Global Aid Network Mission Reports

We traveled 3 hours out to the town of Salomotova to minister with the Risen Christ Church of Kemerovo. There we found an orphanage of only 35 children. Lena, our guide from the church, has been ministering at Salomotova for 5 years. “When we first found the orphanage there, we thought they had been forgotten by the world. They were in the middle of nowhere–and they were so poor! They had no good food and they lacked many things. We prayed and we started to visit them. We helped them make changes to their orphanage.” The team brought shoes, CarePacks, clothing, and more for the orphanage. Even the orphanage caretakers received a gospel apron. “Thank you for your hearts of love for these children,” Lena said. “You came so far to see them. Thank you!”

The Kemerovo mission team came to the city to help open doors to orphanages, hospitals and other sites for Vladimir Tsapkov, the Kemerovo JESUS Film coordinator. Vladimir explained to the team that he has over 80 teams in the region who preach the gospel and use materials like the Four Spiritual Laws, the JESUS Film, Christian music CDs and other Christian movies. “On May 4, 20 young volunteers preached to over 640 people in the streets,” Vladimir told the team. “The Gospel is spreading. These methods work!”

Vladimir and his team traveled to Novokuznetsk after the GAiN winter mission there. “One of the great joys of my ministry was that after the winter mission, three JESUS Film teams in Novokuznetsk showed the film in sites GAiN worked in. “We saw many children pray with the movie,” Vladimir said.

Those teams also met a man there who wanted to commit suicide. “After the teams shared the gospel, he told them that he no longer wanted to die. The gospel message works.”

Vladimir was recently in the hospital with pneumonia. He distributed more than 70 Christian music CDs. The GAiN team visited that very hospital with a now cured Vladimir. The team went room to room, praying with the patients and distributing New Testaments and CarePacks for adults.

The team traveled two hours out of town to the city of Zelenogorsk. There they visited three sites–two orphanages and one Civic Center that allowed children from poor families to go and learn handicrafts. As the team started the long drive home, Vladimir addressed the team. “As I walked from room to room with your team, my heart was filled with gratitude for what you do,” He told the GAiN team. “I know some of you are not young. Visiting three sites in one day takes a lot of energy. But you came and gave all you had. Each director thanked me for all you do for their children. I know you are tired. But may God bless you for all you do.”

Natasha, a member of the Kemerovo Christian Center church joined the team as a guest at one orphanage. She was trying to decide if she should join her church’s team that ministers to orphans each week. “I felt so blessed today,” she told one of the volunteers. “I just felt like the Holy Spirit was pouring into me as you talked.”

“Other groups have come and just presented programs,” one director told the team. “We did not expect such great gifts! Thank you for your help.”

A recent Global Aid Network project almost stopped before it started. Only a few days before their scheduled departure, team leaders received previously unannounced and thus totally unexpected demands from government officials of the receiving country. Certification of medical personnel would be required prior to the team’s arrival. A more complicated assessment of incoming medications would be necessary. All this and more made team leaders, Frank and Ruth Luter, wonder if the team, medical equipment and medications would even make it through customs. 

An urgent plea for prayer went out, Frank scrambled to gather documents, and after several delays, the team boarded their flight. Weary from travel and stress, they eventually landed at their destination, wondering how God would clear the path.

While there were some delays in the capital city, the team finally arrived in-country and began setting up the clinic. The doctor, nurses and other volunteers treated long lines of people who had walked even longer miles. Those working in the cramped and steamy pharmacy dispensed the prescribed medications. Each evening team members wearily gathered to pray—and sometimes weep—over the day’s people and experiences.

They especially prayed that they and the national Christian leaders would find favor with the government so evangelism and discipleship could move forward with vigor in this difficult place. Without being told all the details, they were aware of surveillance by government informants. One young man especially caught their attention. Shaddy* closely watched every procedure but seemed particularly interested in the gospel bracelets that were given to everyone who gathered at the clinic. These are simple bracelets with beads of various colors used to explain the good news of salvation.

Shaddy had somehow acquired several bracelets and was passing them out while he talked with the people, but Frank suspected that the message being given wasn’t quite accurate or complete. “Shaddy, let me explain the bracelet message so you know it very well,” said Frank. After the explanation, Frank asked, “Shaddy, have you ever committed your life to Jesus and asked Him to forgive your sins? After further conversation, the young man bowed his head and trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. Shaddy didn’t keep his new-found faith to himself but immediately began sharing his new life in Christ with clinic members who observed that he even looked different.

End of story? Not quite. As frequently happens in many countries around the world where Global Aid Network teams minister, local and national dignitaries requested a final meeting to recognize the team for their efforts. After mutual thanks were expressed, one of the local pastors stood and said, “In addition to helping our people in the villages by addressing their physical needs, we were sharing with them how Jesus could meet their spiritual needs.” At this point, he turned to Shaddy: “Why don’t you explain the bead bracelet to our honored guests?” Shaddy—a twenty-four-hour-old Christian—handed bracelets to each of the dignitaries, simply and beautifully explaining the gospel.

Hundreds of people were treated for their often severe physical conditions, but there was great rejoicing in heaven—and in the hearts of Global Aid Network team members—because Shaddy finally understood what it meant to be a child of the King and eagerly shared his new faith with leaders who hold the future of that country in their hands.

Who knows the ultimate outcome of the faithful service of a handful of Christians willing to forego the conveniences of home, sacrificing time, strength and money for a brief period. They had heard Jesus’ words: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).

*A fictitious name is used to protect his identity.

Exciting things are happening with the Global Aid Network team in North Africa, as American volunteers perform medical and vision clinics for the public, demonstrating the love of Christ for them.

On Monday, April 30, the team reported that the vision clinic saw 45 people in under four hours.  The medical team saw double that amount in the same timeframe.  Staying busy throughout the day, three of the physicians volunteering with the team met with 15 local doctors and hospital staff discussing various treatments and western medical techniques.  These same local medical personnel have volunteered to work side by side with the Global Aid Network team the remainder of the week.

On Tuesday, May 1, the pace stayed heavy with the vision clinic assisting 93 patients, and making 43 pairs of glasses in under four hours.  And again, the medical team was inundated with people as over 200 patients came through in the same four hour time frame.  The team leader reports, “The people are very friendly and appreciative.  This outreach helped our friends here reach out to their friends and help them in tangible ways and offer hope to many!”

Please continue to pray for this dedicated team as they let the light of their faith shine bright through their actions and love towards the people.