The spring project in Zhodino, Minsk region:
Zhanna Artykh reports about her minietry at the orphanage in Zhodino.
Everybody begins life with the first breath of air. Then mother
nurishes you, protects and cares. But there are left over children.
They do not know mother’s love and warmth. They know cold walls
of orphanages. At such an orphanage my brothers and sisters had their
ministry. There were many questions in the beginning. We did not know
how to treat orphans, if we should show more compassion towards them
or not separate them from others. I feared if I could give them
sufficient love and tell them about Jesus in a right way.
The orphanage is located not far from Minsk. We arrived there on the
2d of July. The staff of the orphanage entrusted us their children
completely. We had children we could change and influence. We could
make their eyes spark and their faces smile. Children wanted to learn
us closer too. They wanted to attract our attention to them. Like
sunflowers they turned towards the source of light.
We did not expect their desire to make friends with us. The children
asked me many questions, they made jokes, wanted to know everything
about us. I discovered that there was a girl Vika who seemed to be
their leader. She became my good helper. I was happy! The Lord was
with us! Bur not everything was all right. There were much disorder
and confusing things. I was distressed and had even a desire to leave.
I asked God why He allowed such trials. He comforted me. I trusted Him
and hoped everything would be OK.
Each morning we began with prayer and reading the Bible. Leaders told
about their concerns and troubles. We asked God’s blessings,
wisdom and support. He gave us strength and energy. Being surrounded
by noisy and naughty children we thought we became youger too. Very
often we saw joy but also deep sorrow in the eyes of the children.
They new that nobody needed them. We tried to show them that they were
not orphans, they had their Heavenly Father.
We had a strict scedule but it was not possible to keep it. The days
had more variety than we expected. There was always something what
determined each day. It gave us spiritual strength. Ties between us
and the children became stronger and our friendship closer. One day we
did not see Vika. The teachers warned us that children sometimes flee,
dissapear from the orphanage. I prayed to the Lord. When I went to the
town I saw Vika coming back. I was so greatful to the Lord! At the
Bible lessons children listened very attentively, they absorbed
everything they heard about creation of the world, about Jesus and
apostles. One day our director visited us. He encouraged us and showed
much interest.
Step by step children began to ask questions about sin and repentance.
We were happy that God did His work in their hearts. A boy Lesha did
not behave well at the lessons, he was disobedient and did not want to
listen. He did not believe in God. I spoke with him, I told him about
the world and the beauty of the world. He went and did not reply
anything. I prayed for him much. I asked God to change his heart and
give him faith.
There was a boy Maxim. I was so happy when he rapented. He always was
very quiet and attentive. I new he loved God. Maxim bacame my good
helper and friend. He wept when he saw or heard how his friends
rejected or said bad words about the Lord.
Suddenly Vika failed me. She asked me to allow her not to attend the
Bible lessons. I was dissapointed. I tried to explain Vika that
ralationship with God was the most vital thing in our life. I told her
about repentance. She was touched, cried a lot and asked me to
forgive.
One night I looked secretly into a room and was pleasantly astonished
- all children were standing on their knees and praying. They were
asking God to forgive their sins. They repented!
There was another answer to our prayer. A boy Tolya escaped. We prayed
much and he came back. Praise the Lord! The children saw once again
that the living God worked. The children began to see Him everywere -
in the nature, in the sky, in wonderful works He performed.
There were painful moments too. I discovered that two good girls
stopped attending the Bible lessons and dissapeared regularly with a
bad girl. Obviously she influenced them. I had to show much patience
to her. Some time later they came up to me and asked to forgive them.
We became closer friends after this story. Marina, one of them,
repented soon. Her friends shared her joy.
The end of our ministry at the orphanage made me sad. I had many
friends and now I had to leave them. But we all were happy because we
saw how Jesus changed many children. On the last day we selebrated
birthdays of several children. Vika was very sad and I could not
explain her behaviour. She cried. When I stayed with her she repented.
During those days we watched all Christian moovies we had. Not only
orphans but teachers and the head-master wat ched them. All staff
members were surprised when they discovered changes in behaviour and
talks of the children. All of us cried when we had to part. But now
orphans new that they were not alone, they had their Father, Who loves
them and cares for them. I pray for my friends at the orphanage. I ask
God that He holds them on His ways.
Weekly ministry & Missionary projects:
