Praise and Prayer 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hallelujah Report

For Christmas Orphanage Project

 

 

Project Goals For Toys and Other Projects Exceeded

I was in shock and utter amazement as I sent out the last wire transfer to Christina before I left for Siberia. I was just as amazed when Lynda sent me a wire transfer when I was in Russia.  We had met and exceeded all of the project goals.  It didn’t look like we were going to meet any of our goals  at first.

It was the very first time I had been concerned about meeting a goal.  As Lynda said, “Tom, the Lord has met every goal you’ve ever felt led by the Lord to set….”   I agreed, but some time it is difficult to discern which figure is from Him.

Never have I seen the funds come in for the Christmas Orphanage Project as they did this past November and December.  I want to share with you all that we were able to accomplish because of your generosity.

First, I would like to explain how we buy the gifts for the 900 children.  I hope you find it interesting.  We divide the children into 4 groups to purchase toys for.  They are pre-school; 6-8 years; 9 - 13 years and high school (which ends at 16).

We have no way of knowing how many will be in each age group at the Christmas program.  We have to make ‘guesstimates’ based on the past years.  We buy the fewest for the pre-school and the high school.  

We planned this year to minister to 900 children with gifts.  This means we buy 925 gifts as the age groups that show up at the program can vary.  We need to have extra for more in one age group showing up then we planned for.

When Christina and the group gets ready to go do the Christmas program at an orphanage or a village, they will estimate how many children will be  in each group, but will take a few extra toys for each groups in case more come in one age group than expected. This prevents a child from getting a gift that is not suited for their age group. 

Christina made an interesting remark.  In all of the nine years we have been doing this project, she said that never once had a child complain about the gift they received or even asked to exchange it for another gift.  When you remember the thousands of gifts distributed, that is an awesome statement.

They bring back the ones not used and use the same procedure for the next village, orphanage or church.  With the orphanages,  Christina has an accurate count with the ages and the gender.  The orphanages are easy to prepare for.

All of the funds came in to buy the 925 gifts. All of the funds needed to buy each child a large candy bar, loose candy, cookies and two pieces of fruit came in also.  Each child will receive one pound of loose candy!!!!

Ample funds came in so that I was able to leave Christina more than what she considered enough to pay for the gas for the three vehicles (gas is $4/gal. there), the fruit and the food for the fellowship after the program for the parents and the children.

So many children respond to the Gospel message which will be the foundation for Bible study groups formed later.  Some parents receive Christ during the service.  They will be followed up on.  Our prayer is to plant churches in all of these remote villages.  This is not just a social program, but an evangelistic tool.

There will be a total of 14 Christmas program presentations.  Originally we had put 12 in previous newsletters.    But we were allowed to do a program in the Stary Prosvet juvenile prison and the Shadrinsk church added another location where we hope to plant a church.  The Shadrinsk church is buying all of the toys, candy, fruit and cookies.  They want to have a part in this project as well.  In years past they have bought gifts and candy when more children showed  up than planned for.

One special incident some proud grandparents have to share is that Drew’s three children -  Dakota, Haley and Alyssa got up one Saturday morning to do a project that the parents didn’t know about.  They made hot chocolate and baked cookies.  They set up a stand and sold them in front of their home.  Dakota would go to the main street with a sign and get cars to drive by.  They earned enough to sponsor nearly three children.

ORPHANAGE NEEDS

We knew that both orphanages would be out of personal hygiene items for the children as well as other items needed for the orphanages.  We were not prepared for the great need that existed at both orphanages.

At Olhkovka, they were completely out of grain and cereal.  They had some meat, but  nothing else.  We were able to buy them enough grain (buckwheat, rice, macaroni, cooking oil, sugar, salt) and cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat) for three months.  In addition, we purchased the personal items for every child.

At the Dalmatovo Orphanage, they were out of meal, grain and cereal.  They had been borrowing money and asking people in town for assistance.  They are in debt 1/2 million rubles ($16,666.00).  TPM was able to buy three months supply of meat, grain and cereal for them a well as the personal items.  They definitely will need more help later this Spring.

 

 

FOOD EVANGELISM

We had planned to do four food evangelisms.  However, Pastor Sergei said there would be a big crowd at the Krasney Neva church building dedication.  We still bought the 100 packages of food, but did only three locations.

The first location was Pershino.  This is the extremely poor ‘redneck’ village which we buy extra food for their packages.  During the invitation, six older children came forward.

All of the adults said they had already made professions of faith.  Slava and Boris conduct weekly Bible studies there.  One man stood and said his life was completely changed by Jesus Christ.

We went to a village - Lubimovo that I had never been to before.  It is a twin village with Uksianka with only a sign between the two.  There were 8 professions of faith in that service.

They are all ready to be a church.  A couple moved there from the Shadrinsk church.  They are running a Bible study weekly and he is ready to pastor the group.  So we could see a new church planted there that would be quick compared to the other churches that we have planted.

 

CHURCH DEDICATION ~ KRASNEY NEVA

This truly was a blessed event to see a new church begin its existence as a congregation in the community.   We have worked for years with this village praying that this day would come.  The people have such a great interest.

TPM bought a huge unfinished house with ample property.  Part of the house has been remodeled into an auditorium.  The kitchen and the Sunday School room still are not finished.  The pastor’s apartment is ready.  Koysta and his wife Anna are living there.  Koysta serves as pastor as well as the director for the Rehab Center.

Pastors from around the area came as well as people from the village and other towns.  Several prayers were made dedicating the building for God’s glory.  

Igor Kindikov (see photo) pastor of First Baptist, Kurgan and I preached the dedication messages.  The place was packed.  I believe God has some great things in store for this group of believers.

The auditorium is almost finished at Dalmatovo church.  What another praise.

 

 

Roy Smith’s Report

When I try to describe the ministry just completed, I keep coming to the word ‘sweetest’.  We had many good ministries to churches and organizations.  But the love of the people was so sweet.

All of the older people hugged me and expressed their love.  Many of the ones who were very small children in 1993 on my first trip there are now young adults.  They came and made a special effort to tell me of their love and appreciation for our visits.  It was a love feast and that is what the Lord wants from His people.

When the people of Mekhongoe learned that we would not be able to come there, they came to us in Shadrinsk where we had a very sweet meeting.

Tom’s Ministry

I had a busy schedule to say the least.  I bought the toys, candy and cookies.  I preached on Sundays at the Shadrinsk church and the Dalmatovo church, as well as the church dedication at Krasney Neva. 

I preached services at both orphanages.  Christina and I purchased the meat, grain, cereal and other personal items for the children.

Food evangelisms were conducted.  One Bible study was done at the Rehab Center.  I was able to do a message at Stary Prosvet, the juvenile prison.

The only problem was with my blood pressure problems.  I was not able to conduct the seminar at night.  This was a first for my entire ministry.  I am doing better now.