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We are glad to tell you about a wonderful event that signalized the beginning of the new year. A group of 12 American students with their supervisor Pastor Rob arrived from the state of Alabama in Ufa. We all together drove to the boarding school located in the village of Voskresensk. Chris Carr, our old friend, accompanied us during the whole trip. He and his family live in Ufa. |
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 The
American guests donated funds to purchase building materials for repairs
of one of the orphanage rooms. They also supported the boarding school
with a grass cutter. However, the students also wanted to help the
boarding school by doing something useful on the spot. That is why they
came to set up new furniture and school desks for the orphans. Afterwards,
they all together cleaned up the snow on the territory of the boarding
school. It was the first time that the orphans did not have to do any
routine work they usually did every day. As the teachers said the children
usually cleaned up all the paths and lanes by the time the administration
of the boarding school came to work. |
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children live and learn at the boarding school today. However, the most
part of the children usually go to sanatoria, winter camps, medical
treatment, relatives and friends, New Year social events to Ufa for winter
holidays. That is why the American students saw the children who stayed at
the boarding school. However, our communication was wonderful. They met us
holding a Russian caravai (a big round loaf) and national Bashkir dish
called “chak-chak”. The hosts showed us the whole boarding school. The
children showed us their classrooms, workshops, rabbits, hens and horses.
Afterwards, we had a chance to ride the horses. It was a wonderful ride
with the bells ringing beautifully. We also visited an art museum and went
for a walk across the village. The administration of the boarding school,
the children and the guests all got presents. We prayed all together
before dinner and before going to bed at night. |
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“I can do everything from Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) May God keep you and guard you.
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Charitable "Children's" Fund Andrew and Gulnara Mass
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Dear
friends,
The
orphans showed us a gorgeous concert. We also participated in a walk
around the beautiful New Year tree. Our guests sang Christmas songs and
blessed Bibles to the children. The students distributed everyone their
printed certificates telling us how they came to God and opened their
hearts to Jesus Christ. The whole boarding school came to the entrance
hall to say good bye to their American guests. In the end they sang a
beautiful song the piano accordion playing. 
It
was a terrible snow storm on the way back home. We could hardly see the
road. The white snow wall was the only thing we could see instead. Our new
American friends had never seen such a blizzard before. However, everyone
was in high spirits. In the town of Sterlitamak we drove up to a small
home church where we prayed and glorified God together with other brothers
and sisters in Christ. After having a fast dinner, late in the evening, we
drove home. We had to drive other 125 km to get Ufa. 
Everybody
got unforgettable impressions about the trip. We are all the children of
God and this unites us no matter what part of the world we live at. We can
come together to help orphans, to support those who are weaker than we,
who need spiritual and moral uphold. We all can carry particles of God’s
love in each of us and you, our best friends. 
