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Here,
my husband worked as pastor of the church, and I led the music ministry
and taught courses for women. In addition, we tried to help children in
difficult life situations, from dysfunctional families. Seeing children
who are deprived of parental love, care and attention is very hard;
it‘s impossible to get used to. Through the ministry to these children,
our church developed a good reputation in the social sphere and also
among parents. There are people who donate money to help the children,
and this enables us to buy food and clothing for them.
One
time, when I returned home from a women‘s meeting, my husband, who had
been reading an article about children who need parental love, in the
journal "The Hope for You‘ had something to tell me. "My heart
trembled," he said, "I believe that God spoke to me - that
our family should not have just one child, but several." We began
to pray about this. If the Lord speaks to you, and you want to hear
Him, you do not need much time to learn His will. When we asked Arina
if she would like a brother or a sister she always replied, "A
brother and a sister!"
The
Guardianship Department offered us a brother and a sister, Kolya (9)
and Tonya (8). The workers said, "Only you can help them get on
their feet, otherwise they will not survive." The girl, from age
seven to eight years old had been assaulted by her alcoholic father,
the boy was born sedigitate (with six fingers on his right hand).
No-one wants to have a child with problems; I also wanted this. But
God's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither His ways, our ways (Isaiah
55:8). In April 2008 Kolya and Tonya joined our family. In July that
year we were blessed once more with a miracle baby, Kiryusha (Cyril)
just six weeks old. He has become our favourite child, not only to us,
the parents, but to our children also. So, unexpectedly we have become
a family with many children. We have learned that God has given us with
these children, a real love for them, and wisdom and strength to bring
them up correctly.
Our
daughter Arina is now ten years old. She is studying in the fourth
grade general education school, as well as third-class at school of
arts in piano. In 2008, Arina was awarded the diploma of II degree of
regional competition for pupils of children's music schools. We want to
develop further her musical gift.
When
we met with Kolya, he studied in the second grade of specialized
boarding school. In September 2008 we transferred him to an ordinary
school and decided to duplicate the program of the second level with
the teacher. He had graduated from the school year without triple
scores, but Kolya is now eleven years old, studying in the third grade,
and performing highly. We are helping him to believe that with God's
help he can study well in regular school. Kolya was ridiculed by his
class-mates due to the congenital anomaly on his right hand. In 2009 he
was operated on in a hospital in Yekaterinburg. Now we are helping him
to exercise movement to develop the use of his thumb after the surgery.
Kolya is happy that he is no longer teased "sedigitate". Actually he is
a very sociable and loving boy; he welcomes everyone entering the
church, and becomes acquainted with the ones who come for the first
time.
Tonya
suffered severe psychological trauma in her first family. She had not
studied, and had not been certified for the first grades. It was
intended to transfer her to a boarding school for backward children.
But the headmaster granted our desire, and Tonya took once more the
first grades. She is in second grade now, and she is pains-taking and
diligent in her studies. In general, she is a calm, kind and caring
girl; she loves to draw and sing, and is happy to communicate with her
younger brother Kiryusha. Kolya and Tonya initially had poor health.
For us children's health is very important. We try to teach our
children a proper diet and exercise. In the beginning it was hard for
them to walk for 20-30 minutes. Tonya did not know how to run. Now
Kolya is marked the "best runner‘ of his grade, he took second place in
the class. To-nya became more assertive in games.
Cyril
- our golden child, beloved and charming, is a quick-witted,
inquisitive and cheerful boy, with masses of energy to spare. Kiryusha
helps us to "educate” the old-er sisters and brother, mastering the
computer and other equipment, and bringing "order" to the apartment. We
are very fond of him and the other children spoil him a little.
In
our family, father is the head. He cares about the welfare of the
family, about our spiritual and physical health. In addressing complex
issues he always has the last word. The same responsibility and care we
teach Kolya. He will be the future man, the breadwinner of the family
and should be able to do everything to fulfill his responsibility. Our
girls learn to be good housewives, to manage the kitchen, always to
look charming, to be kind and compassionate.
Our
family is open for fellowship with other people. After all, we are
missionaries. We love to receive visitors and participate in various
activities. We are members of an organization, "Heart of Gold", which
arranges fostering for families. Our song "Past flowed, the river
flowed" has become the anthem of the organisation.
For
us it is very important for our children, above all, to receive Christ
into their hearts and dedicate their lives to Him. We hope they will
always want to come home, and that the family for them will be a place
where they are always under-stood, have comfort, and find encouragement
to live a happy and fulfilled life.
We
want very much to be, for our children, an example of Christian life
and ministry to God. Our Lord does not leave us without His guidance
and blessings.
Elena Podpovidnaya
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