Anna had never owned a dress until SGA partners made it possible through Orphans Reborn. She is now a joyful, zealous Orphans Reborn ministry team member. (Photo courtesy Slavic Gospel Association)
Former Soviet Union (SGA) — [Editor’s Note: This Slavic Gospel Association story shares how the ministry has been impacting thousands of orphans’ lives by sharing the Gospel and meeting tangible needs. These are a few of the orphans who were supported.]
Not long ago, we received a wonderful report from Pastor Pavel, an SGA-sponsored missionary pastor in Belarus and leader in the Orphans Reborn ministry. He shared a few stories about several orphan graduates reached through the ministry. All are attending the church, and one has become a committed member of the Orphans Reborn team–reaching other orphans with Christ’s love as she was reached…..
We met Anna at the orphanage. After she graduated, she left the orphanage and enrolled at the university. At the same time, she began to attend our church. Since last fall, she has joined the team visiting the orphanages for puppet ministry. She participated in the Christmas ministries as a full member of the puppet show ministry in December and January. Some generous SGA partners made it possible for us to purchase a new dress and other clothing for her. This was the first dress Anna has ever received, and words could not express her joy, but she wrote a note of thanks. “I would like to thank you for your material support. I am very thankful to you for your help. You have not abandoned me in spite of the long distance between us. I thank you for the dress and clothes. Your gesture of love fills my heart with joy. May God fill your hearts with love, peace and happiness, and may He also fill your homes with warmth and His blessings.”
Your prayers and support proved to Anna that she has not been forsaken and forgotten. She attends every Sunday worship service and all the youth meetings.
According to Pavel, SGA partners also made it possible to help another orphan named Lena following needed surgery to improve her walking. A sister from the church was in the hospital and met Lena there. Lena has begun to attend youth meetings on Saturday, and she also attends Sunday worship service. For Lena, this was a great testimony of the love and compassion of Christ.
And then there is Mikhail, another special young man full of thanksgiving….
Because of SGA’s faithful donors, Mikhail was recently blessed with new shoes. (Photo courtesy SGA)
Mikhail has serious physical challenges. We met him in the orphanage for special needs children three years ago. Currently, Mikhail is in college, and he wants to be a shoemaker in the future. Your faithful support helps us bring Mikhail to the church for Bible study every week. You also helped us purchase shoes for him, which is a great help because with his hampered gait, his shoes wear out very quickly. He was so happy and thankful. May God grant you many blessings for your love and help for the Orphans Reborn ministry!
These are just a few glimpses of the impact Orphans Reborn is having in the lives of thousands of orphan children and youth across Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and their neighboring countries. You truly have helped make it possible. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Click here if you’d like to support and encourage orphans in SGA’s Orphans Reborn program.
