Sending Smiles

Some 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.

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.

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.

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, let me know and we'll connect you with a child to whom you can write and send your love.

Thanks for caring about these special children!

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.

Bikes and Skis

I'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!
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!).

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!

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.


The donor's response? Skis, bikes, wagons, whatever makes the children feel loved.

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.

We're waiting to hear just how much we need to raise to cover all these kids. If you are interested, visit http://www.hopechest.org/ and click Give. Please enter "Sovietsk fund" or "Sovietsk Bikes and Skis" in the notes section.

Thank you for continuing to love our kids!

And Happy New Year!

Will 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? Would you consider making 2011 the year you become a sponsor of a child in need?

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.

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.

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 http://www.hopechest.org/ 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 email.

And Happy New Year!

С 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, drop me a line.

Another newsletter update

Here's an update from the wonderful discipler at Sovietsk Orphanage, Anya:

Dear Friends,

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.

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.

Please write! The children are waiting!

Anya


If anyone is interested in writing letters to any of the children, please e-mail me and we can get you started. Thanks!

Grandfather Frost!

While we've been focusing on stepping up sponsorship 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.)

Would you please consider contributing towards New Years celebrations this year? You can donate either through the tab on the right, or at www.hopechest.org. (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!

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!