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His situation seems hopeless. His name is Valya and I met him in the village orphanage where he lives in the Russian Far East. He and his sister were placed there after their mother was incarcerated for murdering their grandfather—an event that both children witnessed. I watch Valya as he has his face painted by a missionary. Valya doesn’t say anything, and he doesn’t smile very much. But he seems to be enjoying the attention.
Throughout this vast country, orphanages dot the landscape in cities and villages alike. The Soviets responded to the needs of children at risk by building institutions. Current reports indicate that there are about 500,000 “orphans” in Russia. Some are in orphanages because their parents are not living. Others are from families unable to financially support them. And still others have been sent to orphanages specifically for disabled children.
Recently I spent several weeks in Asia, mostly in the area of Khabarovsk, which is located in eastern Russia across the Amur River from the northeast corner of China. I had the opportunity to visit a number of the orphanages where members of the Mission Society team are sharing God’s love with these forgotten children.
In one orphanage for infants, volunteers come just to hold babies for a while because the orphanage is understaffed and is unable to provide the necessary attention. Older children in other orphanages soak up the attention as they participate in games, crafts, storytelling, and other activities led by the missionaries. With each visit I was deeply touched by the manner in which missionaries and nationals alike minister to these children out of a sense of love.
Under current Russian law, explicit evangelism in orphanages is not permitted. However as Mission Society field leader Sue Fuller explains, “We build relationships with these children. They know we are believers, and they know why we are here. And when they graduate out of the orphanage, we have built a relationship with them that allows us to guide and minister to them.”
In this society where orphans are often discriminated against and are not expected to thrive in society, it is encouraging to see glimmers of hope. Masha grew up in a orphanage, and is now a young lady. With the help of the missionaries, she has become the first village orphan from that region to gain admission to a university. She is now in her freshman year and is living with two Mission Society missionaries. Masha recently visited the orphanage where she spent her childhood, and the caretakers commented about how she seems to have more confidence and exude a sense of belonging.
Although I have visited several orphanages in Russia over the past eight years, I still come away from such an experience with a heavy, soulful heart. Each child has a story filled with sadness. And I find myself asking the question “God, where are you in the midst of all of this pain?”
While on this trip I explored some of the 40 or so places in the Bible where orphans—or the “fatherless”—are mentioned. God’s heart of compassion for these children is vividly evident. The book of James states: “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans…in their distress….”
The love of Christ is most effectively conveyed when believers have responded because they have been brokenhearted over the things that break the heart of God. When this is the case, it is generally evident that the ministry is motivated by love, rather than guilt or obligation. This enables those who receive ministry to consider themselves as recipients of God’s love, rather than as the objects of someone’s project. As a result they are more likely to experience the Giver, rather than merely the gift; or, the “face” of God rather than just the “hand” of God. In speaking about one specific place of ministry, Sue Fuller made the statement that “after four years, the kids at [a certain] orphanage no longer ask us what we brought them. They are just happy to see us.”
As missionaries and nationals minister compassion to these forgotten children, the seemingly hopeless situation becomes a story of hope. Some provide hope through adoption, others by serving on a short-term team, and still others by becoming a missionary and living in a place that enables them to develop long-term ministries of compassion.
They seem to be doing something very close to the heart of God. And, as a result, kids like Valya discover that their heavenly Father is looking for them.
Frank Decker is the Vice President for Mission Ministries of the Mission Society for United Methodists. He currently directs the missionary training program and serves as the regional coordinator for Europe, Africa, and the Northern Far East.
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