Kazakhstan Missions

We are currently supporting missionary Dereje Wondmu with Horizon Missions as he continues his work with orphaned children in Central Asia. Keep scrolling for the latest Mission Moment from Dereje. If you would like to help Holy Cross support Dereje, please put your donation in the offering plate with "KZ Missionary support" in the memo line.

OR 
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Through Electronic Giving – please follow the instructions below.
1.  Visit https://get.tithe.ly/.  Select “Sign Up Free”, then select the option for “Give to Your Church”.
·         Click “Give Online”, enter your email address and create a password, then click “Create Account”. Complete the fields for requested information. 
·         On the next page, search for and select the option for “Horizon Christian Fellowship, 7702 Indian Lake Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236”
·         At the bottom of next page, select your option for “credit/debit” or “bank account”.  Enter the requested account information.
·         Enter the amount you wish to give and select the specific missionary name you which to donate to.  If you desire, you will have the option to set up your gift to recur as often as you wish.  If you do not select this option, your gift will process just one time.
·         Select your payment type and indicate if you would like to cover the bank fees.  Complete your address and click the green button to submit your payment. 

If you are led to support a specific need please send a check directly to: 

Horizon Missions
7702 Indian Lake Rd,
Indianapolis, IN 46236

Please make checks payable to "Horizon Missions" with the memo "Contribution" as well as a paper stating that your contribution is for Dereje Wondmu in Kazakhstan and the specific need you want to sponsor. For example "Sunday Meals", or "Hearing Aids", etc...

(Horizon will provide a tax receipt at the end of the year.)

Current Need:

• Prayers for older orphans as they transition to life outside the orphanage
• Missionary support of 3600/mo.​

​Mission Moment:

April 2021
Many of you have been asking how Pasha’s operation is going. It was supposed to be done by late March, but a sudden increase on Covid-19 cases in Almaty has forced the authorities to close many places. As a result, Pasha’s operation was delayed, and we are waiting for further instructions from the hospital.

Lately, God allowed my path to cross with a local business man in town. Our first encounter was on a flight from London to Almaty many years ago. He sat in the seat behind mine with a friend and had difficulty seeing the movie on the overhead screen because my head was in the way. He and his friend made a comment in Russian about me having a long neck, not knowing that I understood what was said. Later, after two years, our paths crossed again while I was walking on a city street in Almaty. A car stopped next to me and a man started talking to me, asking if I was on that particular flight. Indeed, it was the same man; we introduced ourselves and talked, and he introduced his children and wife to me. Now after 12 years, our paths crossed again. He asked if I still help the orphans as I used to do and invited me to his office to give him some ministry information. The meeting went well, and I got to talk with his now adult children over zoom from his office; they are now 17 and 21 years old. He said he would like to sponsor some of the medical and dental treatments for the orphans. May God get the glory! I will keep you updated as the city opens up more again.
-Dereje​


March 2021
Not long ago, I had a time of fellowship with 5 of the older orphans: 2 have been living in new government apartments for over 2 years, and 2 others just left the orphanage in October to live in the Government Youth House with the possibly of getting a flat in the future.

The main topics they wanted to discuss are how to overcome fear and how to overcome hurt that results when other people fail them or treat them badly. They have the fear that they will not make it in the future as they see the gradual increase in prices of groceries and other things. The 2 who just moved to the Youth House commented on their loneliness and how the people around them seem mean, not even greeting each other. One of them even said he would like to be back in the orphanage in his familiar surroundings.

In our time of fellowship, I got to give them an example of ups and downs in the life of the Apostle Peter, who left us with 2 books of the Bible as one of the first followers of Christ. He had tremendous success yet stunning failure in his life as he denied Jesus big time. I told them how he was reconciled with Jesus and accepted forgiveness from Jesus. Peter learned to accept his failure and understand his limitations. I read aloud the words of Peter from 1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

I shared about the need to humble ourselves before God, knowing God’s ability to change us and to change the world that affects all relationships. A meek person can be used by God to do great things! We need to give Him our anxiety daily because He cares, and knowing that He cares for us is such a liberating thing! I concluded, before prayer, with the verse Matthew 11:28 – “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  What a powerful promise from Christ to give us rest!

I also told them that the past year was not an easy year for me personally; it indeed caused a great anxiety, but through the turmoil God made a way! Telling them about His provisions in the midst of a sharp fall in monthly support how He led people I never met to step in to meet the needs! We concluded with prayers and a challenge to read the Word of God and a charge to reach out to others with kindness as the Lord leads. As an example, I told them about Vitali, who helped over two months with the fruit drive to the orphanage where he used to live. He said that it was the best thing he had ever done in his life, giving back to be a blessing to the little ones! May the Lord receive the glory! 

Thank you all for your prayers and support in the ministry to the fatherless and beyond.
-Dereje

February 2021
I have been dividing my time between ministering to the older orphans and the Annual Vitamin Drive. I made a visit to some of the older orphans and 5 of us did a group walk, discussing different subjects. The Annual Vitamin Drive has been fun and very coordinated. One of the group moms has helped distribute the vitamins, going to each group and giving one to each child every morning. We have now been doing this annual event for over 10 years! Praise God!

Nasal Surgeries Update:
We have already reached the $2,700 mark toward the needed $4,400 for the nasal surgeries. Thank you so much! Misha has almost finished her preliminary tests and Pasha will start his soon.

Coat Drive Update:
The director of the orphanage in the North stated that he has never received such nice and colorful clothing for the kids. As the orphanage is located in a small rural village, the colorful and beautiful clothing definitely stands out.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support! 
-Dereje​

June 2020
Hello to All,
As the school year ends, some of the orphans who have recently turned 18 years old are being advised that they must now start the next phase in their lives: moving to the Government Youth House. 
Vova’s twin siblings, Roma and Galina, have made the move.  Sasha is another of those making this transition, but in his case his mom’s apartment in a five-story building has been kept for him, so he has moved into it. The stress and challenges are no different from those moving to the youth house.  We appreciate your prayers for them and others.

Bahit, several years older than Sasha, has been living over three years in the youth house but has not yet received a flat like others. He and Sasha are good friends, and Bahit will have a very good influence on Sasha. He is very helpful and very kind. He has a very positive attitude in life, even though, not long ago, he was told by the logistics company he is working for that the company is having to cut back on personnel, and he would be restated to his position some day in the future.  In the meantime, many of his colleges are laid off. I believe his influence on Sasha will be good as Sasha enters into the real world, back to his mom’s home for the first time in 16 years. His mom died when he was two years old.  Now he has been in the apartment for over a week, and he has so many questions and concerns. Sasha is in his second year in junior college, and he has one more year to complete his study. As I visited with Bahit and Sasha yesterday my main word for him was to tell him that God has  a special plan for him; I understand that he is very afraid starting life outside the orphanage, but I encouraged him to see the new situation as a new way of looking at life beyond his circumstances. His faith will give him strength and peace and with the Lord's help. Bahit is helping him by calling and encouraging him, and I will pray for him and do what I can with the Lord's help as he lives a life of faith. 

I am thinking back to many memories over the years: from fruit drives to vitamin drives to the summer camps to winter clothing projects. I am very thankful for the ministry partners who have made it possible to show the Father's love to the orphans in a practical way.
​-Dereje

​March 2020
​Greetings to All,
Over a couple of weeks ago I got an email from one family in the States who commented on how they missed my reports of taking a group of orphans out for a meal and fellowship, and how they believe it indeed pleases the heart of Our Lord.  Consequently, they made a donation for me to do this again.  I invited a group of orphans and their group mom to go and I had the chance to spend three hours with them.  We took a bus ride to and from the cafe and had lunch together. It was an emotional time for me and I would like to share one moment with you...just as we were about to eat the meal, out of the blue Sergey (13 years old) asked, "Would you be our daddy?"; Nastya (14 years old) followed with "yes, yes, yes!" Seeing in their eyes a pure joy, I could not hold my tears!  The waitress came with the meal and we started the lunch
with a blessing.  Then we shopped nearby, and I got tennis shoes for each orphan as the Spring is at hand.  As the weather was nice that day, we then walked through a park and got a chance to share a cake and bananas. As we walked, some shared their future dreams and fears, which we presented in prayer to the Lord!  The time went so fast!  No one wanted to return to the orphanage! I thank you for allowing me to show the Father's Love to these kids!! 
Sitora is one of the orphans who loves taking pictures. She came to the orphanage at the age of 9 and is now 14. She helped me take photos in the summer camp, and on this outing, she was indeed in charge, running before and around us to take photos.  Most of the following is her work.  She dreams of being a photographer and having her own studio.

I appreciate your continued prayers and support.
-Dereje

January 2020
It has been snowing in Almaty and the orphanage grounds are now covered with snow. Yesterday afternoon I stopped by an orphanage as the kids finished eating and were walking from the cafeteria building to the dormitory.  When they saw me entering the main gate several ran towards me and greeted me. Some
of the children still say thank you for the summer
breakfast preparation time we enjoyed together.  After greeting me, two children asked, one after another, "Could I ask you a question?"  One is 10 years old and the other 12. One question was "How do you always smile and look happy to see us?"  The other question was "What do I do when I get tired and don't want to cook for myself?"

Around 25 of the kids, from two orphanage groups, decided to have a snowball fight!! I spent the next two hours playing with them in the snow!  Indeed, I got tired! I asked them how their week had been.  The newcomer, now finishing her second month in the orphanage, was in the group and said she has two best friends now. 

Interacting with the kids gave me the opportunity to answer the initial two questions: I told these two children how I greeted them every time I enter the orphanage is because I start my day in reading the Word of God and doing that brings a smile to God as His children do what he called them to do. When I come to see the children I smile because that pleases God!  I hope they will get the glimpse of the truth and one day they will start their days by spending time with the Word of God. For their second question, I told them I try to get some rest and sleeping is one way of re-energizing ourselves.
These simple conversations indeed have such a profound effect in the life of an individual orphan. Having someone listen to what he or she has to say and taking the time to answer their questions is so important.  Please continue to pray for orphans as they live a life with all their questions in their heads and not many people they can ask for answers.  May the Lord give them answers and the word I planted today about His provision and care take root in them.

I received photos of sample clothing from the manufacturing place; During the past 24 hours an additional $450USD has been pledged!  Please feel free to take part as the Lord leads.
​
November 2019
Thankful for God's Loving Kindness

Greetings to all, 

Psalm 36:7 King James Version (KJV) How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
                                                         
My tasks are expanding as "the family" expands: Now 116 orphans are living in the government housing projects program.  Two years ago, there were 43. Now the recent 23, and 50 more orphans are receiving apartments. They range in age from 18 to 27 and have different life experiences. Some have children of their own, being married 5-6years and some just a year ago left the orphanage.
 
I am trying to create a mechanism for them to help each other. In the area of Christian living my focus is on the older ones who have been walking closer to the Lord in reaching out for others.in the long run to start a regular weekly bible study and some day possible starting a fellowship of belivers. Currently  the few older orphans  helping  In prayer and in giving advice, I in turn continue to mentor them. Leading by influence! I helped them last week in getting together and bringing extra kitchen utensils to give out to the new arrivals. 
It really thrilled me to see one older orphan bring a kettle (to boil water) he had bought. He put it among the other donations. What a lesson he demonstrated!  He is not one of those who received an apartment, but he came over anyway with the intent of blessing someone.  That shows a lesson of generosity.
 
Because of your generosity I am continuing to give out the beds..  

Today we had a distribution of fruit at one of the orphanages.  What a good time we had, and the kids talked about their memories from the summer camp.

Please continue to keep the children and myself in your prayers. I thank you all for your support for the many needs of the children and continued ministry. 
     
July 2019

Greetings to all,
Thank you for your prayers and support for the Summer Meal and Craft Program!  Because of your generosity I have made several visits to the summer camp.

I start the day around 5:30 am by packing up the car with 100s of eggs and bags and bags of fruit.  Each day a selected group of orphans help in the preparation and cooking of a meal.  Later, another group does arts and crafts, then we all head to the nearby lake (approximately 10 minutes' walk).

We enjoy great fellowship during each visit, from peeling onions, cracking eggs, shredding green peepers, cutting tomatoes or even while starting a fire if we choose to cook in the outdoor area.

During our fellowship, I visit and talk with the children keeping the main goal in mind. My goal each day is to let them know Jesus loves them and He made a way to a heavenly adoption that takes place when we put our faith in Jesus. John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name.

1 John 3:1 - Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.....
 
1- Our God is: Psalm 68:5 - A father to the fatherless,  a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 
2- Psalm 103:13.......the Lord has compassion Like as a father pitieth (has compassion on ) his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. 

In over 19 years of ministering to the orphans I have seen many of the kids grow from four and five-year olds to teenagers.   A few days ago, after breakfast, I announced that I would like to give some children a chance to say a few words. Most of the kids are always eager to talk!   One was selected who had been in the orphanage more than ten years; two were selected from the group between five and ten years and three who had been in the orphanage less than five years.   They were asked to share one of their memorable moments in our relationships over the years. The following words came out: he is fun to be around, he is giving and understanding, and sometimes strict!  One seven-year-old girl said that it is always exciting to see me coming with my backpack, because there is usually some fruits and sweets in it that get shared with the kids!  Another girl, 13, recalled a moment when the winter boots given out by the orphanage were too tight for her feet and she was told to put newspaper in the toes for a day or two to have them enlarged.  After telling me the situation, she gave the boots to another orphan and we quietly went out to buy her new boots that fit!  Now 7 years later, she says this was her happiest moment!  The older boy, who had been in the orphanage over ten years, said that he felt comfortable asking me any question without feeling that he was asking a silly question.   The happiest moment he recalled was the time I attended a basketball game between the team from the orphanage and a local team.   After training for seven months he made the orphanage basketball team.  They played in a tournament with other orphanage teams then had a game with a local school team.  He remembers calling me with the phone of the group mom at around 7am and asking me to come to their game with the local team at 10 min a local park.  I hurriedly made some sandwiches for all eight of them and went to their game.  I was their cheering section for that game!  After the game we had a nice fellowship and even asked the other team to share sandwiches with us.  For him, he said this was like he won a lottery literally! Almost crying, he said that it is so good when you play and have someone to cheer for you!  He made the care giver and other helpers cry!  That day he was one of the helpers in the breakfast cooking.  By the way, he ran and brought his photo album to show the photo I took of them that basketball tournament day!!  He added that he become a Christian in 2011. The photos below when he was 4  and a photo taken this past week now 16.

Gani the orphan just back for summer  school break from his study in Saint Petersburg  has told me he  has been attending a church There. he will be heading back the 27th of August. I appreciate your prayers for him to grow closer with his walk with the Lord. He is studying mechanical engineering. 

May the Lord get the Glory!

Blessings,Dereje
Central Asia 
Kazakhstan
​
May 2019

Greetings to All,
Just a few days after my return from visiting family, I stopped in to the post office found a big box weighing over a hundred pounds sent by a family in Ohio!  When I opened it up, I found a note that stated that they would appreciate if the contents were given out specifically  for the next  handicapped children. 

The box contained dozens and dozens and dozens of shirts, pants, T-shirts and underwearfor teens.
I started giving out to 15 children immediatly; what a blessing! Indeed, the love of Christ demonstrated to these handicapped children is beyond words!!
How our Heavenly Father is delighted as we bless the least of these in His Name.
Today I was met the new director of the Handicapped
Childrens Home.  She has been only three weeks on her post. During our meeting she thanked all of you ministry partners. She had been informed prior to my visit of what has been done with your help. She said currently 210 handicapped children of different levels are under
their care.  She mentioned in every detail what has been done with your help, from the Fruit Drive to giving out wheelchairs,  to winter clothing and she is looking forward to working with us as we Bless them in the Name of Christ.  I will continue giving out the clothing and in the meeting she mentioned she could give me an empty cabinet where we could keep clothing for the future nees out.  I asked her to designate one of the group moms to be in charge of the giving and she said she will. What a favor!

Thanks again for your prayers and support! 

God's blessings,
Dereje

April 2019
- Message from Dereje

Greetings to all,
This past week I remembered the passing of a young orphan, Saule, ten years ago in April. She died after a valiant fight with cancer.  Many orphans heard her share the goodness of God and her salvation in Him as we visited her in hospice care.  She told many to make sure they have their relationship with Jesus right.  The week or so after Saule’s death I was emotionally overtaken and chose not to set my feet in that orphanage for a few days. later, I chose to be there to listen to many orphans cry and hear their “why” questions.  I listened to many, many hurting souls, and learned a lesson myself. I must choose to function despite the emotional tidal wave that wants you to shrink back and not act. My prayers are with all those struggling through grief and loss.

Thank you all for your support and prayers for the Annual Vitamin Drive. Praise the Lord!!  There will be enough vitamins to last all the way through July! This annual drive has been such a blessing for many years and the orphanages look forward to it.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

​December 2018
-Message from Dereje
​
Greetings to All, 
I would like to start this message by reflecting on the time I had yesterday with seven older orphans (19-25 years old).  Two are still in vocational school, three are holding regular jobs, and two are 
working randomly in part-time jobs. Karina finished the two-year dental assistant course and is working on weekends and some evenings while still pursuing more study at the university.  Masha is working in a daycare and has also finished a two-year course on teaching. Kuat, 
who was helped through your support had an operation on his nose. He is now working in a big warehouse and says he has been promoted and enjoys his work. Vanya is working part-time and likes the area of construction. Tima is also working part-time jobs; one week he will be busy and maybe the following week not. Misha and Anton are still studying in college.  Anton will have an eye operation at last, as God wills, later in January. More detail on that later in the newsletter.
 
As we were visiting and reflecting on this passing year, I asked each of them, if they are able, to mention the highest and the lowest moments in their lives this past year.  The majority mentioned their lowest moment was August 28th; that was the date they were told by authorities that the long-awaited distribution of a flat (apartment) to 120 orphans will not be held this year; some have waited six years. Getting a job promotion for one was the highest moment.  For another the lowest moment occurred on his visit to the orphanage when
he blew up in a quarrel with the group mom and said a word he should not have uttered.  He said he wanted to ask forgiveness for that action
but was afraid the group mom would not accept his effort.  We then talked about how one needs to prepare oneself in prayer before making this right but tough choice.  Sharing with them the highest moments was uplifting for all of us and I think God seems to be confirming to me that He is there for us in all we do. 

I often have difficulty coming home after visiting the Handicapped Children's Home, but the highest moment for me happened there not long ago. While visiting the group after giving out mattresses, out of the blue, one quiet little boy said "Papa, Papa" as I gave out fruit... it seems a great confirmation to me!!!  May Father God make his love known to these handicapped children through me!!!

The lowest moment for me, as God reveals to me, is how fragile we are: it happened this past spring when a family that I have known for several years experienced a setback.  We were praying for each other and our families.  Their love for the Kingdom's work has been fantastic, making trips to encourage missionaries as they find a resource and time. The husband had a stroke at the age of 53 and in a moment their life changed. It indeed saddened me. How life is fragile!!
 
I told the group I was glad to hear their sharing.  No matter what has happened to them, bring the situation to God in prayer and examine ourselves and our walk with the Lord according to His word.  As God allows these situations to happen, we have to trust Him through it.  In Corinthians we read that all things work for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to his will.  I told them it is not what happens to us that matters as much as what we decide to do about it.  Whether we allow God to transform our pain and disappointment to power us is what makes a difference in going forward! We paused and reflected about time: time is the common commodity we all have in common. We, as Christians, need to be aware of how we spend our time and realize we need to be accountable to God. We can make changes for through all these situations God is ready to help in our walk of Faith.
 
As one year ends, another new year is beginning! Would you consider today in prayer to partner with this ministry financially as I am very close to my support goal.  So far 86% pledged and donated since my request in early fall.  The main thing is to give as the Lord leads, whatever is the amount.  I always believe that where God leads, He provides!  As a report, the random donations to the ministry the past two months are very encouraging.  Thank you!  As usual, as the needs for special projects arise, I will let you know how you can take part.
 
For today, I want to start with a praise report for Vova's second operation on his left eye: the surgery went very well.  Thanks again for your prayers and sponsoring his operation.
 
We have been planning for Anton's eye operation. Over a year and a half ago we raised $1100USD but were unable to get the surgery done.  Now we need to raise an additional $1200USD to schedule his operation the third week of January.  Your prayers and support will be appreciated.  Thank you.
 
Another project coming up soon is the Annual Vitamin Drive.  I have to say a big "Thank You" to the kids from a church in College Station, Texas! During the summer Vacation Bible School, Holy Cross raised $1100USD toward the upcoming Annual Vitamin Drive.  Appreciate your consideration to cover the remaining $1900USD, as the Lord leads.  As usual, we give out the vitamins some time in February.

I want to say "Thank You" for the women's group making warm scarves and mailing them during the past four months.  This group of women from a church in Texas has been part of the Annual Winter Clothing Project now for several years, making hundreds and hundreds of scarves and hats.  I have been told that more boxes are on the way and what a blessing!  Thank you!!!!!!
 
The fund for my "fruit" visits to the Handicapped Children's Home is secured for 20 more visits!!
 
Thank you all for your prayers and support and because of you,the Good News of Christ is being proclaimed! 


October 2018
-Message From Dereje

Greetings to all,
During the past two weeks I have been making regular visits to the Handicapped Children's Home.  In each of the past three visits I have spent two hours with Downs
Syndrome children, 8-11 years old, sharing sliced apples and pears and trying to have fun drawing.  I provided each of them with a piece of paper and crayons.  The first day was difficult, as they were a new groups and had never seen me before.  The following visits were very easy, and they were happy to see me, giving me hugs when I entered the room.  We kept the drawings from the previous days and the group mom gave to each of them his or her drawings.  I had written their names in a notebook and called their names as we handed out the drawings.  Each remembered their name and responded as I read their name.  Indeed, hearing their name means a lot to each of them!

During the past week I have made several visits with Vova to the medical center laboratory as he got blood work
and other tests before his upcoming operation on 
Thursday the 25th of October. He has been living with the local family for over a month now and was eager to share
his experience at home and school; Vova is studying in a culinary academy with a two-and-a-half-year program.
 After his laboratory visit we shared a meal.  I prayed with 
him and encouraged him to continue to develop the habit of his daily morning study of the Word of God and writing out the verse.  In one of the morning visits 
another older orphan joined us after his night shift at work; Vanya, now 25, seven years older than Vova, grew up in the same orphanage.

I took two older orphans to the farmers market on the weekend and this has been a great time as I try to teach them how they could save on groceries by buying in bulk and also directly from farmers.
I appreciate your prayers as three older orphans showed interest in visiting the Handicapped Children's Home and I will be asking permission from the leadership to see if they could join me on the regular visits.
Thank you all for your prayers and support! There is now the option of giving your ministry gift on-line:
Instruction for online giving through Horizon Christian Fellowship: 

1) go to this website:  www.horizonindy.org
2) Click Giving ( located on the top right side ) this will take u to giving page that says ( Tithes & offerings)
3) Below Tithes and offerings, click the "click here to give online" option
4) Click Missionary support
5) This page opens up all the missionaries this church supports, please scroll down until you find Dereje Wondmu and then click on his name.
6) On the right side of the page you will see Dereje's name and an icon that says continue.
Click on continue.
7) Then fill in your info, give and submit.

God's Blessings,
Dereje
Central Asia ,Kazakhstan

June 2018
Greetings to All,
As of this morning, I have 10 days before the start of the Summer Meal Program which will include 21 visits to the orphanage summer camps.  Already 14 visits are sponsored!
Saturday during a meeting with seven of the older orphans, we reflected on their lives during the past year.  Most of the these children live in the apartments given out last year to orphans; two joined me who still await an apartment and have been living in the Youth House for five years.  We discussed four major challenges they face:
1.  The fear of failure(not succeeding)
2. How to budget and make their funds last to the end
​    of the month
3. Breaking the stereotype in the society of what
    “orphan” means
4. Tackling loneliness and depression (Especially when thoughts of "if only we had parents", comes to them)

All say reading the Word really helped them when that sense of loneliness challenges them. After this exchange of words, what a great opportunity to stress the importance of the Word of God! I offered some verses on pretension, friendship, the Name of the Lord, the hope in Christ:

A friend loves at all times. – Prov 17:17

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. - Prov 27:9

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his friend. – Prov 22:11

The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run to it and are safe. - Prov 18:10

We wait in hope for the Lord, He is our help and shield.
- Psalm 33:20

I am the Lord, those who hope in me will not be disappointed. - Isaiah 49:23

Encouraging them to work on their salvation, 
appropriating the power of God that becomes part of them the moment when they started walking with Him. Reminding them to take time to join the weekly bible study. 

Please pray for the many orphans still living in the Youth House who are waiting to get a flat someday, and as I encourage them to seek the Lord in studying His Word. 

Today I visited the Handicapped Children's Home after over three weeks of absence.  What a special reunion! We had plenty of time outside with the warm weather. Later I stopped in to visit the group with more severe problems.  Today was just a time of “hanging out” with the kids; on Thursday I will visit again and bring fruit.

Thanks again for your sponsorship of "Summer Meals".
I am working on getting permission to provide some coloring books for the summer camp for the 4-6-year-old group, possibly using some pictures from the creation story like the ark of Noah. Every year some visitors from outside come to do drawings with them in the afternoons. 

​Thanks again for your prayers and support as each day we become the hand of God to many. As I share each day the Hope I have in Christ and sharing the Gospel.
Blessings, 
Dereje
Central Asia

May 2018
Greetings,
How do I prepare to make another visit to the Handicapped Children's House?  It may not seem like a lot of preparation, but it is!  I make a list of the names of the groups I plan to visit; no matter how disabled they are, they are very much responsive to the calling of their names.  This week I visited one particular group of 11 of them; I took slices of apples and bananas and helped feed them at their own pace; they take longer to eat the apples, but the bananas are easier. To help I need to be on my knees and be at their level.   One would not return unchanged after such a typical visit!  During my visit one of the mothers was visiting her five-year-old child; he is paralyzed below the waist and has been there three years.  I saw them outside sitting on a bench and I called her son’s name and he immediately responded.  I got to witness to her in our conversation. They are also included in the random photos below. 
I thank the Lord for allowing me to have a chance to do this service in such a closed governmental facility.  To be there loving on them in Christ’s name.  What a challenging task for the group mom doing it day in and day out.  How they welcome my visits with their smiles are just beyond description. Appreciate your prayers for the whole program, and especially for the group moms.
This week at another orphanage. An older orphan, vasili, turned 18 and left today to live in the Government Youth House.  Two days before we had an outing together.  I took him and another two orphans for a bus ride to the mountain outside of Almaty and we hiked for over an hour and addressed issues he might face as he leaves for a less supervised environment. He is in a carpentry school now over a year and eight months. Appreciate your prayers for him as he makes this transition.
 Also, a small note on the visit with Masha to that specialist nose doctor.  She had a sudden, acute shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing; the nose seemed closed.  I am very grateful to that doctor, who with a short notice, allowed me to take this 15-year old orphan for a visit.  After seeing her, he ordered a nasal spray, and this will do until an X-Ray and more detailed examination will be done in a month.  He did not charge us anything for the visit.  Appreciate your prayers for Masha.


Thank you for your partnership in the Lord's work.

In His Service
Dereje
Central Asia
Psalm 86:12 ( with all  my heart I will praise you,o Lord my God,I will give glory to your name forever)

March 2018

Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. The word “slipping” is made very clear to my feet in this severely cold region. This verse struck home early one morning. I was walking alongside a river as snow filled the streets. Walked too quickly I slipped -- luckily into a pile of snow. A man behind me noticed and laughingly asked if I was all right. We kept walking and the conversation turned to the topic of fear and walking alone so early in the morning. That topic eventually led to sharing the psalm and  my request for him to have peace. He responded and prayed after me a sinner’s prayer-- a man 63 years old experiencing Christ! I will be sharing a Bible with him in the next few days. May the Lord get the glory!  This month I was also able to distribute more of the much-needed warm scarves and hats along with many Bibles. Thank you all for your support. Please continue to pray for the believers, and for boldness to share the good news of Christ.

Blessings,
Dereje
Central Asia

February 2018
Greetings to all, 
Thank you for your great response to the needs of the orphans in Kazakhstan. The vitamin drive is underway and we are very close to the goal. Of the 390 needed, already provisions have been made for 351. A request was sent out to sponsor Bibles in January and was quickly covered.

Recently we were visited by the father of an adopted orphan. In 2003 a family adopted a child born with a cleft palate. The child is now 19 and in her first year of college. During the visit,  God opened a door for the father to share his adoption experience. He got a chance to express gratitude to the care givers and the directors, and also meet with people who had been working in the orphanage during the adoption. We were able to share a meal with several orphans and share the Goodness of God and how God leads in the adoption process. One subject discussed with the orphans was that we all are adopted into the kingdom of God (those considering Christ as our Savior.)

During the week long visit we visited the handicapped children’s home and were able to provide two wheelchairs. What a blessing to be part of this gift. We also saw the apartment complex where the young adults live, and joined in a Bible study that evening.  It was stressed to put God first and the need for a community of believers to encourage each other and to pray for each other, and how reaching out to the lost should be a daily routine.

What an encouragement to many orphans the visit was!
I thank the family for sending the Dad here. What a blessed time! This was his second visit after he and his wife adopted the child.  At that earlier visit 12 years ago, he brought his two biological children who were teenagers at that time. 
Thanks again for being involved in the lives
​of the fatherless.
Blessings,
Dereje
Central Asia











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July Mission Moment

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Holy Cross Lutheran Church via auth.ccsend.com 12:39 PM (32 minutes ago)


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July Mission Moment
Summer Meals 2019

Greetings to all,
Thank you for your prayers and support for the Summer Meal and Craft Program!  Because of your generosity I have made several visits to the summer camp.

I start the day around 5:30 am by packing up the car with 100s of eggs and bags and bags of fruit.  Each day a selected group of orphans help in the preparation and cooking of a meal.  Later, another group does arts and crafts, then we all head to the nearby lake (approximatly a  10 minutes' walk).

I would like to say thank you to those who sent the boxes of swimming shorts and flippers; I received them and gave them out to the kids.
What an exciting time for them!



We enjoy great fellowship during each visit, from peeling onions, cracking eggs, shredding green peepers, cutting tomatoes or even while starting a fire if we choose to cook in the outdoor area.


During our fellowship, I visit and talk with the children keeping the main goal in mind. My goal each day is to let them know Jesus loves them and He made a way to a heavenly adoption that takes place when we put our faith in Jesus. John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name.

1 John 3:1 - Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.....
 
1- Our God is: Psalm 68:5 - A father to the fatherless,  a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 
2- Psalm 103:13.......the Lord has compassion Like as a father pitieth (has compassion on ) his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. 
 
In over 19 years of ministering to the orphans I have seen many of the kids grow from four and five-year olds to teenagers.   A few days ago, after breakfast, I announced that I would like to give some children a chance to say a few words. Most of the kids are always eager to talk!   One was selected who had been in the orphanage more than ten years; two were selected from the group between five and ten years and three who had been in the orphanage less than five years.   They were asked to share one of their memorable moments in our relationships over the years. The following words came out: he is fun to be around, he is giving and understanding, and sometimes strict!  One seven-year-old girl said that it is always exciting to see me coming with my backpack, because there is usually some fruits and sweets in it that get shared with the kids!  Another girl, 13, recalled a moment when the winter boots given out by the orphanage were too tight for her feet and she was told to put newspaper in the toes for a day or two to have them enlarged.  After telling me the situation, she gave the boots to another orphan and we quietly went out to buy her new boots that fit!  Now 7 years later, she says this was her happiest moment!  The older boy, who had been in the orphanage over ten years, said that he felt comfortable asking me any question without feeling that he was asking a silly question.   The happiest moment he recalled was the time I attended a basketball game between the team from the orphanage and a local team.   After training for seven months he made the orphanage basketball team.  They played in a tournament with other orphanage teams then had a game with a local school team.  He remembers calling me with the phone of the group mom at around 7am and asking me to come to their game with the local team at 10am!in a local park.  I hurriedly made some sandwiches for all eight of them and went to their game.  I was their cheering section for that game!  After the game we had a nice fellowship and even asked the other team to share sandwiches with us.  For him, he said this was like he won a lottery literally! Almost crying, he said that it is so good when you play and have someone to cheer for you!  He made the care giver and other helpers cry!  That day he was one of the helpers in the breakfast cooking.  By the way, he ran and brought his photo album to show the photo I took of them that basketball tournament day!!  He added that he become a Christian in 2011. The photos below when he was 4  and a photo taken this past week now 16.






Gani the orphan just back for summer  school break from his study in Saint Petersburg  has told me he  has been attending a church There. he will be heading back the 27th of August. I appreciate your prayers for him to grow closer with his walk with the Lord. He is studying mechanical engineering. 


May the Lord get the Glory!

Blessings,Dereje
Central Asia 
Kazakhstan

Please prayerfully consider becoming a partner in mission with me. Checks can be sent to: 

Horizon Missions
7702 Indian Lake Rd,
Indianapolis, IN 46236

Please make checks payable to "Horizon Missions" with the memo "Contribution" as well as a paper stating that your contribution is for Dereje Wondmu in Kazakhstan and the specific need you want to sponsor. For example "Dereje Wondmu Missionary Support", "Sunday Meals", etc...

(Horizon will provide a tax receipt at the end of the year.)




Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1200 Foxfire Drive, College Station, TX 77845
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church12:39 PM (32 minutes ago)
Father to the Fatherless July Mission Moment Summer Meals 2019 Greetings to all, Thank you for your prayers and support for the Summer Meal and Craft Program! B



HC Graphics and Communication <graphics@holycrossbcs.org>12:41 PM (30 minutes ago)


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