2013 goal—1,435 Children Providing: Spiritual and moral education Healthcare checks and treatment Physical improvement and development Creative classes Accepting: Children from all the regions of Belarus Children from the Chernobyl Territory Low income children Children from large families and orphanages
April, 2013
Meet the Children...
Dear Friends of “Zhemchuzhinka”: Just as Caleb and Joshua brought a “favorable” report from their reconnaissance trip into the Promised Land, the news about Zhemchuzhinka is favorable. Plans are made for the 2013 summer at Kobrin Children‟s Healthcare Center. In anticipation of God‟s continued blessing, the theme of “Favorable Summer” was chosen. All that remains is for friends like you and me to respond to God‟s prompting to provide financial resources. Pray that leaders and children will experience a “Favorable Summer”. The first camp of 2013 will begin May 27 and the last camp concludes August 28. During 81 days of camp there will be eight different groups of children. Plans are to touch the lives of 1,435 children during summer 2013. An average investment of $151 will provide for a child to receive ten days of Christian care, training, and love. Although inflation within Belarus presents difficult challenges for the camp leadership, it continues to be remarkable how U. S. dollars are stretched. In this report are testimonies from children that attended in 2012 and a report from Vladimir Vandich, Camp Director. As you read these, I hope you will recognize the “favorable reports of God at work in Zhemchuzhinka and be excited about ways you might help make “Favorable Summer” 2013” happen. Thank you for your generous response,
“I learned more about God here. I like Bible stories, sport games, water park, trampoline and tasty food. I met a lot of friends in this camp.” Julia Sapengina, 10 years old, lives in Terekhovka village, Gomel region. She has three brothers; Anton, Andrew and Daniel.
“I like Bible stories, prayers, scene, water park, dining room. I decided that I will go to the church after camp.” Victoria Govorva, 10 years old, from Minsk. She has three sisters; Marina, Diana, Gloria and three brothers; Benjamin, David, and Daniel.
“I liked virtually all—lessons, games, food and our teachers. I learned a lot about God and I will praise Him.” Irina Korchik, 14 years old, lives in Wokla Village, Brest Region.
“I liked sport games which were fascinating, I liked all words about God. I changed a lot in many ways.”
Arthur Mel‟nik, 12 years old, lives in the township of Gatovo. He has four brothers: Vladimir, Viadislav, Artem, and Ivan.
“I remembered the game „air crash,‟ and Bible stories. I realized all my sins and decided to return to God.”
Julia Kozhanovskaya, lives in the Brest Region. She has three sisters and one brother; Alesia, Lily, Anita, and Ivan.
Camper Statistics
68% Come from unbelieving parents
22% Low-income families
34%
Stephen E. Mathis, CFP® Executive Vice President, Missouri Baptist Foundation On behalf of Belarus Ministries Support Fund
Large families
3% 2012 Results . . .
History The Kobrin Children‟s Healthcare Center, “Zhemchuzhinka,” began its work on June 3, 1995.
Donations for the Camp Provide: Blankets Sheets Pillows/Covers Towels Mattresses Beds Medical supplies Sports equipment Clothes Medicines Food* Scissors, Pencils, Pens, Paper Transportation to/from the camp
The breakdown of the USSR in the early 1990‟s left the country with closed factories, lost jobs and high immigration. It also opened the way for construction of churches, evangelism and work with children. The Chernobyl disaster of the 1990‟s displaced hundreds of thousands, but left more than a million people in radiation-contaminated areas. A high rate of cancer *The Camp maintains a farm and grows potatoes and vegetables developed within Belarus. Medical care was not available. to help reduce operating expenses. Beginning June, 2012, the House of Mercy began its yearConsidering these two situations, the Baptist Union of round ministry for elderly Belarus made the decision to create a children‟s center to try and people. It consists of one meet the needs of children. complex with Zhemchuzinka. The Camp has greenhouses and The center is on 40 hectacres of land that previously was a a bakery for providing the Soviet military base. The buildings used for the camp were once children and elderly with barracks, a café, and administration buildings. healthy food.
Good weather, renovated housing, the installation of a trampoline and above-ground swimming pool helped achieve a “good mark” in the “conduction of the children‟s camps. It was a blessed time for children.” Camps were held June 4 through August 13: three 15-day camps for children, an 8-day camp for teenagers, an 8-day camp for children and one 7-day camp for children. 1,115 children were reached. Programs were well-prepared by the staff of 65 who served throughout the summer. 1. Children from unbelieving families learned to pray. 2. All children had Bible lessons and all children participated in games with biblical themes. 3. More than 300 children came to know the Lord. 4. Some children “changed their behaviors.” 5. Medical examinations revealed diseases in some children which parents did not know. 6. Dental care was provided to all children.
7. Children joined in the Christian culture: singing Christian songs, reading the Bible, and pondering over God‟s instructions.
Special Blessings From Vladimir Vandich, Camp Director
“The State Commission demanded several renovations of buildings and grounds before the camp could open in 2012. An overhaul of housing and installation of a fire warning system was required. This determination was made May 28. The State Commission and Belarussian Baptist leadership did not think that all repairs could be done in such a short time. But, on June 2, all work was completed. God prepared the hearts of workers and they worked 20 hours per day to accomplish many tasks. We couldn‟t gather all necessary funds for all the planned changes. This was a disappointment for the staff and children. We pray that God will open His sources for further work and service to the children.”
Disabled
9.4% Come from orphanages
6% Single-parent families
4% Have parents with drinking problems
Missouri Baptist Foundation 400 East High, Suite 500 Jefferson City, MO 65101 www.mbfn.org
Your Support . . . An effective means to provide financial support for Zhemchuzhinka is to make your gifts through the Belarus Ministries Support Fund at Missouri Baptist Foundation (MBF). Funds are collected at MBF and wired to the Children’s Healthcare Center at Kobrin. The Belarussian government approves the Children’s Healthcare Center receiving these funds as humanitarian aid. This allows exemption from the 10% tax on funds transferred to Belarus. The Children’s Healthcare Center can then acquire needed items. The Belarus Ministries Support Fund was established by Kobrin Christian Ministries, The Pearl of Belarus—Willard A. Zeiser, Founder, to efficiently receive and distribute financial resources to assist Baptist work in Belarus. Additional copies of this informational brochure are available by contacting the Missouri Baptist Foundation, 1-800-776-0747 or foundation@mbfn.org.