Since 1991, Book of Hope International has distributed more than 60 million Books of Hope to young people in Russia. Now the organization has a goal of handing out at least five million each year. The reason? To make sure each child in Russia has a chance to hear the Gospel.
Litvinova says hopelessness is handed down from their parents. "People in provinces live really poorly. Their parents cannot adjust to this reality, and it causes them to drink. Their teenagers see their parents being hopeless, and they start doing drugs because they don't see any [prospects] for themselves."
The drug problem is staggering. Litvinova says, "Unofficial statistics now say about six million people are on drugs, and [many of them] are young people. The average age of kids [that are] starting to smoke is 9 to 11 years old."
HIV/AIDS infection rates are now at Africa-like rates. Litvinova says this work must continue in Russia because there's much work to be done. "People probably think that Russia has been evangelized. But these kids have never heard about God, and they really don't see any other way. This has become the norm. Kids are drinking and smoking, and immorality comes from this."
The Book of Hope is the harmony of the Gospel written in a way kids can understand, and it's having an impact. "We have some really progressive churches that are growing, and they have hearts for reaching these kids. We have some Christian teams that go to different villages, and they reach these kids. And yes, their lives are being changed."
Litvinova is concerned that changes in Russia's religion law may complicate their work in schools and orphanages. She says it's "one thing to have the law, and it's another thing to reinforce the law. There's always been ways to work. I do hope and pray that we will continue our work, even if it will be limited in some way."
In the meantime, consider helping Book of Hope International financially. For only $1 you can supply a Book of Hope to three children. It would make a great Sunday school class project.
