There is no work, no water, no heating – only broken and ruined buildings, starvation, drug addiction, drunkenness, abject poverty, immense suffering and no hope. Until now!
Pastor Anatoly, along with believers from a local church, felt called by God to care for the neglected children of this and other surrounding villages. SGA, along with its partner, Bibel Mission, is supporting Anatoly by providing funds for a Hope Centre in this area.
The believers have been able to purchase a piece of land, and reconstruction commenced in February 2022. A good water supply has been established and a new building is being added with showers and other sanitary facilities. Whilst construction goes on, children come all the time to watch. The believers have begun to conduct evangelistic children’s programmes already, making the most of the opportunities.
Anatoly, alongside other believers, plans to plant a church in the strict Muslim community. This is the normal practice in establishing a Hope Centre.
By reaching out through the work of the Hope Centre, the desire is to plant the seeds of the Gospel in the hearts of children and their families. Providing a place where women and children can wash, do their laundry, and have a simple meal, creates opportunities for the believers to come alongside and share the Gospel with them.
Many of these women have been abandoned by violent husbands, and their children grow up neglected, uncared for and with no real hope for the future. By sharing the love of Christ in practical ways the small community of believers provides hope for the helpless.
Mina (not her real name) grew up in a local orphanage, knowing only cruelty, hunger, and extreme neglect. From time to time people called Christians would visit, bringing warm clothes and food. They also brought Bibles and story books about Jesus, which were later taken away by the staff.
Having left the orphanage and abandoned to the streets, Mina quickly became pregnant. Living in a rundown building with no furniture, clothes or sanitary facilities, she was desperate. She remembered the Christian believers who had visited the orphanage, and eventually managed to locate them.
Mina was overwhelmed by the love and care shown to her and kept coming back to the meetings. Anatoly reports that she is close to accepting Christ, making her one of the first believers in this region.
There, in a place of darkness, the Gospel is starting to shine.
Please Pray
Pray for this venture, in one of the hardest places on earth, both physically and spiritually.
Pray that the renovation work can be quickly completed ready for the Autumn of 2022.
Most of all, pray that this Centre will provide a true and lasting source of hope for these helpless and abandoned people, as the Gospel penetrates their hearts and lives, and transforms this whole community through God’s grace and love.