Thousands of orphan children live in the lands of Central Asia. While some are true orphans, the majority are ‘social orphans’ whose parents are unable to take care of them, or who have been removed from parental custody due to abuse or neglect.
Recently twins of Russian ethnicity found shelter with a Central Asian family. Unfortunately, their biological mother had decided that she no longer needed these children. Yet, they became an answer to the prayers of a couple who could not have children but had for over 11 years dreamed of a child.
During this very difficult time, the husband’s family urged him to leave his wife. Instead, they both decided to adopt, a step which alienated them from all their family.
They are now a family with their two adopted children, but they are surrounded by the cold environment of this world. They are isolated from their family, friends and even neighbours.
When someone appeared at the door of their house one day close to Christmas, the wife wept. The unexpected guests were Christians who brought Christmas gifts to their children. While the children started devouring the sweets the mother burst into tears of joy.
She kept thanking the visitors and shared that for the first time in a long time she was not feeling abandoned. These Christmas gifts opened hearts and gave joy to the parents. We are praying that this family will come to know Christ and to worship the Lord who is not only the Giver of gifts, but the Giver of life.
Through your partnership, God provided a wonderful opportunity to equip the Christians in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan with colourful Christmas boxes packed with ‘goodies’ for distribution on the mission field. Cardboard figures are also included to display the Christmas story.
Thank you for sharing the Joy of Christmas with children from poor families, and enabling others to take the message of Christmas to children and families who live in a Muslim dominated world and do not know about Jesus.