Reaching to Russia - What Is Happening The Next 10 Days in Russia and Ukraine

Hello from Novosibirsk, Russia!

It's cold but not that cold.  It's dark but not that dark.  It's great to be here and that is an understatement.

The next 10 days are key in the life of YouthReach International.  Beginning in 12 hours here in Novosibirsk, Mike Neill (Atlanta, GA), Margaret Moore (Abilene, TX) and myself will be coming alongside the true heroes of this ministry, our Mentors, for 3 days of equipping.  Core Mentors from Novosibirsk as well as partners from Tomsk and Big Lake, Russia, will be present as well.  I always wonder during these gatherings just who is training who.  Meeting yesterday with Ruslan Asadov, our Russian Operations Manager, showed me again that the commitment to this ministry our local leaders have is unsurpassed.  I learned of new orphanages we're working with, new programs that have been started (Brother to Brother and Sister to Sister for example), and new Mentors who are now with us.  It really makes me wonder who should be training who the next three days. 
  
Rob Browne and Mike Neill in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square as well as Margaret Moore who looks like she has lived here her whole life.

Over the next two weekends, in Donetsk and Simferopel, Ukraine, YouthReach International Director of Ukrainian Operations, Tony Morrow, will be carrying out a number initiatives none more key than deepening and developing the number and quality of our Mentors there.  Your prayers for Tony as he travels to Ukraine alone and then comes alongside Arthur Kazaryan, YouthReach International's Oprhan Outreach Coordinator, are needed. 

One of our dear partners from a nearby region came into Novosibirsk yesterday for our gathering this weekend.  Last night in our flat over dinner he received a message from the older brother of one of the orphans he has worked with for years in his ministry and mentoring efforts.  The older brother was calling to say his younger brother had died the day before playing a "pass out" game popular in orphanages among teenage boys.  Just last week in one of the orphanages in Ukraine where 2 of our mentors are on staff, a 16 year old girl took her own life.  Two days ago in a nearby Russian city, one of our mentors was attacked by girls in her orphanage making her unable to attend our retreat this weekend. 

The next 10 days are important not because of the fellowship or the training or the resources made available.  These days are important because commitment to this cause will be refined.  That's important because without commitment to this cause, none will stay with it.  It's too hard, too risky, too painful.  While that is true, it is also very needed.  The difference between the kids who fall prey to the actions of others or their own carelessness and those who survive is almost always found in the presence of a mentor who is committed to them no matter what.  So for that reason these 10 days are very, very important.

Your prayers and your partnership are dear to us.  Thank you for them.
Rob

Reaching to Russia - Might This Be A Need You Are Called To?

Operation Mobilization  (OM Russia) is a dear friend and partner of YouthReach International in Novosibirsk.  We love their work training leaders who work in church planting, youth ministry, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and many other key areas in Russia after graduating from their training school in Novosibirsk.  

 

OM Russia’s leaders, Colin and Bron, are from England and have served long and well in Novosibirsk along with their children.  Recently, they wrote about a teaching need they have which I immediately thought some of you might be interested in hearing about.  I’ll post it just as they posted it in their letter.  If you have any questions about this or want more information please contact me directly and I will introduce you to Colin and Bron over email. 

 

And before you ask American readers, they did say American English would be an acceptable form of English to speak.  You’ll see what I mean as you read on.

From their newsletter about 2 weeks ago:

 

You may remember that last year we were desperately looking for someone to come out and home-school Emily, using a British curriculum pack.  Thankfully someone was found – a young lady from Sydney called Eve agreed to come out for a year, and has been working with Emily since September.  We are very grateful for how this has worked out – Eve has done a great job with Emily and Emily loves her ‘teacher’, as she always refers to Eve.  Emily has also been able to attend the Russian language and literature classes at her Russian school in the afternoons, to keep up with her Russian.

 

                        

 

This has been working out very well, but now, we are forced to think about what will happen from this September.  We need to continue with the English curriculum, but Eve will leave in the summer.  Therefore, we are now actively looking for someone who could take her place and come to home-school Emily from September 2012.  Such a person:

 

• would preferably be female,
• could be any age,
• wouldn’t necessarily need much teaching experience,
• would have good English,
• would be willing to learn Russian (as this is how a visa would be obtained)
• would be a Christian and would need to raise their support to join OM (about US$1,000 a month).

 

Maybe you know of someone who has recently finished college or university and is looking for a unique way to spend a gap year?  Or someone who has recently retired and is looking for a new challenge? 

 

From OM Russia’s point of view, such a person would have a profound impact on the team and on all of the OM Russia ministries because they would enable us to continue directing the work of OM in Russia.

 

If you know of anyone who may be suitable, please have a word with them and mention the idea.  We are, of course, more than happy to talk to anyone wanting to find out more.

 

Please also join us by praying for this need.

 

If it is not you who might be called to this, might you know someone?  If so, pass it along.

 

Thank you in advance,

Rob

 

 

Rob Browne Executive Director Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

Ukraine Update from Tony :)

Hello All!!

 

Things have been rather busy the past couple of weeks, but I wanted to provide a quick update as to how things are progressing 

 

I will be leaving in two weeks from tomorrow to complete two Mentor Retreats in Ukraine.  One in the Donetsk Region and the other in the Region of Crimea.  I am in the process of completing all of my preparations for these events and would appreciate your prayers for wisdom and strength!!

 

Our YouthReach International Prayer Team has developed!!  We have 16 wonderful individuals who have agreed to be a part of this team and they received the first prayer list this past Wednesday.  All of us at YouthReach International (mentors, short-term missions team members, staff, and board) greatly appreciate these wonderful people who have and will continue to devote time and energy in prayer for every aspect of this wonderfully challenging ministry!!

 

All of our short-term mission teams are set and all of the team leaders have begun a 5 week regiment of living out the curriculum that we will share with the children we will be fortunate to serve this upcoming summer.  We meet weekly to discuss how Reading through, Praying about, and Living Out the truths in the curriculum is impacting our lives and the lives of those we are fortunate to interact with throughout the week.

 

Short-term mission team meetings will also begin soon.  Each team member will also walk through a similar 5 week regiment of living out the curriculum.  Additionally, team leaders will be preparing their members for their upcoming mission experience.  A lot of planning, fundraising, and preparation will occur over the next several weeks and months.  Your prayers for our teams are most welcome!!

 

Finally, sometime within the next week I will send out a itinerary of my two week journey to Ukraine.

 

Until then...  Be Strong and Courageous!!

 

--
Tony Morrow

Director of Ukraine Operations

Youthreach International

tony@youthreach.org

(325) 439-0501

 

Reaching to Russia - What Others Say

A few quotes and stories from the last few months as it relates to YouthReach International’s past, present, and future.  I’ll cease commentary and let them speak for themselves.  I did get permission to share these stories on the terms I’ve included below. 

From Dad who has been a friend of mine since our undergraduate days at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN:

Dear Rob,

The long story:

I enjoyed so much getting to visit with you this month at Chick-fil-A.   I did not tell you about what happened to me on the way to our visit.  I was taking (my daughter) to school as usual right before meeting you. We always take turns saying a prayer on the way to school every morning.  She did not know anything about our meeting.  Although she has seen pictures of you and your family and I have told her about you, she does not know anything about you besides the fact that you are involved with "mission work."  Anyway, it was her turn to say our morning prayer.  When she prays for us, she always includes a prayer for orphans and usually picks a different country.  A few weeks ago, she prayed for Australian orphans.  I asked her why Australia and she said because she has NEVER heard anyone else praying for them.  She said the orphans of Australia are being neglected.  Anyway, on this particular morning when I was about to meet you, she said a prayer for Siberian orphans!!  I almost had to pull over I was so surprised.

After the prayer I asked her why she picked the Siberian orphans.  She said she had no idea, it just popped into her head for some reason.  (Insert Holy Spirit here)  OK , so next thing that happens is last week, (my wife) and I were discussing some ideas for Christmas to teach the kids some things about giving and blessing others.  We commented that we did not really see where the extra money was right now but we wanted to pick something and watch for opportunities this week and next week to bless some people.  Now the next part has to remain 100% confidential!  (My daughter) put her letter to Santa Claus in the mail this weekend.  She made (my wife) promise that she would not get it out of the mailbox (she is borderline on her Santa Claus belief).  Well, she did not say anything to me about it.  So guess what- I took it out and made a copy of it then resealed it and put it back.  So in her letter, she asked for 2 gifts.  Then she asked Santa if he would do her a special favor. She asked him to visit the Russian orphans. OK, I'm trying to make this story short but it just isn’t.  The NEXT

DAY- yesterday - I get a check in the mail.  It was a dividend check from an investment I made a few YEARS ago.  TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.   

Finally to get to the point- We would like to send you some money from this check so that (my daughter’s) wishes come true.          

The short story:

God has spoken to me through the tender heart of my daughter.  Where do I send this check this week?

The funds given by this man on behalf of his daughter went towards providing this birthday party for the kids at one of our partner orphanages earlier this week. 

From a 2012 Team Member preparing to work with YouthReach International for the first time:

I am thrilled at the prospect of working with YouthReach International.  Since I just retired from teaching in June, my dream of going on this mission trip, Lord willing, will become reality. 

As I read Tony Morrow's e-mails from his recent trip to Ukraine, my concept of YouthReach International's mission magnified into a 3-D world of faith, hope, and love.  Without doubt, this organization encompasses a great deal more than visiting orphans in their distress.  Dedicated Christians are faithfully nurturing the neglected and forgotten children of this former Soviet-block country 24/7--bringing the love of Jesus into tender hearts, offering them a chance to become part of the family--part of the family of God.  At the same time, loving Christians provide these orphans with a healthy lifestyle by structuring in cultural activities, character education, career exploration, and trade school opportunities, as well as the opportunity to attend church services and Bible studies. Providing hope and opportunity, this ministry equips and guides forgotten children to believe in themselves, to broaden their vision of the future, and to one day impact the world.

As I again viewed the graphic, on-line You Tube videos that capture the life stories of these children, my heart went out to them yet again.  As a veteran teacher in the ranks of Abilene ISD, I have served on the front-line in an inner-city, alternative, at-risk high school for the last eighteen years.  The opportunity to serve on this mission where emphasis is place on traditional values--values that meet the religious, educational, social, emotional, and vocational needs of children appeals to me.

God bless you as you humbly work in His Kingdom, as you "practice pure and undefiled religion before God ... to visit the orphans in their affliction" (James 1:27), and as you proclaim the good news ... to the poor (Luke 4:18).

In Christian love,

Shannon Conley  

Knowing my emails can get long, I’ll leave it at that.  I was very encouraged by both of these notes and pray you are too.  Our partnership matters and the work we are doing together IS impacting lives.

Thank you again,

Rob, Traci and family

Rob Browne Executive Director Director of Russian Operations rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

More Time With Less People Equal...

It equals Greater Impact!  Think about that.  Jesus invested heavily in 12 who in turn changed the world.  Paul invested keenly in a few young evangelists who greatly broadened the reach of the church.  YouthReach International is encouraging our Mentors, referred to as 12-3-1 Mentors, to follow Jesus' example and do the same as the core of this ministry is 1 to 1 mentoring in the orphanages of Ukraine and Russia.  It is a huge task but it is a worthy task.  Thank you for sharing in it with us.  

As said in our last newsletter, last month was National Mentoring Month.  I heard from many readers some of the efforts they initiated to see mentoring become more real to them.  A good friend and local minister in our area and I have challenged each other to invest in people half our age.  At 43, that really means something!  In keeping with that, I had breakfast with a wonderful young man named Mark last week and marveled at the joy and ease of listening to him and encouraging him in the things he is passionate about.  Mentoring does take effort but it is definitely a joy.  Whether in your home country or on a YouthReach International Mission Trip, invest the effort and experience the joy for yourself!

Much is happening on the ministry front we want to share with you.  On January 24, nearly 50 YouthReach alumni, friends, team members, and team leaders gathered in Lilburn, GA, for a powerful night of worship and fellowship.  Thank you to Tim and Sheila Dunn for hosting us and to Pete McReynolds for leading this worship time. The next day our core team leaders for 2012 gathered for a full day of equipping at Campus Church's "Underground"  in Norcross, GA. Thank you to Karla Crump, Julie Williams, Cheri Raines, Tim and Sheila Dunn and Traci Browne for preparing and serving our meals!  Pictured below are leaders from California, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Georgia.  Please keep them in prayer as they are now training their teams who will go out this summer to stand beside those 12-3-1 Mentors in Ukraine and Russia and invest the effort while experiencing the joy of mentoring orphans and at risk youth.

Two hours before that wonderful night of worship started, our Board of Directors, together with our Executive Team, concluded their first meeting of the year at the 1818 Club in Duluth, GA.  From left to right, Dr. Jerry Strader (Abilene, TX), Wayne Tomlinson (Brentwood, TN), Rob Browne (Executive Director and Director of Russian Operations), Sherriann Hicks (Atlanta, GA), Dr. Andrew Vick (St. Louis, MO), Jim Pack, Jr. (Atlanta, GA), and Tony Morrow (Director of Ukrainian Operations, Abilene, TX) are pictured below.  We are very grateful to our Board for their commitment and service to this ministry. Please keep them in prayer as you also remember our staff, volunteers, Mentors, and of course orphans.  Also, click on this link to read a brief profile on each of our Board Members and see a better picture than below of what they really look like.  They serve quietly and behind the scenes but it is important that you know more of who they are and the passion they bring to our work.

In less then 3 weeks we will have completed Mentor Training Retreats in Novosibirsk, Russia, as well as Donetsk and Simferopel, Ukraine.  These efforts are beyond key to our work.  A mentoring ministry is only as strong as its mentors and these retreats are all about developing the depth of our mentor teams in both countries.  Please pray for Mike Neill (College Park, GA) and Margaret Moore (Abilene, TX) as they join me in Novosibirsk, February 24-26, 2012. Tony Morrow will be carrying out the Ukrainian Retreats the last week of February and first week of March.  These meetings are especially key for our Ukraine arm right now.  Your prayers for Tony as well as any encouragement you can push his way will bless our efforts there immensely.  Thank you in advance for them!

Next month's activities include Chick-fil-A SERVE Seminars in Novosibirsk and Tomsk, Russia, as well as a team from Greater Atlanta Christian School going to work alongside partner church, Tomsk Christian Church, in Tomsk, Russia.  

An upcoming announcement about our spring fundraising dinner in Nashville, TN, on May 5, is just around the corner.  In a sense, I am burying the headline but you will hear more about this in the coming weeks.  Those of you in middle Tennessee, please save Saturday, May 5, at 6 p.m. for a very special evening with YouthReach International in Franklin, TN.   More on that in an email all by itself.

Finally, are you interested in serving on YouthReach International's Prayer Team?  It kicks off tomorrow and a few places do remain.  Please contact Tony Morrow (tony@youthreach.org) immediately if you desire to stand with our ministry in this way. 

Please refer to the Latest News page on our website for prayer requests, praise reports, and online resources.  

With sincerest thanks and deep appreciation for you all, I am,

Rob Browne

Executive Director/Director of Russian Operations

YouthReach International