Opening Windows of Hope for Russian Orphans
Bridging the 'gap' for orphanage graduates from life in an institution to life engaged in running the race marked out for them.
What we refer to in Russian as the Program for the Adaptation of Orphanage Graduates, we simplify into the English acronym G.A.P. (Graduate Adaptation Program). The program is essentially a 'bridge' spanning the troubled waters of life outside the orphanage, as college-age orphans become viable contributors to Russian society.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,...plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11
When people learn we are involved in orphan ministry, they often think of us holding babies or helping facilitate adoption. Although these are important ministries, God has laid on our hearts those who are left behind, particularly the college-age orphans who have 'graduated' the orphanages and are trying to find their way in the world, often ill-equipped and alone.
Our Mission:
To bring a message of hope to Russian orphans, that though abandoned by earthly parents, they would come to know a Heavenly Father who has adopted them as His very own, making them joint-heirs with Christ, whose death on a cross opened their way to the Father. (Romans 8:15-17)
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| A Glimpse at Lives Transformed |
Our Videos Are Now Available On-Line!
Our latest video, “A Glimpse at Lives Transformed”, shot and edited by the guys who live in the GAP residential ministry's "Hope House", is at the very least, a glimpse of what transformed lives can look like. This video is now available to view on-line. Follow this link to our New On-Line Video Playlist, to access this as well as other videos from our archives that people have been asking to see.
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| Click the LINK in the column to the left for this stories feature |
Blog-A-Dot Chronicles --- check out the stories featured in this LINK
About Our Russian Identity
Since the acronym “gap” doesn't carry the same meaning in Russian, so here we call the ministry “MOCT” (meaning ‘bridge’ in Russian) and operate under a registered humanitarian organization, officially registered in the year 2000, as "Compassion Cooperative for Russia", but recently changed the name of the registration to ‘Fond Elizaveta’ (‘Elisabeth Fund’), in honor of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna Romanova, a member of Russian Tzarist royalty from before the communist revolution, who after her husband was murdered by socialist rebels, she founded her own convent which specialized in ministry to the poor and orphaned in Moscow. In 1918, Lenin had her arrested and soon after was martyred.
For more on Elizabeth, check out the Wikipedia page at this link.
In addition to the descriptions below of the primary facets of GAP, you'll find the GAP Reports link in the left column will provide you more details and links to an even more in-depth look at the GAP ministry activities through pictures, in the Photo Gallery. You'll also not want to miss our "On-Line Video Playlist" where our videos can bring even another dimension to your awareness of this work.
The Faces and Phases of GAP
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| You Are Not Alone club activities and outings take on many forms. |
'You Are Not Alone' Club
The large group activities of the 'You Are Not Alone' club, styled along the lines of a “Young Life" ministry, serve as a continual reminder to the kids that they are NOT alone in their journey. It is open to post-graduate orphans or those in their last year at the orphanage.
The Club meets on the 3rd floor of the rented 3-story "Hope House", providing a safe place for kids to come and hang out for fellowship, tutoring or just to have a healthier, Christian environment than their alternative living situations provide. There are also organized, planned meetings involving music, games, teaching, discussions, meals, and cultural or recreational outings throughout the week.
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| The guys of Hope House, GAP's residential ministry. |
GAP Residential Ministry's "Hope House"
Begun in 2007, the residential ministry of GAP seeks to help provide guidance and life-skills assimilation, as mature Christian adults walk alongside, and live alongside the young men of Hope House.
Currently, there are 8 young men, between the ages of 18 – 23, living on the 2nd & 3rd floors of the 3-story house. Each of the guys are either working or going to school with the desire to develop healthy independence. They share in the duties of a regular household. They are encouraged to grow wherever they are on their spiritual journey.
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| Getting a house is one thing. Getting one that is inhabitable is another story. |
GAP Mentoring, Jobs Development, and Advocacy programs
The newest facets of GAP are taking aim at a more aggressive approach to the orphan graduates' transition and integration into society. This takes the form of a more intensified life-skills, and marketplace skills training program, and jobs creation program. One of the most valuable forms this training takes is through providing mentors to walk alongside the orphanage graduates, teaching various skills, but also simply modeling a successful approach to living.
The advocacy program, still in its infancy, is currently seeking support and staffing, intent on assisting these young adults in their battles with a system that often further victimizes them by denying them rights to employment and property.
You can help open...
Windows of Hope for Russian Orphans
...by praying.
Prayer is so very vital to this ministry. We are in a battle everyday and we so desperately need prayer warriors at our side continually. Please answer the call to fight alongside us.
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| Committed to faithful stewardship, and a member of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability |
...by giving.
There are always opportunities to invest in the financial resource needs of this ministry. East-West provides no funding for these ministries that is not specifically designated so by the donors. Since its inception in 2004, God has faithfully provided for this work through people who have simply learned of the need, mostly through this website, and responded sacrificially to the cry of the heart of God for His children.
All funding for this work currently goes through two accounts which are managed by the East-West accounting services department for donations designated to sustaining this work. One account, Orphan Teen Transition, provides all the funds for the various aspects of the GAP ministry to orphanage graduates mentioned on this site. You can learn much more about the specific plans and related budget needs of GAP in the article linked here entitled, Plans for 2009 & Related Budget Needs.
The other account East-West accounting department manages is the Ministry Account of Robert & Ann Fuqua, from which all of the Fuquas' personal ministry expenses, such as travel, housing, salary and medical care is covered. A number of individuals, as well as a couple of businesses and churches, who have faithfully , and sacrificially given to this account since 1996, is what enables the Fuquas to continue to faithfully show up in these kids' lives, serving as a reminder in-the-flesh, that they have a faithful Heavenly Father whose love for them will never fail them.
More information about designating gifts to these two accounts can be found on the page entitled, "On-Line Giving". And, there is a new summary of our current financial situation in the links in the left column, entitled, "The Latest on Money Matters".
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