Global Aid Network Mission Reports

Members of the mission team were encouraged on Wednesday never to take their ministry lightly.  Dawna D. shared that she was a part of the team visiting a drug and alcohol rehabiliation center that day where they met the director Zhenia.  She had met him several years prior as an inmate at Prison #16.  Now he is impacting lives for Jesus Christ!   Please pray for the members of the team - several are ill but we are pressing on.

Monday,  July 14, 2008

Myski State Orphanage for Mentally Retarded Children

The team visited the Myski Orphanage, a home for more than 300 mentally disabled children, on Monday July 14, 2008.  As director of the home, greeted us, he said, “This is the first time the children will be seeing foreigners.  They have never seen so many kinds of people in one place.  You will be their mothers, brothers and sisters.  Please minister to them.”  This was exactly what the team was prepared to do.  After enjoying songs and dances that some of the children prepared for us, the team presented a program which included a Texas line dance and the Gospel Bead presentation.

“The things they planned for us, it impressed me how they gave out of the very little they have,”  said Libby, one member of our team.  “I got hugs and kisses and I really appreciated the connection I had with the children.” 

As the team toured the huge facility, it was evident that the children were loved and cared for by the staff – almost every physical need was cared for.  “The children needed to hear that Jesus loves them, and that is why we came,” said Dawna D. in sharing with the general group later that evening.  “I have never received such tight hugs before!  I was squeezed until my back cracked! “

We encourage you to pray for us as we face a great spiritual battle.  Not everyone appreciates the fact that we are Christians and sometimes we are not even allowed to pray – at least not audibly.  But, we know that God is able to break down every stronghold and principality of the enemy.  Continue to cover the team with the transforming power of prayer and the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Social Rehabilitation Department for children from risk group

This was the second visit of the Global Aid Network team to this facility.  The team visited in 2005 and it was evident that they were missed as both the staff and children were overjoyed at the team’s arrival. Forty children packed a very small room on the ground floor of the four storey building beaming with smiles, excitement and great anticipation.  They had worked hard on a program for us and were eager to share their songs, dance and piano recital.

It was evident that these children had very little.  “Our children are from families that do not have anything, many of them do not have sheets, pillows – some even sleep on the floor.  They wear trashy clothes, they have no televisions and radios and here they have that and can use it” said Irina, director of the facility.  Most of their parents cannot afford to feed them each day, so the facility gives them a warm meal and an opportunity to interact with other children.

The team had a blast sharing personal stories using photographs in their small groups and telling the children about Christ, using the gospel bead bracelet.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Prison #12 and #16

As the team prepared to visit the second venue for the day, we knew that this was not like any of the places we had been before.  We were on our way to the Abagur Lesnoy district to minister to more than 1,700 prisoners in a maximum security correctional facility.  The team divided into to two groups led by Charles D. and Dawna D. 

The team led by Charles D. went to the section of the prison reserved for murderers and rapists.  More than 150 men packed a small hall to listen to the team’s presentation.  One guard later commented that the prisoners did not deserve our time and effort to come so far to visit and share with them.  But, we know that God’s grace extends to all and we are His instrument of love.

There were moments when you could almost hear hardened hearts breaking as each member of the team told the men how Jesus Christ loves them despite whatever they had done.  “At the prison, I had prayed to ask God to use me,” said Kristen B.  “Today was the most fun place for me to sing in my life.”  The prisoners had tears in their eyes as Kristen sang a beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer.  “ I am so grateful for being here and I am coming back,” she declared.

As a contrast, the team led by Dawna D. was taken to a vast quadrangle in the center of several prison blocks.  More than 250 prisoners formed a thick wall in front of the open stage.  Other prisoners watched from balconies and their cells as the team presented songs and a powerful drama showing the love that Jesus Christ has for us even though we do not deserve it.

As we continue our journey throughout this city, pray for God to provide divine appointments for us and that we will be bold to share his love and saving grace to the many that need Him.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Siberian Team - Novokuznetsk, Russia

After a challenging time of preparation for the mission trip to Novokuznetsk, the team is finally here and ready for ministry!  Twenty-nine enthusiastic Americans converged on Moscow yesterday, Saturday, July 12, 2008, jet-lagged but eager to get ready for the last leg of the trip to Siberia. It was not without the usual challenges of overweight luggage and coordinating with members of the team flying in from their various states and countries.  But, the Lord granted us favor and by 11:30pm (Russian time), the team boarded the flight to their final destination – Novokuznetsk.  For many, it was their fourth or fifth flight in 36 hours!

“This is my first mission trip,” said Emily M. from Texas.  “I have always wanted to go on a mission trip ever since I heard about it 4 years ago, but I was only able to raise support to come this year.”  Emily is one of the many young adults on the summer mission trip this year.  Though a bit apprehensive about how it will all turn out, she is confident that God will take charge of everything.  Her supporters praying for her and the team include more than 80 persons from her hometown and church who helped her financially or otherwise to be on the mission trip.  “I am really looking forward to meeting the children in the orphanages,” she said with excitement in her voice.  The team will visit homes for the elderly and disabled, prisons, camps and orphanages as they distribute humanitarian aid including CarePacks and share the love of Christ to hundreds in the far away land. 

We ask for your prayers as we put into action, plans that have been laid out months in advance.  Pray that God will give us multiple opportunities to share the gospel and that many will seek a personal relationship with Him.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Church on the Rock, Novokuznetsk, Russia

Today, the team visited Church on the Rock, a vibrant church with a unique ministry to alcoholics and drug abusers.  More than 150 persons packed the small church in Kuznetsk District to worship God in their third service for the day.  The team, bursting with God-given talent gave greetings and shared in the service – Kristen B. encouraged them with a rendition of How Great Thou Art in English and Russian, and Aaron D. played Amazing Grace on the bagpipe! 

God’s presence was truly felt when Jim P. shared his testimony of his alcoholic father and the emotional abuse inflicted on him from the early age of 6.  “He told me every day for 10 years that I will amount to nothing,” he said.  Though, he made a commitment to follow Christ at age 16, he struggled for a number of years to maintain his walk with God.  He prayed, trying to get an answer from God to the internal turmoil he felt from feeling inferior and wondered for many years if there was any good in him.  After reading the bible and seeking God, about 15 years ago, he was able to forgive his father and embrace the refreshing release that came from extending this forgiveness. “It took me 45 years,” he said as he encouraged the congregation, “but I know that Christ was with me and He will be with you too all the way.  You only need to listen to Him.” 

Many will share their testimonies during the next 10 days in Novokuznetsk to hundreds in orphanages, prisons, homes for the elderly and disabled.  Pray for the team, that God will use these testimonies to draw men, women and children to Him and into His kingdom.