Monday, April 29, 2013

Hope is spreading to Siberia!


But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. – Psalm 10:14
                       

I cannot fully express to you how beautiful this verse has become to me.  God is breaking my heart for what breaks His through the mission trips to Ukraine I’ve taken part in, and I hope I never recover from the wound until the day the Lord completes His story of restoration and indeed makes all things new (Rev. 21).

Restoration starts now.  God has given me the incredible privilege to join once again with Northland Church and Hope for Orphans, this time through an orphan camp in Omsk, Russia (in the province of Siberia!).  Partnering alongside a local church in Omsk, we will share Bible stories, play various games and sports, perform skits, teach crafts; and be a source of love, hope, and joy for orphans who desperately need to experience the fullness of Jesus.  Many of these children are street kids – abandoned by their parents, literally orphaned, or run-aways escaping abusive homes.  Most of them end up in crime or prostitution because they are completely vulnerable without anyone to care for or defend them.  Orphans are culturally viewed as “someone else’s problem.”

But the Lord doesn’t view them that way; He sees His precious children created in the dignity and value of His image, and Hope for Orphans seeks to reveal this Truth in word and deed.  I fully believe in the restoration God is bringing through the ministry of HfO.  I’m honored to be a part of a small team who volunteer our time to help HfO develop a new website and find the resources HfO needs in order to develop a trade school and transition home where orphans can escape the cycle of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.  As amazing as HfO’s orphan camps are, there is so much more to come!

I leave for orphan camp in Omsk on July 8th and will return July 20th.  This is something I cannot possibly do alone.  Would you consider supporting me financially and through prayer?  The visas required in order to travel to Russia are expensive, and the trip will cost $3,300 total.  You can donate to my trip online through this link: http://donate.northlandchurch.net/abi-mills  

Russia is a spiritual wasteland.  Please pray that we will boldly and joyfully bear the good news of the Gospel to Russia’s “least of these.”  I am praying every morning during my drive to work for this trip and the children we will meet – it’d be wonderful if you would commit to do the same!