Updates from Lena

Thank you so much for your understanding, help and support. I feel how much you care about the children who need love a lot. It is nice that the children can learn a lot about people who live so far away, whose country differs from Russia.

During this past summer, the kids as well as their caregivers participated in the contest that took place in Kirov Children’s Crafts Centre. There were participants from various orphanages in Kirov Region. The first contest “Next to the Master” involved either boys or girls (or altogether) with their caregivers who taught them different crafts (e. g., woodwork, knitting, sewing, etc.). Ilya N., Tolia N., Sergey V., Gena P. and their instructor Vadim A. introduced themselves (they sang songs and recited poems about the orphanage and the crafts it is noted for). Later on they showed how talented they are and displayed their marvelous crafts.

The girls took part in another contest called “Constellation” which means children’s singing and dancing abilities. A group of girls who are good at singing participated a lot. Among them there were Lena Z., Nastya G., Olya V., Olya P., and Lena M.. Among the children who were there were Sergey N., Oksana G., and Katya M. Some caregivers joined them for support.

God bless you!
Lena Makarova

Updates!

We recently got some updates from Sovietsk, and we'll be sharing them with you in pieces over the coming week. The updates have inspired some new ideas and projects we'll be sharing with you as well. If you have any ideas or questions, please send them our way!
Olya P. playing at the gym
From some of our kids . . .

Dear American friends,

It is really cold those days. A strong wind was blowing. We had a real housecleaning, a great bath day. We had some activities both for younger and elder kids, including sport events (soccer, swimming in the pool) and visited the museum of Local Lore and the circus. Some of our children went to Kirov to take part in the contest. They sang and showed their crafts.

Nastya G. sent her guinea-pig. She did that because she had no time to look after it. First she felt pity for it but then she put up with it.

Our puppies (Jack and Nika) are big enough. We feed them with our leftover food. Sometimes their mom feeds them but now she doesn’t have enough milk to do that.

Good-bye!
Love,
Nastya G., Olya P., Lena Z.,
Tanya M.

Lena & Tanya show their lovely fingernails :)

A Christmas Prayer

Artwork by Maria' s Children, orphaned and abandoned children in Russia who take part in an art therapy program. You can order prints and cards from them!

Merry Christmas!

We wish you all a wonderful day of love, laughter, and celebration with the people you cherish.

Our hearts are with those around the world who are separated from light and warmth this Christmas.

This prayer by Daniel Lee came from Lutheran World Relief and is based on Isaiah 9:2-7:

God of light, who illumines the night,

Come to those now in darkness.

God of plenty, who multiplies joy,

Come to those now in sorrow.

God of promise, who creates the harvest,

Come to those now who hunger.

This Christmas and always,

We trust in your light, your plenty and your promises.

Teach us again, through Word and deed,

of the Christ child made flesh among us:

Who breaks the rod of oppression,

That we might work for justice;

Who removes the yoke of burden

That our neighbor might walk with dignity;

Who sets the tools of war afire,

That all creation might live in peace.

Amen.

May peace, love, joy, and hope be with us all at Christmas time and always.

Russian Christmas

The Russian Orthodox Church, and to a degree, Russian culture itself, gets it right when it comes to the difference between Christmas and New Year. The New Year holiday comes first with a big party, complete with gifts and jumping in the snow. Christmas comes January 7 and is more solemn, and certainly less commercial, than what we're used to. For them, the holiday is about faith and family and the seriousness of the moment that the holiday represents.

Even when moving away from commercialism, it's easy to get carried away. We are the sort who want to do EVERYTHING at Christmas. We shop for the Sharing Place, where people who are struggling financially can come and 'shop' for presents for their family. We donate special food to a local pantry so people can celebrate with a meal. You can send gifts to military men and women, pack shoeboxes for children around the world, visit nursing homes and hospitals with smiles and songs. There is really no end to the need for love and joy for those who are especially lonely this time of year.

(For more ideas, visit Sojourner's Peace and Justice Christmas at
http://go.sojo.net/campaign/peace_justice_christmas. There is so much more to Christmas than bargains and cookies!)

While I would do everything if I could, I am trying to prioritize wisely because despite my denial, I can't do everything. I'm trying to prioritize what only I can do. While I can (and will) share some gifts and food and Christmas smiles with others this holiday, others can do that as well (and I hope they do!). But I'm the only wife to my husband and the only daughter to my parents, the only aunt Sarah and sister Sarah and daughter-in-law Sarah and granddaughter Sarah, the only one who can continue the relationships I've started at Sovietsk, with Katya, Sergey, Galina, and the rest.

I am going to continue to do as much as I can, but I've learned to start with what only I can do first.

We encourage you to use the whole time up to Orthodox Christmas (January 7th) to focus on sharing love and light, peace and justice with the world around you--in the spirit of the baby we celebrate. And we encourage you to do what only you can do--enjoy and invest in the relationships you have been given. And please remember to let that special child know you are STILL thinking of him, or start that letter just from you especially to her.

(photo credit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7174794.stm)

Sergey the Carpenter

About a year ago I undertook a house project that was probably over my head from the beginning. I decided that I was going to build a bed for Sarah and me. Surprisingly enough, though, the bed turned out fine. (I was as shocked as you are). That's it in the photo to the left, complete with a sleeping cat.

One of the methods that the orphanage uses to help the children learn life skills and other important lessons is a wood shop program. The kids learn basic carpentry as well as fine woodworking skills. Over the course of my early correspondences with Sergey, I learned that he enjoyed wood shop. Even though he lives a million miles away, I decided that I should enlist his help in building this bed. I asked him in a letter if he had any advice for a novice like me who is trying to venture into furniture building. He responded with painstakingly drawn diagrams of how to construct a bed and the simple encouragement that "building a bed is not a difficult thing to do."

Truthfully, I had already built the bed by the time I heard back from him, but I was very happy to have engaged him in such a way that let him know that I didn't think of our relationship as being so one-sided. As a sponsor, as an American, as an adult, etc. it's easy to think that the kids at the orphanage have everything to learn and nothing to offer. That's simply not true. They're as interesting and complicated and intelligent as anyone. And if you listen closely, they can teach you a thing or two.

The List is Shrinking!

I am pleased to report that we now have sponsors for over half of the kids at Sovietsk!

This good news means the list of kids in need of sponsors (look to the right and down) is shrinking. We would love to eliminate it completely!

Who/what are sponsors?

Sponsors commit to send $34 a month, or $408 a year, to Children's HopeChest. This money provides for physical care for the child, additional education

opportunities, medical or other issues that may arise for the particular child. It also, very importantly, contributes toward resources for the orphanage in general. It provides for tutors, supplies, and a few fun events for all the kids. It pays for Lena, our discipler, to visit Sovietsk regularly and invest in the kids there. Lena is kind of a mix between a mentor and a youth pastor, for lack of better description. As Galina put it, Lena knows everything about Sovietsk. We'll share more about her later.

And, Sponsors write letters. The kids know who their Sponsors are. While we went to visit ALL the kids at Sovietsk, everyone knew we were Sergey & Katya's Sponsors, and that relationship carries significance to them. (Another reason we'd love to have some travelers join us next time!) Sponsors invest in one specific child for at least a year, and they can maintain that relationship as long as the child has access to HopeChest programs (whether at Sovietsk or after graduation). Sponsors can become like family.

Here's a cool sponsor story: On our 2007 trip, we met a woman who had been sponsoring the same girl for 10 years. After 10 years of letters, visits, prayer and encouragement, this girl had become a young woman who was graduating university and engaged to a kind young man with a wonderful family who accepted her fully. Her sponsor was invited to dinner with the family, and I believe she returned for the wedding. In a society where 'orphanage kids' are severely threatened and stigmatized, this is a WONDERFUL story. I wonder where my Katya will be in 10 years.

So, if you are interested or have more questions, contact me. I can send you everything you need to get started.

A good Christmas gift, maybe?

:)

Wistful for the Future

It's Advent. It's the beginning of my favorite time of year.

It's just like whenever I hear the Overture from Messiah--I get so excited about what's coming next. The moment I hear the opening chords, I'm drawn in, simultaneously relishing each musical moment and anticipating the music to come.

(Messiah essentially fits the whole liturgical year into one setting, with beautifully expressive music and brilliantly chosen texts. I am pretty sure they sing Messiah in heaven.)

So, while my favorite time of year is Lent culminating in Easter Sunday, I love Advent. It signifies so much more to come. As Pastor Felde put it, during advent, we are "wistful for the future." We await the baby who comes to bring light, who lives a lifetime of human joy and pain, who brings ultimate triumph when darkness is defeated and Love wins.

Pastor mentioned that wistful is an odd word in discussing the future, as it often focuses on the past. But, during Advent and the holiday season, I feel it. I feel wistful for the coming joys of the holidays--seeing family and making memories.

I feel wistful for my kids at Sovietsk--for their futures, knowing this hopeful story is theirs and praying they can own it. Their pasts are burdensome, it's true. But there are so many beautiful possibilities in their futures, if they are able to find the right path. That's why we go.

Many times, their eyes for the future are clouded by debilitating pain, paralyzing self-doubt, and no true knowledge of how to find the way. They have trudged through valleys on confusing, winding, rough paths, young and alone. Their experiences tell them that darkness is inevitable, that they don't deserve joy, that they mean nothing. Those lies are so difficult to drown out--impossible if there is nothing else to hear.

But the story of hope brings the music of hope. Advent reminds us that out of darkness comes light. As in Isaiah, "Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain." We're called to prepare the way for hope, to build a highway in the desert. The more caring people who bring comfort, encouragement, and guidance, the better chance these little ones have.

We often get asked "Why Russia?" So there's another answer.

Ben and I are wistful to see our children again. The good news is, it is almost time to plan our next trip! Stay posted, more information to come soon.