Reported 2/2/2008 by Chris H. from Krasnoyarsk:

Today we completed our third day of visiting sites in Krasnoyarsk. The first stop of the day was the Rodnichok Children’s Home. The children here are social orphans, with the parental rights have been severed by court decree. Though the site had been arranged in advance, it became questionable if we would be allowed access to the children, possibly due to outside influences.

The director had some reservations and was somewhat hesitant about granting permission for us to minister to these children. As we waited on the bus, small prayer groups began petitioning God to breakdown any barriers. Soon came word that the director was letting us in.

We entered into a long hallway where the children were gathered, sitting in kid size chairs. Their faces appeared serious, but the were obviously curious. Caleb strummed the opening cords of "Shake a Hand". The Americans began clapping their hands and suddenly all those little faces were beaming, as were those of all the staff. Some of the children were clapping to the music, or trying their very best.

There was no shortage of volunteers to assist Gerald with his magic act which consisted of turning a red, white and blue scarves into the Russian flag. Abra-cadabra.

After several more demonstrations of God’s love (i.e. mending a broken heart by Ann and Jesus reuniting God and man by dying on the cross by Mark), it was time for small group presentations. Our team consisted of Peggy, Lise’ and myself. We were assigned to seven 3-4 year olds. Being too young to grasp the gospel bead presentation, we elected to show God’s love by just getting on the floor and playing with them. Books, stickers and toys were brought out to the delight of the children. A beach ball brought much entertainment and many smiles to the children’s faces as they threw it, usually to no one in particular. Finger puppets were a hit especially for one little boy who went and gathered them all up into a pocket book when the other children laid them down to pursue other amusements.

One little girl, initially outgoing, enjoyed throwing the puppets at me and having me return them by throwing them back at her. She would make pouncing motions at me and would smile when I did the same. Using my hand and wiggling my fingers, we played a short game of looking at one another through a group of other children. All was fun and smiles until I began crawling toward her on my hands and knees. She suddenly started crying and ran around a couch. One of the staff shrugged and smiled as if she did not know why she reacted this way either. Though later little girl would approach me, she was wary and would jump back if I raised my hand to wiggle my fingers at her.

If I stood up she would cross the room coming nearer but never near arm’s reach, only when I got back down on the floor. I wonder what the pathology is? Had she been attacked or scared by a dog? I saw no scars to indicate previous injury so I guess her fear will remain a mystery. I pray that God will bless this little girl whose name I don’t know and erase any mental scars shar has and that we planted seeds that will one day begin to grow within her and that she will become a child of God. I would like to see her one day in heaven, as well as all the children here, and ask her why she was afraid.