Barskoe Gorodische ,
Suzdal Region
Typically, one would walk
the other way, you know, to avoid them. You might want to pull your
purse a little tighter under your arm. But, you would be wrong.
After all, Barskoe kids aren’t the most beautiful, best groomed kids.
They have good clothes, but they can still be pretty dirty, in need of
a bath and a hair brush. These are working kids, literally. They are
farmers and manual laborers, earning their keep, in addition to
attending school.
Success or failure of a mission rests, largely, in the collective
heart of the team. If the team has the heart to serve, the mission
will succeed. God has always given Treasures a team of servant hearts.
Summer 2005 was no different.
Words fail in describing the acts of each team member. They came to
serve, and serve they did. You would think these orphans are their own
flesh and blood. They jumped in with both feet and gave the kids a few
days to remember. These are memories the team will remember forever,
as well. We thank them, God will bless them.
Schedules, schedules, schedules. There are always schedules for
everyone to live by. But, this is summertime! No schedule to follow.
Most kids had gone home to family of some kind. No classes…school is
out! Fortunately, for us, there was only a couple of staff members
there. We had the kids to ourselves!
We made a few trips out to Barskoe. First time was a “drive-by” to
store the apartment furnishings for Zhanna and Andrey. A second trip
was to drop off 10 more new bikes. They now have twenty, in various
sizes. We had a day of VBS, where the kids had a fun time, but the
team had a blast! Finally, there was a play day. Everyone was tired,
sweaty, and happy.
We brought ball caps for the kids to decorate. They had a wonderful
time designing their own cap. Tanya did a superb job presenting a
lesson on feelings. The kids were truly touched, as they shared their
hearts. She had games for them to play and prizes to win.
At the finale, each child was awarded a door hanger with their
photograph on it. Because the team had so much free time with the
kids, Tanya was able to say something about each child. As we
celebrated each child for their strengths, there was not a dry eye in
the room. Each child beamed with pride. They never have reason to feel
special, but that day they did.
Eventually, “The Day” comes, the day they have to leave. This year,
fifteen teenagers graduated. We offered a special prayer over them, as
they face their uncertain futures. We just pray we have impacted their
lives in positive ways and when life is hard, they will remember.
Please, pray for these kids, most we have known for 6 years. But,
unlike when we first encountered them, they now have educational
opportunities before them. Pray they will take advantage of them.
Ordinarily, Treasures provides a banquet-type meal each trip. As the
orphanage was having a big party for them after we left, we provided
the food for the celebration, instead.
Treasures’ dream is to have placements for graduating teens, a
half-way house, where they can live in safety and receive an
education. Zhanna and Andrey are the first BG kids we have been able
to help in this manner.
|
