The Covenant Presbyterian Church Russia Team will hold a silent auction on September 6th from 7-9 p.m.
It will be a lot of fun with live entertainment and food. Bring your friends!
It will be held at 2845 Parliament Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
So far we have Sky Sox tickets, a condo in Estes Park, restaurant gift cards, dinners made for you at home and more.
We can still use more donations. Contact me for more information.
dheringcma@msn.com
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
We had a successful trip
Wow, we had our summary meeting tonight at the hotel after returning from a tour of the Kremlin. Everyone was positive.
"The five teenagers we brought with us were awesome."
"We just scratch the surface of these kids everyday lives. We need to continue to pray for, write to and visit these kids."
"I became like a new parent this week."
"Working with these kids requires risk. It's a relationship. It's not just lecturing to them, but it is like being a parent or other role model."
I had a great time with Nadya, the girl my family sponsors. She is nervous about leaving the orphanage in the fall. She does have some dreams and goals. I also told her about my dreams and visions for her. I then prayed with her before we left.
Another girl, Karina, gave me a brief note that was begin translated just about two hours before we left the orphanage last night. The translator showed it to me, so we went to talk with Karina. the line that got me was "I want to ask you so many questions, but I just can't think of what they are right now. I know that God has put you in my life for a purpose." I went to speak with her and found that she also had many fears about leaving the orphanage. I was also able to talk with her and pray with her about her future.
That's it for now, but here are a few photos.
"The five teenagers we brought with us were awesome."
"We just scratch the surface of these kids everyday lives. We need to continue to pray for, write to and visit these kids."
"I became like a new parent this week."
"Working with these kids requires risk. It's a relationship. It's not just lecturing to them, but it is like being a parent or other role model."
I had a great time with Nadya, the girl my family sponsors. She is nervous about leaving the orphanage in the fall. She does have some dreams and goals. I also told her about my dreams and visions for her. I then prayed with her before we left.
Another girl, Karina, gave me a brief note that was begin translated just about two hours before we left the orphanage last night. The translator showed it to me, so we went to talk with Karina. the line that got me was "I want to ask you so many questions, but I just can't think of what they are right now. I know that God has put you in my life for a purpose." I went to speak with her and found that she also had many fears about leaving the orphanage. I was also able to talk with her and pray with her about her future.
That's it for now, but here are a few photos.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Things Are interesting here in Russia
So far things have gone pretty well.
We have had a few hicups. Today the karaoke machine wouldn't play the disc that had many American songs. We ended up singing I love Rock and Roll, then the Russian girls sat and sang with many Russian songs and we talked with kids that didn't want to sing.
So far the Bible lessons have gone well. We've also had relatively good success in family groups where we've tried to get to know kids on a small groups level. We've also used that time to look at spiritual issues and where kids see God. Yesterday about half of the orphanage went to a day trip with one of the local Orthodox priests. It gave us some opportunity to talk to kids about what they saw and about what the priest told them.
In my group I have been able to tell a bit about my testimony and why I believe God is working in my life. Others used the story of the crossing of the Jordan River and the rock mound that Israelite made to remember what God has done. Some told of the things God has done that they remember and put a rock on the pile as a symbol.
We also have done well with teaching ultimate frisbee, which has caught on well. Crafts have also gone well as usual. More boys have done crafts this year, as we have introduced T-shirts. The search for 60 t-shirts in Izmailavo was interesting and took me and Jeff and Nadya much longer than we would have liked. We walked many aisles of the marketplace before finding a vendor with plain white t-shirts.
I need to go to dinner, so I'll stop for now. Everyone is healthy. Pray for us. Pray for continued health and for further development of relationships. Some of the kids who are graduating have some options and have not made final decisions. They need wisdom.
Pray for us as we go to the ministry center in Vladimir tomorrow--for safe travel and for a positive impression of what Children's Hopechest is doing.
We miss you all.
We have had a few hicups. Today the karaoke machine wouldn't play the disc that had many American songs. We ended up singing I love Rock and Roll, then the Russian girls sat and sang with many Russian songs and we talked with kids that didn't want to sing.
So far the Bible lessons have gone well. We've also had relatively good success in family groups where we've tried to get to know kids on a small groups level. We've also used that time to look at spiritual issues and where kids see God. Yesterday about half of the orphanage went to a day trip with one of the local Orthodox priests. It gave us some opportunity to talk to kids about what they saw and about what the priest told them.
In my group I have been able to tell a bit about my testimony and why I believe God is working in my life. Others used the story of the crossing of the Jordan River and the rock mound that Israelite made to remember what God has done. Some told of the things God has done that they remember and put a rock on the pile as a symbol.
We also have done well with teaching ultimate frisbee, which has caught on well. Crafts have also gone well as usual. More boys have done crafts this year, as we have introduced T-shirts. The search for 60 t-shirts in Izmailavo was interesting and took me and Jeff and Nadya much longer than we would have liked. We walked many aisles of the marketplace before finding a vendor with plain white t-shirts.
I need to go to dinner, so I'll stop for now. Everyone is healthy. Pray for us. Pray for continued health and for further development of relationships. Some of the kids who are graduating have some options and have not made final decisions. They need wisdom.
Pray for us as we go to the ministry center in Vladimir tomorrow--for safe travel and for a positive impression of what Children's Hopechest is doing.
We miss you all.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Hey, We made it safely
Well, we took off this morning (or was it yesterday) from Denver. We've been in Russia for about 12 hours. We've seen Red Square and done a little souvenier shopping.
We rode the metro as well. That was pretty interesting.
Here is a photo of me in front of St. Basil's.
Tomorrow - The orphanage right after breakfast.
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Team is Ready!
Last night we finished packing all of our group items for crafts and for Bible lessons. We also discussed final plans for getting to the airport on Thursday.
We'll be in Pokrov for nine days with weather in the high 50s and low 60s.
Pray for the health of the team as one of our members has developed an allergic reaction to some medication. Pray also for strength.
I'll try to update this blog as often as possible while we are in Russia. There is internet access at the orphanage, so as long as I can get to an English interface, I should be OK.
Funding came in well and we received a donation of 14 soccer balls. Praise God for what he has done to get us to this point.
On a personal note, I'm very tired with work and with arranging this trip. Pray for me that I will get rest somewhere along the line.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Just a few weeks to go
God has blessed fundraising over the past week and a half since I last wrote. We now have raised enough support to cover the trip.
We have all arrangements made on the Russian end. The itinerary is set.
Now all we have to do is get everyone comfortable with plans and get everyone to the airport on time on June 5th.
Pray for us as we work with these kids at the orphange to help them understand their hope for a better future.
Two of the kids are being adopted to the U.S. and will leave the orphanage about the time that we are there or just after we leave. Help us also minister to these two kids as they get ready for a new life in a new country.
Praise God for the chance to do this work. Pray for us as a team that we get along and support one another.
Keep checking back for more information.
We have all arrangements made on the Russian end. The itinerary is set.
Now all we have to do is get everyone comfortable with plans and get everyone to the airport on time on June 5th.
Pray for us as we work with these kids at the orphange to help them understand their hope for a better future.
Two of the kids are being adopted to the U.S. and will leave the orphanage about the time that we are there or just after we leave. Help us also minister to these two kids as they get ready for a new life in a new country.
Praise God for the chance to do this work. Pray for us as a team that we get along and support one another.
Keep checking back for more information.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Tickets Bought, Funds Almost Raised...
Our team is now four weeks away from a plane ride to Russia. Some of us have been there before. Others will leave for an unknown land. This is an adventure for all of us. Kids are not the same. Even for me, the most experienced minister to Pokrov, there will be change. Kids will be older and will have new hobbies and perhaps new attitudes. Some will care less that we are there and some will care more. Unexpected delays and illness will likely change our itinerary or adjust our ability to carry out some of our ministry ideas. This is the nature of traveling to an orphanage. Flexibility is key. I have not yet had a trip that went according to schedule.
We still need about $6,000 as a team. I am personally trying to raise at least another $1,000.
We will need to arrange rides to and from the airport. We'll also have one last team meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page for ministry and in attitude and spirit.
The main thing is that we remember to get to the airport on time and with passport. All else can be taken care of in Russia.
If you can provide financial support, please feel free to do so. If you want to contribute to Children's HopeChest and support these crucial ministries on an ongoing basis, please do that as well directly through HopeChest's web site.
See the first post in this blog to find contribution information.
We still need about $6,000 as a team. I am personally trying to raise at least another $1,000.
We will need to arrange rides to and from the airport. We'll also have one last team meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page for ministry and in attitude and spirit.
The main thing is that we remember to get to the airport on time and with passport. All else can be taken care of in Russia.
If you can provide financial support, please feel free to do so. If you want to contribute to Children's HopeChest and support these crucial ministries on an ongoing basis, please do that as well directly through HopeChest's web site.
See the first post in this blog to find contribution information.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Wait is On
So, we've made the deposit for our plane tickets. All fourteen of us are preparing. We have curriculum set. We have a sports program in development. We have done some language and cultural training. Passports and Visa applications are in to Children's HopeChest.
Members aren't quite ready yet, but they are close. If we left tomorrow, we could still probably pull this trip off with few hitches. We've got almost three months left to wait (and to fundraise).
Members aren't quite ready yet, but they are close. If we left tomorrow, we could still probably pull this trip off with few hitches. We've got almost three months left to wait (and to fundraise).
Monday, March 3, 2008
Baby Steps to Russia
Our church has been involved in Russia for five years now. We began with Ivanova and Pokrov orphanages. We serve about 80 kids ranging from preschool to age 18. However, most kids "graduate" from the orphanage at about 16 years old and then pursue technical school. Technical school is a bit misleading for Americans. It can include anything from tractor driving to secretarial school or baking to brick laying.
Our goal is to help these kids have enough confidence to leave the orphanage at age 16 and know that they can succeed. They don't have to live the lives that their parents lived (usually poverty, alcoholism, crime or abusive behaviors). Many of the kids we have worked with are doing well. One is a student in Computer Science at Vladimir State University.
Children's Hopechest also has ministry centers that kids can visit after they leave the orphanage. These teenagers can use the computer lab, watch TV, play games, do homework, and get free dental care. The center allows these kids to congregate and get emotional support from the counselors who work there. In addition, they can get help with their studies and participate in planned group events.
Our church has taken baby steps to help these kids, but our steps are getting bigger and more confident. We don't want to go as the rich Americans with all of the answers, but we do want to impart things we've learned about life. We do want to instill hope and friendship. As we learn what the kids really need, our steps can get bigger and bigger.
Our goal is to help these kids have enough confidence to leave the orphanage at age 16 and know that they can succeed. They don't have to live the lives that their parents lived (usually poverty, alcoholism, crime or abusive behaviors). Many of the kids we have worked with are doing well. One is a student in Computer Science at Vladimir State University.
Children's Hopechest also has ministry centers that kids can visit after they leave the orphanage. These teenagers can use the computer lab, watch TV, play games, do homework, and get free dental care. The center allows these kids to congregate and get emotional support from the counselors who work there. In addition, they can get help with their studies and participate in planned group events.
Our church has taken baby steps to help these kids, but our steps are getting bigger and more confident. We don't want to go as the rich Americans with all of the answers, but we do want to impart things we've learned about life. We do want to instill hope and friendship. As we learn what the kids really need, our steps can get bigger and bigger.
The Best Way to Help Russian Orphans Succeed
Covenant Presbyterian Church has a succesful ministry to Russian orphanages through a non-profit called Children's Hopechest. I'm a Hopechest board member and a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church ministry team. I'll be posting updates about our ministry, including preparation for our ministry trip to Pokrov, Russia in June of 2008. If I can get access to an internet cafe, I'll provide updates while we are on the trip.
If you'd like to donate to the team expenses, you may go to:
You may send a check designated to the June Russia Trip directly to
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2845 Parliament Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Or go to http://www.hopechest.org/ and designate your donation to the Covenant Presbyterian Church June 2008 Trip.
You can go to http://www.covenant-pres.org/ to find out more about our church. You may also send a check to Children's Hopechest designated for the Covenant Presbyterian June 2008 Trip.
If you'd like to donate to the team expenses, you may go to:
You may send a check designated to the June Russia Trip directly to
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2845 Parliament Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Or go to http://www.hopechest.org/ and designate your donation to the Covenant Presbyterian Church June 2008 Trip.
You can go to http://www.covenant-pres.org/ to find out more about our church. You may also send a check to Children's Hopechest designated for the Covenant Presbyterian June 2008 Trip.
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