Thankful

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer! It’s been almost two weeks since I last wrote an update and so much has changed for me. It’s been challenging, but as always God is sovereign and God is good!

Right after, I last wrote you, I got sick again with another cold. Thankfully it was not as bad as the first time and I did not have to miss out on much time with the kids. On the weekend I was able to go to the lake with some friends and visit a dacha (summer house) in the village. It was great opportunity to experience more of the culture.

Early last week, I had to say goodbye to the kids at the school camp. I didn’t want to leave them, but camp was ending and it was time for me to switch focus in my ministry. I pray that my time there was a blessing to the kids and that I will be able to keep in touch with some of them. On that same day, I also had to move out of my friend’s house and into a new home. Needless to say, it was an emotional day. I am so thankful for my friend who I had been living with and the opportunity I have had to share life with her. She took such good care of me and God has blessed me so much through her. I cannot express how grateful I am for her friendship.

I moved in with a very nice lady, who I had not previously met. She is great and I have enjoyed getting to know her this past week. She is a full-time missionary and I know I have so much to learn from her! My new home is very close to the TB Center, which is a bonus, because since I moved, my ministry has been strictly at the TB Center. I have been going over for a short time in the late morning and then again in the afternoon/evening time. Much of my time there last week I was without a translator because she was sick. However, I was still able to play with the kids and show them love. Whenever, I would start to wonder if there was a point for me to be there without a translator, one of the kids would sit by me and either cuddle or cry. It was in those times that I was reminded that I don’t need language to be a comfort for them and give them attention and love. Towards the end of the week, when I did have a translator, we painted rainbows to remind them of God’s promise. Today, Monday, I was able to share my life story with the younger kids. I was able to tell them more about myself and how I came to know God. I shared with them the difference God has made in my life and why I am there with them. I am so thankful that I had that opportunity and pray that it made them curious and thirsty to know more about God and Jesus.

This week please continue to pray that the kids would ask me questions about God and about my faith. The kids at the TB Center have been exposed to a lot of superstitions and a lot of church traditions that are not Biblical. Please pray that the kids will not be confused and that God will show him what is truth and what is not.

This week a team is coming from a church in Armenia and they will be working at the orphanages and TB Center. I am excited that they are coming and for this opportunity to serve with them. Please pray that they would have safe travels and blessings on their ministry here! Thank you so much for participating in this ministry through your prayers and support!

With Love,

Amanda