A young man, David*, introduced himself to me after church service during a short-term mission trip to Russia. Our American team had just shared testimonies and scripture during the service at our host church when David asked me if I knew a man named Jake* from the United States.

I was shocked … I did know Jake! He was one of my good friends and had actually helped me lead mission teams years ago. David surprised me even more with what he said next.

Seeds of Hope

In his soft, but confident Russian accent, he said, “When I was ten years old, I was an orphan. Jake and his mission team came to our orphanage and told us about Jesus. They gave us school supplies and that was the first time we heard about Jesus. That’s when I believed in Jesus as my Savior.”

They desperately needed the school supplies because, as orphans, none were available. But more importantly, they needed to know Jesus!

From Orphan to Missionary

I asked David, “How did you get from the orphanage to this church?”

David had grown in his new faith, got involved in the local church while still in the orphanage and then moved to attend a missionary training school. He was now learning how to pastor a church plant and equip others to be missionaries.

Then he put his hands on my shoulders and said, “Keep doing what you are doing for the Russian orphans and to spread God’s Word. The seeds you are planting are bearing fruit!”

God’s Heart for Caring for the Orphans

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” –James 1:27, ESV

*Names changed for security reasons.