They Know They Are loved

News of the children living in Grace Shelter - Odessa, Ukraine

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

God continues to bless the work of the Grace Shelter in Odessa, Ukraine and we rejoice that as the ministry among the orphans continues, many are coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Two years ago Vadim and Inna Zakorchenniy were appointed to work alongside Peter and Lidia Dovbya, with particular responsibility for the younger children who are housed on the ground floor. SGA supports them under our Children’s Ministry Project. Vadim writes:

Hello dear brothers and sisters in the name of Christ’s love!

Two years ago we have become involved in this family type orphanage. We have three children of our own. Our eldest daughter has recently married. Misha (16 years old) is a college student and David (7 years old) is a second grade pupil. A few years ago the Lord showed us one of our country’s problems - orphans and homeless children. We can’t look at these children without tears. The Lord told us we could take care of at least some of them. Our church also shared this desire.

There are now eleven children in our family - nine of them are adopted. Let me tell you about them.

Sonia and Olga Artemova are sisters. They lived in a ruined house with parents who were alcoholics. Sonia is thirteen and didn’t go to school before she came to our orphanage. She had to take care of the younger children in her family. Her father abused her since she was six years old. Now she has problems with her back and has to go to a special school where a doctor gives her a regular massage. We hope God will cure her. Olga is five and had health problems. She couldn’t eat as her stomach didn’t work. Now Olga has a good appetite. She goes to the kindergarten and loves to play the piano.

Olga Stachenko is twelve. Her mother was very young and abandoned her. Her father worked as a security guard at a camp site. He tried to take care of Olga, but he didn’t have any documents that this child officially existed.

Ann Kucherina is nine and her twin sisters Vera and Luba are four years old. Their parents were alcoholics and took drugs. Their development was not normal. Ann couldn’t read and was the weakest in her class. The twins still need the help of doctors.

Daniel Zelev is seven. His father rejected him and his mother died of AIDS. Vova Megera is five. His father left him and his mother is an alcoholic. Alexander Kvachuk is eight years old. His father also left him and his mother is an alcoholic too.
David, Daniel and Alexander go to a grammar school and love to do sports. Five of the children go to the music school. All the children go to the Sunday school and take part in the church programmes.

In our family the children feel love and care. They have become more confident. They can take care of each other and help each other. We are so grateful to God for His mercy. We are grateful to the church for support and prayers. We also would like to ask you to pray for our family.
With love Vadim, Inna and children.

Vadim and Inna Zakorchenniy with their adopted children at the Children's Shelter.

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