Global Aid Network Mission Reports

June 20, 2007 – Prayer time in the morning

By Fred K

Each morning before breakfast, we gather in the lobby on the fourth floor for prayer.  Thursday morning during our prayer time I had a vivid image of a battle being waged in Siberia and around the world. 

With my eyes closed in prayer, I envisioned our team dressed as warriors set for another day of battle.  Exactly what you would picture in Ephesians 6:13-18.  However, what struck me most were those ahead of us.  Battle worn and weary they bore the scars of pain and persecution.  None the less, they had a glint in their eyes knowing they would be victorious.  They were all there, a brother pastor, his family and sister, tired and worn from the underground persecution they had experienced.  They smiled knowing we were there as reinforcements. 

The time of printing Bibles and translating Bible lessons in secret were over, but there was much more work to do.  Also, the former drug addict and gang member who might have been long dead, also, now shone as a pastor working with orphans, addicts and homeless people.   What a pleasure and honor to follow in the footsteps and now work side by side.

June 17, 2007 flying to Krasnoyarsk

By Mary K.

We were sitting in Moscow airport awaiting departure for Siberia when a woman with two older children tapped me on the shoulder.  “Are you going to Krasnoyarsk?” she asked looking doubtful.  I answered “yes” and she responded with an incredulous “why?”

I showed her my Global Aid Network (GAiN) tag and explained about our mission of giving humanitarian aid and sharing about Jesus Christ.  She was sure no one had been to Krasnoyarsk to help like this – other cities in Siberia, but not Krasnoyarsk, the city she had grown up in.   I told her this was the first trip for GAiN to this area and had been in the works for some time.  She hugged me, very excited and repeatedly thanked us for coming and welcomed us into her country.  She was surprised that an American organization was here to help hometown.  She introduced herself as Vitalia.  I learned that she had a medical degree and lives in the United States in Virginia with her husband and children.  She was taking her children “home” to Krasnoyarsk to visit with extended family. 

I told her about GAiN and the October work week held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where 1,000’s of volunteers gather to collect and pack the humanitarian aid for shipping overseas.  She seemed very eager for the opportunity to help in a place that was assisting her homeland. 

After we landed we met again and I gave her our email address and a bookmark listing all the sites we planned to visit so she could see the sort of work we had planned. 

When we arrived at the terminal, she pulled me aside to meet her husband.

What a warm welcome to Krasnoyarsk!!  

June 20, 2007

Yesterday, I had the privilege of interviewing one of the teenage boys – below is his story.

He didn’t remember how he came to the orphanage.  Abandoned by his mother and his father deceased, he only knew that they found him in the cemetery.  In Russia, there is a custom of taking food to the cemeteries and laying it on the gravesites for the dead.  Apparently, homeless people take the food to survive and this is what this young boy was doing as well. 

The Bible teacher said when he came to the orphanage, the young boy was very wild and out of control.  He did not want to study and read the Bible.  In protest, he would lie on the floor swearing and slithering back and forth like a snake.  

Some time later he was admitted into the hospital.  The teacher said that many times the children in the orphanages are weak and have to go to the hospital often.  While he was in the hospital, he was in the same room as another boy.  The boy’s mother noticed that nobody came to visit him.  She started to bring extra food for him and visit with him telling him about Jesus and the Bible. 

When he returned to the orphanage, he started attending the Bible study lessons and praying.  Also, he was able to go and live with his older sister.  He now attends the orphanage during the day for school.  He said that when he has difficult moments he prays to God and has experienced His comfort and answers to prayer.

Orphanage in the country.

After a scenic drive through piney hills driving alongside a picturesque river, we arrived at the orphanage greeted by excited children.  They performed a funny puppet routine and then we broke into our small groups.  I was going from room to room and decided to stay with the teenage girls.  They listened intently as Mary K shared her pictures and as Fred K. presented the gospel.  The girls seemed keenly interested in all that was being said.  Afterwards, I had the privilege of speaking with one of the girls. 

You could tell she was excited that I wanted to interview her.  All the girls were trying to listen in, I guess wondering why she was picked to be interviewed.  I choose to interview Dasha because I noticed she was also collecting gifts for another girl that was in the hospital.  I thought, “How compassionate of her to do this” and I wanted to hear her story.

Dasha , a 14 year old and like any other child, she likes to listen to music and watch TV.  I learned that she also attended Bible lessons that were given by a volunteer at the orphanage.  She had 3 sisters and one of her sisters was in the orphanage with her.  She had only lived in the orphanage a couple of months.  She said a conflict with her father is what brought her to the orphanage.  Exploring further I learned she had missed school and when her father found out he beat her.  It seemed there were some additional problems as well.  She said her grandmother called and had her placed in the orphanage.  She teared up when I asked about her mother.  When Dasha was 9 years old she had witnessed her mother being shot in the forest.   She greatly missed her mother and if she could be granted anything it would be that her mother would still be alive. 

Dasha’s story is tragic with so much pain and hurt in the life of one so young.   However, I saw something in Dasha.  She had a compassion that only can be explained through the pain she knew all too well.  She prayed when the Gospel was presented and yet also seemed to already possess the importance of knowing Him.  My heart was touched by Dasha and for today I knew it was to share her life story and to feel her pain.

After days of travel and a brief weather delay in Moscow and a 4-hour night flight, the Novokuznetsk team was so thrilled to arrive in Siberia on Monday morning.  That afternoon the group went to our host church in Novokuznetsk where we unloaded items from storage containers and assembled more than 1,000 CarePacks school supplies, toiletry items, and Ty Beanie Babies as gifts for the children we’ll meet.  Each of the Beanie Babies included a gospel bead necklace with a printed gospel message attached.

Following all our preparations, travel, and prayer we finally began our ministry outreach visits on Tuesday morning. We started by visiting the Social Rehabilitation Center for Children of Limited Abilities. The children there were mostly affected by muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. We witnessed many of the children getting physical therapy as well as a variety of cutting-edge treatments to help the children stand, walk, or talk.  Also many parents were there with their children and we were able to minister to and give them and the staff workers Bibles and evangelistic books—this was an additional blessing for us. We were very impressed by the facilities and the quality care that the children received. Despite the physical problems afflicting the children, the atmosphere was one of courage and hope. We enjoyed the concert as well as meeting in small groups with the kids.   During the visit the American mission team was able to see a variety of humanitarian aid items that had been provided from a shipment received in February from Global Aid Network that included:  baby cribs, mattresses, fleece blankets, and walkers for disabled children. 

A special moment was when Austin J., 16 from Dallas, TX, shared his presentation and showed a picture of his baptism. He explained to the kids that Jesus had been his lifelong friend, and all of the kids looked very surprised. That was the perfect segue to ask the kids why they were surprised that Austin had said that Jesus was their friend. This gave an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and many of the kids seemed engrossed by this new thought. 

                  Our next meeting, the summer camp for Orphanage #3 in Targai, was a fabulous ending to our day. We were greeted by a dozen little faces peering from the upper-story windows, waving and blowing kisses. About 70 children from ages 2-10, played with balloons, sang songs, received endless hugs, and bonded with our group in a marvelous summer play-time. The American team fully engaged with the kids to show and share the love of Jesus Christ to the children who were warm, energetic, and open.  Each member of our team took away the memory of at least one specific child and perhaps even that will be the memory that will be the mental picture we’ll take away from the trip. It was extremely hard to leave, but our excitement and anticipation about the rest of the trip spurs us on to continue to faithfully serve in other places during the mission.

Tuesday June 19, 2007

Leonarda is 83 years old and spent world war two in a German slave labor camp.  She broke her hip three years ago and going to the doctor is the only time she leaves the house or her bed.  In the cramped little house, I had to ask her if she wanted a wheelchair and why?  She told me to go outside was like paradise for her. Of course, I fitted her for one and we brought it to her.  Her grand nephew comes in several times a week to see that she is fed, that her bedside needs are cared for and to run errands.  Now he will be able to bring her out into the sunshine.  Before leaving I prayed for Leonarda.

Coming to an almost sitting position on her bed and sitting beneath an old picture of Jesus on the wall she prayed for me.  If you were to ask who was the most blessed today Leonarda and I each would have a different answer.

“The GAiN group” visited a public school in a village near Grodno in the morning. We were able to present a clear message of love and hope, as well as give out much needed aid. The children danced and leaped for joy when they saw how much we had brought to give to them! GAiN was able to provide funds to purchase needed sports equipment, balls, nets and etc!

In the afternoon we ministered to a group of children from foster families, social shelters, a correctional center and disabled children. They were gathered in a local house of culture by the Ministry of Education in the afternoon. Besides providing them aid, sharing our lives and affecting their eternal destiny, GAiN was able to provide funds to purchase desperately needed educational and development materials, special recreational tools and games to help children re-gain lost abilities!

On June 19 we visited a camp in Grodno the entire day.  The Lord softened everyone’s hearts and our volunteers, children and teachers had a great time of sharing and being together! Even though it rained cats and dogs, it did not affect the relationship that was being built there! GAiN was able to provide this site funds to purchase needed sports equipment, balls, nets and etc!

“The Wheelchairs team” spent the whole day in the Grodno Baptist church “Hope” - cutting plywood, making wheelchair seats, measuring foam cushions, fitting people to a wheelchair according to their personal needs. Most importantly, we presented each person not only a much needed wheelchair, but also the Good News that Jesus Christ loves and cares for them!

Ivan is 75 years old, and an amputee. Due to diabetes soon he will be a double amputee.  He was on a list to receive a wheelchair, which could come in three years. 

As representatives of Christ Jesus, and as professionals in the medical field, we wanted to fit each person individually for a wheelchair.  Ivan, accompanied by his wife and son, was brought to the church for a wheelchair. 

Though skeptical about the need to be personally fitted for his wheelchair, he and his family watched for almost two hours as we tried several wheelchairs for Ivan. Finally we fit him into the best wheelchair for his needs.  From our introductions and initial prayers this family gradually softened and realized that we had Ivan’s best interest at heart.  A day that began in skepticism was transformed into one of warmth, trust, and opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Ivan is pleased with his new wheelchair and now can rejoin his family in daily activities.

Ivan, and his wife Evgenia said they have passed by the church “Hope” several times, but never went in for various reasons. Now, having been to the church to receive a wheelchair, and felt the love, care and attention from volunteers; they have changed their mind and said that the church is the best place in the world to go!

The Brown Bus visited an Elderly Home today in Kolomya, Ukraine where we found Ira, a delightful 35 year old lady, weeding the garden. 

When Ira saw us, she dropped her hoe and came running to meet us.  She had heard that some people were coming to visit her today.  As we hugged Ira, she kept saying, “Thank you so much for coming to my home today.”

The director of the home shared that Ira is a very hard worker.  She gets up early every morning to feed the horses and cows before taking her hoe and spending time weeding the garden. She also told us that Ira’s parents left her on the doorstep of an orphanage when she was about 3 months old because they could not care for her.   Ira stayed at the orphanage until she was 16 and then came to live at the Elderly Home.

Andrew S.

Most know the story of the Good Samaritan, where one man gets roughed up by thieves and all passed by except for a man from Samaria.  God brought this story alive to us in many ways during our day.  In the morning, we went to Sanatorium #2, which is a two-month rehabilitation center for children from all across Russia.  Psychiatrists, Music Therapists, Speech Therapists, Relaxation Therapists, and many more, but some of the most touched in the building were the kitchen staff when Mickey S., Linda S., and Zoanna Z. went to hand out the gospel aprons.  One of the staff still had hers from last time a group went!  Everyone was very grateful when GAiN gave them new ones, and they were happy to hear the message again.   So happy, in fact, that they smothered the three ladies with kisses.

Another opportunity that we were able to demonstrate the Good Samaritan was in the Center of Social Rehabilitation for Children, the second place we went in the afternoon.  Here Mercy Ministries, along with the help of Tim B., Sacha T., Faith H., and Megan S., presented a play about the Good Samaritan.   Afterwards, we were able to get into our small groups and talk to the children in groups.  God worked miracles during this time, as Linda S., Jaye W., Kristen W., Megan S., helped to lead 9 out of 11 children asked Jesus into their hearts.   During tea, we noticed the girls pointing at their bracelets and trying to remember what each bead meant, and that opened another opportunity to share Christ.  

Dinner was at a great Azerbaijani restaurant, a complete 5 course meal, and after that some took the opportunity to explore Vladimir.  On the way back to the hotel, a man who was greatly inebriated staggered and fell directly in front of them and he hurt his leg.  The group took the opportunity to stop and call an ambulance.   While they were waiting, they were able to pray for him.

God brings about real life situations that through which we can see parables of the New Testament taking place.   In addition to what the group did, we were also greatly blessed by the hospitality of the Russian people.  In each of the places we went, we were offered food and drink.   They have really opened their arms to our group, and have been a great blessing to us as well!  

Tues., June 19, 2007 – orphanage in the morning

You know sometimes how things get cancelled and in the moment you are disappointed, but later you can see the good.  This morning at breakfast we did not have a sight to go to.  The orphanage we had planned to visit had been cancelled.  However, after breakfast we learned that there was a new orphanage we could go to, but unsure of the number and the age groups. 

Upon arriving I met a lady named Tatiana who serves as a missionary and travels to 3 orphanages giving Bible lessons.  She said some of the children had heard about Jesus and she was excited that we had come.   After we did our large group presentation, I decided we would go to a small group with Peggy M. and Mike to take pictures and hear their presentation.  They had been assigned to a group of teenage boys that appeared aloof and disinterested.  I learned from the interpreter, Zimfira, that the boys were making jokes during our large group presentation.  I thought, “This sure is going to be a tough group.”  However, it was amazing to see what happened. 

As Peggy M. started to interact with the boys, you could see them begin to listen and their hearts become open.  Then, Mike W. told about his car business and they showed particular interest in this.  When the Gospel was presented each boy made a decision to place their faith in Christ. 

Afterwards, I had the privilege of interviewing one of the boys and stay tune to hear a little more of his incredible story and how he survived… 

Tues., June 19 – social service center – afternoon

I learned the kids attended this center for a variety of reasons.  Some came because of choice and others were delinquent youth assigned to the center.   However, I learned the majority of the children at the center were from difficult homes mainly involving alcohol abuse.  After our large group presentation, I decided to go around from room to room and take pictures of the children and the small groups. 

As I peered in on one group, I saw another group of teenage kids.   I sat down in the group and begin to pray as it appeared to me that they were disinterested.   One boy even moved across the room to sit next to me.  I thought he is distracting and apparently is trying to be the center of attention from his peer group.  In this same group,  when the Gospel was presented all the kids raised their hands that they wanted to pray and place their faith in Christ.  I was skeptical of this response and so decided I would pull the one who had moved next to me and interview him separately from the group.  I learned he was hoping to finish school and like any kid hoped one day to get a good job, get married and have children.  I decided to probe and ask about his commitment.   I told him that to some it seemed like what was said was a joke and that I could understand why someone might raise their hand to place their faith in Christ because this is what their friends did or to joke around with it.  He listened and then went on to let me know that he believed in what was said and that when he prayed he was serious about his new commitment. 

I left there humbled and amazed.  You see to my human eye there seemed to be disinterest on his part; I could not know the decision of his heart.  It reminds me of the verses with Nicodemus and Jesus and the discussion on being “born again.   Jesus says, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”   

Andrew S (Mercy Ministries, Vladimir)

Praise the Lord for Vladimir!

Today was our first day of ministry and it was such a blessing to be able to minister to the people of Russia. We started at the Sudzal Orphanage which has about 30 children ages 3-10. The children sang some songs for us, and we were able to perform some of our talents with us. The children loved the magic tricks performed by Jaye W., or “Jaye the Magnificent” as she preferred to be called. After the assembly time, we were able to spend some time playing with the children outside. These kids were definitely full of life and loved being entertained by our face painting, balloon animals, and bubbles!

During our time with the children, Mickey S. was able to deliver Gospel aprons to the kitchen staff of the orphanage. Mickey believes it is important to include the cooks in our ministry, because they play such a large role in caring for these children. We are able to nourish them spiritually, but they depend on the cooks for their physical nourishment. Only one of the two women was there today, but as Mickey shared the truth of the Gospel apron with her, you could see that she was so touched by the words and she was honored to be included in our ministry. She promised to read the explanation of the Gospel apron that was provided, and to give the other apron to her coworker.  

After leaving the orphanage, and eating a delicious Russian lunch, we were able to visit some needy families living in Vladimir. Mercy Ministries, who is partnering with GAIN for this trip, has personal relationships with these families and has been ministering to them for quite a while. We split up into six groups, each with an interpreter and a representative from Mercy Ministries.

Tim B. and Natalie B. visited a woman named Luba and were able to talk to her about her family. She has two grown sons and one grown daughter, and one son and her daughter both live with her. Her daughter is a believer and she works at a local church, cleaning it. Her burden is for her son who lives with her, who is an alcoholic. He has had jobs but he usually quits after a week or two. Natalie said she seemed to have no strength or hope left for him. Tim told her that we cannot change other people, we need to put our hope and strength in Christ.   Natalie was able to share a similar situation that happened with her youngest son, who struggled with drugs and crime as a teenager. She needed to step back and let God deal with the situation and Natalie was only able to pray for him and trust God to take care of him. The interpreter and representative from Mercy Ministries shared the gospel with Luba. When Tim and Natalie offered to pray for her son and her situation, Luba told them that she wanted to pray to receive Christ! So, they were able to pray with her and she prayed along with them. Natalie shared that she could hear in Luba’s voice that her prayer came from the heart and was going to make a big difference in her life. As they were leaving Natalie encouraged her that though there would still be hard times, she should not be discouraged, but continue to pray and read her bible so she could grow closer to God. We know that the angels in heaven are rejoicing today for Luba, our new sister in Christ!

From: Faith H.