Global Aid Network Mission Reports

Report from Vladimir – March 12, 2008

Report submitted by Winston R. (Freshman at MCA) from experiences on March 11: Today I felt that I really progressed in my walk with God and drew closer to Him. We spent time with orphans and taught them the message of Christ and gave them supplies. We also visited an Alcohol and and Drug Abuse Recovery Center and had a time of fellowship, worship and good food. I have also drawn closer to my friends who attended this mission trip and I look forward to helping all I can in the upcoming days and serving others to the best of my ability.

Report submitted by Amanda D. (Senior at MCA) after a home visit – March 12, 2008: I went on a home visit and met a mother with a sick child. He was a normal child until he was one year old, when his eyes started crossing and he was having epileptic seizures. They went on Russian TV to raise funds to go to Germany because doctors here were not willing or able to help him here. Once they went to Germany, they were given the tragic news that surgery would have helped earlier, but now it was too late, and he did not have long to live. The mother held her child as we tried to comfort her and give her hope. I had empathy for the child’s mother, because I know the deep pain that goes along with sickness. It hurt my soul to see this child so ill and helpless. My mother was able to relate to the mother because she knows how heartbreaking it is to see a healthy child become ill and suffer as she has watched me suffer through immense pain.

We prayed for the woman to have peace and hope, and to give the doctors wisdom. It had a huge impact on me to see two mothers that don’t even speak the same language look into each other’s eyes, crying because they knew each other’s pain. I spoke to the mother about the role of suffering in a Christian’s life. I explained that the Lord uses pain to bring us closer to Him. It’s hard because we are used to relying on ourselves, but through times of suffering we learn to rely on Him. We are too weak to keep going on our own. I told her she must never lose hope. The Lord spoke through me to that mother. I began weeping because since I have felt chronic pain, I intensely feel the pain of other sick people. I laid hands on the child and spoke with authority that was not my own but the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I asked God to heal him completely and that he would be able to live a normal life, and walk and run again. I will go home changed because I have seen how the Lord uses our situations to encourage others and bring them to Him. Please join me in prayer for this family.