Mon 3 Mar 2008
As reported by Sergei V.:
Today at the first site the volunteers introduced themselves and then handed out the Gospel bracelets, and as they were doing that, they asked if anybody knew what it meant.
And to our surprise, one little girl said she did and that she can tell the story of the bracelet. She explained where she got this from - she got it off a stuffed mouse that she had received it from a relative of hers and it had a Russian translation of the story! We are happy to see that the Word of the Lord is working and He is drawing people to Himself - one person at a time!
At the second site we saw an excellent presentation complete with acrobatics! Then we split into small groups. We had some of the older children. Some of them spoke a little English. We played a few games with the children to loosen them up & we took turns sharing our photos & our stories about our lives with them.
Al S. asked me to present the Gospel to them because earlier that day I had done it for Sandra’s group. Sandra told the bus how meaningful it was for the children because they were hearing more about my testimony then just what the colored beads meant. That had been the first time I had presented it that way, she had given me "permission" to not just go through the bracelet, bead by bead.
I (Carrie R.) was sharing the story about a turning point in my walk with the Lord & noticed one of the girls was crying. I pressed on & shared with them that because of my friendship with Jesus I no longer have fear or experience guilt the way I had before. I shared that even though the experience I had was the worst time of my life, I can look back now & see how God used it to draw me near to Him & so that now there is hope. After we gave out the gifts I went over to the girl who had been crying & gave her a hug. She told me that her Mom is in the hospital & that she is afraid. Another little girl from our class said, "No fear, only hope!" She had heard & believed. Praise God!
After presenting to the foster families we were having fun taking photos & this lady, Marina & her children came up to me (Carrie R.). She was so happy we had come to visit with them. She had been feeling so alone as a Christian here in Belarus. She was so sweet & so happy to have a Sister in Christ. She was so appreciative of the 2 books we had given the families & was encouraged that Global Aid Network would come all that way to show God’s love to the children of Belarus!
Today, March 2, the group split up into 3 smaller teams and went to enjoy the Sunday service in 3 respective churches that we have been working with in the city of Gomel and its vicinities:
First Sunday of every month majority of Belarusian churches celebrate the Lord’s Supper and today was not an exception. Everyone felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and brotherly love as we participated in those holy moments.
In the morning we visited a boarding school for children from troubled family situations. The classroom we visited were 9 and 10 year olds: 5 boys and 2 girls. These children were so polite and respectful; they stood when we entered, stood when they answered questions, and sat with arms folded on the desk. We played games and told them stories about our families back home in America. They had never met anyone from the United States, so they told us how they were not certain what to expect when we entered. They soon found out that we were fun and loving toward them. I was honored to share the gospel of salvation using the gospel bead bracelet. I looked into their faces and notice several were seriously considering what was being shared. When I asked them if they had heard of Jesus, most said yes; learning from teachings at home and their church. I went on to share about how Jesus came so our sinful actions in the past, which were not pleasing God, could be forgiven by simply asking Jesus to forgive us. At this moment I could sense several were considering my words carefully; and told them how to talk to God and be forgiven. As we left, we received some hugs and were told how glad they were that we came. The teacher, too, was happy to have us come and share love with them all. Terry S.
We arrived at our morning site and found that our small group had to be split up. At first we were disappointed not to have a group of children of our own to interact with. Soon we found out God had a different and good plan for us. Without the responsibility to plan the meeting we could sit back and enjoy the children. Elsa S. bonded immediately with the young girls in the room. Luda caught Elsa’s eye with a smile and wave. Chatting with the few words she knew in Russian and with some help from interpreters, showing pictures from home, and taking her picture were a few ways Elsa tried to get to know this beaming girl and share God’s love. Bonding soon took place. Luda put her arm around Elsa and laid her head on Elsa’s shoulder staying close to her the rest of the morning. Only God knows the impact it made on her life.
The next afternoon Kristi D. had a similar experience in the group that we were assigned to. Little Marina, a smiling and affectionate mentally disabled girl, latched onto Kristi right away hugging her with her little arms, sitting on her lap, following her around the room with awkward movements. This special girl that would be considered a burden by so many was shown the love of God.
Today when we were getting ready to present the gospel bead presentation, we had two students who said they could give the meaning of the bracelets. One of the boys, Kirill, said he had heard the story of God’s love and wanted to share the story with his classmates. We asked where he had learned of the bracelets, and he said he was from the social shelter that had been visited before by Americans. While I was giving a testimony demonstrating God’s love and mercy, Kirill explained the meaning of each colored bead as it was represented in the story. It was powerful and the room was spirit-filled. All of the students and teachers listened intently to the message. 
We visited a children’s shelter facility this morning. Our group had the pleasure to meet with a group of children around 6 years old. We played games with them: for example, relay races. The children had quite a lot of fun and laughter. We also presented them with the gospel bead bracelet; and we explained to them about God’s love for them. One girl was able to share about her understanding of Jesus and His death on the cross. Afterwards we gave out shoeboxes to every child. A certain girl was so happy that she wanted to have her picture taken. All of the boys and girls there have so little; we were able to make their day a happy and blessed one. Terry S. 
In the morning we visited a Public school with 279 children, all of which were very eager to see us and listen to what we had to say! Many responded to the Lord Jesus in prayer. We went to the Children’s Chernobyl Invalids Organization "White Dove over Chernobyl". "White Dove" takes care of the children that are effected by the Chernobyl disaster. It was noted that the need for older children’s diapers was requested. The White Dove watches over 18 hospice cancer children and patients and they have a list of 30 more that need assistance. Doug B, working in partnership with Hearts of Love was able to help in there need for cloth diapers. Over 300 diapers were given to the directors of "White Dove over Chernobyl". 
We (says Terry S.) were visiting an organization of Gomel invalids and disabled children - hundreds of children who happened to be physically or mentally challenged. We shared our love and God’s message of love for them. I was going from child to child, greeting them and showing friendship and love to as many as I could reach. At one point in time I decided to pull out my camera to get a picture with a girl and her mother. The girl was so happy to do something as fun as this. I thought to myself that she has probably had very few photographs taken, especially with an person from the United States. 
As soon as I was finished another boy, with Downs Syndrome came to me, motioning with his hands, that he wanted a picture with me too. I asked his mother if she could take the picture, which she excitedly said "Da" (which being translated means yes). The young boy, probably around 5 or 6 years old, stood close to me and I knelt down to his height. I pulled him close. He surprised me by tightly placing his arm around my shoulder and hugged me while the picture was taken. Afterwards he looked into my eyes and smiled a big smile; I could sense that he was so happy to be with me. In spite of the challenges ahead for him, I am trusting the Lord that the gospel bead bracelet and the story of salvation that we shared with him and his mother will help him to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord.
In the morning we visited the Public School of T-ka town with 279 children - they were anticipating our visit very much and even though we got up at around 4 AM Minsk time to get ready to travel there shortly after 5 AM and got there after 11 AM, the Lord was obviously present as the volunteers shared with the children and teachers that it is because of His love that they travelled from across half of the world to come to them and give them personal gifts, their hearts and their love! And then they fed us with a delicious and hearty meal to express their appreciation! 
As we were walking out of the school, Sergei V. walked up to an elderly gentleman to witness to him about Christ and when the man heard that we were Christians and what we were doing in that town, he started getting very emotional and then began crying with tears streaming down his face and saying that he is a believer himself and the only reason he survived thru the WW2 was because of his faith in God and that he used to have a Bible back in those years, but then it got taken away from him during the times of the USSR. Having learnt that, we were glad and blessed to present Ivan with a copy of the Gospel of John and More than a carpenter by Josh McDowell! 
In the afternoon we ministered to the children and adults of a Chernobyl Invalids organization - and along with Pastor Igor T. delivered much needed supplies, aid, food items and copies of the Gospel of John and More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell - we were very touched as those children affected by the radiation sang and danced to us - their way to say "thank you" to us for coming to them - and then they asked whether they could receive more books for disabled children that stayed at their homes and could not come due to their health problems - it was our great joy to say "Yes"!