Jesus said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven…
Matthew 18:3
"You say: children tire me. You speak truly. You explain: one must come down to their level of understanding. To lower oneself, to bend down, to bow down, to shrink. You are in error. Not from this do we grow tired, but from the need to rise to their feelings. To rise, to stand up on tiptoes, to reach out. So as to not wound feelings." Yanush Korchak
What do our children pray about? It is always interesting to watch and hear how they, with full faith, converse with God about their mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. Very sincerely. Trust in God is the most dear thing in their hearts, in their lives. And you are astonished, how is this in a child’s heart? How does this little heart have room for so much pain and worry for relatives. Children believe that God hears. They have full faith and in full measure give everything to God. And we adults have something to learn!!!
 In February, together with the mission “Come and Help” (The Netherlands), a conference took place at the Good Shepherd Shelter devoted to a discussion of the problem of abandoned children who have reached the age of 18. Today this is an actual problem for many children’s homes because 18-year old children come of age and decisions about such problems as independent living, training, and food, place too heavy a load on their shoulders. Together with our friends who also work with destitute children in the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania, we endeavored to find our way and to share experiences about how to best help children found in such heavy and “hopeless” circumstances.
 In March, we were visited by a group of high school children from MEI in Canada. A visit from our friends—this is already an old tradition. Therefore, this year all our children eagerly awaited meeting with them. Why are the children happy when someone comes to visit them? Why is it so important to them? Because each of them deeply in their hearts waits for their mama or papa to come visit them. And when parents do not come for a long time, a thought begins to grow in the child that he is not needed by anyone. But, praise God that He upholds our children through other people’s love for them.
The group of Canadian students also visited several public schools in our city, where our social department works. In all these schools, the guests were received into a warm friendly setting. A program of sports competitions was organized for the kids. At Public School #7, the children presented their school in English. But of course, most important were the spontaneous relations--personal acquaintances with one another.
 If you ask our boys what they most love to do in their free time, most of them will immediately answer you – it’s futbol (soccer)! And at the end of April a tournament took place between teams from the children’s homes in our city. It was a great joy that our team received first place! Also, a famous soccer player who plays for the professional team “Shahtyor” came to one of the churches in our city. The soccer player shared his testimony about his path to God, about living faith that changes one’s life. For our teenage boys, this was a very interesting visit. We are glad that they were able to hear a living testimony of how it is possible to do things you love and to love the Lord and how the Lord loves to bless His children and give them victory.
 Vova Petrov: Soccer — for me it is one of my favorite sports. When I ended up at the Good Shepherd Shelter, my old friend was already here and he plays very well. He taught me how to play in three months. Then we began to train even more together with our team. When I win, I am happy and when we lose, I try to help the team however I can and to raise the team spirit.
 Andrey Leshenko: For me, soccer is probably my favorite sport and practice of my Christian life. At first, I went to the field and watched how the older kids played soccer, and then I started to play with them. When my team wins, I feel happy and maybe a little bit proud, but basically happy. And when we lose, I, of course, feel strong disappointment and try hard to look at my mistakes.
 We thank God that He places the desire in people’s hearts to arrange small celebrations for our children. The Lord blessed one child from a family and 17 individuals from the Good Shepherd Shelter with a trip to the skating rink. This was a big event for the children because most of them had never been to such a place before! There was much happiness and emotion. The children remember this outing. Several children already skated very well, while some felt unsure of themselves—but it felt very good that we were together, that a friend was always nearby to help us get up!
Our plans for next period:
To expand, with God’s help, the boundaries of our service, to raise the spiritual level of our service, to begin the renovation of living space and rooms for the children, to prepare a program for the children’s summer vacation.
Our prayer needs:
- for the health of the children and workers
- for raising the spiritual level in our work with the children
- for wisdom in raising the children
- for new staff—for a program coordinator and household manager
- for the upcoming renovations—for wisdom in the construction and financing
Our needs:
- new staff—a program coordinator and a household manager
- food for the children for one month--$2000
- staff salaries for one month--$4450
- a playground - $ 2000
- a basketball court--$6000
- routine summertime room renovations--$10000
- rubber swimming pool--$500
- summertime health improvement measures for the children--$4000 |
