Missions
Letting Them Know They Are Loved
The Orphan Children of Belarus

On behalf of my fellow missionaries to Belarus, I wanted to give you all a heartfelt thank you. Along with the rest of my team, which consisted of fifteen Americans from all over the diocese and nine Belarussian interpreters, I was privileged to be able to spend part of the Christmas and New Year's holiday in Minsk, Belarus. Though the main focus of our trip was to continue to grow relationships formed last March and on previous trips with the children of Stankova and Slutsk orphanages, we also had the opportunity to visit an orphan hospital, an infant orphanage, and a facility for severely handicapped children. Thanks to your support and the support of the other churches in our diocese, we were able to not only meet many of the immediate physical needs of the children- clothing, medicine, diapers, etc.- but to also continue to ensure that long-term projects at the orphanages are remaining funded.

Although it is certainly wonderful to be able to provide clothing and medicine and toys for the children, the most important thing we were able to do was to simply let them know that they are loved. Part of the reason that our team was able to do this was because we were sent out in love by our churches and communities, and for that, I thank you. I tried for a long time to think of the words to adequately express my gratitude to y'all, but I couldn't really find any, so I offer instead a story that I think says it best…

One of the children that I met in March and got to know much better this winter is a seven-year-old boy named Andre. Born to an alcoholic mother and a non-existent father, he suffers from the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. Because of this, Andre has no control over his bowels and, as a result, goes to the bathroom all over himself every time he gets excited or upset or moves too suddenly, which, seeing as he's only seven, happens quite frequently. Since the orphanage can't afford diapers, he ends up wearing his same dirty clothes all week long, just like the other kids do. In spite of all of this, he remains one of the most exuberant and joyful children I've ever met. The amazing part of the story is this: when Andre found out that we had brought him huge packages of diapers, he ran screaming down the hall, telling anyone who would listen that he had just received the best present of his life.

For me, my work in Belarus has been and continues to be the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. To see Christ in every face, to feel God's presence in every hug and held hand, and to share the knowledge of Jesus with the beautiful orphans of Belarus has changed me at my core, and I am so thankful for all of you and your willingness to support what we do there. I'd love to talk to any of you that think you might be interested in taking part in a mission like this, so please don't hesitate to ask! Once again, we're so very thankful for all that Christ Church did in support of our trip and we pray that it blesses you and your lives like it has ours!

Colby Adams and the DWTX
Winter mission team to Belarus