James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (NKJV)

Luba is an orphan in St. Petersburg, Russia like thousands of children across the former Soviet Union.  She was found sleeping in a ditch with her little sister and brought to live in an orphanage.  She has no memory of parents or anyone taking care of her or loving her.  Her chart reads, “No one ever comes to visit her.”

Luba knows nothing of her country’s history of atheism, and she is too young to understand the economic collapse Russia has experienced.  All she feels is loneliness and hunger.  Recently, she was amazed at the love she felt from the Christians that came to visit and spend time with her.  A smile came to her face when they brought food, clothing, medicine, and even a Teddy bear for her and the other children at her orphanage!

Global Aid Network has been meeting spiritual and physical needs in Russia and the surrounding republics since 1991.  In that time, hundreds of truck loads of humanitarian aid valued more than $60 million worth and 17 million Christian books and Bibles have been delivered to orphanages, boarding schools, hospitals and other places of need.  As the aid and message of God’s love were delivered, American volunteers (more than 10,000 since 1991) spent quality time with the children – talking with them, sharing hope, hugging them, and playing games.

 

“Sounds great!  Why a blog?”

For over fifteen years, Global Aid Network has had the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ all over the world, starting with the former Soviet Union.  Much of the world has been unaware of the continued extreme needs and opportunities across the twelve time zones of the former communist federation.  These precious children have remained in our hearts.  They need to hear.  They need help.  And, their stories need to be told.

This blog will give a voice to these children, their caretakers, the hospitalized, the churches that minister to them, and more as Global Aid Network volunteers encounter them on the mission field.  It will report what God is doing on a global basis to meet spiritual needs through humanitarian methods, and hopefully inspire the rest of us to pray and to take action steps toward various avenues of involvement in helping fulfill the Great Commission:  gathering aid, participating in packing materials at our warehouse, giving toward mission projects, coordinating a mission team, going on a trip, and many other ways.

It will also provide a point of contact between mission volunteers and their families.  Beginning January 27, teams of volunteer participants and full-time missionaries will travel to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Western Russia, and Ukraine to take compassionate aid and the gospel to orphanages, schools, hospitals, church outreaches, and other places of need.  As they report in from the field, family members will be able to learn how best to pray for their loved ones thousands of miles away.

Finally, throughout the year additional Global Aid Network mission trips will launch out to other regions of the world.  As they go new blog categories will be added to reflect those locations.  Other stories and photos of humanitarian projects providing shipments of aid, clean water initiatives, community development plans, orphan sponsorship and more may be topics of interaction here.  We pray this blog will provide a place for sharing as Christians all over the world come together to discuss how best to use compassionate outreach to further the Kingdom of God.  Won’t you join with us as we seek to obey the Great Commandment in order to help fulfill the Great Commission?  We’re looking forward to a broader sharing of what God is doing around the world through partners in ministry with Global Aid Network.