and the children lifted up as well.
I hope all is well back at home for your family. It was such a priviledge to meet you Olga. I hope one day I can visit you and see the orphanages and meet the children. You can pray for me for that day, God willing.
Bless you all with health and a loving, fun spirit.