I am heading to Russia in April. It is such a remarkable privilege and humbling opportunity to connect people here in the States with long-term, holistic, redemptive orphan care in Eastern Europe and around the world. HopeChest currently has relationships with 62 state-run orphanages and boarding schools in five regions of Russia. Six of these, in Kirov, about 600 miles northeast of Moscow are waiting for a church, business, school, or online community to come alongside of them. When a community gets involved through HopeChest, they commit to have individual children sponsored, take annual trips to visit the children, and pray and write letters regularly as we build relationships that will transform the lives of abused, neglected, vulnerable, and orphaned children.
Watch this video to see what happens when orphaned children in Russia leave the orphanages at age 15 or 16: ONE Orphan. Through relational and practical intervention and preparation, we hope to guide them into healthy adulthood despite the overwhelming enemies of educational and vocational obstacles, substance abuse, crime and violence, prostitution and trafficking.
Watch this video to get the big picture of what our ministry does: Life, Transformed.
As I said, I'm going to Russia April 19th through 26th. We'll see HopeChest's ministry at work in Kostroma and then visit the unsponsored locations in Kirov so your community can make connections. The cost is $1650 plus airfare (which is running about $900 from Denver right now on delta.com). The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, February 11th.
Email me at daniel@hopechest.org and come along!
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