Belarus mission trip

Attempting Our church, Green Pines Baptist Church, in Knightdale N.C., hosts children from Belarus for six weeks during the summer. This past summer was the second time of our involvement with the Belarus children. We work with a group called, American Belarus Relief Organization (ABRO) which organizes the children's visits to the USA through various church denominations.

We visited Belarus in late October of this year. It was an amazing and eye opening experience. One of the main reasons for our going was to learn how we could better serve the children of Belarus physically and spiritually while in the USA. Another reason was that the three of us that went, were all compelled to go. We all agree, God wanted us to make this trip.

In Belarus we learned that the country - not larger than the state of Kansas - has at least 600 orphanages with 33,000 children listed as orphans. Most likely 90 percent are called "social orphans" where their family has literally thrown them away. Alcoholism is a major problem there with vodka so cheap and easy to buy. They are taught that as long as you have a bottle of vodka to drink, bread to eat, and a place to sleep, you have all that you need. These people are oppressed and enslaved. It is nothing for them to throw their children out - just so more money can be saved for more drink or worse yet, to buy a new sofa. There is no such thing as family values for these people.

We learned of the orthodox church and how little the people are exposed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We saw nuns selling icons almost in every village and city we visited. It's nothing more than practicing superstition. In a country that once was predominantly Christian, oppression and hardship have blinded the eyes, hearts,and minds of the Belarussians.

Yet, God continues to shine His light is such forgotten places. We had the opportunity to meet with two groups of Christian brothers and sisters - both Baptist - one more modern and the other more traditional. Both have a heart and love of God which is evident in their lifestyle and in their worship. They shared with us their desire to reach others for Christ and how they are about the Father's business. The more modern church has a small group of believers who are witnessing to the orphanges. This group is actually ministering in one and trying to get into others. A former orphan leads this small group and they want to teach the orphans not only life skills, but about the good news of Jesus Christ. Only God can create such an opportunity and begin to raise a generation for His name. PTL!

The other church would like to develop a rappiore with the orphange in their vicinity. We were able to meet with the director there and visit the facility. In fact,we slept there one night. If the local pastor and his family had not fed us that evening, we would not have had any food that day or evening! They were so gracious and generous though they had very little. The pastor's family also sang us Russian hymns which is an experience we'll never forget. We did mention the Pastor's name to the director and received permission to take two of the children we had hosted to the Pastor's house. Our prayer is that this is the beginning of an open door into that orphanage.

We prayed for each orphanage and for each church we visited. We prayed for the cities and for spiritual awakening. We believe God wants us to continue praying and to equip our sister churches to minister to the orphans as well as to the young professionals. People there want to know how to worship the one true God. They are confused by the orthodox church and the different protestant churches. I believe, God is making His truth known there.
We visited five orphanages and divided what little health and medical supplies we were able to take with us. We had a cash donations with us and was able to contribute to both churches and buy additional supplies for the orphanages. We were able to introduce key individuals to the respective church families and our IMB contact. We believe this was all in God's planning.

We definitely sense that God is preparing to do a great work in this country. That is why He has burdened us to pray for spritual awakening and revival for Belarus. Just imagine what could happen and all the surrounding countries that would be effected! Again, this is so God!

In the book of Ephesians 3, verses 10-11 reads, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If we do not do anything else, we need to pray for our sister churches and their believers. For the Bible tells us in Romans 15:5-6, “May the God who gives you endurance and encouragment give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It's all about God. It's all about His purposes for His Church and reaching the lost.