In the city of Cupcini there is a state-run orphanage with 60 orphans and two technical schools with 240 other orphans. We believe God has brought all of these children and teens to Cupcini for us to minister to them as the Word of God teaches us in the book of James 1:27: Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress. We count it pure joy and honor to minister to orphans in our city.

Reception at Cupcini church

On October 11, we organized a special reception for twelve orphans who live in our city. The reception was at Cupcini First Christian Church and prepared by our church members. More people from the church wanted to help then needed. Women prepared different dishes and brought to the church to feed 12 kids from the Technical School.

On Sunday, after the morning church service, 12 boys and girls from the Technical School were invited to the reception. Several church members served at the table and helped everyone feel as welcomed as possible.

Everyone received a gift bag

The heart of this project was Rodica Caraus, a lady from Cupcini First Christian Church who loves the Lord and teaches several Bible Studies per week and works with these orphans every day. Many times she invited them to her home and shared God’s word with them.  Rodica presented a Bible lesson at the reception based on the Parable of the sower and the seeds from Matthew 13:3-23. The lesson was presented with drawings that Rodica made during teaching. Everybody was so interested to hear the truth about how this story Jesus told applied to their lives.

At the end, everybody received a package with gifts for everyday needs: notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorants, socks and even cookies and fruits. Satisfaction filled the hearts of the boys and girls who were glad to receive this help and attention, and our brothers and sisters were glad to be tools in God’s hand to show the love of Jesus to these precious souls!

After the reception

As result, two of the 12 who attended the reception decided to go on a short-term church planting mission to Cahul, South Moldova and minister alongside the Moldova for Christ team that worked there for two weeks. Maxim and Nicolai are on the list for the next baptism in Cupcini. And a new Precept Bible study group was started with this group that meets weekly for the study of the Word, prayer and fellowship at Rodica’s home.

We thank God for the “Praying Friends” Ministry from Chattanooga, TN and for “Agape Puppets” Ministry from Atlanta, GA for partnering with us in this project and for making this outreach possible. Please continue to pray for more than 200 orphans who live and study in Cupcini as we continue our ministry to them daily.

Today, a team of 15 people from Cupcini and Edinet visited the Napadova Orphanage where boys and girls, ages 10-16, live. It was a very long and dangerous drive. The entire road was icy and the distance was about 200 km in one direction, and it took us four hours to get there.

When we got to the place, all the children and teachers met us as we entered the canteen where the meeting was to take place. Our team presented a Christmas drama that was a play based on events from Luke 2. Everyone was so attentive that no one even moved during the program.

Then, I presented a message on Luke 2:1-20. For many of the listeners, it was the first time that they heard this story actually read from the Bible. Our puppet show team presented a Christmas Carols program. The vice principle of the orphanage said a word of thanks at the end, appreciating the spiritual support the school received from our team. Her words touched me as she told us that many can visit the orphanage and help the orphans financially, but spiritual support is much more important for her, the orphanage staff and the children.

We thank God for the dedication of our people who were willing to spend 18 hours today in ministry. Two of them that had their birthdays today but still came and spent the whole day with us ministering to many others.

Please continue to pray for the five orphanages where we have ministries going and for our workers that share love and hope with these children.