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.

As reported by William R.:

Each place Jerry M. went with the chocolate bus had special meaning.  Each place had special people; some seemed sad, then changed to happy as they heard and understood the “good news” we brought.  Some seemed to enjoy our touch, whether it was a mere pat on the back, a hearty hand shake, or a full embrace. 

The real story was the team; it became evident to me that God had selected each one of us, not for our unique abilities, but rather in spite of our lack of talent.    Some of us had not spoken in front of groups before; some of us were shy to share the Gospel.  Some of us had never been to another country, let alone flown ten hours to get there!  God took us as we were, farmers, optical dispensers, teachers, insurance salesmen, retired persons, and young students.  He chose us and molded us into a unique instrument for His glory. 

We were strangers for just a short while; as we gathered at the New York airport, we got to know each other; some were first timers, others had been on five, six, ten, or more mission trips with Global Aid Network.  We discovered that we had so much in common, but the main thing was a love for the way God changes lives through His Son Jesus Christ.  As ministry continued from day to day and site to site, we would share our individual experiences with the rest of the group as we rode on the chocolate bus between boarding schools and orphanages or youth shelters.  We realized how blessed we have been in our own lives and how much our caring attention to the less fortunate touched these people of Ukraine.  From sharing our insights to sharing the food off our own plates with each other, we became a family.

One of the churches we visited was called “Family of God” and indeed this was our ministry; we introduced many to Jesus and the Holy Spirit called them into the family of God.  Praise God for using us as is instrument for this time; may we continue to share this same good news once we have returned to our routines back home.

We made many friends, Jerry M. said, but to see how each place we went to brought us to more friendly, searching souls was overwhelming.  Each of the volunteers was touch in ways that will linger; those we reached out to were blessed, not only with the physical humanitarian aid we distributed, but more deeply, emotions and souls were stirred to repentance, and many experienced rebirth.  

Those in the HIV Church Center received not only food goods and Bibles, but hope for a better life while they remain here, and assurance of eternity with God because of Jesus Christ.  The run aways in the youth shelters and those incarcerated for crimes learned that Someone cares for them; all we met were invited to accept the forgiveness of sin through Jesus, turn from their past ways, and grow in fellowship with other believers and relationship with God.  We taught them that prayer was simply talking to God and that God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible.  To see how each place we went touched the lives of many new friends and adopted them into the family of God as brothers and sisters really impressed Jerry M.

Each contact was touched in a different, but special way: some were touched with joy, some were moved to tears, but best of all were the tears of joy shed for deliverance from the burden of sin as these sweet people of Ukraine came to understand and believe and repent to a new life with Jesus Christ.   We welcomed them into the family.

To see how God worked through this trip –that had been bathed in prayer daily, both here and back home by many supporters- really kept us safe, healthy, and vibrant to minister.  Thank you all, each of you who prayed for this special ministry; your  prayers have been answered a hundred fold.  God worked though this trip, kept us safe in daily travel on very busy but poor roads, He opened doors to locations that had been quarantined and provided other ministry sites when doors were closed.  None of our chocolate bus team experienced illness; there were no accidents.  God is good.

As reported by William R.:

This was a return to the site where we participated in Sunday worship; the pastors greeted us as old friends and introduced us to the families who had come for their weekly group meeting.  There were several babies and adorable toddlers as well as young children perhaps up to age 12 as well as mothers and fathers.  To look at these loving families one would never guess that they were suffering from the effects of aids, but this is a place for comfort and support where they can feel safe.  The pastors are especially blessed with gifts for reaching out to children.

We were able to sing many songs with them by the assistance of our interpreters and teach the children motion action songs.  A brief testimony was given to explain how simple it is to accept God’s forgiveness for our many sins.  The gospel bead bracelet was used to explain the steps toward salvation, and an example of the sinners’ prayer was given.  The audience was intently interested.

One young mother with both a toddler and an infant seemed especially touched by our words.  She had brought a stroller for the baby, but had to hold the child to keep him from crying, so candy and a Gideon New Testament was slipped into the stroller pocket for her edification when she might have  more time.  Other New Testaments were given out as well to those who wished to study God’s word.

The carepack gifts of school supplies and food staples were described and demonstrated by giving each individual item to a chosen participant to the great enjoyment of the rest of the audience –perhaps partially in that they were not the object of the demonstration!  These same items were given out in a large bag to each family.  Illustrated Bible story books were also given out along with candy, stickers, small toys and balloons. 

The churches had prepared a lunch for the families, so we said our good byes and “Dosvidanya” to these sweet people who carry such a dreaded disease.  The teddy bears were being hugged as we left.  Though the disease was not evident as the ailments of the bedridden we had ministered to yesterday, our emotions were once more touched and tears were shed.

As reported by William R.:

This was our Sunday worship experience in a lovely new building on the lower level south side of Poltava which is a much poorer section of town. We arrived at eleven in the morning on our chocolate bus. Two congregations share the facility: Revelation Church was concluding their worship time, and since we were scheduled for one o’clock, we had time to tour the annex building of a bright and cheery dining room and kitchen as well as their rooms for pregnancy counseling, dormitory rooms, rehabilitation center, and storage area filled with a new delivery of Samaritan’s Purse gift boxes from Eden Prairie, Minnesota as well as a number of boxes of shoes. These gifts will be given to needy persons and children that the church ministers to year-round. The members of the church had prepared a substantial lunch for us which kept us occupied for an hour and a half before it was time for the Salvation Church worship service at one. This new building was brightly lit by large clear glass oval toped windows covered in sheer white curtains on three walls of the sanctuary, and when the service began with choir music, the chandeliers and sconces were turned on, filling the room with warm color. The choir was composed of 25 men and women singing four part harmony. They presented two hymns before the children’s sermon which was given by our Dave S. Then the primary children’s class sang a song for us before they were dismissed for junior church. Our Tim D. gave a detailed testimony which brought tears to many eyes. Four more choir pieces were presented before the first sermon, and two more selections were sung by the choir before the second sermon. In all of the lovely worship music, only one was recognized by the Americans; it is exciting to hear praises to God in another tongue to tunes that we have never heard before. This was a foretaste of what Heaven must be like, only there we will be able to understand the words! We were invited to various homes for afternoon tea; breaking into small groups, we squeezed three or four into each of the waiting compact taxis which were parked in front of the church. We were able to visit for several hours, comparing our similarities and differences. The apartments which most Ukrainians live in were built fifty years ago and are in a sorry state of disrepair. The concrete structures are seldom lit in the hallways and stairs, but the two room flats are frequently crowded with comfortable couches and hanging Persian rugs on the walls. The kitchens and appliances are tiny, and chairs or stools have to be carried from room to room as needed. After tea was enjoyed, gifts were given to the host families before we had to depart. Hugs and promises to pray for each other filled the air as we waved “dosvidanya” to each other.

Today when we were getting ready to present the gospel bead presentation, we had two students who said they could give the meaning of the bracelets. One of the boys, Kirill, said he had heard the story of God’s love and wanted to share the story with his classmates. We asked where he had learned of the bracelets, and he said he was from the social shelter that had been visited before by Americans. While I was giving a testimony demonstrating God’s love and mercy, Kirill explained the meaning of each colored bead as it was represented in the story. It was powerful and the room was spirit-filled. All of the students and teachers listened intently to the message.

When we were finished I asked if anyone had any questions about what it meant to be a Christian or about God’s love. We had several great questions, but again the one that stood out the most was from Kirill who asked "If a man committed murder and was in prison for the rest of his life, will God still forgive him?" We were able to explain God’s grace, mercy and love but also that being a Christian, God doesn’t promise that sorrows and trouble will never come but that his love will see us though all and He will be the only one not to leave or forsake you. I then asked the class if they told a lie, did they think God would forgive them; and they said yes. Next I asked if they stole something, did they think God would forgive them; and half said yes and half said no. Lastly I asked if they committed murder, would God forgive them; and they all said no. I had the chance to explain that there was nothing too big or too bad that God would not forgive; and that even if still punished by humans, that in God’s eyes they would be clean. I exampled the man who was in prison for committing murder but was saved while in prison; and that he would still live the rest of his life in prison, but in giving his life completely to God, he is spending that time ministering to the other inmates. Thanks to our coming kids have a deep understanding of God’s love and forgiveness. Praise God! Amy N. and Natasha K.

We visited a children’s shelter facility this morning. Our group had the pleasure to meet with a group of children around 6 years old. We played games with them: for example, relay races. The children had quite a lot of fun and laughter. We also presented them with the gospel bead bracelet; and we explained to them about God’s love for them. One girl was able to share about her understanding of Jesus and His death on the cross. Afterwards we gave out shoeboxes to every child. A certain girl was so happy that she wanted to have her picture taken. All of the boys and girls there have so little; we were able to make their day a happy and blessed one. Terry S.

This afternoon our team met with a kindergarten group of boys and girls. Their ages ranged from 3 to 6 years old. They had prepared a special program for us: songs, dances and costumes from the local culture. The children were beautiful and precious. We presented them with the gospel (age appropriate) and the gospel bead bracelet. They were so excited. Then we distributed to each child a shoebox and a CarePack. They were overjoyed. We also gave each child and adult teacher a copy of the More Than a Carpenter book. Afterwards the Director came and spoke to us privately. Her words were heartfelt. She said that we are the first Americans to ever have visited them. And the genuine love and care we showed them was something that she and her teaching staff have never seen before. And the gifts for the boys and girls were so special; these gifts will be treasures that will be dear to them for a long time. She thanked us with such tenderness and sincerity that I am sure our expressions of God’s love touched her too. Terry S.