Ivanovo Regional Orphanage Closed by Government

This is both good news and bad news. The children at Ivanovo Regional Orphanage have been disbursed to other orphanages so that the building can be used as a training center for foster care.

The bad news is that because this orphanage was so small (approximately 25 children), there was a very family-like feeling to it. Now, these children have been separated. Just as their biological families were separated in the past, now their orphanage family has been separated.

The good news is that this foster care is designed to increase placement of children into families rather than subjecting them to long term residence in orphanages. In the long run many children should benefit from this new mode of operation.

I believe that Children's HopeChest's ministry in Russia has influenced the government's move in this direction. While this is hard for our church (we will no longer be able to visit the orphanage), it should prove a great move for the children.

Please pray for the children as they are moved to other locations. Pray for Children's HopeChest staff in Russia as some could lose jobs due to this change.

Wouldn't You Like to Go to Russia Too?

Hi, again. So, now here we are. A month later and not a lot more to tell. We are still raising money. Some are just beginning. I'm further along than I thought I'd be with still some known large donors out there, but I'm still estimating being about $1,000 to $1,500 short of my goal. As for others, as I said one has just begun fundraising. Others are bit concerned.

However, we push on and I think we'll be in good shape. God seems to pull most of these things together. In then end, fourteen of us will be going to Russia on June 5th.

We've now got the Bible lessons completely set. We also have the sports camp going. We'll probably plan a few more life skills activities or sessions.

The beauty is that even if we aren't perfect, the kids won't know and we'll get to know them and bring them a message of hope for their future. We'll bring a message of inspiration and hope along with some ideas of how they can succeed.

I'm getting excited. Continue to pray for us.

We'll try to get team pictures up shortly. Stop by. You never know when or what I'm going to post.