Church planting and orphan outreach is the focus of a mission couple heading to Russia.

Russia (MNN) — A couple from the United States is combining orphan outreach with church planting. Heather Fox and her husband plan to travel to Vladimir, Russia at the end of the year to assist with both of these growing needs.

Fox says, in her experience with short term trips, she see the need for these combined outreaches. “People would come to know the Lord, and then we would leave, and there’s no presence at all. And so, God’s heart is to make His name known in those cold dark places way out in the middle of nowhere and most times there are orphanages in those towns. And, we’re just really excited about what God’s doing over there.”

Fox says orphans appear hungry for the Gospel. “The real young ones, they’re really excited. As they get older they get more hardened.”

Fox says her prayer is that they would be able to come along side the Russians to strengthen their churches so that they can minister to their own.

The Fox family is staying at D & D Missionary Homes in Florida while raising support. She says, “D & D, they’ve provided a nurturing atmosphere, (it’s) very affordable to live, they’ve provided a pantry and clothing center that’s free of charge to all missionaries.” She says the support they do receive can go directly to getting them to the field.