Expectations for Yurievets are blurry. The anticipation of making a difference is intoxicating. The reality of Russia’s orphanages is sombering. Just two days ago, NPR released a story about Russia’s orphanages.
In short, the story highlights the Russian government’s recent decision to ban foreign adoption. Allegedly, this is a “temporary measure,” but the Russian Education Ministry has made it known that Russia is uncomfortable with the amount of foreign adoptions taking place. Roughly over half of Russia’s 15,000 annual adoptions come from international agencies.
The article goes on to tell how Russia’s orphans are set up for failure and fail to provide the single most important source of life: love. The irony is that Russia’s government severely–you guessed it–underfunds its orphanages. Without proper funding–as with every social cause–how can Russia sincerely plan on raising her orphans.
The orphanages, including ours, are in poor conditions. Recently, a wall caved in on the only bathroom in one of the primary buildings at the orphanage. To live in these conditions on a daily basis and call it home is reprehensible.
But all the more reason for our team to travel to Russia. God promises to reach into the muck and the mire and save his children. Perhaps that is part of God’s plan in raising a team to go to Russia. We will be his feet, but we need your hands to pray for God to go before us. For God to bring light to a dark 6 acres in Yurievets, Russia.
