As things are changing so rapidly during this pandemic, I wanted to give you a quick update from our homes in Russia, India, and Kenya. And I’m happy to report that a lot of the news is good!

First of all, I’m ecstatic to report that everyone in our homes continues to be healthy. This is the hand of God, for sure.

I also want to let you know that your outpouring of support has already met many needs…I’ll get to some of those in a minute.

First, the report:

Some things appear to be consistent for all of our partners…they are staying home, schools are closed, masks are necessary in public. In addition, price gouging has made buying necessities a real challenge, and their governments have not stepped in to halt the price hikes the way ours did.

You have provided extra funds for each of our homes in order to compensate for the grocery price hikes.

Now for the specific reports we’re hearing from our fields:

Russia—The children in state-run orphanages are complaining that they miss our Bible Discovery Class teachers, who can’t visit during the quarantine. Many of the school-aged children are struggling because there are too few computers for all the kids to do their homework.

India—The combination of fear and desperation has resulted in violence on the streets. Some of it is from police trying to keep people inside; some is against medical workers trying to test or treat the ill. Many have been physically run out of communities as residents attempt to stone them.

Racial discrimination has escalated against Chinese—or anyone who may look Chinese. This has affected house parents in two of our homes who are actually from Manipur, a state in India’s northeast. Shopkeepers are refusing to sell to them and friends are denying knowing them.

In addition, many children’s homes in India have had increased requirements. Every day, they are to take each child’s temperature and report it. They also must send a record of their stock of medicines, bleach, hand sanitizer, etc. Every three days, they must fumigate the home and property.

You have provided digital thermometers, ample supplies and a fumigator to help these homes meet the government’s mandates.

Kenya-The Kenyan Department of Education is posting lessons for each grade at specified times on TV and radio. It has been difficult for all of the kids of different ages to tune in at correct times. There are nearly 30 boys of various ages in the home, and just one TV.

Clearly, your gifts and prayers are making a difference for the orphans The Boaz Project serves and their caregivers. Each of them wants to thank you for your prayers and gifts.

We know that the needs in each home will likely continue to increase in the coming days. If you’d like to give in order to assure our partners that we’ll be able help them face their mounting needs, you can do so here.

Believing in miracles,

April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director
The Boaz Project, Inc.

P.S. Thanks to the CARES Act, your donation of up to $300 can be deducted from income in 2020, whether or not you itemize your taxes. And if you do itemize, the limit on how much of your income can be deducted has been lifted for 2020. This makes NOW the perfect time to give!