"OrphansInRussia.org exists to serve the interests of orphans all accross Russia."
"I want to help in an orphanage... What can I do?"
People often contact me saying, "I want to come volunteer in an orphanage in Russia. What can I do?"
I am always excited to see when people become interested in helping Russian orphans and it is truly an answer to prayer when they decide to take action and do something to help.
Unfortunately, Russia has made some things more difficult than they should be with their visa laws and general bureaucracy.
I would love to invite everyone over here to volunteer in an orphanage and begin Christian after-school programs in every orphanage in our region 5 days a week, but we just aren't there yet. Russia can be a difficult place to work, and everything depends on long-term relationships. It has taken many years for some doors to open up to us. If you really want to impact the lives of orphans in Russia it will take you some time as well.
But we're here to help! One of my goals working here in Russia is to help people find a way that they can get involved in helping Russian orphans either right from where they live, through short-term trips, or especially by dedicating 3-4 years or more to living in Russia and and developing their own ministry.
A recent Washington Post article highlighted the fact that Russian orphans need to emotionally attach with a caregiver in order to develop mentally, something they are not given the opportunity to do in the institutional system. Merely coming to visit Russian orphans for a few weeks is inadequate, as fun and rewarding an experience as it may be. The real need is for people to dedicate their time to develop real long-term relationships with children in Russian orphanages.
You should come and serve in Russia for 4 years or more. You can do it! I will help you! If you cannot come for such a long time, come for a few weeks or months and get to know someone who is going, and is dedicated to keep going. Build a relationship with that person and support their work with your financial donations. You will become a part of the work that that person continues to do every day and every week.
Soon, I would like to write more details about how you can come to Russia, or how you can help others who are already here.
[ TO BE CONTINUED... ]
Comments
Thanks for this website! It
Thanks for this website! It is so great that you work for the Russian children. I am 21 years old, from Holland, and hope to do the same kind of work as you do, I know that will be hard, and take a long time, but I hope I can help the Russian orphans.
Good luck with all your work.
Greetings from Holland.
Sharry
4 year commitment
I am 22 years old and interested in making a long term commitment to Russia. I graduated from of Millar College of the Bible in 2010 with a bachelor in Biblical Studies (Saskatchewan, Canada). Over the last 6 years God has really given me a heart and a burden for Russia - especially young girls trapped in orphanages and prostitution. I have a long way to go yet, as I do not know the language, but I am very seriously considering a long term commitment to Russia and am wondering if you could send me as much information as possible regarding not only your specific mission but also how to get there and whether or not serving with YWAM would be an option at this point in time. Thank you so much for your time.
In Christ,
Lauren
How to become a missionary in Russia
Hi Lauren, thank you for your interest in making a commitment to serving in Russia and your desire to help orphan girls.
In short, Yes! It is very possible to come to Russia, and the opportunities for ministry are amazing if you have the long-term commitment to learn the language and the determination to get "permanent residency" here.
I totally love YWAM, and I think we have a great team here in Perm. We'd love to have you join us, but that doesn't mean your options are limited. There are many ways to become a missionary in Russia.
I'll write you an email with more details later, but if you are planning to join our YWAM team here in Perm, here are some of the steps ahead of you.
1. Successfully complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS) either here in Perm or anywhere in the world.
2. Fill out a YWAM staff application form.
3. If accepted, we'll help you enroll in a local university to study Russian language and culture and receive a one-year student visa.
4. During your first year as a student in the university, begin applying for temporary, and then permanent residency.
Of course there is a lot more to it than just those 4 steps, but we are helping people through the process every year. I recommend at least a 4-5 year commitment to serving full-time in Russia before taking steps 3 and 4.
I really hope to see you in Russia soon!
Nathan Johnson
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