You can help the most vulnerable during this crisis!
So many of you have asked how our homes and children are doing during this pandemic that we thought we’d post a quick little video update.
Our caregivers want you to know that they’re so thankful that you partner with them to care for orphans and that they are praying for you!.
The Difference You Make! 4.13.2020
I was standing in my narrow row of cream-colored plastic chairs, watching the young men who played guitar and sang from their hearts. Their arms lifted in worship, they were praising from their souls.
“Blessed Be Your Name
in the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name”
I realized abundance looked very different to them than it does to me. For these older boys from Agape Fellowship Children’s Home in India who were leading their congregation in worship, life at Agape is the land that is plentiful. It is where they have “family,” where they are fed, where they know safety. Those necessities equate to more abundance than they’ve ever known.
They continued sing one of my all-time favorite songs, “Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman.
“Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name”
I couldn’t help but think of their stories, stories of tragedy, pain, and rejection. They know what it means to be found in a desert place. They have truly walked the road marked with suffering.
What’s the difference between the two? What has changed these young men’s road marked with suffering into their land that is plentiful? And that of all the children The Boaz Project serves?
You.
Your generosity, your prayers, your advocacy have all made a huge life change for orphans around the globe.
For 20 years, the Boaz community has been caring for orphans. You have provided food, shelter, clothing, and attention for vulnerable children. You have assured these children that they are loved by their Heavenly Father, and you have communicated Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Today, their need is as great as ever.
Though we have an emergency fund prepared to serve a children’s home during a crisis, we never dreamed of a scenario in which all of our homes in Russia, India, and Kenya would be impacted at once. But as you know, that day has arrived.
Covid-19 has disrupted life for all of us to varying degrees.
For our children’s homes, price gouging and medical expenses have converged to create expenses well beyond their norms. In the meantime, several of our most faithful donors have experienced job loss, asset reductions, and business closures.
But these children still depend on our community for help. We’re estimating we’ll need an additional $13,500 to continue ongoing support for our homes, urgent medical needs, and the loss of income due to donors who are currently unable to give.
If you are looking for a way to make a real impact in the middle of this global pandemic, making a gift to The Boaz Project today will help keep the vulnerable orphans we love fed and sheltered and will provide access to medical care when needed.
Assure the children they are not forgotten in the midst of this global crisis by continuing to provide for their needs. You can give online on this page or send a check to: The Boaz Project at P.O. Box 47188, Indianapolis, IN 46247 – please include a note that your donation is for Covid-19
On behalf of the orphans we serve, thank you.
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!
The Latest Updates
5.25.2020 Update
If you were able to attend our live stream event with Nastya, our coordinator in Vladimir, Russia, you were able to hear her updates from our orphanages there as well as be encouraged by her heart for orphans. In case you weren’t, I thought I’d pass along her update regarding the Corona virus and the orphanages:
Our city of Vladimir has been under lockdown. Only essential workers could work. If you needed to leave your home, you had to go online to request a pass. For essential workers, your pass would last for two weeks. If you are not, but you just needed a pass in order to go to the doctor or something like that, you had to wait for the time slot they allowed you to be out. Then, of course, you had to wear a mask.
Things have begun to open up more now, though. But still, no one is currently permitted to enter any of the orphanages in the region because of Covid-19-related quarantines.
We continue to stay in contact with the directors in each orphanage and ask how we can be helpful to them. Some send us pictures of the children. One even allows us to continue to talk with the school-aged children over Zoom.
The biggest challenge our orphanages are facing is distance learning. There is only one computer for ten children, and they are of all different grade levels. So getting each child a turn is difficult. Plus, many of the children need help with their schoolwork, but there is a limited staff.
We offered to help the children with their schoolwork, but since we are not permitted to be at the orphanage for now, that isn’t really feasible.
Please pray for additional workers to help us in the orphanages once they re-open and that a couple of orphanages we’ve been talking to will allow us to begin regular work their when the pandemic subsides.
Note: Since this update from Nastya, we’ve offered to buy computers to help the children with their schoolwork. We are waiting to hear if that would be helpful or if the lack of staff prevents them from making use of them.
Believing in miracles,
April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director
The Boaz Project, Inc.
Follow us on social media for some fun posts about how the kids in our children’s homes are spending their time while quarantined.
Instagram @boazproject
5.18.2020 Update
This week’s update is from one of our homes in Bangalore, India. Morong, the house father, gave the following information regarding his children’s home and how it has been affected by Covid-19:
One of the most difficult things about this Corona virus season for Morong is that he traveled to his hometown in India’s northeast prior to the shut-down, so he has not been allowed to travel back to Bangalore. He misses his family and regrets that his wife is having to care for all of the children alone for so long under such stressful circumstances.
He is also disappointed that The Boaz Project’s house parent training, which was scheduled for March, had to be canceled. He misses the instruction, as well as the fellowship with other house parents.
On the other hand, he acknowledges that the shut down has allowed him additional time to spend in prayer and Bible study. “Psalm 91 has been my passage throughout this quarantine. I use it to preach, to read, to talk to my children on a video call. It encourages us that God is our strength and protection.”
His wife chimed in, saying that she has told the children, “The whole world is shut down right now, but nothing can shut down our prayers!”
Morong concluded with his gratitude for your support in this difficult time. He said, “Without The Boaz Project, our children would not survive. I can boldly say that without you, my children would be struggling. They would be starving.”
Thank you for your prayers and support which sustain all of our children’s homes.
Believing in miracles,
April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director
The Boaz Project, Inc.
Follow us on social media for some fun posts about how the kids in our children’s homes are spending their time while quarantined.
Instagram @boazproject
5.11.2020 Update
I just talked to Philip, the house father of one of our children’s homes in an area of India that has been hard-hit by Covid-19. I wanted to share his update with you:
For 40 days now, his village has been under police control due to a large number of cases of the Corona virus. If anyone is caught stepping outside of their home—even onto their own property—they can be beaten.
The only medical clinic in the region has been closed down because they are unable to treat Covid-19 patients.
For these reasons, Philip made arrangements for the boys from his home to be placed in host homes in a neighboring village where the lockdown is more comparable to what we’ve experienced here in the U.S. It is possible to go outside or into a shop as long as you are wearing a mask. Though he is required to pay these homes, he is hoping that they will reduce the boys’ fear and anxiety.
Philip found a “secret” path to the village where the boys are staying, away from roads which are heavily patrolled. He used this trail to get the boys to their host homes and uses it frequently to check on them. Once he makes it to this neighboring village, it is permitted for him to gather with the boys (in masks) to visit with them and spend time in prayer. They include you, the donors who are providing their needs, in those prayers.
Philip has asked us to pray specifically for Sandoz, who routinely needs medical attention for jaundice, but cannot get it during this quarantine.
Thank you for keeping Sandoz, Philip, and all of our children’s homes in your prayers!
Believing in miracles,
April Jurgensen
Founder/Executive Director
The Boaz Project, Inc.
Follow us on social media for some fun posts about how the kids in our children’s homes are spending their time while quarantined.
Instagram @boazproject
4.29.2020 Update
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.
Follow us on social media for some fun posts about how the kids in our children’s homes are spending their time while quarantined.
Instagram @boazproject
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.
4.24.2020 Update
Our recent communications have said that we knew it was a matter of time before we would see the impact Covid-19 would have on our children’s homes. Well, I think we’re just starting to find out.
I shot this quick, four-minute video this morning to update you and ask for your prayers.
Still believing in miracles,
April
Founder/Executive Director
The Boaz Project
P.S.—We’re working on a plan for you to hear from some of our children’s homes directly. You’ll hear more about that soon!
4.22.2020 Update
4.8.2020 Update
Clearly, we are living in unprecedented times.
Just weeks ago, most of us were living very different lives from today’s reality. We were moving about freely, gainfully employed, and in frequent contact with others. Though nothing about Covid-19 has come as a surprise to our Lord, we were blissfully ignorant of the dramatic changes that awaited us…and everyone around the world.
As we navigate these unchartered waters together, may we stay mindful of the needs of others for whom we can pray and whom we can support. To this end, we hope to keep you informed about the specific needs and requests from our children’s’ homes in Russia, India, and Kenya.
We are so, so grateful to report that as of this writing, none of the children or caregivers in our homes has been symptomatic for Covid-19. This is an incredible blessing and we thank God for His protection.
That is not to say, however, that they have been unaffected.
Russia: The state orphanages in Russia are officially quarantined. This means our Bible Discovery Class teachers and baby nurturers are not allowed to enter the premises. Please pray that the Word that has been sown into orphans’ hearts will bear fruit in these days, reminding them that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them…even when there is no human to assure them.
Our foster home is practicing good hygiene and avoiding social interactions in order to protect their children.
India: While none of our homes has been infected with Covid-19, the virus has disrupted the children’s lives in dramatic ways.
We have received videos from our house parents which show the unbelievable level of violence and fear gripping India. Some portray police brutality toward citizens on the streets. Others record mobs chasing and trying to stone medical workers attempting to help their communities.
In addition, persecution toward our house parents and children from Northeastern India—who look more Chinese than Indian—has prevented them from being allowed to shop in some grocery stores. Some friends are even denying knowing them!
In addition, Covid-19-related price gouging has made their typical budgets unreasonably tight.
Kenya: All of the boys from El Shaddai Children’s Center who were away at college or university have been sent back to the home. This—along with grocery price hikes—has strained their budget.
The home is not accepting visitors and is limiting the boys’ interactions in the community in order to keep them virus-free.
As you can see, even though our homes are technically virus-free, this pandemic has made our children’s difficult circumstances even more complex. We are so grateful for you, our faithful community, who continues to pray and give in order for their needs to be met.
If you wish to make a donation to help in this critical time, please see the donate form on this page.
6.8.2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has created chaos and desperation around the globe, but your intervention through prayer and giving has brought hope to many. We thought you’d like to hear directly from our partners, so we pulled these quotes from their correspondence with us or the live streams we held. Be blessed, knowing you’ve made an impact.
“Our hearts are full of thanks for all the donors for their wonderful concern towards our country & our home.”
Pastor Christopher of Comeback Children’s Home, on receiving a computer, projector, speaker, desks, chairs, and a filing cabinet in order for the children in his home to have access to distance learning. They have been grateful for increased support to cover increased grocery prices as well as a fumigator and supplies the government requires them to have, like hand sanitizer, bleach, thermometers, etc.
You provided support for the boys to be hosted in other homes in order to comply with social distancing requirements, but hopefully, the will be able to return to Comeback Children’s Home soon.
“First, we are thankful to God and then to the Boaz team. We are thankful to donors, especially in this time when there are so many children on the street. With so many out of work, there are more children on the street.”
-Pastor James
Bethany Blessing Children’s Home
Because his church is not currently able to meet and give offerings, Pastor James has no way to pay utility bills. Your generous support has covered those in addition to his regular monthly assistance and an increased allotment for grocery price hikes.
In tears, Christy from House of Joy said, “Thanks to your prayers, God is giving us strength.” Joseph, Christy, and the girls from House of Joy have been secluded in their home for more than fifty days, unable to go outside, even on their own property. They must order groceries to be delivered, but it takes several days, and meat is not available.
The home has been praying around the clock, with each member of the “family” taking half hour blocks at a time.
“Warm greetings to you in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are thankful to God and to you for the support you have extended for the orphans at our children’s home in Puliangudi. The Lord has been so grateful to us thus far.
May God abundantly reward your efforts for the furtherance of the kingdom of God. Our boys love to pray for the ministry you are doing.”
Philip
Bethel House
For two months now, Philip’s village has been under police control. If anyone is caught stepping outside of their home—even onto their own property—they will be beaten.
Philip made arrangements for the boys from his home to be placed in host homes in a neighboring village. Though he is required to pay these homes, he is hoping that they will reduce the boys’ fear and anxiety. Philip visits them to spend time in prayer. They include you, the donors who are providing their needs, in those prayers.
You have provided the fees for these boys to be hosted in a safer village.
“Thank you for your extra support at this time, as grocery prices have become so high. Not only that, but your encouragement and advice are also a blessing for us…We thank God for Boaz being the backbone of our ministry… We don’t know the names of all the donors, but still we pray for them.”
Pastor Tonglen
Agape Fellowship Home
Pastor Tonglen has been the object of racial discrimination because he is from India’s northeast and looks more Chinese than Indian. Some stores have refused to sell to him and friends have denied knowing him.
You have provided an increased budget and some necessities—like a refrigerator—to help them during this pandemic.
“Without Boaz, our children would not survive (this pandemic). I can boldly say that without the help of The Boaz Project, my children would be struggling. They would be starving.”
Morong
Jireh Children’s Home
Morong was visiting his home state in India’s northeast when the quarantine began and has been unable to return to Jireh. His wife has been caring for the children on her own.
“Many thanks for your compassionate and undivided concern for us. Many thanks to all The Boaz Project team. How true it is that God mobilizes His networks in order to address the needs of His children.
Once again, accept our deepest appreciation and please extend the same to all your donors.”
Rev. Lydia
El Shaddai Children’s Center
You helped provide computers and a printer so the boys of El Shaddai can tackle distance learning. It wasn’t possible for boys of all grade levels to stream simultaneously to the one television they had. Also, you have provided El Shaddai with increased support due to increased prices and older boys returning to the home from college or secondary boarding schools.
“No one is permitted to go to the orphanages, but I still stay in contact with the directors and they send us pictures. At one of the orphanages, our volunteers are using Zoom to talk with the children.”
Nastya
Boaz administrator for four orphanages
Vladimir, Russia
While Russia remains quarantined, our partners there continue to interact with the children via Zoom and social media.
You have provided additional computers in order for the children to do distance learning.
“Thank you for your concern for us, support and prayers. We thank God for everything!”
Sergei Zaozersky
Foster Dad
Russian Christian Foster Home
The Zaozersky family has remained under quarantine, keeping the children home from school, church, and meetings with friends. In order to fill the time, they’ve found creative outlets like sculpting with clay, drawing pictures, and playing board games. They’re thankful for the home we’ve provided, which has a yard to play in.
“The head of the children’s hospital (where they care for abandoned babies) contacted me, crying and saying they really are in desperate need of help. They needed diapers and hygiene products …I bought everything they needed and drove it there.”
Anna
Khabarovsk, Russia
Anna manages The Boaz Project’s work in several orphanages. While volunteers are not currently permitted to go to the institutions due to quarantine, she testifies that help is needed greatly.
If you would like to continue supporting those caring for orphans during these desperate times, please donate below.
Believing in miracles,
April Jurgensen
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