Global Aid Network Mission Reports

We are still working on a final Siberia trip report. We’re back at work and are making some progress. The trip was totally amazing. We affected countless people along the way, and they affected us as well. We thank you for your prayers and support along the way.

It’s hard to explain what a day with orphans is like. There are so many emotions that fill you. As you meet and talk with them there are emotions of love, caring, pain, happiness, joy, sorry, and fear. Each face is a story, each face is a life. Some stories are filled with abandonment and beatings, some with not knowing a parent, and others with seeing a parent murdered.

The one major emotion we experienced is one I would call ‘needing to share’. To experience a trip like this without sharing it with you would be a loss for everyone. The attached presentation was prepared to let you feel what our days with orphans were like and the hope we gave them. Please take the time to view this presentation if you have a high speed connection. I don’t think it will work over dial-up. Crank up the volume and experience a little of what we saw.

http://home.comcast.net/~fmkgain/orphans/slideshow.html

Mary and I know that we will need to make another trip. We don’t know when or how, but if you would like to make the journey with us someday, then email, call or write us. Your life will never be the same.

To the leaders of GAiN—thank you very much for the gift of $1000 that has been given for our summer camps!  Since our camp season has just begun we can’t tell what has been done to use the money but only what will be done.  We have lots of children who are not well fed at home.  We don’t have prizes for games that the children play.  We will use the money as well as we can – the children need health and positive motivation.  We plan to buy healthy food items like fruit, milk, yogurt, meat—things that will help to strengthen them.  Also we hope to have enough money to buy vitamins for the children.

There are 15 children that come each week to the church to receive a hot meal—they get nothing at home.  Others also are coming to camp from other areas who are in the same situation.  They total 24.  No one is paying for them to be able to attend the camp.  They are so poor that they have never seen simple things like chocolate or soft toys like Beanie Babies.

At camp there are 62 children—one-third are not believers.

For example yesterday evening, we had “evening candle.”  There were girls from poor social conditions. At this camp, they started turning to the Lord and praying. And yesterday, I loved the way they prayed. That during this five days at the camp, they really saw that Jesus is a friend. And the theme of our camp is friendship and we show it in our camp that the best friend is Jesus and that we are to be very careful in the way we choose our friends. And today I had such a joy when in the morning we had “Bible hour” and they recited perfectly the 5 bible verses we gave them during these camp days. And so we can tell that they really learned them and they understand them. I understand that they pray not only together but also on their own, because they run up to me and they say “I’ve been praying and the Lord told me something.”  

Some children prayed for good weather so that they could swim, and when we came to the camp it was very cold. But the next day the weather became hot and before that it had been so cold and it didn’t seem like it could possibly be hot. Many children said “Yes!! I had been praying for this.” One girl told me that she couldn’t swim, but she prayed about it and she learned to swim!

There are some boys who have such bad clothes and I’ve been thinking about where I could get some clothes. It is so interesting to watch them, and to see how they listen to the Bible stories. Even their Bible teacher had never seen them paying so much attention to it. And she really knows them and she was so surprised that they were so interested.  And at first when the kids came, our Christian songs were so strange for them. After three days, and I was going through the hallway and I heard some noise and I decided to see what was going on there. And there were no adults, but all of the children were singing. We just peeped in because we were so scared to disturb them. In our evening service, we call it- “orange,” they come and praise the Lord and show different skits they have learned. We have been there only five or six days. And I think that the more the better! And now unbelievers told us, we will never go to any other camp- only to this one. And they said, I will tell to my parents, I will never go anywhere else. And we can see such a good relationship between the counselors and the children. We are so thankful to the Lord when we look at these children. And we are praying to that some day we may have our own territory (property) where we can have these camps. because now the place where the camp is, is not big. It is so full that we cannot put another child in there and there are so many children who would love to come.  This is our great prayer and we pray as a church that the Lord would grant us an opportunity to buy land for a camp. We also have a desire to organize not only a summer camp but also a winter one.

Words cannot express our hearts full of thanks for your prayers and support with money to make it possible for children to realize their dream to come to camp.  Spaciba!             Tatiana Lapshova, Camp Director

Transformation Baptist Church     June 24, 2007 by Ann Y.

“Church in the Woods”

Transformation Baptist Church, a Siberian church of about 70 members, does not have its own building, so it rents a room at a college in Krasnoyarsk.  This particular Sunday, however, they learned at the last minute that they did not have access to this room.  So, as Pastor Dima put it, God had a surprise for us.  We would be meeting out in the woods. 

After waiting at the college building to communicate the change of plans to church members, we drove the woods.  Fortunately, it was a quiet, beautiful, sunny day with only the mosquitoes to bother us.  As we waited for the rest of the members to arrive, men pulled some tree stumps into a clearing while children played and climbed trees.  Some people brought blankets to sit upon, and others stood for the service. 

Sitting under a canopy of tall fir trees, we began the service with music.  Pastor Dima played the guitar, and two women led the singing.  After several songs, Pastor Dima taught from the book of Ecclesiastes.  Then he invited Jim, my team member to speak.  Jim extended a greeting from America and explained a bit about GAiN’s   mission in Krasnoyarsk.  Then I gave some testimony about the birth of my daughter, Alyssa, with Down syndrome.  The thrust of my message was the guiding principle from Matthew 6:33:  Seek first God’s kingdom in your life, and He will provide all of the other things that He knows are important and necessary for your life.

After I spoke, a young man shared his testimony about how God is freeing him from addiction to drugs and alcohol.  He had just finished rehab and asked for continued prayer.  Then we took a break from the service for water and snacks and to stretch our legs. 

About twenty minutes later, the service resumed with more singing.  One of the songs we sang was Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.  After the music, a visitor gave a sermon based on Ephesians 2:1-10.  What a joy it was to worship and learn God’s word with my Russian brothers and sisters in Christ!

Afterwards, during a time of socializing, one woman was eager to question me about teaching children with Down syndrome.  She has been visiting an orphanage for children with disabilities, or invalids, as they are called in Russia.  She has been helping with several children, and she wanted to learn about teaching reading, writing, and speech to these children.  We talked a bit about some teaching techniques that had worked for us and about therapies, and then she asked the most important question:  How can she teach these children about God?  I replied that I did not believe that God mad a single human being that was unable to have a relationship with Him.  He will make a way for every person, and sometimes the rest of us don’t understand or recognize His ways of communicating with them.  As for practical advice, I encouraged her to read Bible stories with illustrations to the children, to sing songs about God, and to pray with and for them. 

Another poignant question which she asked was about how she can help the parents of these children who are wondering why God did this terrible thing to them.  These parents are not believers and are bitter about having a child born with Down syndrome.  I suggested, most importantly, that she should demonstrate to the parents how to love their children by her words and deeds.  Her care, love, and affection would be an example to the parents.  If she can express joy about qualities and achievements in the children to the parents, then perhaps they will begin to feel more love towards them.  If she is enthusiastic and positive with the parents, then they can learn to see and appreciate the value in the children for themselves. 

In Romans 1:11-12, Paul describes the circle of encouragement that occurs when we visit believers to share with them how God is at work in our lives.  I believe that the “Church in the Woods” was a perfect example of the relationship that Paul described.

Romans 1:11-12:  “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”  

Irina’s Impressions  (KR4)  6.20.06 

I would like to share from my heart on a comment from a lady who was at the society of disabled people.  She has a disabled little girl who is in the society.   She was invited to come this day because of the guests from the USA.

When Fred shared the message of the Gospel with our small group, that lady listened to him attentively and with an open heart.  She said that she believed in God like all people around her and even asked God to help in times of need, but she had not thought about a personal relationship with God.  She was surprised at the simple way to come to Jesus and the simple words we could pray to Him at any time and place.  She said, “If you don’t here, I couldn’t know about all these things.”

What a joy to share the Truth and to make Him known!!

Our interpreter Olga’s impressions   6.26.07

“I think your ministry is very important.  It was a very depressing sight to see the children from the orphanages.  Of course, they need love so much that your coming and attention was a great gift for them.  I think that your love is maybe more important for them that the words you have said.  And I believe that one they will hear about God again and the love they received from you will help them to repent.  I also know that your support to the orphanages help us to continue working with kids here.  It was well seen in all sights that the directors of the orphanages were appreciated.  God Bless you!”

Yana’s Impressions as an Interpreter   6.26.07

I am a teacher of English and sometimes I also work as an interpreter.  I don’t know why, but God wanted me to be on this mission because He made all the circumstances change and here I am (my 2 regular jobs were over and the travel agency that gave me this assignment had found me, I had never worked for them before).

I have always believed in God.  I remember as a 5 year old girl praying to God, but can’t say I was a Christian.  I know I am a good person, but then what?  Thank you, Crystal, you taught me what a real Christian is.  Now I have a strong desire to become a Christian and I know I will.

The job which GAiN made for the orphanages is enormously important.  During this week, I have seen a lot of happy faces.  I hope that many souls were saved this week.  The way GAiN missionaries treated people taught me a lot.  The fact that we are of different nationality and have to talk through the interpreters made no barrier because how you talk through eyes and heart is beautiful.  Thank God, I got to know people who can be an example for me.  I got to know beautiful women, perfect loving mothers, intelligent partners and interesting personalities.  I got to know men, who showed me what is love and who are perfect examples of how a man should treat a woman and what a happy marriage is.

I thank our group and I thank God for the chance to be with you.  This experience is priceless and I will never forget you.

Our interpreter Zemfera’s impression 6.25.07

It was a great pleasure for me to have fellowship with your team.  All things you did and showed were of great importance, especially your performances.  They impressed the children very much and me too.  Especially the performances about the sins and the broken heart.

Trip planning was well organized.  All the members of the team are so kind and nice people and are real Christians.  They always smile and laugh and their faces are shining.  That is unusual for Russians.

You never waste time.  You used the short time while riding for devotions and testimonies.  It helped to strengthen me spiritually, also.  I love all the members of your team.  Ann’s smile is so brilliant.  Mike’s good singing and “the old red rooster he is going to kill” I will sing 10 times a day.  I give thanks to Jim for writing this song.  Stuart’s maturity in many ways is high for his age.  I knew the two Christian couple, they are really happy in Christ, they reflect God’s love.  Peggy is a cool grandmother indeed.  She is a good example for me and for other Russian people.  Crystal and Dale are such nice women.  Every one of you is so precious to me. This time from June 18-25 is unforgettable for me.  All things, talking, meetings with kids and people were pleasing.

 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14)”

 “Lord, what does it mean to be like you?” I asked silently in my heart as I crossed 13 time zones into the often Forgotten Frontier of Novokuznetsk, Siberia. The answer would later come in the form of a 65 year old Babushka (grandmother).

During this trip I had the joy of performing a dance that I choreographed to a song called, “Knees to the Earth,” as a ministry to the fatherless, the weary, the sick, and the poor. The song goes, “Be blessed, be loved, be lifted high, be treasured here, be glorified. I owe my life to you my Lord. Here I am.” Often times the words were not understood, but the heart and message was.

On Sunday, I attended a small Protestant church in Novokuznetsk run by Pastor Pasha Perogova. The church was very small, with seating for no more than 30 people, no air conditioning, and no bathrooms, but more of the love of God than its humble walls could ever contain.

After the worship service came to an end, I was brought up to dance. When I was finished I sat back down sweaty, breathless, and dirty, but excited that I could use what I love doing the most. Shortly after I sat down, a little old Babushka gently took me by the hand and led me to a room outback. Not having any idea of where I was going, I wondered if she was going to try to feed me again, as hospitality is an enormous part of Russian culture. But she would not.

Instead she sat me down on a small wooden bench and took off my shoes. She placed an empty basin under my feet, and began to wash them with water she had spent time heating up. On her knees, this kind woman carefully washed away the dirt that had accumulated from dancing barefoot. When she was done, she took a clean towel and dried my feet, making sure she did not miss anything.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and all I could say was, “Spasiba, Spasiba Bolshoy,” which means “Thank you, Thank you so much.” She then kissed my feet and put my shoes back on, and said, “I love you,” in Russian.

I cannot express what an honor it was for me to have this happen. I really believe that God allowed her to serve me in this way that I might really see what it means to be like Jesus. This woman took me into a separate room that no one might know what she was doing. She served me out of a simple desire to please the Lord.

What a lesson this has been for me. She showed me what it is to follow Philippians 2:3 which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.” What a precious moment, and what a precious woman. Surely she will receive her reward for her act of kindness when one day she gets to see Jesus.

 June 19:
Today was the first day working with the children, and it really was a joy - especially going to the orphanage camp with the little ones!  As soon as the children got outside a little boy, Kiril, attached himself to me and he did not let go of my hand the entire time we were there except to play with the balloons we brought.  Kiril could not hear or speak.  Another little one, Anya, was also very attached to me (I’m attaching a picture with Kiril, Anya and me along with a little boy who reminded me of my brother David when he was little).

Heavenly Father, bless these children who have no earthly father. Call them to Yourself, using the ministry of the local church and the faithful women who care for them.  Let this afternoon’s time together with Kiril and Anya be an encouragement for them and not a source of sadness.  Amen

Another intensely meaningful time was at the women’s prison in Mariinsk (8 hours by bus north of Novokuznetsk).  I don’t have any pictures from there…but here is another journal excerpt.

June 21:
We were walked through security and it was very solemn.  At this point, our team was separated into two groups, and our group went into a cafeteria / auditorium filled with women in uniforms and scarves on their heads and very closed, blank looks on their faces — it was hard to see THEM when you looked in their eyes.  Not for long though!  Charles had them smiling with some of the opening games and songs.  Tears were in their eyes when Dawna mentioned that she could only imagine what it was like for them to be separated from their children.  Then, Rachel (American) and Lena (Russian) shared two very powerful testimonies.  I’m not sure how the women responded, but I was in tears, so when Dawna asked me to share the gospel, I didn’t think I could stand on a stage in front of all of those women and so much as speak.  I kept praying, “Lord, let me diminish so that You may increase in me.”  When I got up to speak, I’m not exactly sure what I said, but I looked into the eyes of those women and saw the first beginnings, perhaps of hope — I felt the power of the Holy Spirit.  God spoke His hope into our lives, and I had the privilege of speaking it to them.

Heavenly Father, these women are Your special creation.  They are the sick at heart who you sent Your Son to save.  Please work in the lives of these women and draw many to Yourself.  Use the women of the church to minister to and disciple them.  Bless these women and give them spiritual freedom and life.  Bring glory to Your great name in that dark place.  Bring Your peace and hope to these hopeless.  Thank you for the privilege to speak Your words of hope to these women.  Amen

We were able to bring gifts, our affection and the hope of the gospel every place we went, but we were there for such a short time.  It is a great encouragement to me that the local church in Siberia is strong and passionate for the Kingdom of God.  These people we visited will not be forgotten by God’s people.  Our brothers and sisters in Russia will continue to minister to them.  Praise God!