Russia
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". James 1:27
Twice a year (spring and fall) Faith Lutheran Brethren sends a team of 5-7 people to Pereslavl-Zalesky, Russia to minister to three orphanages. The trip is for ten days and the team is with the children for six of those days. The age of the children range from 3 through 18 years old and the team ministers to about 160-170 children. The ministry is run much like a vacation Bible school here in America, with songs, a Bible lesson, crafts and games. The team tries to learn the songs in Russian and will communicate through translators. During their time in and around Pereslavl-Zalesky as well as in Moscow the team will eat Russian food and shop at the local markets each day for food and supplies.
Statistics tell us that most Russian orphans will not live beyond the age of 30. Most of them are "social orphans", children who were taken away from their parents because the parents were not able to care for them, often due to drug or alcohol abuse. They desperately need to know that someone cares about them and loves them. Scripture tells us that the Lord is anwayswith us and will never leave or forsake us. It also tells us that He knows our name and He knows each of us. It is this message that the team shares with these children and their staff. We want to be Jesus' hands and feet to these children;to love them, bring them to the Lord and to give them the hope of Jesus Christ.