E-Vangel
Newsletter
August
6, 2012
Pastorgraphs: “A Pastor’s
Dream for Every Child”
Pastor Elena Sokolova serves God in
Khabarovsk, (Far East) Russia. We have been supporting her unique “street
orphan ministry” since 2009.
Pastor Elena rounds up children who
would otherwise live on the streets, including the beautiful girl with a
megawatt smile in the photo. Some have parents, but due to alcoholism, drugs,
and despair, many children must fend for themselves. They are easy prey for
gangs, drugs, and sexual slavery. That is, until Pastor Elena intervenes with
food, clothing, a warm place to stay, and most importantly, the only genuine
love many of them have ever experienced.
She recently wrote: “Our dream is
that every child who ever comes to our Church receives Jesus Christ in their
heart and can feel happy and secure.
Children coming to the apartment for
children’s ministry can have rest and warmth in winter, can draw pictures,
watch cartoons and movies, read the Bible, learn about God's love, do homework,
play table games and have a hot meal. We can see the children grow
spiritually and mentally. Although it is not simple process.”
Inflation is taking a terrible toll
in Far East Russia. Pastor Elena wrote, “The rate of exchange during the
time of my living in Khabarovsk (since 2004) changed from 24 to
32 rubles.” She said a loaf of bread when she arrived cost 9 rubles; now it
costs 24 rubles! Rent for the apartment which serves as their sanctuary and
shelter increased 20% last month. The cost of living in Khabarovsk is greater
than in Moscow.
“We try to spend money very
carefully,” she added. “To feed children well and economically three times a
week requires $250 every month.”
She buys the children boots and
heavy coats for the harsh Siberian winters.
Christ Church continues to receive a
Communion Offering for this ministry, and we wire at least $1,000 per quarter
to Svetlaya Methodist Church for this cause. In addition, one of our generous
supporters sends $1,500 per quarter to the Board of Global Ministries for Pastor
Elena’s salary and benefits.
“Our task is not to allow our
children to perish; and bring the peace, joy and love of God.”
Pastor Elena closed by saying,
“Every Sunday service we pray for your church and for every person who supports
our ministry. We ask God to heal those who have health problems. We pray that
your church will be blessed greatly and your family’s needs be met.
May God always richly bless you
and your ministry.
With much love, church "Svetlaya" and
pastor Elena Sokolova”
If you would like to help Pastor
Elena in the amazing work she does, your generous donations will be most
appreciated. 100% of donations made through Christ Ministry Center go to this
ministry.
Bless you, one and all, Brother Bill
From the Quote Garden
“Sometime in your life, hope that
you might see one starved man, the look on his face when the bread finally
arrives. Hope that you might have baked it or bought or even kneaded it
yourself. For that look on his face, for your meeting his eyes across a piece
of bread, you might be willing to lose a lot, or suffer a lot, or die a little,
even.”
~ Daniel Berrigan
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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