doug1 is your love in action, inside the former Soviet Union

 

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A report from Doug Brendel to all who support or follow our New Thing ministry in Belarus...

 

It doesnÕt have to be pretty to be

BEAUTIFUL!

 

A messy room? Maybe, but ... this is the look of LOVE!

YouÕre bringing a whole new concept to Belarus ... helping the homeless!

 

ItÕs not just folks from other countries anymore. Word is out!

People here in Belarus have started donating goods to our ÒResponse of the HeartÓ team, for care of the homeless.

 

HEREÕS EVIDENCE: This entire roomful of donations came from Belarusians. ItÕs never happened before!

Your compassionate support for New Thing is bearing new fruit!

 

WeÕve been serving in this country since 1992, and with ÒThe Great KozovayaÓ (left) for 11 years.

ÒPastor SashaÓ (right) has been feeding homeless children, families, and individuals for 22 years.

Now that weÕve joined forces, your love is going farther than ever.

 

This winter we had the privilege of feeding 150+ homeless and poor every day.

Now ÒspringÓ is here (which means it only drops into the 20Õs overnight), so the need is less intense.

 

Friends of New Thing pay the rent, the utilities, and a number of other expenses.

 

My daughter Lydia Charlotte, now 15, has been visiting Belarus since she was 7 months old; this is trip #18 for her.

As a gift to the homeless (to whom she has been ministering since the age of 5), she sang ÒYouÕll Never Walk AloneÓ from the musical Carousel.

 

Latecomers crowded into the doorway to hear her. Her godmother Lydia Danielevna was moved to tears.

 

Valentina, once homeless, fell in love with Lydia Charlotte years ago, and has collected her school photos over the years.

This was a fun reunion!

 

Years ago I met a little girl named Ira. A child of alcoholic parents, she depended heavily on Pastor SashaÕs daily meals.

 

Today sheÕs 19, working as a baker — making bread for the same ministry that kept her alive as a child!

 

Ira is a beautiful testament to so many peopleÕs generosity over the years.

 

Valery is our brilliant chef. The homeless of Minsk have never eaten so well!

HeÕs feeding people in multiple shifts now, and needs a microwave and a blender.

 

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we were able to say ÒyesÓ on the spot!

He was quick to show me the place of honor that the microwave will be given!

 

For many homeless, itÕs a beautiful gift just to be touched.

They go through their lives without anybody being willing to make physical contact.

 

Thank you for joining us in Òloving the unlovely.Ó

More photos to come!

 

Thanks for journeying with us!

Much love,

Doug Brendel

 

To follow our photo blog — click here and choose ÒFollowÓ

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To auto-give each month — click here

To send a check by snail mail — New Thing, 403 Linebrook Road, Ipswich MA 01938

 

Thanks again!