Stara Basan Orphanage Update
It has been a difficult week in Kyiv. The danger of explosions is much greater than in recent days. The air raid sirens sound continuously. This week I talked with two different individuals in Kyiv who were smiling and laughing again. I had missed the joy they normally exude and was glad to see them in better spirits. However, they both admitted they live in a constant state of fear because of how often Kyiv is now targeted.
All of Kyiv lost power this past week. They have daily rolling blackouts to save the strain on their infrastructure. Some went 3-5 days without water in their dwelling places, but most have had their water service restored. I am grateful no one we know has been injured or killed in the past two weeks.
Let me share with you some positive news. The Stara Basan orphanage started with over 85 children before the war began on Feb. 24. Music Mission Kiev has documented the trials the children and staff went through during the occupation of the premises by the invading forces on two separate occasions. After the soldiers and tanks left, the group hid out for a while but eventually ended up in Europe.
Since the start of September, many students have relocated back to Stara Basan. Sasha, Vika R, and Yuri are now visiting and working with 58 children biweekly. They plan to visit Stara Basan again this month, and some widows plan to join them. Sasha and Vika plan to bring good, sturdy winter shoes for all the Stara Basan students. The shoes they have are often very poor quality. Vika has gotten all the shoe sizes from their instructors.
This picture is of Benjamina and Natalya. They said they didn’t have any hats, so Vika brought them some beautiful knit hats. They were very happy and proud to have their pics taken in their new hats!
Benjamina is a social orphan who had was removed from her home for her safety. She seems to be angry with the whole world. Her mom is living in the Zhitomir region. She never calls her and never comes to see her at school. Her only sister calls very seldomly. She feels deserted and never gets to visit home on any breaks at school. I remember her from 2018 to now; she has the most infectious smile a girl can have.
Natalya, a 9th grader, is another social orphan who tries to call her mom every once in a while, just to hear her voice. The trouble is that her mom doesn’t want to talk to Natalya. She doesn’t even want to call Natalya her daughter. Her mom is an alcoholic and lives with Natalya’s abusive stepfather. So, Natalya is afraid of leaving school and going “home.” She would like to enter college and become a teacher.
Here’s the bomb shelter you have read about at Stara Basan, where they sheltered during the enemy soldiers' occupations. This “bomb shelter” is a very cold and damp cellar where the kitchen staff kept canned pickles and other canned foods. It was equipped with desks, chairs, and other things only after the de-occupation of Stara Basan. During that time, the children slept on mattresses thrown on a very cold floor. They recall how they trembled when the Russian soldiers came down to the cellar, heavily armed, to make sure no strangers were hiding there.
Sasha’s daughter, Kira, traveled with Sasha and Vika to Stara Basan. Kira expressed her desire to stay in Stara Basan for a while. Sasha jokingly said, “I will let you stay, I will take one of the boys home with me.” Young Yuri immediately ran up to Sasha earnestly, saying he would love to go with Sasha. He didn’t take Sasha’s offer as a joke with his daughter. This brought tears to Sasha’s eyes.
Toward the end of one visit, Vika prayed for them and asked if anyone prayed or knew how to pray. Natalya and Yuri said they knew the Lord’s Prayer. Vika encouraged them to pray every time they encounter difficulties or even when things go well and thank God for that blessing. She told them, “you don’t need to memorize some special prayers,” she stressed, “just pray in your own words.”
We are grateful for our relationship with the director of the orphanage. He is always open and supportive of the work and gifts brought by our teams. May God use our mission to restore the hope and joy these children deserve.
One clarification from last week. The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus concert on October 26 was not at our church but at the National Philharmonic Hall. Last week I mentioned all the delays they had. Interestingly, this is the same location where we had our last concert on June 26, when Kyiv was bombed for the first time that morning. I have no explanation of the timing of these events with our KSOC, but I know God continues to work all things out for those who are loved and called according to His purposes.
Some Prayer Requests:
For the protection of the electrical and waterworks in Kyiv as they are being targeted by Russia.
For our work with the children of Stara Basan and the traumas, they have experienced on top of their daily challenges.
For the relationships we are making with several hospitals in Kyiv with the hope of ministering to the wounded soldiers brought in on a daily basis.
For the relationships of spiritual care and physical aid, we are establishing new groups around Kyiv.
For all our families that are separated and parents and children unable to be together.
For this war to end and peace be restored.
Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev