Orphans Reborn – More Than Just a Children’s Ministry

St. Petersburg, Russia

It might seem strange talking about a Christmas outreach in June, but the testimony is timeless. And the fruit will go on throughout the year!

In St. Petersburg, the Orphans Reborn team led by Irina Orlova held Christmas celebrations in five children’s institutions, including a special center to correct behavioral problems in some children. At that center, there are 30 children and five instructors, and the team had the opportunity to speak seriously from their hearts …

Warm socks and chocolate treats are a special gift for kids who don't always have a lot!

The instructors have been attending our lessons as well. We see how they take in what we say. These are serious women who are considerably older than 50 years of age, and who have been raised in the atheistic spirit of communism. They sit and listen to us, and when something really touches their hearts, they smile and nod their heads in a sign of agreement. Christmas outreach is very special because it gives us more freedom than we would normally have to share. We spoke about the Savior, and about the need for salvation and repentance. The Lord works in the hearts of people, and we saw that the instructors understood that not only the bad boys needed the Lord — they needed Him too! Two 12-year-old boys sat before us during the lesson. At the end, one of them asked how he could be saved, followed by the second boy, who also said, “I want to repent. What should we do?” We told them how they could pray. After telling this to the two boys, we told all the rest, including the instructors, how to repent and pray to the Lord.

At another center after the lesson, we gave each one of the teachers a large Bible. They were so happy! The kids received warm socks and a large block of chocolate. We gave funds to Valery, the director with whom we have been conversing and working for the last eight years, for him to purchase either footwear or clothing, depending on the needs of each child. We glorify and praise the Lord in our hearts for everything that He is doing!