Anatoly Grigorievich receives meals at ‘Tabeya’. Photo: BSRepublic of Belarus (BYE06DJ-11.JPG)

Tamara Vasiljevna, once a nurse, is now cared for herself at the ‘Tabeya’ mission. Photo: BSRepublic of Belarus (BYE06DJ-12.JPG)

Sasha, 17, has spent the last two years at a reform school for teenage criminals. Photo: BSRepublic of Belarus (BYE06DJ-16.JPG)

Anna* (Name changed to protect identity), five, lives at an orphanage. Photo: BSRepublic of Belarus (BYE06DJ-22.JPG)

Serving food at ‘Tabeya’. Photo: BSRepublic of Belarus (BYE06DJ-8.JPG)

Human stories from the front line in Belarus

BELARUS — In orphanages, homes for the elderly and similar facilities across Belarus, God’s Word is strengthening people who are suffering physical or emotional pain. One organisation which is bringing the Scriptures into these places is the Bible Society of the Republic of Belarus. On recent visits, it has encountered a wide range of people whose lives are being changed through encountering the Bible.

Anatoly Grigorievich (61) often receives meals at the ‘Tabeya’ charitable mission in Mohiliov. Like other needy people who rely on this centre, he has suffered many hardships in his life.

House caught fire

Tears streaming down his face, he told the visitors that he used to live in a wooden house with his wife, son and daughter. One night the house caught fire. Woken by the flames, his daughter raised the alarm and ran outside, as did Anatoly and his son. But his paralysed wife could not escape. Tragically, she died in the fire. “Now my soul is injured,” he said. “Christ alone can comfort me.”

Retired nurse

Tamara Vasiljevna is also cared for by staff at ‘Tabeya’. She used to work as a nurse, but now she is retired and lives with her son, an alcoholic. He takes all her pension, leaving her with no food. She arrived at the centre after she was discovered picking up cabbage leaves in the market square. Now she is able to satisfy both her physical and spiritual hunger.

Sasha, 17, has spent the last two years at a reform school for teenage criminals in Mohiliov. During this time, his mother has neither visited him nor communicated with him by letter. It was as a result of her alcoholism that he ended up at this school: neglected by her, he began stealing food.

Social orphan

Roman, 18, also attends this school. Like Sasha, he is a ‘social orphan’ whose parents have lost the right to care for him. Both young men have been pleased to receive Bibles from the Bible Society.

Anna*, five, lives at an orphanage in the village of Dubrowka. It is home to children aged between three and 16. Like many of the children here, her parents are alcoholics. Her mother lives nearby, but only visits her once a month. Anna was immediately attracted to the Bible-based ABC book brought to the orphanage by staff from the Bible Society.

* Name changed to protect identity

This report refers to projects 73205 and 73202. Previous reports about Bible Society outreach to people in need can be found in World Report 369/3, 389/9, 401/2, 401/3 and 401/7.

(WR 402/17 - 06.06) [6 photos]