While most foreigners don’t choose to go to Russia in December, The Boaz Project community is eager to share the true meaning of Christmas with orphans there. Last December, a small team visited seven homes, including the Boaz foster home, where they presented the gospel and offered Christmas gifts.
For the first time on a Russia Christmas trip, this team told the Christmas story with a set of hand puppets. The children were enthralled! Afterwards, the team invited the children to use the puppets to relay the story, too. It was fun to see how excited they got over these simple puppets.
The team also interacted with the children by doing crafts: a luminary and a nativity decoration. So, during their time in each orphanage they shared the Christmas story 3 times.
Most children received personal hygiene items, some candy, a scarf, a craft or hobby kit, and something they requested like books, a toy, or sports equipment.
To give you one short-termer’s perspective, we asked some questions of team member Jim Hassee.
The Boaz Project (TBP): Which activity from the week would you say was most effective in communicating God’s truth to the children you met?
Jim: The Puppet skit was key to telling the Christmas story in a unique way that allowed for children to remember and repeat it.
TBP: If a friend were considering going on a short-term mission trip, would you suggest going with The Boaz Project? Why or why not?
Jim: I would absolutely recommend going. Seeing pictures is not the same as physically engaging in a mission field experience. One can learn so much about the plight of orphans in Russia by going and sharing. An “in field” experience is the best way to fully appreciate the challenges and “heads winds” facing Russian orphans.
While we cannot “fix” the orphan situation, we can bring hope, encouragement, and the love of Jesus to the Russian orphans as we minister to them and their caregivers.
Plus, James 1:27 demands a response for those seeking to engage in religion that’s “Pure & Faultless.”
TBP: Can you share one thing you learned on this trip?
Jim: While Russian orphanages are improving and government funding has increased, there is still a great need in Russia. Plus, even with more adoptions and fostering, The Boaz Project fills a huge gap in the orphans’ need that will likely be needed for many years to come.
TBP: What advice would you give someone planning to go on a similar trip?
Jim: Go! Learn! Share!
You’ll be so glad you allowed God to open your eyes and serve Him in the mission field.
Believing in miracles,
April Jurgensen
I can’t even begin to imagine how happy I would be if someone came and gave me a Christmas present especially if I hadn’t gotten the chance to celebrate it often.
I can’t even begin to imagine how happy I would be if someone came and gave me a Christmas present especially if I hadn’t gotten the chance to celebrate it often
I agree with statement that one can learn so much for short term mission trip. The learning never stops, and it happens in places you don’t expect.