The Secret Past Lives of Russian Orphans

When we go to Russia, one of the biggest elephants in the room is the past lives of the kids. Normally they do not talk about their life prior to coming to the orphanage. Even if they were put in the orphanage at age 12 or 13, they do not talk about their prior lives.

I've been told that often their lives at home were so bad that it's hard for them to think about the future. If someone talks to them about a future with a family and a job, they begin to think of their dysfunctional, often abusive, lives with their parents. They picture themselves poor and perhaps abusive themselves. They picture their neglected children or being beaten or mistreated by a spouse. It's tough. It's tough for them. It's tough for us as we try to break through with hope. There are kids who have left the orphanage and been successful.

Children's Hopechest's ministry has had great results with these kids. If kids continue in programs after they leave the orphanage, they have a very good chance of success, but they can't see it now. They can't see it at age 12 or 15 or 17 or even past that. They need a hand. They need support. That's what we try to give--a hand, and our hearts.

Donations Still Needed

Many on our team still need donations for their trip costs. If you can donate, please sends checks to:

Covenant Presbyterian Church
2845 Parliament Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Do not put a person's name on the check. If you want to designate a specific person, write it on a separate piece of paper or a post-it note.

Thanks.

We leave on May 30 for Pokrov!

Pokrov, Russia

Pokrov is a small town about an hour and a half to three hours North East of Moscow, depending on traffic. It's about an hour from Vladimir and the famous Golden Ring.

The town is about 16,000 people. It's on the highway to Vladimir, and large enough that there is a traffic light, but only one that I can remember. Shopping options are slim, but the orphanage houses about 65 kids right now. A number of kids who have left the orphanage live in the area. Some attend a college down the street. Most move to Vladimir to attend technical schools there.

We try and Children's HopeChest tried to keep in touch with them when they leave.

There is a ministry center in Vladimir where orphans can hang out when they aren't in classes.

We often visit the ministry center when we are in Russia.

We'll likely not go to Vladimir this trip, but will spend our whole time in Pokrov.