Blog
By Masha
Katya Plusnina and I were invited to be the part of SII retreat in Estonia which was a great time in fellowship with coworkers and prayer as well as understanding the needs on the field and MIR’s place in this labor.
Being an umbrella organization for other ministries rather than hands-on ministry itself, MIR faces challenges that are different then the ones SOR would or those doing missionary work in Saint Petersburg or Montenegro would, but has same values and is called to be alongside, assist and provide for the needs to the best of our abilities.
We watched the video on the MIR’s work that was created a year ago with participation of all MIR partners and friends coming to MIR prayer meetings telling of their work. It was great to see it again and be able to see why we were needed back then and see where we are now.
My strong desire is to continue seeing MIR as a helpful tool to teams and individuals ministering to children, we don’t want to collect dust on the shelf.
Pray with us more opportunities would come up.
Filed in: Uncategorized
By Mike
Camp Elama is slowly thawing out; Spring is here, yet the snows remain and our work preparing for the summer has begun. We have a good leadership team in place and exciting plans for the summer.
Back in December Sergei and John laid foundations for two new buildings, and in May and June we’ll have teams from Georgia and Mississippi building on those foundations and doing other prep work.
We’ve purchased a riding mower/lawn tractor which will allow us to clear much more land and create hiking trails. Unfortunately, some items were stolen this winter so we’re having to replace parts of the water system and a few tools.
Sergei Tovstapyat, our camp administrator and general handyman, has begun building wood stoves in the cabins so we can heat them and use the camp for more of the year. We’ve also recently opened a new website for Elama.
This summer, in addition to hosting several churches at Elama, we’ll run our own camp for the first time. We plan to have 20 children, and we’re also hoping that some young ladies from the Minsk Family Home will come up from Belarus to help. Anya Kazak and Natasha Pavlova will be leading that camp.
It’s going to be a good summer, and we look forward Elama being filled with life once again.
Click here if you’d like to support our work at Elama
Filed in: Camp
By Tanya
Hello, Dear friends!
We are starting to work on the summer 2010 Hosting program. So, next week we will go to administrations of orphanages. Please, pray about that!
For us is very important to recieve permissions from these leaders. It’s necessary for children (from new orphanages) in order to be part of summer program.
Thanks for your support!
Filed in: Hosting, New Horizons, Orphans
By Masha
Hello, my name is Tanya. I’m really exited to be on staff with MIR and be involved with hosting orphans from Russia.
I like drawing and traveling. I like animals, especially dogs, cats and horses. Also I like to walk and listening to good music.
One of my desires is to know English like I know Russian.
Filed in: New Horizons, Orphans
By Masha
New Year began in hosting families in the States for 9 orphans who traveled this winter.
This photo collage shows several highlights of the trip for them.
Filed in: News
By Masha
As many of you know MIR partners on a hosting program with New Horizons for Children over 5 years now. This program had its ups and downs, has been through so many changes in terms of management, reporting to Russian government and orphanages participating. When we learnt this fall most orphanages have a concern about H1N1 and would wait till summer to participate, I was wondering if it was worth even tryin to get any of the children to come. I asked Mike to help me discern this and he had a feeling some children would still be able to come. Two months later when Katya and I were siting in US consulate and I was having a moment of discouragement, she said: remember, some children should come so this is what we are here for.
So, December, 13 was the day 8 children arrived to US and were picked up at the airport by their host families. When I called the children through the next couple of days to check in with them, all of them told me it was absolutely awesome. Welcome party at amusement center, and the Nutcracer show at Fox Theater were the highlights of this week for those staying in families in Atlanta area. I am very blessed to be able to come with the group and experience for myself what a gift of family is. I can testify God has given me a family in USA and fills in the emptiness that I have since the time my mother is gone. I’m glad more then anything else Christmas becomes a relationship experience for me and the children.
Filed in: Hosting, Orphans
By Katya
Last week, the kids from orphanage #32 had their shopping trip. As you may have read in our last report, MIR, with the help of private donations, is able to provide an opportunity for the counselors of the “Fairy” group to buy things which the kids choose themselves.
Our friendship with this particular group has been going on for 4 years now. When I first got acquainted with the “fairies,” we had English lessons and cooking class and celebrated the birthday of each child.
Now the girls are growing up and their needs are changing; it’s really important for them as teenagers to be able to wear clothing which they choose themselves, and which feels right.
The “fairy” group has always consisted of girls, but 3 boys recently joined the group. Hmmm…what will the group will be called now?
As for shopping, the girls got their new clothes before September 1st, and last week it was the boys’ turn. They chose sweaters, turtlenecks, slacks, sweatshirts, and mittens.
The counselor only took two of the boys to try on clothes, as the third boy is still little and would have had a hard time walking around the market for hours.
Here is what the counselor says about the two older boys: “Maksim is the favorite boy in the group. A very sweet, shy boy, he studies well. Gena is a trustworthy, affectionate child. Both of the boys are 9 years old.”
Friendship with the kids from #32 is really important to us, but our level of involvement depends on what resources we have available. We invite all those who desire to participate with us in the lives of these children.
Filed in: Humanitarian Aid, Orphans
By Katya
Before September 1 there was a lot of work.
First, a new big threefold window was bought for the orphanage #4 in Pavlovsk, instead of broken old one.
Then a new purchase of medicine was done for Tanya, a girl from the orphanage #2 in Peterhof. Tanya lives only by means of this medicine and it was a big deal to by it all in time.
We continue buying clothes for the orphanage #8. Recently two beautiful dresses were bought for girls graduating from the orphanage. It is a very important moment for all children, but unfortunately the orphanage can`t afford them to buy such expensive dresses. The girls picked up dresses themselves according to their tastes.
August 31 was a shopping day for the orphanage #32. During four hours four children and a teacher together with our Mir stuff were preparing for September 1. They bought dresses, shoes, flowers, school supplies and everything needed for a new school year.
The kids wear these clothes during the whole year. They themselves picked up the most beautiful and stylish clothes and by the end of the day were really tired and hungry. Donuts with tea after shopping returned them to life and gave strength and joy!
Filed in: Humanitarian Aid
