A Message from Russia

Back in 2008, I took a trip around Europe raising awareness about human trafficking and visiting ministries that work within the issue. I spent five days in Moscow, visiting Vivi, a Brazilian missionary who opened her heart and her home to girls from the orphanage. The Russian government is very particular about their orphans, considering them Children of the State. The government takes extreme measures to protect and parent them. But a government is not supposed to be a parent. The government limits the children's exposure to the world and puts severe boundaries on those from the outside who would wish to help them.

People like Vivi, who want to befriend and help orphans girls are severely hindered by the government. Over the years, Vivi and the women working with her have been able to prove themselves trustworthy and honest.

When I visited Vivi, there were four adults and thirteen orphan girls staying in a two bedroom apartment on the outskirts of Moscow. Full house! They were able to take the girls out of the orphanage for the holidays and provide them with a home environment that was so foreign to them. There was no privacy to speak of, but I had a blast getting to know the girls, watching movies with them, helping them make a cake (the first one they had ever made!) and going for walks in the park.

Vivi recently sent me an update that I wanted to share here. The orphan girl mentioned in the letter, Sasha, is a special girl. She stood out to me during my visit and it makes me so sad that they would threaten to send her to a mental institution for reading her Bible.

As you know, Katya has guardianship of four girls, two of which still
live in the orphanage. We only get them on the weekends and holidays.
According to the agreement, we can pick them up right now at the
beginning of the month, but the director of the orphanage is not
allowing the kids to go. The director is accusing Katya of being a
satanist who is brainwashing the children. The director is tormenting
us and the girls. 

Last week, the director put Sasha in an "isolation
room" and said so many terrible things to her that she fainted from
fear. The director took the girls' Bibles and told them that she would
send them to the state psychiatry hospital if they continued reading
the Bible. It is common to punish the orphans by sending them to the
psychiatry hospital(of course this is not official) - and Sasha has
already been sent there in the past. The mere thought of returning
sends her into a panic.

We are going to various government offices, fighting for the right to
take care of the kids. It is far from easy to go against a corrupt
system that is totally indifferent to the needs of the kids.

Please cry out to the Lord with us for this cause. We pray for grace,
wisdom and key people in the government that can help us. Share with
your church as we struggle together for the sake of the ''voiceless''.

Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
(Psalm 82:3)

In His Love and Hope,
Vivi

Sasha in 2008, dressed as a fairy princess. She LOVED pink!

Sasha on the right. She's grown up! Katya is in the center.