COMPASSION
Restoring Childhood Dreams in Kiev
By Terry Meeuwsen & Dory Nissen
Their eyes tell stories of dreams that will likely never
come true. They are orphans of the former Soviet Union. Some live in
the streets, with no home - no hope. They sniff glue in hopes of numbing
the anguish. They're young - very young.
But some are fortunate. They're brought here to a Ukrainian orphanage
where they are given care, education, and a chance. But history teacher,
Sergey, told The 700 Club's Terry Meeuwsen that it's still
not easy.
"Terry, the hardest is when the child comes for the first time, because
they come from the streets. And it takes some time because we have
to be patient with them." 
Most orphanages only allow children to stay until the age of 16,
because they're just not enough room.
"I couldn't help but wonder," Terry says aloud, "what it would be
like to leave everything you've known and be sent out into the world
at 16. 16!"
Steven is 13. His anguish lies not in his own plight, three years
from now, but in the fate of his 9 year old sister, Elizabeth, and
his 8 year old brother, Peter. They were all abandoned. He has shouldered
the load of keeping them together, since he was 7.
"I can see in the eyes of the kids an anger, and loneliness, and
a disappointment in life," Terry observes. "What a young age to be
disappointed in life, before you've even had a change to live." 
But someone is bringing a ray of hope into the lives of these children
- someone is making a difference! That someone, is you!
Thanks to our CBN partners, CBN WorldReach and Operation Blessing
are coming along side these Ukrainian orphanages to bring a message
of truth to children who might otherwise be forgotten.
CBN provided a gift for each child. They love having something to
love. And they love having visitors!
"We tell them that Jesus loves them and will not forsake them," Terry
explains .
It's a message that's preparing their hearts for God's plan for their
lives. In the case of Steven, our CBN cameras just happened to be
in the country when a Knoxville, Tennessee couple, Susan and Jim Wood,
adopted he, and his younger sister and brother. He'd been the keeper
of the family for 6 of his 13 years.
"We have to pray for these kids and say, 'God make the truth of who
You are, and Your word real to them" Terry declares. "When we pack
up our cameras and the show is over, make that sink into their hearts."
So when you wonder if caring makes a difference -- when you question
if giving makes sense -- just remember those who stand a chance if
you stand in the gap. 
"I think that we need to understand that even though we are half
a globe away," Terry says with tears in her eyes, "there is something
we can do to make a difference. If we have the truth then it's our
responsibility to send it to bring it, to declare it. The Scripture
says, 'how will they hear if no one goes to tell them?' We can make
a difference in that way."
For $20 a month -- only 65 cents a day -- you enable us to broadcast
a message of hope, love and reconciliation to a hurting world. And
it's all made possible because of CBN partners.
We need your help. Won't
you join us today? Be a part of a ministry making a huge difference
in people's lives, everyday.
Click
here to become a CBN partner.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
|