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For over 12 years the OCC project of the National Diplomacy project has been bringing joy and happiness to thousands children in Russia. This project unites over 70 countries. Families and children of Europe and USA, following European traditions very carefully, collected and sent Christmas gifts (school supplies, souvenirs, hygiene supplies, some warm clothes and other items) along with kind wishes from the other countries. By taking part in the project the representatives of different countries have demonstrated a great desire through these gifts to show human compassion and an opportunity to change this world for the better.
The project takes place among orphans, street children and children in prison. Annually different religious, social, public and state organizations take part in the OCC project. Thus, many children were able to see Christmas performances at various churches, including the Christ The Savior Cathedral, the Circus on Zvetnoi Boulevard and in many recreation centers across Russia. And after the Christmas celebrations each child was given a shoebox. They, along with the gifts, got joy, love and hope.
For the last few years 1’749.409 gifts were given out to children in Russia.
Unfortunately, this year something sad happened. Despite having all the required documents and following legal procedures. the Humanitarian Committee refused to include any churches (including the Russian Orthodox Church) and any religious organizations for the distribution this year's shipments.
We consider this act of the Humanitarian Committee to be discrimination against religious organizations.
Despite that their decision makes it impossible for many churches in Russia to provide children Christmas celebrations with gifts and bring joy to thousands of little ones, 332 232 children from orphanages, prisons in Moscow, Saratov, Vladimir, Tver Regions got Christmas gifts.
The team from different parts of UK united by Samaritan’s Purse together with the Russia Inland team gathered to visit children and give the gifts personally. Thus along with gifts signing, dancing and telling the children a story about a true friendship and love, during January 6-10, they brought a Christmas celebration for the children in orphanages of Moscow, Vladimir (country side Pokrov, Petushki, Kosterevo, Andreevskoe) and Tver Regions. Pastors and leaders of the local churches were very helpful in organizing these celebrations. Some of them helped to bring the children to the Circus on Zvetnoi Boulevard, where children were able to see a performance and, along with gifts, to hear Christmas wishes of the Brits.
Here are some details about our OCC mission trip.
January 7
Friday
One of the remarkable places that we visited was an orphanage in Dedovsk. The leaders of the Dedovsk local Church have a ministry there. Thanks to them, many children of the orphanage were brought to our Christian summer cams. Most of the children were brought here because they are physically and/or mentally handicapped. The school program is very different and was made special for these children.
The children are very friendly here and open for fellowship. Because people from the church visit the orphanage, the children had heard about Jesus, read the Bible and know some Christian songs. When they knew that soon Christians from UK were coming, it brought them a lot of joy. They became happier when they knew what would happen for them at Christmas. “Here is the one of the greatest miracles”- as they told us when we came to them. It was a real Christmas celebration when we were together: dancing and singing – thus rejoicing in Jesus’ Birthday!
I remember 2 boys from this orphanage. The first boy's name is Alyosha, age 13. As I was told later, his adoptive mother’s parents take him home for week-ends. Many years ago this couple adopted one girl from an orphanage. When she was 16 she gave a birth to a little boy who was named Alyosha. But because the mother was too young she died almost right after childbirth. Thus, a boy became an orphan. The adoptive grandparents were not sure they would be able to bring Alyosha up. Because they are old and have not enough money, they brought Alyosha to that orphanage.
Other boy was Seryozha. He is 11 years old now, but he looks like he is 7-8. Despite he is a very little boy, Serozha is a very kind and trusting boy. He became very close to one of the orphanage teachers and he considers her as his mom. His real mother rejected him when she was in the maternity hospital. Since his birth he has been in the orphanage. Almost nobody was interested in him, nobody played with him; he was constantly alone. The he got an infection and afterwards he stopped growing for awhile and probably he won’t get to medium height. This is very sad because he is a boy, and as for all boys being short is a handicap. But the good news is tha he is not alone now. Seryozha accepted Jesus some time ago. Now when you look in his eyes you will find kindness, warmth and light there.
It was really hard to say good bye to the children, but we hope we would be able to see them again very soon.
January 8
Friday
What does a child's life look like in the Russian countryside? What kind of dreams do children have there? – These kinds of questions we asked ourselves as we travelled across the Vladimir Region to get to a small village in this area.
We had the Christmas celebration in a recreation center building. If I try to describe my mental picture of this building, it makes me feel sad again. It seemed that the building’s heaters did not work at all. The walls were painted dark gray and there were not enough lights there. But the big contrast was when people very greeted us very warmly. They were very friendly giving us a lot of their warmth and expressing their willingness to sing, dance and also pray together with their new British and Russian friends. Thus, we had one more chance to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Along with the children of that village, children from other places of that area also came to see us. There were so many children that we were a little afraid there would not be enough space for everyone.
Some guys from our team shared with guys of the same age about their life, studying, occupation, hobbies. Also they told them about their church and how they celebrate Christmas.
Local people shared with us about their life also. Life is not easy for them here. Most of the people live in wooden houses and have no indoor plumbing. Their heaters break down very often. Afterwards people need to wear warm clothes inside of their house constantly. Because it is so cold inside of the school building children have to wear coats while studying.
It is difficult to get a job here; therefore almost all people are occupied with their household only. Because there are not so many schools around, it takes one or two hours for children to get school. The young people have other problems - they are not able to find any diversions when they have free time.
One of us asked the children:
“Do you have a dream that when you grow up you would buy a car?”
“We do!” – Children replied.
“I suppose you wish a “Mercedes” car?
“No, I wish I would buy a tractor”. It was Misha’s reply. He is 13 and he is the 8th child in his family. His father alone works at the farm. This family has not enough money for buying necessary stuff. Misha wants very much to help his father and the whole family. When it is school break he works on the farm, helping his father.
Despite all these life conditions and a lack of money, it seemed that the children are able to fine a pieces of happiness and have some dreams. The children liked the school supplies especially because it was more necessary for them.
When I looked at all these children I was thinking that all these gifts were collected from the same aged common kids from far-off UK. It was great to see the children’s joy while they were opening boxes. In that time also I was imaging how British kids with love put all these gifts into the boxes.
January 9
Friday
When we got to the orphanage in Tver we noticed that it borders a town morgue.
The slogan “All the best is for children only”- was one of the main goals of our government towards the Russian children. It was very sad to see the opposite side of that. We asked ourselves whose idea it was to consider the best place for the orphanage almost out the town and close to the morgue, the place where constantly cries of people and music of the dead march come out. Unfortunately there would be no answer to that question.
We were very warmly greeted by boys, whose excitement was caused by meeting new people. Any little event is a big holiday for them especially when they are on school break. During that time they have no chance to leave the orphanage and meet new people. It was a touching moment when the children with great pleasure were diligently helping us bring the boxes filled with shoeboxes into the orphanage hall.
The principal of orphanage gave us a very warm welcome. It was very clear that all the children love, respect and are not afraid of him. The Christmas tree in the center of the hall was the main decoration of our Celebration.
After a few minutes, the children of different ages and different backgrounds were brought in. It was a touching moment when the very young ones were coming into the hall, holding on to each other's clothes. Trying to stay close to their teacher, it seems they were nervous because of what was going on, including meeting new people. Their worries were gone very quickly. Playing the guitar, telling and showing a story, and singing, our team brought a lot of fun to these children and it made them dance with their new friends.
It was a real Christmas celebration.
I was able to have some fellowship with 2 little girls – Natasha, age 5, and Nadia, age 7. Both girls had almost the same life circumstances. They both were brought to the orphanage one year ago. The authorities took away the parents' rights because they are alcoholics. Before they got to the orphanage both girls very often had no chance to get enough food during the day. Since Nadia was 2 years old she and her mother went to public places begging people for money. Thus, she has been “working” for her mother, who took all that money and gave food only one or two times to Nadia each day. Nadia shared with me “My mom is good, but I always was hungry”. She did not go to school. Nobody told her stories and fairy tales for kids. She never knew before about getting gifts for holidays. Actually she did not know what a gift is and what it means. After the musical part of the program, each child was given a shoebox filled with gifts. Looking at the box she had been given, it took some time before Nadia decided to look at the gifts inside of the box. She found the little cap, scarf and gloves and put them on. Despite it being very warm there, it seemed she did not want to take them off. When she took a little doll out the box she said: “I will be a good friend for her”. I asked ‘Why you do not want to be a mom for her”. She replied very quietly “Because sometimes mom leaves her child and makes him cry”.
It was really sadly to hear that from a child. Despite that it was a very short time for fellowship with the children; we wanted to become good friends to them. But of course our big desire was to help them to know about the great and faithful friend whose name is Jesus.
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