Monday, July 14, 2008
Myski State Orphanage for Mentally Retarded Children
The team visited the Myski Orphanage, a home for more than 300 mentally disabled children, on Monday July 14, 2008. As director of the home, greeted us, he said, “This is the first time the children will be seeing foreigners. They have never seen so many kinds of people in one place. You will be their mothers, brothers and sisters. Please minister to them.” This was exactly what the team was prepared to do. After enjoying songs and dances that some of the children prepared for us, the team presented a program which included a Texas line dance and the Gospel Bead presentation.
“The things they planned for us, it impressed me how they gave out of the very little they have,” said Libby, one member of our team. “I got hugs and kisses and I really appreciated the connection I had with the children.”
As the team toured the huge facility, it was evident that the children were loved and cared for by the staff – almost every physical need was cared for. “The children needed to hear that Jesus loves them, and that is why we came,” said Dawna D. in sharing with the general group later that evening. “I have never received such tight hugs before! I was squeezed until my back cracked! “
We encourage you to pray for us as we face a great spiritual battle. Not everyone appreciates the fact that we are Christians and sometimes we are not even allowed to pray – at least not audibly. But, we know that God is able to break down every stronghold and principality of the enemy. Continue to cover the team with the transforming power of prayer and the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Social Rehabilitation Department for children from risk group
This was the second visit of the Global Aid Network team to this facility. The team visited in 2005 and it was evident that they were missed as both the staff and children were overjoyed at the team’s arrival. Forty children packed a very small room on the ground floor of the four storey building beaming with smiles, excitement and great anticipation. They had worked hard on a program for us and were eager to share their songs, dance and piano recital.
It was evident that these children had very little. “Our children are from families that do not have anything, many of them do not have sheets, pillows – some even sleep on the floor. They wear trashy clothes, they have no televisions and radios and here they have that and can use it” said Irina, director of the facility. Most of their parents cannot afford to feed them each day, so the facility gives them a warm meal and an opportunity to interact with other children.
The team had a blast sharing personal stories using photographs in their small groups and telling the children about Christ, using the gospel bead bracelet.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
![IMG_0086[1].jpg](http://blog.gainusa.org/wp-content/2008/07/clip_image004_0002.jpg)
Prison #12 and #16
As the team prepared to visit the second venue for the day, we knew that this was not like any of the places we had been before. We were on our way to the Abagur Lesnoy district to minister to more than 1,700 prisoners in a maximum security correctional facility. The team divided into to two groups led by Charles D. and Dawna D.
The team led by Charles D. went to the section of the prison reserved for murderers and rapists. More than 150 men packed a small hall to listen to the team’s presentation. One guard later commented that the prisoners did not deserve our time and effort to come so far to visit and share with them. But, we know that God’s grace extends to all and we are His instrument of love.
There were moments when you could almost hear hardened hearts breaking as each member of the team told the men how Jesus Christ loves them despite whatever they had done. “At the prison, I had prayed to ask God to use me,” said Kristen B. “Today was the most fun place for me to sing in my life.” The prisoners had tears in their eyes as Kristen sang a beautiful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer. “ I am so grateful for being here and I am coming back,” she declared.
As a contrast, the team led by Dawna D. was taken to a vast quadrangle in the center of several prison blocks. More than 250 prisoners formed a thick wall in front of the open stage. Other prisoners watched from balconies and their cells as the team presented songs and a powerful drama showing the love that Jesus Christ has for us even though we do not deserve it.
As we continue our journey throughout this city, pray for God to provide divine appointments for us and that we will be bold to share his love and saving grace to the many that need Him.
When Esther S. finished the gospel bead presentation, one of the male residents came up to another one of the Americans and asked for her address. Though the man took a photograph of the whole group, Charlie B. did not feel quite right about giving out her address, so he tactfully said that our home is not here on earth, but in heaven, and if he had sincerely prayed the prayer, we would all meet in heaven! 
Both buses also went to Christian campgrounds today, driving through lush countryside vegetation of pink thistles, blue chicory, white daisies, brilliant orange asters, buttercups, and wild rhubarb. We soon learned why this forested area was so abundant. The camps fortunately had buildings, for the heavy clouds began to rain and the rumble of thunder occasionally drowned out the sounds of joy as many games, motion songs, and activities followed the gospel explanation. One of the camps in a remote location had come into existence during the communist period some 42 years ago as a Baptist camp. This facility now has many dormitory cabins, several meeting room, a kitchen and dining room. There is even a swimming pool for use on warm days. We enjoyed the refreshing rain as a change from the warm weather of the past two days.
The volunteers in Ukraine divided into two bus groups to cover more ministry sites. The Yellow Bus first went to a baby home for infants up to three years of age who have been abandoned; we saw and interacted and played with about sixty of these precious little ones including those with neurological damage, bone degeneration, and Downs Syndrome. There were a number of curly black haired Gypsy children among the blonds. They were a delight and difficult to leave.
The Brown Bus first went to an elder care facility where one bed ridden woman broke into tears of joy because someone had come to visit her. Much sharing and distribution of soap, shampoo, and hand cream left these senior citizens with pleasant memories. Next the Brown Bus went to the region of Chernivsti called “Sad Gora,” which means “Gardens and Mountains.” When the volunteers finished showing their pictures to explain our backgrounds, some of the children ran back to their bedroom to bring out pictures from their homes. These children have been placed in this temporary shelter for a variety of reasons such as alchoholic addiction of the parents. The children are blameless for their temporary separation from home and enjoying the clean mountain air and park like setting.
The Yellow Bus arrived at a similar youth shelter in the afternoon where the gospel was explained and the children were encouraged to repeat the sinners’ prayer. Many age appropriate games were played with the children who had been separated into four age groups ranging from 4 to 18 years. Gifts and Bibles were given out and all had a wonderful experience.
After a challenging time of preparation for the mission trip to Novokuznetsk, the team is finally here and ready for ministry! Twenty-nine enthusiastic Americans converged on Moscow yesterday, Saturday, July 12, 2008, jet-lagged but eager to get ready for the last leg of the trip to Siberia. It was not without the usual challenges of overweight luggage and coordinating with members of the team flying in from their various states and countries. But, the Lord granted us favor and by 11:30pm (Russian time), the team boarded the flight to their final destination – Novokuznetsk. For many, it was their fourth or fifth flight in 36 hours!
“This is my first mission trip,” said Emily M. from Texas. “I have always wanted to go on a mission trip ever since I heard about it 4 years ago, but I was only able to raise support to come this year.” Emily is one of the many young adults on the summer mission trip this year. Though a bit apprehensive about how it will all turn out, she is confident that God will take charge of everything. Her supporters praying for her and the team include more than 80 persons from her hometown and church who helped her financially or otherwise to be on the mission trip. “I am really looking forward to meeting the children in the orphanages,” she said with excitement in her voice. The team will visit homes for the elderly and disabled, prisons, camps and orphanages as they distribute humanitarian aid including CarePacks and share the love of Christ to hundreds in the far away land. 
Today, the team visited Church on the Rock, a vibrant church with a unique ministry to alcoholics and drug abusers. More than 150 persons packed the small church in Kuznetsk District to worship God in their third service for the day. The team, bursting with God-given talent gave greetings and shared in the service – Kristen B. encouraged them with a rendition of How Great Thou Art in English and Russian, and Aaron D. played Amazing Grace on the bagpipe! 
God’s presence was truly felt when Jim P. shared his testimony of his alcoholic father and the emotional abuse inflicted on him from the early age of 6. “He told me every day for 10 years that I will amount to nothing,” he said. Though, he made a commitment to follow Christ at age 16, he struggled for a number of years to maintain his walk with God. He prayed, trying to get an answer from God to the internal turmoil he felt from feeling inferior and wondered for many years if there was any good in him. After reading the bible and seeking God, about 15 years ago, he was able to forgive his father and embrace the refreshing release that came from extending this forgiveness. “It took me 45 years,” he said as he encouraged the congregation, “but I know that Christ was with me and He will be with you too all the way. You only need to listen to Him.” 
To help the children express their hurt and sorrows, one team asked them to express their feelings by drawing pictures. Lo Ren is a 12 years old and lives in Xialba Zhen. She drew this picture and then explained it to one of our staff.