Merry Christmas and Happy New Year our dear brothers and sisters in Christ! There are less than two weeks left before our departure for the States. Knowing that makes every day and every hour here special to us. We know we will never get this time back. We want to make sure the name of the Lord is glorified in everything we do. We have enjoyed every day of the ministry in the last month. It was very fruitful and blessed with many special moments.
Christmas celebration at Special Needs Orphanage
As in years past, we had the privilege of participating in a Christmas gift project for the children and youth of the Nizhni Lomov special needs orphanage. This year, we asked the kids to write down what gift they dreamed of getting on Christmas day. People in the church prayed that we could collect enough money to make all their wishes come true. We didn’t expect that most of their desires would be for specific articles of clothing such as nice dresses or nice sportswear or leather gloves or a military-style coat. Some girls also wanted Barbie dolls. We shared all of the needs with the church and in two weeks’ time we were surprised at the big response of people and funds that provided enough to fulfill all the wishes plus more. In addition to their “dream gift”, every child got a stocking or special box with school supplies, toiletries, etc. God provided enough money to cover it all with some left over. Many girls who have never owned a dress got princess dresses for Christmas this year! People from five different churches participated in the project. They also encouraged their co-workers, neighbors, and other non-Christian friends to participate by buying gifts or giving money. Last week, a team of 36 people from the five churches hand-delivered the gifts and put on a fun Christmas program. We did a concert, read the Bible, led singing, told the Christmas story, and played games. I shared the purpose of Christ coming as declared by the angel to the shepherds – to bring glory to God, to reconcile people to God, and to show that God found favor in people. At the end of the program, when we handed out gifts, many kids were screaming with happiness. Some them yelled, “My dream came true! My dream came true!” As always, we felt very encouraged with rejoicing spirits as we left the orphanage. We feel so much of God’s love through them. There are currently 44 kids in this orphanage and we continue to pray that God would be merciful to them because many of them have very serious health conditions. We pray that they will know God and that God will help them through their physical difficulties. All of the pastors and lay people who went to Nizhni Lomov have a strong desire to continue ministering to there.
Fireworks Christmas Dinner
On Christmas Eve, we had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with the Fireworks youth. Many of them will graduate from their colleges this May and begin independent living. We reminisced about the brightest moments we have had in our lives in the past 4 – 5 years. Everyone shared how God has changed their lives and what their dreams are. It was a very fun time that was sponsored by someone in the States who cares greatly for the Fireworks youth.
On Christmas Eve, we had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with the Fireworks youth. Many of them will graduate from their colleges this May and begin independent living. We reminisced about the brightest moments we have had in our lives in the past 4 – 5 years. Everyone shared how God has changed their lives and what their dreams are. It was a very fun time that was sponsored by someone in the States who cares greatly for the Fireworks youth.
Fireworks Updates
Several Fireworks youth got special presents for Christmas – Slava and Leo got their braces off and three of the guys (Slava, Vitaly, and Yura) received their apartments from the government. Slava and Leo both shared that they felt like they had no teeth when they first got their braces off and they look great! The guys who got apartments are all very grateful that they finally got through the process. Rita also received a special surprise for Christmas in the form of a new bed through a Fireworks donation. She is very happy to be sleeping on a new bed for the first time in her life. Irakly and Vitaly received a very special Christmas surprise from God. They found their mom, who they had thought was dead, along with many relatives. It is an inspiring story that I will share with you in our next update. Please pray for the Fireworks guys and girls. Our church provides a great place for their spiritual growth and there are several adults who care deeply about them. We will continue to be involved in their lives even though we will be physically separated by thousands of miles.
Several Fireworks youth got special presents for Christmas – Slava and Leo got their braces off and three of the guys (Slava, Vitaly, and Yura) received their apartments from the government. Slava and Leo both shared that they felt like they had no teeth when they first got their braces off and they look great! The guys who got apartments are all very grateful that they finally got through the process. Rita also received a special surprise for Christmas in the form of a new bed through a Fireworks donation. She is very happy to be sleeping on a new bed for the first time in her life. Irakly and Vitaly received a very special Christmas surprise from God. They found their mom, who they had thought was dead, along with many relatives. It is an inspiring story that I will share with you in our next update. Please pray for the Fireworks guys and girls. Our church provides a great place for their spiritual growth and there are several adults who care deeply about them. We will continue to be involved in their lives even though we will be physically separated by thousands of miles.
We are very excited to see many of you soon on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean . We will be living in Grapevine, Texas Texas
All glory to the Lord!!
Sergey , Angelica Elijah and David Zelenov
Gospel to the children/Fireworks ministry
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