Children in Barskoye open their presents

As children, many of us have wondered just what it would be like to be one of Santa’s elves, helping prepare toys for children and magically travelling from home to home, leaving surprises for boys and girls.

Well, The Boaz Project’s Christmas trips are probably as close to that dream as one can actually live out.

This year, a team of six Americans flew to Vladimir, Russia.

Their sleigh, a Boeing  767.

Once there, they purchased toys, slippers, bath towels, tooth brushes and toothpaste, athletic equipment, socks, gloves, and mittens.  Then they began assembling gift packages for 400 orphans and delivering them in rapid succession.

Of course, the analogy kind of breaks down there, as I’ve never heard of Rudolph losing any of the bags along the way, while our team had three duffels lost to the abyss of commercial airlines.  But in due time, they were returned, and the contents were distributed among eight orphanages.

And a Boaz team member stayed longer than to just “lay a finger aside of his nose.”  In most of the orphanages (those not under quarantine due to the H1N1 virus), the team stayed to play with the children, learn about their lives, or be entertained by their concerts.

Most importantly, the team brought joy that will last beyond Christmas morning.  They brought the  hope of a Savior who loves each child

While in the Vladimir region, The Boaz Project’s December team visited the children of Sobinka.

Sobinka Ripe for Harvest

Boys in Sobinka

Nearly everyone who’s traveled to Vladimir with The Boaz Project has a vivid memory from Sobinka.  Most who joined us on teams in our earliest years recall the stench that permeated from the building before even entering it.  Some remember boys fist-fighting over gifts we had just delivered and girls who could look no one in the face.

And then there was the team that prayed for the director to be removed from her post…which would take a real miracle.  Within weeks of their visit, word came that a new director was in place.  They also prayed for the Bible Discovery class teacher, Ira, that her words of hope would reach the orphans’ hearts.

Those who’ve come more recently see Sobinka in a different way.  Thanks to construction Boaz teams, the orphanage no longer smells.  The newer director has improved living conditions, food quality, and extra-curricular options for the children living there.

But erecting new walls and giving the place a good coat of paint can be accomplished so much more quickly than healing the heart.

Today there is openness in Sobinka we’ve never experienced before.  Our last team to hold a VBS in Sobinka discussed deep matters with the older kids, who were willing to expose their wounds for just a moment.  The children appear hungry for adult interaction, for guidance, even for knowing the God who created them.  And we at The Boaz Project are eager to seize the opportunity to share Christ’s love with them.

But for purely financial reasons, the church that has supported The Boaz Project’s work in Sobinka has recently been forced to reduce their giving, eliminating the support they can give to this particular orphanage.

That’s why we need your help.

To continue helping the children of Sobinka, The Boaz Project must find $425 per month in new gifts.

Enclosed you’ll find a card asking you to consider making a financial commitment to these children.

Or, you can give online at www.boazproject.org Click Donate and be sure to designate your gift for Sobinka.

If you know of a small group, church, or organization who may be interested in sponsoring the Sobinka Children’s Home, please present this need to them, as well.

Financial gifts will enable The Boaz Project to build on the relationship developed with orphans in that home over a ten-year period.  Now that the harvest is ripe, we can’t stop our ministry to these children and teens!  Please pray The Boaz Project will be able to continue offering hope to them.