tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91565210917499480702024-03-20T04:10:33.202-04:00SOVIETSK SUPPORTERSA hub for supporters of Sovietsk Orphanage in Kirov, Russia. Here you will find updates, travel journals, child information, and photos. Welcome!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-52112194633261118192012-12-17T15:30:00.000-05:002012-12-22T21:26:14.240-05:00Christmas Time is Here!It's Christmastime again! What a great time of year to write a letter to an old friend wishing them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.<br />
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The children at Sovietsk Orphanage would love to hear from you wishing them a hearty Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please take a moment to write a note to your sponsored child or one of the many unsponsored kids and wish them Happy Holidays. <br />
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Scroll down to view a list of unsponsored children on the right side of this page. <a href="mailto:benjamesclark@gmail.com">Contact us</a> and we'll be happy to help you get a letter or email to a Russian friend.<br />
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Christmas is celebrated in the Orthodox tradition on January 7th and is treated as a sacred holiday, perhaps even more so than one commonly finds in the United States. New Year is a festive event in Russia that is often celebrated with close friends and family, much like Christmas is celebrated here. The emphasis on celebrating New Year as a family holiday is a vestige of the Soviet times when religious observances we banned in public, but were carried on in secret by many citizens.<br />
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As you share the holidays with your family please remember those who aren't so fortunate. Nothing can replace the love of a mother or father, but showing you care is more important than you know in building a family for these children. You can be a part of something that makes a lasting difference in someone's life.<br />
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<i>"God sets the lonely in families..."</i></div>
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Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-80708379875639458262012-11-14T13:22:00.001-05:002012-11-14T21:46:38.350-05:00Help Lonya Hear!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
A sweet young man at Sovietsk Orphanage named Lonya (short for Leonid) is in need of a new hearing aid. You can read more about Lonya here: <a href="http://sovietsksupporters.blogspot.com/2010/11/meet-lonya.html">sovietsksupporters.blogspot.com/2010/11/meet-lonya.html</a>. He is 9 years old and growing up quickly. </div>
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Lonya is currently sharing a hearing aid and can only use it part time, so he is missing out on important school work. It's impacting his speech progress as well. We have also been working to get him more financial support for therapies, which is a work in progress.</div>
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We only need $1,250 to cover the cost of the hearing aids. Fortunately we have found a local sponsor for half of Lonya's hearing aid. Will you consider chipping in to help Lonya?<br />
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If you would like to give a tax-deductible donation to the fund online, please follow the steps below:<br />
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1. Go to <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">www.hopechest.org</a><br />
2. Click on the orange “Give” button (on the rightside of screen)<br />
3. Click “Designated/Sponsorship: One Time Gift” & type the amount you would like to give in box below<br />
4. Enter the orphanage number in “Reference Number”: RU0506000<br />
5. Enter in the “Notes Field”: Medical<br />
6. Then have the donor complete their contact & payment information.</div>
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Thank you so much for your care and love for these precious children, including little Lonya. Any amount you can give is appreciated. We are looking forward to sharing with you when Lonya receives his new hearing aids and is back to work!</div>
Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-78469981951507537762012-08-14T08:37:00.000-04:002012-08-14T08:37:31.859-04:00Item Drive UpdateHi, all!<br />
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Still collecting for the item drive . . . we have until the end of this week to collect items so we can get them to Russia with the next travelers. We still need . . .<br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-13 girls' winter hats</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-11 boys' winter hats</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-4 pair girls' winter gloves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-7 pair boys' winter gloves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-6 simple girls' toys (toy jewelry, small (!) stuffed animal or doll, etc . . . . something equivalent to a toy car)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">-$$$ for shipping (Money can go directly to </span><a href="http://www.hopechest.org/" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #b47b10; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">Children's HopeChest</a><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;"> marked Soviestk fund or we can collect any contributions)</span>
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<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;">And, of course, LETTERS!!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #335577; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.899999618530273px;"><a href="mailto:sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">Send me a note</a> or leave a comment if you are interested. And thanks to my awesome dentist, <a href="http://www.baileywrightdentistry.com/">Bailey & Wright Dentistry</a>, for the toothbrushes!</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-80388172799214628132012-07-16T20:34:00.001-04:002012-07-16T20:34:15.116-04:00Item Drive!Usually, when we travel, we have a lot of fun collecting items to bring with us and share with the kiddos. It's especially fun to give each little one their own special gift.<br />
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Usually, when we aren't traveling, we collect $ for projects as finding a way to get items to Russia gets pretty hairy (and expensive).<br />
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Since we are not sure when our next trip is, we have a few items to send. Last Christmas, <a href="http://www.indylutheran.org/">Bethlehem</a> collected birthday presents at the Birthday Party for Jesus, and we FINALLY have a way to get everything to Russia!<br />
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We would love to round it out a bit, to be sure every child has something special. We'd love your help! Now through August 17, we are collecting the following:<br />
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-10 pairs of girls' socks<br />
-10 pairs of boys' socks<br />
-13 girls' winter hats<br />
-11 boys' winter hats<br />
-4 pair girls' winter gloves<br />
-7 pair boys' winter gloves<br />
-20 toothbrushes<br />
-6 simple girls' toys (toy jewelry, small (!) stuffed animal or doll, etc . . . . something equivalent to a toy car)<br />
-$$$ for shipping (Money can go directly to <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">Children's HopeChest</a> marked Soviestk fund or we can collect any contributions)<br />
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We will be sending all kinds of fun toys, school supplies, and a few odd items here and there.<br />
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We also have a young man fighting major illness--lupus, to be precise--and we are waiting on some information concerning his ongoing financial need to manage his disease. We have some great kids graduating as well, and we are glad to collect funds for graduation gifts for them.<br />
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And of course, LETTERS!<br />
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More info to come! Thank you for sharing your love!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-35601310733663843702012-06-19T14:28:00.001-04:002012-06-19T14:30:21.120-04:00Updates and lettersWe have gotten a lot of letters recently with some updates on how the kids are doing. <br />
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Our dear friend Lena writes: <br />
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"It's my final year st school. Of course, I have some problems with my studies. But I try my best and I hope that my marks will improve. This summer I went to economical summer camp. I got some new information, learned a lot and made friends with good people. On the 27th of October we had our orphanage birthday. Sarah and Ben, I wanted to tell you thank you for not forgetting us. I think the most important thing for any child is just to know that somebody cares for him. We spent good time with Chad, Tom, and Ernest [some Americans who recently visited]. We went to church and all of us climbed upstairs and stood under the bell. We went to the museum and made potato kebabs. We danced and played different games. It was much fun. But still we miss you very much!!! (: When I finish school we won't see each other. ): But I'll hope for the best. I'm pleased that I have such friends. I wish you happiness and love. I wish your boy to be healthy and strong. I love you very much."<br />
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Lena is such a sweet girl and we will miss her very much. We met her the first time we visited Sovietsk, so we've known her for quite a long time. I wouldn't normally reprint the entire letter but she said so many great things about the value of sponsorship and writing letters. It's easy to forget just how important it is to make a child feel special simply by writing a letter.<br />
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The last time we visited we met a young man named Nikita. He is reserved and quite intelligent.<br />
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Nikita recently wrote to us: <br />
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"I'm doing great. Orphanage is second home to me. I think I got accustomed to it. But maybe sometimes I doubt it. I want to finish school and go to Musical Tech School. I love music. I like to be DJ. It's not easy here because we don't have special equipment... I also love electrical dances. I think it's very popular here in Russia. Someday I would like to go abroad and visit your country. I heard a lot about it in school and also read about it on the Internet. But I can't picture it still... In summer I went to the economical camp. I liked people there. They were so creative and full of energy. I think this camp changed me. i started my self-perfection. Now you are a mother. i think your son will become a good man, as he has wonderful parents... I hope one day you would like to see our country under the white blanket of snow. But it's very frosty, so take warm clothes with you... I miss you my friends. Promise me you won't forget me."<br />
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We also recently received a letter from a young lady named Masha whom we've never met; she is new to the orphanage. <br />
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She wrote to us: <br />
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"I'm doing well. But I have problems with my studying. I can't understand chemistry [I can relate!] But I hope to cope with this problem. I try my best. Sorry we haven't met. I'm sixteen. I made many friends in this orphanage. My favorite subject is math. The most important things for me are my relatives and my friends. October 13, 2011 was a black day. It was the day of my mother's death. Every holiday I visit my grandparent. I'm glad that now you have a baby. We all miss you. Hope to see you. Good bye!"<br />
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Our heart goes out to Masha. Sadly, her story is not uncommon. We look forward to the opportunity to meet her in person someday. All of these great kids would love to get letters from American friends. Anyone interested in writing to our friends at Sovietsk Orphanage, just leave a comment and let us know.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a beautiful piece of handcrafted art made </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by a sweet (if ornery) boy named Artur.</span></div>
<br />Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-24395386541944891102012-06-02T10:53:00.002-04:002012-06-02T10:53:20.271-04:00A Long, Long TimeMy goodness. It has been a long time since I've written. A long, long time.<br />
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As you know, we've been blessed with a sweet baby boy. And we love him to bits. And he has kept us busy! For most of his little life, we have had *something* extra to attend to concerning him (or me) . . . most weeks, there has been some kind of appointment or procedure or other activity. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Nothing too serious (so thankful!) but definitely things that needed attention. The good news is things are settling down and we don't expect that to be a part of our lives much longer. Yay, yay, yay!<br />
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Aside from that, we've been busy enjoying all of the sweetness of a little boy and figuring out what life looks like now and trying to get some kind of sleep. It has been hard to keep all of the plates spinning these days, but we're getting there. It has been especially hard to make our actions match our hearts for our beloved children in Sovietsk.<br />
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This is the longest we've gone in 7 years without going to Russia. We miss Russia terribly! We miss our children, we miss our friends. It was so strange to come to August 2011 and instead of boarding an 11 hour flight, we were preparing for our little one's arrival. If only we could teleport, they would be a part of his life and he would know them as his Russian family. <br />
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We are unsure how traveling will work out in the next few years. We have to balance our son's needs with the importance of visiting our other kiddos. In the meantime, it's important to stay in touch.<br />
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In our dream world, we would be taking video and making brilliant movies and sending them to Russia. As it turns out, my tech skills are pretty weak and that becomes more of an undertaking than it should be. Time to shake the perfectionism out of me and send what I can--a choppy video is better than no video! And then there are letters. We've sent a few rounds of letters and photos, but not as many as I'd like. Beyond letters, we have a wonderful collection of gifts to go to Russia, but no way to get them there. Other travelers have their bags full, just like we would if we were going. <br />
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Our sweet friends have sent us a few updates and sent James the cutest little baby rattle. We love them so much, and we think of them all the time. Now we have to find a way to send our thoughts to them more often. <br />
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If anyone is interested in taking a greater role in the Sovietsk sponsorship, please let me know. We are committed to these children, and the deserve more than we are managing right now. We'd love to share the role with someone who feels the same way. <br />
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Also, please remember to write to your little ones! The letters are so important. We'll be updating the site with info about the new children, and what's been happening over the last year. If you have any questions for us, just drop us a line. Thank you, as always, for all you do.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-44290736060115658792011-11-16T22:50:00.002-05:002011-11-16T22:52:06.876-05:00Why we've been missing lately . . .<div style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 494px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidget"><br /><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif); HEIGHT: 6px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop"></div><br /><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 6px; PADDING-RIGHT: 6px; BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-y; HEIGHT: 482px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter"><br /><div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 14px; WIDTH: 105px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 34px; PADDING-TOP: 14px" class="sflyProductPreviewLogo"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: #ffffff; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px; box-shadow: none" src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 350px; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="sflyProductPreviewContainer"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0CbsWTZmyZMnHA&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: #ffffff; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px; box-shadow: none" src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0CbsWTZmyZMq/0CbsWTZmyZMqcW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1321501803000/0/" /></a></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; PADDING-BOTTOM: 15px; LINE-HEIGHT: 19px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f4f4e9; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 55px; PADDING-TOP: 15px" class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer"><br /><div style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-seris; COLOR: #333333; FONT-SIZE: 15px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="sflyProductPreviewTitle"><span style="font-size:+0;">Initially Boy Baby Announcements</span></div><br /><div style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-seris; COLOR: #333333; FONT-SIZE: 13px" class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText"><span style="font-size:+0;">Graduation invitations and <a style="COLOR: #6666cc" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/announcements/graduation-announcements">announcements by Shutterfly</a>.</span></div><br /><div style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, sans-seris; COLOR: #333333; FONT-SIZE: 13px" class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection"><span style="font-size:+0;">View the entire <a style="COLOR: #6666cc" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND: #ffffff; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0px; box-shadow: none" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" width="1" height="1" /></div></div><br /><div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif); HEIGHT: 6px" class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom"></div></div>We'll be back, we promise! We have been busy loving our little one. There are some projects in the works, so stay tuned.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-31433487864732495542011-08-10T21:07:00.003-04:002011-08-10T21:18:00.801-04:00Missing Russia<div>Clearly, my Russia clock is ticking. Over the past 5 years, I have gotten used to visiting our kiddos at Sovietsk every year in August or September. This year, we are not able to go as we are expecting a new addition to our family any minute. This is where I wish I had superpowers--I would teleport in a heartbeat to see our kiddos and introduce our new little guy when he is here. All in due time, but for now it will have to do to write letters. And today, we had beet salad and cabbage rolls for dinner . . . </div>
<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639400293323442722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTddqc9cUKwbYXZzeQzGcPzump1DA3xjk1IMDxYu9Eujz599fsabuLOuBWJSFNmOhBLCwyQW9x6kN1iAIfSiUIpRTzMENFK43RPLjjEGh5WPd2T1zlGWlvYtIZTz0RJ2cv6OVl4HSW2A/s400/Beets.jpg" /></div>
<br />We have a friend traveling August 23, so we are collecting letters, gifts, and financial donations ahead of their trip. If you are able to donate towards programming, you can do that any time! Money goes through Children's HopeChest and should be marked RU0506000, Sovietsk. If you want to send letters or gifts, we can get them hand delivered if we receive them by August 17. <a href="mailto:%20sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">Contact us</a> if you are interested, and we will help you make the connection. Maybe I'll share the beet salad recipe, if you're lucky. Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-67255323775066723842011-08-02T21:18:00.000-04:002011-08-02T21:18:42.329-04:00It's time to send more letters!It's time once again for our annual letter drive. We won't be able to visit Sovietsk this year ourselves, but another group of sponsors is visiting Kirov region later this month and will be able to hand deliver letters for us. If you would like to take this opportunity to start a pen pal relationship with a friend across the ocean, now is the time. Or if you already have a pen pal or are a sponsor, don't miss this chance to send something to your friend at Sovietsk. If you'd like to send a letter please let us know via <a href="mailto:sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">e-mail</a> and we can make sure the letters get there. The deadline to have letters to us is August 17th. <br />
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We also want to say thanks to everyone who contributed to the graduation gifts. But if you haven't contributed yet, don't worry because it's not too late. Just send us an <a href="mailto:sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">e-mail</a> and we'll let you know how.Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-88802124644397460472011-07-26T08:00:00.058-04:002011-07-26T08:00:10.621-04:00A Visit to MoscowTwo weeks ago today, St. Basil's Cathedral turned 450 years old. This beautiful monument to medieval Russia and Tsar Ivan the Terrible is a Russian Orthodox church built at Ivan's behest to celebrate a military victory. It's really quite a breathtaking and unique structure and no matter how many times I've visited Red Square, I cannot stop myself from taking a bunch of pictures of it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE4o-1dtRyIVE6tmUmvZCcI7-PBuCeCd6bF9d9i8PKO3mPlf4WMh8fn8YbB_1QH_gHTTCYZ7Vb1iGAmwgACfQc7S-IJLK3FFyRfYoAIjynGezpuSa0mgPxkbjRhDw0dg8sh-z8BZjsNE5/s1600/100_3565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE4o-1dtRyIVE6tmUmvZCcI7-PBuCeCd6bF9d9i8PKO3mPlf4WMh8fn8YbB_1QH_gHTTCYZ7Vb1iGAmwgACfQc7S-IJLK3FFyRfYoAIjynGezpuSa0mgPxkbjRhDw0dg8sh-z8BZjsNE5/s320/100_3565.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Here's a photo I took of St. Basil's on our trip last fall. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> It was the first time we've been to Red Square at night. </span><br />
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This summer, some of the kids and staff from the orphanage had a chance to travel to Moscow to visit St. Basil's and see other sites. They got to see a ballet at the Bolshoi Theater, visit some animals at the zoo, tour the city by boat along the Moscow River, and eat at a fancy restaurant. Not to mention the train ride from Kirov to Moscow, which is really a lot more fun than it sounds. When I heard about the trip the kids took to Moscow I was so happy for them and felt very grateful for the great staff of caregivers at the orphanage. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0wDV4SrVqm7osEbaf1u_R6pRuKn1sOwcLuEEmq9rCOO-mskNPL5p7Hm61e32qN7ELz2NSI6llku256qEerinjP0r6jdY44nwSZPYPyyegAPvTzR0xgnA_kXCpUP03f3kNTqdqz9QI4YQ/s1600/267602_167292696670046_100001679503426_353336_599867_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0wDV4SrVqm7osEbaf1u_R6pRuKn1sOwcLuEEmq9rCOO-mskNPL5p7Hm61e32qN7ELz2NSI6llku256qEerinjP0r6jdY44nwSZPYPyyegAPvTzR0xgnA_kXCpUP03f3kNTqdqz9QI4YQ/s320/267602_167292696670046_100001679503426_353336_599867_n%255B1%255D.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here's a photo of the kids in Red Square this summer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In the background is one of the walls of the Kremlin.</span></div><br />
I would be remiss if I didn't make another plug for writing letters to the kids. I can't emphasize enough just how important these letters are and how very, very easy it is to do. Let us know if you'd like a transatlantic pen pal. And we're still trying to raise money to buy gifts for the orphanage graduates. See previous posts for details. Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-36804852642131728672011-07-22T15:40:00.002-04:002011-07-22T15:43:36.507-04:00Weekend Warriors--Grad gift update/extension!Update . . . we have the weekend to continue collecting funds. I know we can do it!<br /><br />We have $435 left to go. SO . . . <br />. . . if 10 more families can chip in $43.50 each, OR<br />. . . if 6 more families chip in about $70 each, OR<br />if lots of people give just a little,<br />or just a few people give a little bit more,<br />we will have it!<br /><br />The best way to contribute:<br />Log on to http://www.hopechest.org/, click Give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please use refernce number RU0506000, and please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts 2011 in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.<br /><br />Please, please consider donating. Thanks to all of you who have given, and all of you who are spreading the word!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-4133117330960786752011-07-20T18:49:00.003-04:002011-07-20T19:05:09.432-04:00Graduation Gift updateUpdate . . . in an ideal world, we would have all of the funds for these gifts by THIS FRIDAY! July 22!<br /><br />We have $575 left to go. SO . . . if 10 more families can chip in $57.50 each, we would have it!<br /><br />The best way to contribute:<br />Log on to http://www.hopechest.org/, click Give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please use refernce number RU0506000, and please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts 2011 in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.<br /><br />Please, please consider donating. Thank you for your kind support!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-24189689734797322462011-07-18T18:49:00.011-04:002011-07-18T19:29:25.325-04:00Graduation GiftsWhen people graduate in the US, it is usually a celebration. Accomplishment! Moving forward in the world, on to the next big thing. A day to celebrate with family and friends.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630834919860091010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimi0u9ZKk6B-XOCJZnr7sGc5nG4f_zE7gZOEYSJgUxWqOIJWFEoWkHy7qopjFV08YzUk9f4pkHsHKe1_D4_HZGENYZXVcRmTWtbvGTLDnnib37l7MX0M0gitWaAaUwijqvSvLrDs7btME/s400/Weds+Morning+Together.jpg" />For young people graduating from school who are a part of the orphanage system in Russia, it can be a day of uncertainty, even fear. Of course, it is time to celebrate all the hard work that brought them to that point. But they will also leave everything they've known and venture into the world, on their own. Some tech schools provide opportunity, while others are all too familiar places of oppression and despair. The stigma of orphanhood can follow them, and they may or may not learn the skills they need to be successful in the world.<br /><br /><br /><div>Part of our work in Russia is in hope of easing the anxiety of that graduation. We hope our youth stay connected with people who care about them, and we hope they plug <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideBNvR-BID1lIMXFQhppZ73pulS69cAJm_fE2WJLDcDVPiB6eBEjNxsbVhXco2Np9J52c9McblRqQLmh6hXDrbOFXDZrtP3raS_2nwQtIzkAONDJ65tLlCcmdu1LDJkr6zJfRnETP1tA/s1600/Tolya+Narochniy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 258px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630836735587349458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideBNvR-BID1lIMXFQhppZ73pulS69cAJm_fE2WJLDcDVPiB6eBEjNxsbVhXco2Np9J52c9McblRqQLmh6hXDrbOFXDZrtP3raS_2nwQtIzkAONDJ65tLlCcmdu1LDJkr6zJfRnETP1tA/s320/Tolya+Narochniy.jpg" /></a>in to other Fund Nadezhda programs, like the Ministry Center they are opening soon in Kirov to support these young graduates. </div><br /><br /><div>We also want to celebrate these young people and who they have become. We are sending the graduates a special note, and we hope to raise enough funds for each of them to have a high quality tea kettle. In Russia, tea is very important! They use electric kettles, and every proper adult in Russia knows to serve tea to important guests.</div><br /><br /><div>It will cost $695 to purchase quality tea kettles and sponsor a celebration for 8 wonderful grads at Sovietsk. Could you contribute? If 10 families gave $70, we would have it in no time! We are working quickly to raise the funds, as the children are leaving July 31. If you are interested in contributing, please comment below or send me an <a href="mailto:%20sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">email</a>. Or, log on to <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">http://www.hopechest.org/</a>, click give, and enter your amount into designated gifts. Please list Sovietsk Graduate Gifts in the notes to ensure the money gets to our grads.</div><br /><br /><div>And for y<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPfPHM_Z5hEMV5IF1OhU-IuiVE0n_0gGgs8hQNQysJqchhqfPI87kXSU0B2BpzhmVku8pOWgX3Ws2E167AC7Vo9JJIjmUiA0LBVY03MmjhtlMJ23-WZ1-NAw_DGTOmPEQJQ96wsOf6Iw/s1600/Maxim+Bokancha.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630838114398982786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPfPHM_Z5hEMV5IF1OhU-IuiVE0n_0gGgs8hQNQysJqchhqfPI87kXSU0B2BpzhmVku8pOWgX3Ws2E167AC7Vo9JJIjmUiA0LBVY03MmjhtlMJ23-WZ1-NAw_DGTOmPEQJQ96wsOf6Iw/s320/Maxim+Bokancha.jpg" /></a>our consideration, here are the young men and women we are celebrating this year, all leaving the 9th grade:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ivan, age 16, Sergey, age 16, Tolya, age 16, and Maxim, age 17, will study to be electricians.</div><br /><div>Lida, age 17, and Sasha, age 16, will study to become facing workers.<br />Nadya, age 18, will study to be a mail operator.</div><br /><div>One young lady, 16-year-old Masha, will move on to 10th grade.<br /><br />We wish these young people all the best. We know that Lida and Tolya had dreams of teaching PE or working in sports, and that Nadya dreamed of being a train attendant and traveling the country. Dreams change, and we know that reality often imposes itself on our hopes. We also know that no matter what profession these young people find, they are valuable and capable of the best humanity has to offer. Please join us in hoping and praying for the best for these young men and women.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-52546737132175489332011-06-10T18:28:00.005-04:002011-06-10T18:39:29.282-04:00Best. Letter. Ever.Wow, it's been quite an absence from blogging. There are lots of reasons for that, most of them good! We have also had to step back a little bit from lots of 'extras' with Sovietsk. BUT, one thing we are committed to doing is writing those letters! We've heard from more children this year than ever before, and it is a beautiful thing!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Along those lines, we had to share a letter that came to one of our long time sponsors. This gentleman has been writing to and sponsoring this young man since we began in 2007. They have never met, but they have developed quite a friendship. He shared this letter with us, and I am quite sure it is among the best letters I've ever read. We had to share!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 334px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616724160365220194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yy7HvvwJFkyYi5mGZ3TKPwePnC2vj2rXZr9udvqRJFuUfYVjarq5Kf-YnBbHWVQ20hPwP4PrFmq7fiJAgEgI01lYdrHPXySCY6Qf8gqCqfWk5s3zvUgNhE0HNICs6-Dbyu-ZlbSX4wY/s400/Sergey+Shalaginov.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Hello, Uncle (American Friend),</em></div><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>How are you? I'm fine. My favorite subjects are Russian language and Maths. You are my best friend I think. I like the pictures you've sent me last time. I'm really glad to become close friends with you. I need you and your support. You care for me. there are few people who really care.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><br /><div><em>I hope you to see you one day. It will be the best day of my life. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><br /><div><em>Goodbye,<br />[child from Sovietsk]</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><br /><div>It takes time, in this case 4 years, but this is the kind of relationship you can develop and the impact you can have just by writing letters! This sponsor is planning to travel in the future, but even if he couldn't, he has made all the difference in the world just by caring.</div><br /><br /><div>You can do this too! For those of you who write, stay encouraged. Your words mean so much! For those of you who don't, we would love to connect you. Please <a href="mailto:%20sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">contact me</a> and I would be glad to help you find a Russian friend!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-2587131171358370462011-04-07T17:38:00.001-04:002011-04-07T17:38:46.886-04:00Sovietsk NewsletterHere's the latest newsletter from Sovietsk Orphanage:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHRAMZdE7XEpL3qMSxCULlql1Zruvvn11R5z1yU4KMDRDH2AdRAjh768hmg0jt1viIsJbeQdVpk4ZUa3BiVEC1kwmiVjObSu2grNBjepjUYYbr2K4bTHE53zwE2P2-hO2Dx8VcVniOUl6/s1600/11099.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="20" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHRAMZdE7XEpL3qMSxCULlql1Zruvvn11R5z1yU4KMDRDH2AdRAjh768hmg0jt1viIsJbeQdVpk4ZUa3BiVEC1kwmiVjObSu2grNBjepjUYYbr2K4bTHE53zwE2P2-hO2Dx8VcVniOUl6/s320/11099.png" width="320" /></a></div>Dear American friends,<br />
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We are glad to write to you again. Life is going well here. Soon the spring will come. The buds will appear on the brunches and there will be a spring smell in the air. We love spring. <br />
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Soon the third term will be over and we are very busy at school. We have a lot of tests in different subjects. By the way, Anya is helping us with our English homework now. We had some events recently. Do you know the meaning of the 23d of February? It is the Country Defender’s Day. It is a day when we congratulate all the boys, not only those who have already been soldiers. We usually give small gifts to our boys. Then we move on to the 8th of March, which is Women’s Day here in Russia. Do you have a similar holiday?<br />
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We hope to see you again very soon. We also hope that you all stay warm, healthy and happy.<br />
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Best regards<br />
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from your Russian children at Sovietsk orphanage<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJwgQ2ZE5JLv5UeOgVaO1XkWwfJqpPjQrzRHDmJ8uxU1zUshGJ0y4y5Jvc_W6RuTNBJblpyEhHk2_Usr9A92y-8KTBBC-0k1DETw7wMJwQ-QPZsjx9YznRWTQG0B2Wf_DpZrfQAxe5ui/s1600/sovietsk-2011_03-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GJwgQ2ZE5JLv5UeOgVaO1XkWwfJqpPjQrzRHDmJ8uxU1zUshGJ0y4y5Jvc_W6RuTNBJblpyEhHk2_Usr9A92y-8KTBBC-0k1DETw7wMJwQ-QPZsjx9YznRWTQG0B2Wf_DpZrfQAxe5ui/s1600/sovietsk-2011_03-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Dear friends,<br />
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Sovietsk is so beautiful now. Though there is still a lot of snow, it’s not as cold there. The children are happy and busy with the school and continue to be involved in each other’s lives.<br />
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We have added another activity during my visits. We not only talk, play games, watch films and presentations and do crafts, we also study English and German together. I help them to do their homework. I am really happy that they are interested in studying foreign languages.<br />
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Last time I visited we did a very interesting activity. We did bouquets with sweets from paper. The children loved it. Some boys decided to give them to the caregivers. It was very nice.<br />
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Children are asking about the next visit of Sarah, Ben, Katherine and Jen. They love you and miss you very much.<br />
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Thank you for you kindness!<br />
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From Ann Butorova<br />
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Dear friends, <br />
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This holiday season was an interesting time. We had several events that are worth speaking about. First of all, we took part in the regional ecological competition and took the second place. It was very interesting and the children worked really hard. Then we took part in the local skiing competition and also won the second prize. It was a team competition. Some of our children, Tolya N. and Lena M., were also baptized this month. The caregivers and the director are the godparents for them. We think this is a very important for our children because they won’t feel loneliness anymore. Also, during Epiphany we went to the church and bathed in the font. The children were very excited! Not very long ago we had a nice entertainment program for boys and girl devoted to St. Valentine’s Day, 23d of February and 8th of March. It was a lot of fun, especially dancing on the piece of newspaper and singing. <br />
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That is all for now. We all pray for you and think about you very often.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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From Angelika Nikolaevna <br />
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Dear Friends, <br />
<br />
We are having a nice time here. Most of the children are healthy. Nikita N and Nastya G are feeling unwell, but we hope that soon they will recover. We are busy with the renovation of the first and second group. We hope to finish them soon. During the summer holidays we are planning to do the other 2 groups. Everything is OK. The graduates visited us this month and it is great to know that our children stay healthy and find their way and place in life.<br />
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We are preparing for spring now. We will be cleaning everything and soon we’ll celebrate Shrovetide with pancakes and games in the open air.<br />
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That is all for now. Stay healthy and don’t forget about us!<br />
<br />
From Anisiya Pavlovna VachrenevaBenjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-36257116861532770032011-03-20T20:35:00.001-04:002011-03-20T20:37:32.477-04:00Waving goodbye<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL2eh8plRkwup6xlT2er6ARZfYr39o47lw2TxovZfI_lG4SVHimvydasr57kuUW75YMknrRmBfAHXyWJjZAkpOUuO_jtJ93D10khXe71oNAJLWdduag4R54JBLJ54a0lUqW4myZNXTrNg/s1600/Sergey+Sh.%252C+Zhenya+K%252C+Tolia+N%252C+Kiril+L..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL2eh8plRkwup6xlT2er6ARZfYr39o47lw2TxovZfI_lG4SVHimvydasr57kuUW75YMknrRmBfAHXyWJjZAkpOUuO_jtJ93D10khXe71oNAJLWdduag4R54JBLJ54a0lUqW4myZNXTrNg/s320/Sergey+Sh.%252C+Zhenya+K%252C+Tolia+N%252C+Kiril+L..JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I had the pleasure of taking a run on a beautiful spring evening today. Shortly into my run I went by a little league soccer practice. I immediately became nostalgic for the football pitch behind Sovietsk Orphanage. I've had a lot of fun there playing pick up games, losing at banana, or watching others play. I was reminded of one young man in particular we've mentioned before on this blog who has shown a lot of promise as a soccer player, but hasn't been particularly open with us. When we visited last September he, along with the orphanage director and some other kids from the orphanage, were invited to an athletic competition. They left the same day that we left for home, but we were able to see them off. As they were driving away we waved goodbye to them. Some of the kids waved enthusiastically back to us but he remained indifferent. But as they drove around to the other side of the building on their way out we took a shortcut to the other side so that we could wave goodbye to them again. The second time he actually cracked a smile and waved back. A small gesture I realize, but it was a good reminder for us that you just have to keep trying. Sometimes you won't get a response for a while, or at all. But it's worth it to keep trying.Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-84194734650093416192011-02-26T15:44:00.003-05:002011-02-26T15:56:42.034-05:00Sending SmilesSome of these kiddos at Sovietsk just don't smile enough. It's understandable. When you've lost your family and feel rejected by the ones you love most, why should you smile? These children are cautious when it comes to trusting people, and they are guarded from showing emotions. They've been vulnerable before, to disastrous results. So one thing we strive to do with these children is bring a few more smiles.<br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578103272423423250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitB_DkHsZS1WP17CewHK6m7XsgIxyhZuTIMcj4aIfdOmEWP9LPuDalhVE76tb1vmIKbw-DtDodQH1thKkSa-0yB9euK_s5Y6KOrBm-QacydyP-Ucwp0B7QFKs6T8-aX5y0JjyDg9xfg_I/s400/Kolai+Sarah+Zhenya+Peter.jpg" /></div><br /><p>That's why I love this picture! We're visiting the Sovietks history museum which had a special wax figure display. So, you see Kolai, me, Zhenya, and Piotr the great in the background. You can see a glimmer of smile on Kolai's face, and Zhenya's eyes are smiling. He tried to hold it in, but the smile comes through.</p><p>We met Kolai last year, in 2009, for the first time. He's had a hard life, and he is a sweet young man. He and Ben spent a good amount of time together working and playing soccer, and he is very personable. We've known Zhenya since our very first visit to Sovietsk. This is the FIRST time he's spent an extended period of time with us, accepted hugs, and shown a glimmer of smile. It warmed my heart and brought me to tears when we left. After 4 visits and many, many letters, maybe he buys it. Maybe he knows we're not kidding, and we truly care about him. He's among the oldest at the orphanage now, and he was so proud of his position as a leader. We are so proud of him.</p><p>Writing letters and sending photos is a great chance to send smiles to these kids. When I write, I like to use the word 'smile' every so often, maybe sharing a memory about them that makes me smile. Reading the world smile often leads the reader to smile, and smiling increases oxytocin and other positive hormones while decreasing stress hormones. This is SO healthy for our over-stressed, under-smiling children. If you want to do your part in sending a smile, <a href="mailto:%20sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">let me know</a> and we'll connect you with a child to whom you can write and send your love.</p><p>Thanks for caring about these special children!</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-1999364937041340652011-01-28T16:39:00.007-05:002011-01-28T16:55:46.593-05:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qVoOXvL8Pcr6P_bq8O4q96ngBH8naBwdv2aG_Q8CCVJSxt-5VHvQQQA-XWtQNoxp94yHdBtoh0G_8n870C0FirW-o2fuSNYVpCJ87GVdq7nESVUGL_GOgzfpDv7CkoEiMYPXSqlaFTDm/s1600/Ben%252C+Father+Nickolai%252C+Sarah.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 207px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567358123981255938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qVoOXvL8Pcr6P_bq8O4q96ngBH8naBwdv2aG_Q8CCVJSxt-5VHvQQQA-XWtQNoxp94yHdBtoh0G_8n870C0FirW-o2fuSNYVpCJ87GVdq7nESVUGL_GOgzfpDv7CkoEiMYPXSqlaFTDm/s320/Ben%252C+Father+Nickolai%252C+Sarah.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I want to introduce you to a friend of Sovietsk Orphanage. His name is Father Nikolai and he is the priest at the Orthodox Church just down the street from the orphanage. A number of the children at Sovietsk Orphanage have been baptized by Father Nikolai and he has taken it upon himself to look after their spiritual needs. We fully support Father Nikolai and believe that spiritual health is part of being a well rounded person. We spent a few hours with him and he was very warm, welcoming, and kindhearted. And he has an amazing beard. He took us on a tour of his church, which was founded before the United States existed. He shared with us the history of the church and the persecution it experienced through the years, especially at the hand of the Soviet government. We'll have more on Father Nikolai and the time we spent with him later. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZycLv07AMZ7Ypn8sr_RikJ2AfD28_7C28yAPMIcIMSCOxWDlpF3fpzcaSQEyHfEY8qWBJu4rqOtmIiO8CcAi8tP3jt3clo-3Cqz1BuYF9_F7XZC0vEf1g_x2N2AdsM-TtAaIcPvqV2j/s1600/Church+Tower+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567358288525914242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZycLv07AMZ7Ypn8sr_RikJ2AfD28_7C28yAPMIcIMSCOxWDlpF3fpzcaSQEyHfEY8qWBJu4rqOtmIiO8CcAi8tP3jt3clo-3Cqz1BuYF9_F7XZC0vEf1g_x2N2AdsM-TtAaIcPvqV2j/s320/Church+Tower+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-74845951608316349992011-01-13T08:24:00.000-05:002011-01-13T08:24:00.822-05:00Bikes and SkisI'll be the first to say that it has been TOUGH keeping up with Sovietsk the last half of 2010. Thanks for sticking with us. A new year brings a new opportunity to work even harder for these kiddos!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGHnjkOBiU5TaawjhFbZN6BS0Dy5fWJyuWOFeYiV3RZIQx7y2cTe8kZpc7OLOuLMVVqujTJCnV9P8nA9pVjVuKCn7W39SZrPKaGUjolBg8i2MFD8ZHOYcgLs318S1acKrx24B94jRRN0/s1600/100_1251.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560334399603794114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGHnjkOBiU5TaawjhFbZN6BS0Dy5fWJyuWOFeYiV3RZIQx7y2cTe8kZpc7OLOuLMVVqujTJCnV9P8nA9pVjVuKCn7W39SZrPKaGUjolBg8i2MFD8ZHOYcgLs318S1acKrx24B94jRRN0/s400/100_1251.JPG" /></a><br />While we saw a decline in sponsorship (which we are working hard to reverse) and giving, we have also engaged some new, enthusiastic donors (for whom we are so grateful!).<br /><br />One gentlemen, who has been like family for years upon years, has taken it to heart to provide bikes for all of the kids of Sovietsk. He heard how the bikes help kids get to school, get out in the community, and even get to work in some cases. This was important to him, but even more important was the idea that kids just need to be kids. He believes that kids deserve to play, to experience the freedom of zipping around on a bicycle. So he is working hard at funding bikes for all the kids!<br /><br />To go a step further, in Russia, bikes work about half the year. The orphanage staff has asked him to consider skis as another option, since cross-country skis are not only useful transportation, but will allow the children to compete with other children throughout the winter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsIxsPBbaF6fUOtgOlY8PpMn0JsQ4FvwTDKvgu25fgqU_T5tA-FcW7wyZo9eprMhjVPB8b0wrdPU3rwuE7YkSc0FllXbODxNb_7kclBIg54eLtxMtmP4yBqiGVlASvmyA_z2xND8gTE/s1600/100_1250.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 290px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560334559148200466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOsIxsPBbaF6fUOtgOlY8PpMn0JsQ4FvwTDKvgu25fgqU_T5tA-FcW7wyZo9eprMhjVPB8b0wrdPU3rwuE7YkSc0FllXbODxNb_7kclBIg54eLtxMtmP4yBqiGVlASvmyA_z2xND8gTE/s320/100_1250.JPG" /></a><br />The donor's response? Skis, bikes, wagons, whatever makes the children feel loved.<br /><br />Can you help us out? We've purchased bikes and skis before, but not enough for the entire orphanage. And when we're talking 34 kids, ages 7-18, there is a lot of need to make sure every child gets a chance.<br /><br />We're waiting to hear just how much we need to raise to cover all these kids. If you are interested, visit <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">http://www.hopechest.org/</a> and click Give. Please enter "Sovietsk fund" or "Sovietsk Bikes and Skis" in the notes section.<br /><br />Thank you for continuing to love our kids!<br /><br />And Happy New Year!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-79936677293971506322011-01-10T08:55:00.000-05:002011-01-10T08:55:00.318-05:00Will you sponsor Armik?While Russians conducted gift-giving and feasting on New Years, they reserve Christmas for religious observance. Orthodox Christmas was last week, January 7th. Would you consider honoring Russian Christmas, as well as our tradition of giving Christmas gifts, by contributing financially or sending letters to the children in Sovietsk Orphanage? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560341670774054354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyksGyXQJaYFCxbLslDgEcGKtWTMXzHGbpWUuyMFfdg6feR5mpdtYv6UF7SGZvRyuzHo0Q-wWL_roDz1Kz-dpPhA7LeaF4L1sAP8Dg0X0wlcWrJCnNdwSTn1yEOWd9VnmKTl5B7G_fuc/s400/Arminak+Mailyantz.jpg" />Would you consider making 2011 the year you become a sponsor of a child in need?<br /><br />Armik is 11 years old and came to the orphanage this year with his 16 year old brother Sasha, his 7 year old brother Lonya, and his 6 year old sister Toma. Armik is very quiet and reserved, and he is having a hard time adjusting to orphanage life. Armik has been essentially raised by his brother Sasha for a few years now, and he is learning what it means to be part of a larger community. Armik has some barriers to overcome to catch up with his peers. Sponsorship can help him gain medical and educational assistance and show him he is loved and cherished by a special someone half a world away.<br /><br />Will you be Armik’s sponsor? Through sponsorship, American friends connect one-on-one with children at the orphanage through letters, prayer, and financial support. For $34 a month (that’s $408 a year), the children receive financial assistance for educational and medical needs, regular visits from mentor Anya, and birthday and Christmas parties. While ideally sponsors stay connected to the children through their entire time at the orphanage, a minimum one-year sponsorship is encouraged.<br /><br />Sponsorship payments may be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly by check, credit card, or EFT. Sponsors are encouraged to write one letter, one page long, once a month. It’s a simple task with a HUGE impact! Or, if sponsorship is too great a commitment, you can always donate at <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">http://www.hopechest.org/</a> or with checks payable to Children’s HopeChest. Please mark the memo line Sovietsk Fund. If you are interested in sponsoring Armik or any of the other children at Sovietsk Orphanage in Kirov, Russia, please send me an <a href="mailto:%20sarahbethclark@hotmail.com">email</a>.<br /><br />And Happy New Year!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-89007241906175474402011-01-07T16:18:00.002-05:002011-01-07T16:27:29.607-05:00С Рождеством Христовым! С наступающим Новым Годом! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our friends and loved ones at home and in our Russian home. Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January according to the Julian calendar. On this holiday we pray that our friends at Sovietsk Orphange may experience the peace and joy of Christmas. And we offer our best wishes to them for 2011. As always, if you'd like to become involved in the life of a lonely child, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/benjamesclark@hotmail.com">drop me a line</a>.Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-65768031456122470672010-12-19T20:37:00.005-05:002010-12-19T21:16:53.178-05:00Another newsletter update<em>Here's an update from the wonderful discipler at Sovietsk Orphanage, Anya:</em><br /><br />Dear Friends,<br /><br />The fall is over. It was the first several months of studies and of course it's difficult for children to get used to studies after a long summer break. But they are doing their best. This year one of the schools is under repair. That is why many children study in different schools.... Practically all children are healthy now, though some of them have a runny nose and cough. The weather has changed dramatically. It is cold and windy now. That is why it is also a bit cold in the orphanage. But very soon the windows will be replaced with new double-glazed windows.<br /><br />As you know, two of the graduates, both named Lena, will stay in the orphanage for two more years, as they decided to continue their education in high school. The new children have accommodated themselves very well. There is one boy with hearing problem, Lonya. He can't write or speak, but he can communicate well. He can express his ideas, desires and wishes. But I can't explain to him the purpose of writing letters. If someone can write to him and send pictures, please do! He will be grateful and we'll write back or at least draw a picture.<br /><br />Please write! The children are waiting!<br /><br />Anya<br /><br /><br /><em>If anyone is interested in writing letters to any of the children, <a href="mailto:%20benjamesclark@hotmail.com">please e-mail me </a>and we can get you started. Thanks!</em>Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-3110948363348477892010-12-12T19:35:00.002-05:002010-12-12T19:43:40.708-05:00Grandfather Frost!While we've been focusing on stepping up <a href="http://sovietsksupporters.blogspot.com/2010/12/introducing-toma.html">sponsorship</a> for our kids, we understand that $408 is a big commitment for many people. But because sponsorship funds are low, New Years funds are low for our kids this year. In Russia, New Years brings a party, gifts, and Grandfather Frost with Sneguruchka, his granddaughter snow princess. (Christmas is reserved for religious festivities.)<br /><br />Would you please consider contributing towards New Years celebrations this year? You can donate either through the tab on the right, or at <a href="http://www.hopechest.org/">www.hopechest.org</a>. (Click Give, then enter RU0506 Grandfather Frost in the notes.) Or, you can give Ben or I a check payable to Children's HopeChest. Remember, letters are always welcome!<br /><br />Please remember the sting of winter is even colder for children who have been abandoned by their families. We want them to feel our warmth and love. We want to remind them that they are not alone, but they have friends around the world who think of them and care for them. Will you consider helping? Blessings to all of you!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08830962093323769174noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-11447348717526554572010-12-10T13:11:00.001-05:002010-12-12T19:02:03.694-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIALMr35MCJuC4m3keO6vSygeXsQtDsFiABfNk5qanHuXGk7yaiZS726BMO72zuX61Hof0d6ElPZywoBiKnIGYZk22eIW80fB4cA_-OjqEiU5dV6ivyBTzo-miDJzJ9AvRgPDuyJHuHt0S/s1600/Bus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548117140018404018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIALMr35MCJuC4m3keO6vSygeXsQtDsFiABfNk5qanHuXGk7yaiZS726BMO72zuX61Hof0d6ElPZywoBiKnIGYZk22eIW80fB4cA_-OjqEiU5dV6ivyBTzo-miDJzJ9AvRgPDuyJHuHt0S/s320/Bus.jpg" /></a>Below are some updates from the kids at Sovietsk Orphanage taken from the latest sponsorship newsletter. Stay tuned for more.<br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>"I think I can speak on behalf of all children here in Sovietsk by saying we are so happy to receive your letters. Thank you very much for your kind words and interesting stories. Sometimes when it feels lonely or sad, your letters make it easier to overcome the difficulties and being in a bad mood." </em></div><br /><div>--Nadia</div><div></div><br /><div><em>"I would like to tell you about our summer. It was really hot. We planted potatoes in the garden and then we were watering in the entire summer, as there was no rain. The flowers were really beautiful this summer. Our cat was pregnant. We were alright: healthy and cheerful. Many of us went to different summer camps." </em></div><br /><div>--Larisa</div>Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156521091749948070.post-42510305297760262072010-12-07T13:00:00.000-05:002010-12-07T20:07:53.913-05:00It Ain't Workin'!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJBEubbWxy620Coo_vfeZR_IVWJU05uUWKYgtMSG_crq49SgYMaRKl3paGL-ZkcSgkT7EDIoeK9VLkQ0yxMZ_QF-onTVjmMMPOirwXWfcmO3ipUtNSY01vSjzMSF_bqfsoAUZiJYN_pdb/s1600/Ilya.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544415989343293698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJBEubbWxy620Coo_vfeZR_IVWJU05uUWKYgtMSG_crq49SgYMaRKl3paGL-ZkcSgkT7EDIoeK9VLkQ0yxMZ_QF-onTVjmMMPOirwXWfcmO3ipUtNSY01vSjzMSF_bqfsoAUZiJYN_pdb/s320/Ilya.jpg" /></a><br /><div>On our recent trip to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sovietsk</span> I had the opportunity to sit down and play guitar with some of the boys. (The girls play, too, but this was intended to be male bonding time.) One of the young fellas asked me to show him how to play a C chord. I put his fingers in the right spot and told him to press down and then strum. He did okay at first but before long his fingers got tired and the chord started to break down. Soon it was just an atonal plunking sound. He then looked up at me and said in Russian, "IT AIN'T <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WORKIN</span>'!" Before I knew it I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe, and then our interpreter started laughing, and soon the aspiring guitarist was laughing. I couldn't explain then or now why it was so funny, but it was positively hilarious. There's not really much of a point to this story other than it was good to share a moment of levity with a kid who really needed one. My young friend had some traumatic experiences that led him to living in the orphanage and it was good to share that moment of laughter with him.</div>Benjamin Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18069500904600075304noreply@blogger.com0