BucknerTrip

On the first day of our trip, we visited Hospital #15. This isn't a typical hospital, but rather a place that houses newly abandoned babies and children. The children are taken here to be processed. If another family member is not willing/able to care for the child, the child's paperwork is processed for placement in one of the area's orphanages. There are 62 orphanages and 32 baby homes in St. Petersburg alone. The children were so sweet and full of smiles, in spite of their situation. We made T-shirts with the older kids. One little girl didn't want to put her shirt on. She said it was her "special shirt" and took it to her room to put under her pillow. (Children in orphanages usually store their belongings under their pillow).

We would like for you to meet some very special children. These are the children living in the orphanages in and around St. Petersburg, Russia. For each child you see below, there are millions more living in orphanages all around the world. The latest statistics are staggering: Asia 3.5 million orphans, Eastern Europe 1.5 million, Africa 5.5 million, US Foster Care 118,00 children. There was a lady on our trip, Meg, that has been on many mission trips to orphanages around the world and this was her 14th trip to Russia. She said that when people ask her, "What do I need to help these children or go on one of the mission trips?" She always responds, "Two arms and a heart!"

For a list of ways in which to help these children, see the bottom of this page.

Pictures to the left: This is Yura, a sweet little boy that came to Louisiana for the 2005 Louisiana Summer Tour. Yura still needs a family. If you know someone who may be interested in adopting a 10 year old boy, please contact me.

We were able to take 25 children from this orphanage to the circus. Yura was thrilled. We sat together and I watched his little face in awe (You haven't seen a circus until you have seen a Russian circus!!) He ate 2 cotton candies, M&M's, and caramel popcorn. He would have eaten more had I not stopped him!

When we first arrived at Orphanage #2, we watched the children perform. The children did an excellent job! (I recorded all of the performances. If you would like to borrow the DVD, please let me know.) Afterward, we read Bible stories and played with the children. They love making crafts, blowing bubbles, and reading board books. Such sweet children that are so easy to please!

On Oct. 16th, we visited Lamonosov Baby Home, in the country, outside of the city limits of St. Petersburg. This was the first time Buckner has visited this Baby Home. As we pulled up to this old building (It was a mansion built in the 1800's and you could see that it was a beautiful building in its day), it was hard to believe that there were 95 babies inside. The building is literally falling apart around them and they have so many needs. It was also obvious that the caregivers are doing the best that they can with what little resources they have and love their children very much. The children were precious! It doesn't take long before you see their little personalities come out. Some are so carefree, totally unaware of their situation as they play, laugh and giggle. Others are harder to approach and seem very withdrawn (but with some effort, you can get them to smile and giggle). Other are "collectors". As soon as you give them some new toys, they go around and take everyone else's (notice the little girl above and all the toys she has on arm and in her hands!)

Our VBS group had the 7 year old group at orphanage # 9. We read a Bible story, made crafts and T-shirts, and played the game "What's in Ned's Head?". These children love doing crafts. They take their time and do a great job. This group of children seemed happy. Their hope hadn't faded yet, as it seems to do as the children get older and older with each passing year they live their lives without a family.

When we first arrived at the orphanage (about a 3 hour drive outside the city limits of St. Petersburg), the children were busy getting ready for their performance. They were so excited! They did an amazing performance for us! (Again, I recorded the performance, if you are interested in borrowing it, please let me know). Afterward, our group worked with the 3 to 6 year old children. I have never seen a group of children so well-behaved! They were all so sweet. We prayed with the children and asked them to bow their head and fold their hands. Some just couldn't do these two things at one time, but they tried their very best. As I watched them, some had their hands covering their eyes. We also sang songs with them. Watching the children do the song, "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" for the first time was quite a sight.

We also gave them hats and scarves that were made by groups of ladies in churches around the country (If your church would like to become involved, please contact Buckner. Contact info is below.) One of the children asked, "We get to KEEP these, forever?!"

Picture above and below (little girl with the orange dress): This is Rita, an adorable

little girl with the cutest personality. She was so much fun to play with. We fed ALL of the dolls and put them to bed. She had the biggest smile on her face. To the right are Rita's shoes. We took the children downstairs, where the boxes of shoes were set up, and picked their size out of the box. Rita LOVED her new pair of boots!

It was such a privilege to get to work with these beautiful children. Again, the children loved doing crafts. Pictured to the right (little girl in red): Out of all the children we worked with, this little girl was the most happy of them all about her new shirt. Just looking at her cute little face made us laugh. The children loved getting their pictures taken. They always wanted to see their picture in the digital screen display after you took it. They would smile from ear to ear when you told them how beautiful they were.

One little girl got the 'Light Up' shoes that were in our box. It was so cute, watching her try to walk as she looked down and backwards at her shoes. As she walked, another little boy crawled on the ground next to her, hitting the shoes to make them light up even more.

Picture to the left: Masha and Masha, our group's two translators. They did a great job! They are both Christian girls from the local churches in St. Petersburg. After the teams return back to the USA, the translators become Buckner's "Follow-Up Team", visiting the children and doing Bible studies with them each week.

When working with young children, translating can become quite funny. The young children do not understand that you do not understand them, so they will ask the same thing over and over. When they are asked to repeat it again by one of the Mashas, I think they must thought we were crazy for asking them yet again!

Ways in Which you can Help the Children:

1. Organize a shoe drive at your workplace or church. New shoes are needed by children in Russia, China, Romania, Africa, and many other countries around the world. For details on how to receive the packet of information and DVD about hosting/organizing a Buckner Shoe Drive, visit, www.helporphans.org. Click "Shoes for Orphan Souls".

2. Go on a future mission trip. You can go as an individual or schedule a team from your church to go (dates can be arranged through Buckner). For dates of future trips for individuals already planned, visit, www.helporphans.org and click, "Go". Some of the countries that have trips planned for 2007: Russia, China, Romania, Latvia, Africa, Guatemala

3. Pray for these beautiful children. They need our daily prayers.

4. Help raise awareness. Awareness is the key to helping these children. Many times, people don't help simply because they do not understand or know how great the need is.

5. If you would like to help a particular orphanage or a particular country, contact Buckner. Orphanages always have needs. For example, things that are always needed are diapers, medicine, school supplies, and clothing. $50 can buy diapers for one month in an international orphanage. Call 1-800-442-4800 or visit www.helporphans.org. I have seen first hand the difference that Buckner programs have made in the lives of these children.

6. Sponsor a child to attend a Christian Camp. These camps give the children a break from an orphanage setting. It costs $75 per child for a one week camp session. Contact Buckner for details.

7. Of course, there is always the need for adoptive families. Pray to see if you are led to adopt a child.