All 45 children at the small orphanage outside of Kiev, Ukraine are either from the streets or troubled families. But this orphanage is only a temporary stop for these children, who will soon move to a permanent orphanage or return to their families.
These lost and drifting children-and the thousands of others like them all across the post Soviet Union-are trapped in a system that can’t offer them the security they need now or the hope they need for the future.
I am grateful to God to see that, as a result of our efforts to train our missionaries through our training schools ,these young Christians are now creating innovative ways to bring hope to hurting children and needy families.
One of these projects is an Easter outreach is sharing our Gifts of Love.
In these weeks leading up to Easter, you can be a part of this exciting outreach and support these young Christians across the former Soviet Union as they bring Resurrection hope to children and needy families.
The project Gifts of Love began when compassionate, young national Christian leaders in evangelical churches in Kiev, Ukraine, wanted to share Jesus’ love and Resurrection hope with hurting and needy children as well as other young people.
These young Christians organized the Easter outreach and gift distribution to at-risk children.
The young Christians were overwhelmed by the response of the church and community as Easter candy, toys and clothing came pouring in. Soon the gift boxes were filled, but, more importantly, each gift also included a children Bible.
Anna, a young Christian, recalls her visit to the orphanage last spring. “After our play about the Resurrection, we distributed the gifts, and the children’s joy was never-ending. They showed us their gifts and asked us to come more often and stay longer. We would like to participate in events like this more often, and bigger and better.”
This Easter, children will receive special New Testaments, colorful books about Jesus’ life and creative brochures that talk about the Resurrection. Also, special Easter programs are being planned right now for needy children and their families or caregivers.
Our trained students will also share this Resurrection hope with their peers, and will give away Gospel of John to hundreds of students, explaining the hope and new life that are only found in Jesus.
As the amazing Easter truth that Christ has risen from the dead is proclaimed in churches here and in the former Soviet Union, your generous support of these young leaders and their Easter outreaches will help give this gift of eternal life and Resurrection hope to these little ones for whom Jesus came.
Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres! Christ is risen!
Pastor Vitali Yuchkovski