Global Aid Network Mission Reports

As reported by Duane Z.:

Greetings. Just wanted to let you know that we all arrived safely in Moscow this morning. And PTL that all our luggage arrived. Everyone is tired but are glad that they are here. It took us about an hour or so to get through passport control. Paul L and 4 of his staff met us and we then went down to Red Square. We visited St. Basil’s, prayed together outside the Kremlin and ate lunch. We are currently on our way to Vladimir.

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!

As reported by Jim W.:

Greetings from Jamaica.   The entire team arrived safely in Jamaica on Saturday and today we had a great day of worship and ministry preparation.    We are ministering in two churches this week. The first two days are in Mona Baptist Church in Kingston. The second two days we are working out of a Mona church plant in Mammee River. This is a very poor community.  This afternoon after church we set up the medical clinic in Mona Baptist Church.   The team is great and we are looking forward to a great week of ministry.   Prayer Requests:

1. That the medication shipment will clear customs and be delivered to our clinic tomorrow (Monday)
2. That final signatures will be obtained first thing Monday morning authorizing our medical staff to work
   

As reported by Joey P.:

We went to a boarding school for kids who do not have orphan status. The government does not give money for kids without that classification. These are kids from bad homes, with problems at home, or other issues. They stay at the school and can visit their families on weekends or holidays if it is possible or safe. The director said that his facility relies on donors and the generosity of the caretakers there. He was very excited to receive our aid and even asked for more help. “No boarding school can substitute for a family,” he told us, “But we try to give them everything they need. Thank you for not forgetting out children.” After our bus left, he called our coordinator Sergei on his cell phone. The director just had to tell us what one of the newest boys in the school said. He told the director that he did not want to take his new gifts home. He said that the gifts were too nice–his family would never believe that someone gave them to him. They would think he stole them. The director just wanted us to know how much the children loved the gifts!

All the sites are like that. Just amazing stories. The kids and caretakers cannot believe we would come this far to visit them and take time to talk to and play with the kids. It is wonderful!

I am looking forward to rest on Sunday. I am weary. Many crazy quirks in a day that just wear me out. But every detail has been fixed in the end.

As reported by Sergei V.:

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:

Baptist Union church

Full Gospel Union church

Pentecostal Union church

Both the volunteers and the participants were mutually blessed and encouraged during the services as everyone participated and used the gift that the Lord has bestowed upon that person!

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.

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to visit the Belarusian children on Monday and Tuesday.

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.