Loving the Unloved

There are needs all around us all the time. As we begin to recognize this, it can become overwhelming. We do not have the ability to "fix" the world, and that fact alone is often debilitating. But though we may not be able to "fix" everything, we can still share Christ's love with the brokenhearted. That is what God calls his children to do--to love people as He loves people.

My purpose in this blog is to help bring awareness to one specific need, one specific group of hurting people--the homeless children in Moscow, Russia.

Last summer 2007 I visited Moscow on a missions trip and I met one of the two missionary girls who have an ongoing ministry with these children. Our team of Americans was able to play with the children and bring them food, and show them love. While we were there, the Russian police came and told our translator, "Why are they here? They are just going to have their things stolen!"

I could see the way these homeless children were looked down upon. I have since kept in touch with Sasha and Sveta, the two missionary girls who minister to these children.

Sasha sends me prayer updates. She has sent me countless stories of children who need prayer. Here is just one story of two sisters Svetik and Natasha (pictured below):

Svetik and Natasha are from Samarkand. Their mother couldn't feed them because she couldn't find work in Samarkand. So they moved to Moscow. Their father is not in the picture. When they came to Moscow, they had to sleep at the train station. They were kicked out by the police because, as Sasha explains, the Russian government does not care for refugees. They moved to live in a shack where they sleep on the ground.

Svetik says: "I'm often ill. We have no medicine. I like the warm clothes Sasha and Sveta give us. My Mom has no documents to work in Moscow. We beg for food. But I like to play and jump. I like being prayed for."
Natasha says: "Now we can beg for food on the streets of Moscow. I like to pray with my sister Svetik. When my sister has a headache, I lay my hands upon her head and pray to Jesus. We also have a hard time here, because it's cold and people are mean to us. I like it when Sveta and Sasha read to us about Jesus. I like to play and I would like to have a doll. Svetik was very sick, because we sleep on the ground in a shack. Sometimes we have nothing to eat and we're so glad when Sasha and Sveta bring us food and clothes."

There are so many other stories like this one. Homeless children, with no papers, who are thus unable to go to school, an orphanage, or work. They are forced to beg for food and they are looked down upon. Who is showing them love?

Sasha and Sveta have committed to love these children. But my dear friends' ministry is in dire financial need right now. If you can give, please email me. I will use this blog to give an update on how much is raised for these girls and how their ministry is coming along. If you want to pray for them, for the kids, continue to check this blog for updates on prayer requests.

Relatively, I am not rich at all. I am a poor college grad trying to figure out how I am going to get by on my own. Job-searching, all that.

But also relatively, I am very wealthy. I have clothes, a home, a family, love, food, an education, so much more! And so, as I read these verses from 1 Timothy 6, I think they are speaking to me:

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Love,

Marisa