“Maxim is an orphan, his parents abandoned him immediately after his birth…”  We can only imagine what it must feel like to be abandoned by your parents and to grow up in an orphanage wondering why your parents didn’t keep you. For Maxim, that wonder turned into the wonderful gift of salvation.

God never saw a “disabled” child in the treasure of Maxim. Instead, He saw Maxim, created in His own image. He saw a man who would eventually be one to whom who children would flock. The children would love him because of the love he shared with them. The children would desire to help and serve Maxim out of that same mutual love. Maxim is someone with whom the children would feel safe enough to tell their secrets, knowing prayers would follow. 

In this small and “disabled” body, God has abled this man to be a friend to orphan children, just as Jesus has been a friend to him. He was never abandoned by his Lord and Savior. This is a great reminder that God doesn’t only use people who look good or live in perfect circumstances. He uses those who are “gentle and lowly” to represent the heart of Jesus to all here on earth. As He said in Matthew 11:29 . . . Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Please pray that Maxim may continue to serve the many “abandoned” children as an SGA-supported Orphans Reborn ministry team member. Pray that many children will receive the same gift of salvation as Maxim did, through hearing the words of the Gospel. Read more about Maxim in Pastor Pavel’s ministry report . . .

“Peace be with you, friends!

God has blessed us to continue visiting our friends from the family-type orphanage! It is always a great joy to have joint communication with the children and their parents-guardians, during which we learn something new about each other, learn to be closer friends, show and reveal Christian values—without which it is impossible to build a life.

Our fellowship always begins with a joint prayer. After that, we spend time in various activities and games. They can be both fully Christian (Bible associations, “Bible,” etc.), and games that are connected with the development of dexterity and wit. In many ways it brings us closer to the kids, as they feel we are on the same level and receive us as their friends, which then has a big impact on how they listen to the Bible story (maybe in the form of reading a parable from the Bible or a cautionary Christian story).

Our team continues to visit the Naida foster family. Maxim is one of our teammates who serves with us. He has a disability; he is a dwarf and moves with the help of crutches. Maxim is an orphan, his parents abandoned him immediately after his birth, and until the age of 25, Maxim was brought up in a boarding home for orphans and disabled children. Volunteers from the church came to this boarding home and introduced Maxim to God and the Word of God. After a while he began to attend Hope Church, as well as meetings with a group of people with disabilities for Bible study at the church. Maxim repented and received baptism. And now he is with our team doing ministry for orphans in a foster family. The children love him very much, they help Maxim to get out of the car, climb the stairs, and carry his crutches. Maxim quickly found a common language with the children. The children like to talk to him on any topics, tell him their secrets. Maxim can joke and play with children, participates in all activities, skits, games, prays with the children.  

Thank God for this family, for the children, for their desire to know more about God. May God bless you!