Monday, April 5, 2010 - Pray for Anatoily

Please pray for 14 year old Anatoily. When Antolily was first introduced to the ministerial team from the Smolensk church, he was very resistant to the message he heard from the team. He was hostile to the team and even returned his notebook to them. Rather than participating in the crafts and classes, he laughed at the team who shared the stories of the Bible. Antatoily's negative behavior continued for 2 years. Something happened to change Anatoily's heart. Now he is responsive to the stories, and he has become one of the very best participants in the orphanage program. He is a changed young man. The Orphanage Team see Anatoily as a very promising leader as he is gifted with intellectual and artisitic capabilities.

Monday, April 5, 2010 - Pray for the Orphanage Ministry of the Smolensk Baptist Church

The Smolensk Baptist church ministers to about 1,500 orphans in 16 orphanages in the Smolensk region. For 20 years the church has had some ministry to the orphanages, and for the last 9 years an orphanage team has gone to orphanages regularly. To some of the orphanages they make weekly visits. The main orphanage team is made up of 5 team members. When at the orphanage, they lead the children in Bible lessons, Christian songs, the making of crafts, in organizing competitions, with picnics, and with a variety of other activities. Many children through the years have responded to the gospel by changing detrimental habits and by associating themselves with the churches of the area. The team minister in such a way that they model God's love to the children. Orphanage directors welcome the association of the church team. They see positive changes in the children, and orphanage directors have come to see that faith and spiritual leanings help the children succeed through the hardships of their lives. The church gives practical help to the orphanage children with their gifts of clothing, shoes, food, medicines, and books. White Memorial has been fortunate enough to help with some of the gifts given to the children.