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Tuesday, May 1, 2007

ASSIST Europe team shares Easter Message on ‘Out of the Cot’ Mission Trip to Russian Special Needs Orphanage

For more information from Peter Wooding at assisteurope@yahoo.co.uk 
ASSIST Europe team members with local Christians from the ACCR church in Vladikavkaz

VLADIKAVKAZ, RUSSIA (ANS) -- A team of 11 Christians from Northern Ireland and Chester, England recently returned from a very special week-long mission trip to Vladikavkaz, Russia, where they shared the story of Easter with dozens of children at a special needs orphanage. The “Out of the Cot” mission’s aim was to bring stimulating resources to the orphanage and to literally take the younger children out of their cots to practically demonstrate God’s love during this past Easter. A programme was also run for the older children using games, puppets, singing, and crafts to explain the story of Easter.

The trip came about after the first ASSIST Europe team travelled to nearby Beslan in August 2005, on the first anniversary of the tragic school massacre. During that mission the team visited this special needs orphanage and were so touched by the needs of this place, that ASSIST Europe launched it’s Out of the Cot campaign. Thanks to the tremendous response to this campaign, the team this Easter was able to take out several resources including a Bible in felt display that will be used by the local church outreach team working into the orphanage, soft toys, colourful flags, a CD player, DVD player, much-needed bedding, puppets and a play chute.

May McAvoy literally takes a child
'Out of the Cot'

Here are some thoughts and highlights from some of the team members:

May McAvoy from Cookstown Methodist Church in Northern Ireland: “I thank God for His prompting to go to Russia. 'Out of the Cot' was the title of the mission and I have come to the realisation that God meant this both literally and figuratively - freedom from bars and restrictions, so important to all the special young people in the orphanage.”

Children enjoy wearing animal masks during fun activity as they learn the Easter story

Sue Wilcox from Northgate Church, Chester: “From the moment we met until the last minute of the day we left, the people in the local church graciously served us. It was great to be amongst them and I'm looking forward to going back and spending time with them again. It was exciting as the week went on to see more and more people from the church get involved with us and catch a hold of the vision of what God wanted to do amongst the children.

”I really enjoyed working with friends from my church, and the new faces of the folk from Northern Ireland who brought fresh talents and insight, particularly about children with special needs. God brought us together as a team and together we achieved far more than I would have thought possible in one short week.

Special needs child receives soft toy from ASSIST Europe team member
“My personal highlight was meeting another Reception teacher in a local school who told me she knew in her heart what we were trying to say through our songs, drama, craftwork and games. Once again the parachute cut through any language barriers and it was fantastic to see the children and young people having such fun! This lady asked me 'Why had we come?' and it was a great opportunity to say that Jesus loves all children right throughout the world and we have the privilege of coming to tell them about him.” 

Jenni Ogden, Northgate Church, Chester: “I guess the highlight for me was the way God's plan prevailed even though things were tough in places it was amazing how everything worked together!
“The children were really responsive and clearly remembered the story from the day before. One boy in particular who was a bit of a handful shall we say, was so upset on the last day when he discovered Jesus went onto the cross. He kept holding the Bible in felt piece and speaking in Russian. Luckily the same day we were doing the resurrection so his upset was short lived!”

ASSIST Europe Director Peter Wooding shares their longer term plans for their “Out of the Cot” campaign: “This is still only the beginning for us in our partnership with the local church in Vladikavkaz to practically share God’s love with this special needs orphanage. We hope to send another team within the next year to help complete a sensory room and help provide much needed washing and bedroom facilities. Also team members would continue to work with the local church in giving practical training on how to work with the children in the orphanage.”

NOTE: To find out more about this work you can go to www.assisteurope.net or email Peter Wooding at assisteurope@yahoo.co.uk

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