Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessing to know that we are not alone in this world. We give praise to God that He is always near to each of us, gently leading us towards Heaven. We are also grateful that He has allowed us to live in such period of time when technology provides unbelievably fast ways of communication between people.
Please find time to read and to pray for the following needs of the ministry in Penza , Russia
Last month we had the incredible opportunity to share the love of our Savior with kids and youth in the orphanage camps. Our program held a lot of fun games, crafts, and stories. It is very important for us that each time we visit the kids they hear the Truth of the Scripture. This time we shared about the source of life, which is our heart (Proverbs 4:23). The only way to keep this source clean and right before God is to let Jesus purify it (2 Cor.5:17; Col 3:1-10). As always all our helpers were “Fireworks” youth (former orphans who are part of the transitional ministry). Their example of being Christian gives hope to the kids, that God can change their whole life and make it new, beautiful and eternal. Click here to see more pictures.
The workers of each camp shared with us about difficulties with new kids and especially with those who returned from foster care families. Unfortunately there are many kids who have been returned, because of various problems for which the foster-care parents were not prepared. One year ago my mom (Sergey’s) took two beautiful girls, Dasha and Masha, as foster-care children. She had so many dreams about how to help those girls to find happiness in relationship with God. But the Lord had different plans for them. After awhile my mom got seriously sick (gall bladder surgery, heart and thyroid gland problems etc.) and she had to spend about three months in the hospital, during which time the girls stayed with us. It was obvious that my mom was not able to take care of the girls. Then the Lord gave a desire to a wonderful Christian couple, Philip and Shirley Luckett, to adopt the girls. Philip and Shirley have put so much effort into the adoption process and they can’t wait to be united with them. Please pray that the Lord would help this adoption happen soon. By Russian law the girls have to go back to the orphanage, which is not an exciting thing for any of us. We are trying hard to get permission for the girls to live in the family while they are waiting to be adopted. I consider this to be a “happy-ending-story”, however most of the time after returning to the orphanage kids have no chance to be adopted because usually they are too old for adoption (older than 16). Praise to our Heavenly Father who is able to adopt anyone, no matter age or social status (Eph.1:3-5)! Thank the Lord that we have open doors to proclaim the Gospel in the orphanages and tell about the hope that we have in Him.
Please, continue pray for my mom, Tatiana, who still has a lot of health problems.
All the “Fireworks” youth are doing well. Sahsa T., Slava B., Irakly, Vitaly, Yura, Pasha, Leo, Rita and Larisa
In our previous letters we shared that Larisa and Julia have won two court cases and should be granted apartments from the government. A few weeks ago they were called to another court with the same judge who had approved their cases before, but he denied them this time. The reason he gave is that the girls have their own apartments in the village, which is not true. Vitaly has also lost his court case. I have many guesses why things like this are happening with former orphans; all I can say is that God is in control of everything on this earth and we trust Him completely. We ask you to pray that in our weakness God would show His power and protect the rights of His children.
This school year we are going to continue our home Bible study groups for boys and girls and we are also involved in leading a home–church group and Sunday school. We have many plans to bring the gospel to people who are seeking God. Our dream for this year is to take our “Fireworks” youth on mission trip to India
Angelica and I are very grateful to those of you who has been praying and supporting us financially. Our family is doing well, by Grace of God. My spine back feels much better. The Lord helped Angelica to find right treatment for her varicose veins problem. Thank the Lord!!!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. (Ps.9:1,2)
Serving Chirst together with you.
Sergey, Angelica, Elijah and David Zelenov
“Gospel to the children/Fireworks ministry.”
September 2009. Penza Russia
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment