Although growing up in an orphanage may not be the ideal environment, for many it is the one place that they hear about the love and saving grace of Christ. They hear because there are so many faithful churches involved in the SGA-supported Orphans Reborn ministry, and they show no hesitancy in telling about their own salvation stories. 

Through testimonies, God is seen. They are His stories through His people. It is difficult to go through hard times, but through these hard times God has given us a means to show Himself to the world, as He teaches us how to respond with trust and obedience in Him. And then He calls us to testify to His good work and glory by sharing our experiences with others. We have the great privilege of proclaiming Christ to the world. 

Please pray for Ulyana in the story below as she grows in her love and knowledge of the Lord, and also pray for Sergei and his team. Pray for them as they continue to share their testimonies and rejoice in the children who decide to follow Jesus. 

From Sergei, leader of the SGA-supported Orphans Reborn ministry in Belarus. . .  

Peace to all who participate in the ministry to orphans!

There is a 15-year-old girl named Ulyana in the orphanage now. Only three months ago, she was placed in the orphanage. The story of her parents is simple; they drink a lot of vodka and lead immoral lives. A month ago, they had hopes that they would take Ulyana back to their family, but alas they did not succeed. Alcohol took over their will, and they finally gave up on Ulyana. For the girl, it was a strong blow. She withdrew into herself and did not talk to anyone for a long time. She secluded herself in a room and quietly shed tears.

God is merciful, and He gave me the opportunity to talk to Ulyana, although it probably can’t be called a conversation. Mostly I talked. I shared my testimony with her and a little bit of my family’s history from the age when I started memorizing events to the time when I believed in Christ. Then I told her about Jesus Christ, His love, His sacrifice. I shared that even today, Jesus cares for those who believe in Him and He has a great desire to give eternal life to everyone who comes to Him through repentance of their sins. At the end of our conversation, I prayed for her.

A short time later we met again, and this time I had to answer many questions that Ulyana asked me. The best question from Ulyana was, “Why do you believe all this?” I answered her question and heard her say these words, “I too want to believe in Jesus like you believe in Him. I too want to be sure that even if my life ends before my time, I will be with Jesus in heaven.” I was so excited to hear such an amazing answer. I prayed to Jesus and thanked Him for doing His work in Ulyana’s heart.

Today we are deciding as a family how to help Ulyana. We want to take her into our family for a year until she finishes ninth grade and goes to college. I hope we can do it.

There are many children in the orphanage now. All of them thank you from the bottom of their hearts for your concern about them and for your prayers, which you raise to the throne of God’s grace. 

May God bless you! 

Sergei