Russia (MNN) — Statistics suggest orphaned children in
Russia are facing incredible odds. They
suffer from high rates of alcohol, drug and sexual abuse. Many get involved in
crime. Others end up dead. That's why it's important for these kids to hear the
Gospel before it's too late.
Tiffany Taylor with Orphan Outreach says there are
hundreds of thousands of orphaned children in Russia. Taylor says graduating from the orphanage isn't
necessarily a good thing. "The statistics are not good. What they face is
a life on the streets. They say up to 10-percent commit suicide within the
first year of living on the streets because their situation is so desperate.
They don't have any hope."
That's what Orphan Outreach is trying to do — give them
hope by taking a team of volunteers to travel to the Leningrad Region October
11-21. Taylor says they need a lot of people to go on this trip. "Some of
these orphanages are quite big. They may have 100 to 125 kids and so I really
need a lot of people who want to go with me and bring hope to these kids,"
says Taylor.
Taylor says they are collecting backpacks that the team will
be delivering to each kid. She says volunteers will do more than hand out
backpacks full of school supplies and Bibles. "At each orphanage we will
come in with our team alongside our national staf, and we'll be doing a vacation
Bible school — letting them know and learn a certain Bible verse that
will introduce them to Jesus."
This trip isn't for someone who wants to do sightseeing.
"This trip is for people who literally want to roll up their shirtsleeves
and get into the job of working directly with kids. It's for people who want to
make a difference in the life of a child and that a million times over because
you're going to meet lots of children."
According to Taylor, just being there will speak volumes.
"They are just overwhelmed that people have come across the world just to
be with them. And sometimes the difference that you're making is holding a
little baby, giving a hug to a teenager who just came in from the streets and
just came to that orphanage. You're going to be showing Christ's love in so
many ways."
While Orphan Outreach is a new ministry, each member of
the staff has been involved in Russia for many years.
The cost of the trip is $2,100 plus airfare. If you'd like
more information about the trip, click here.
