Gospel Expedition

Shumikha is a small town located in the southern part of the Ural Mountains. The town’s name is derived from the Russian word “shum,” which means “noise.” This is because of the abundant reeds that grow here in the marshes. There is a small but a very hospitable church in this small town. After lunch in the church, we went to the orphanage for developmentally delayed kids, who had been left by their parents.

We were met at the central entrance of the orphanage by the curriculum director, who shook hands with the members of the Expedition. Coming into the meeting hall, we saw the children waiting for us.

Marina Dovbush and Kristina Eponichnikova, coordinators of children’s ministry during the Expedition, presented a play. The children watched attentively, looking at the puppet heroes who spoke about the treasures of Christian teaching. But when they saw the dog, Sharik, coming into the hall they began to shout out loudly. They laughed cheerfully and pulled Sharik by his “ears” and “paws.” Pavel Minchenkov, who played the role of Sharik, did not feel at ease in the costume of a dog.

Some time afterward, Pavel had an opportunity to show his real face in public and shared his testimony. Pavel repented two years ago in Russia’s Lipetsk region during a bicycle expedition organized by local UECB churches. Pavel is with the Expedition on a volunteer basis, and he takes a very active part in it.

Thank you for the Bible!

“Thank you very much,” said the curriculum director. “The doors of this orphanage will be open for you at any time. You not only talked about love, you also demonstrated it. Thank you for the Bible, which I dreamed to have.”

17-year-old Eugene did not hide his happy smile when he received his children’s Bible story book, as did the other inhabitants of the orphanage. Eugene, pressing the Bible to his chest as a grown-up person would, confessed with tears in his eyes, “This is exactly what I need.” Eugene told us that he did not know his parents at all, but he dreams to see them sometime and give them a big hug.

At the end of the meeting, the kids received candy, Christian magazines and children’s Bible story books. Balloons, which came down from the ceiling on the heads of the children became the climax of the meeting.

As we said goodbye, the teachers of the Shumikha orphanage said frankly that they did not expect such a festive atmosphere, and attention to forsaken kids from visiting guests. Despite our weariness, our hearts were filled with the joy that God allowed us to reach the inhabitants of the orphanage and their caretakers with the Good News. Upon the arrival in Kurgan, we thanked God for another day, which was not spent in vain.

P.S. The distance between Chelyabinsk and Kurgan is 280 kilometers, through Shumikha. We covered this distance in 9 hours at a speed of 30 k/h.