“Serving Hope”

At-Risk Kids Find Unconditional Love in

the Center of a Small Russian Village

Most of us when we hear the words "Day Center" we think it is a place that watches over children after school hours until parents pick them up.

     The Day Center in Sosnovo is not like that at all.  This is a place set up by the church to help children see their worth, when parents tell them they are worthless.  They feed them a meal, when they may have not eaten for days in an arrangement with a local café to serve them yesterday’s leftovers. This is a place where homework is being done and they can find help from a retired teacher.  This is a place that shows love, where otherwise they feel none.  This is a place where God's people serve!  I was privileged to be a part of His service for a week.

     There are 22 children that come to this Day Center.  We averaged about 18 per day.  They are well behaved and eager to hear what you have to share with them.  The thought that anyone would come and spend time with them is rare, let alone bring gifts!  As with the orphanage, SAC brings t-shirts, pens, and other gifts to these children.  We collected toothbrushes, shampoos, creams and hair products to also fill their gift bags. It was like Christmas in May… with snow!!

     In their town these kids are looked down upon as kids without!  Yet, when I look at these kids I see something others in the town are missing.  The Light of Hope!  The workers at the Day Center, nested in the center of this small town, are people that know the meaning of serving.  They do so much with so little, and love all who come in.  "Unconditional love" is given in abundance here!  The kids are taught how to cope with disappointments, life skills to help with income, how to manage time and the importance of school.

     All the kids at this Day Center know Jesus as their Lord.  Our lesson theme was caterpillars and butterflies and the transformation that occurs.  However the Lord would take these lessons with a slight twist.  Many times He had me share parts of my testimony that seemed to match exactly what He had planned for them to learn that day.  A good example would be the day we painted on canvas back-packs.  One older boy put all Christian symbols on the front.  On the back he made a large skull and cross-bones.  With that came the lesson on how a person says one thing but does another......God is the only One to know the heart of a person.  Everyday the Lord brought a new life lesson with the simple crafts we brought.

     Friday came too quickly.  We were given a performance by six of the kids.

Gifts were given to all of us and tearful good-byes were everywhere.  One of the older girls caught me alone and just hugged me and cried so hard her body was shaking.  I said no crying....knowing I was on the verge of another good sob!  Later I was told by Sergey, she had said I was her mother to her!  That broke my heart.  I spent all of ten days with this girl in the last 12 months and "I am" her mother!

     I can never imagine what these kids go through at the place they call home - but I do know a part of me will always be with them.  – Patty Adams