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Mission of love
Rev. Kathryn Adams leads 17th trip for Volunteer-In-Mission Team
By LINDA M. LINONIS
canfield
After 17 trips to orphanages in Russia, the Rev. Kathryn Adams, leader of the “To Russia With Love” Volunteer-In-Mission Team, counts on her experience in planning and organizing of such a venture. But it’s also a continuing challenge.
“We want it to be a blessing to them,” the Rev. Mrs. Adams said of the missions of mercy to Russian orphanages for physically and mentally challenged children. “They bless us with their smiles, acceptance and happiness. They are so welcoming and happy for us to spend time with them.”
Mrs. Adams’ most recent trip, March 10-24, was to “orphanage 10” in St. Petersburg for mentally challenged children.
She works through the Russian Peace Foundation, formerly the Soviet Peace Foundation. Among its goals are the promotion of friendship and understanding among peoples and human-rights protection. “It’s becoming more difficult to get in ... they may be concerned about unfavorable publicity and it disrupts the children’s schedules and routines,” Mrs. Adams said.
She also said the mission team stays at the orphanage and providing a place to stay and meals may burden some facilities.
Mrs. Adams said the trip to “orphanage 10” was a departure from the usual destination of the Renewal Orphanage in Dmitrov, Russia, which is north of Moscow. She said one of the team members, the Rev. David Joachim, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boardman, said he would like to return to St. Petersburg and orphanage, which he had visited in 2005.
The Rev. Mr. Joachim wrote what he envisioned doing at the orphanage in March edition of Table Talk, the church newsletter. He wrote that the trip revolved around “building relationships, finding things in common, praying and building bridges.” “God reveals so much more to me through the orphans,” he wrote.
Mrs. Adams said “orphanage 10” houses about 55 children from 7 to 20 years old. All suffer from mental handicaps because their mothers drank or took drugs. Children were abandoned or removed from homes because of abuse or neglect.
Through their churches, the team members collect items that they take as gifts for the children. Among items are new hats, gloves, hoodies, toys, flashlights, pens, notebooks, combs, brushes, lighted balls and personal-hygiene products. The children receive age- appropriate “goodie bags.”
The team also brings a donation of money to help the facility buy needed items. Those included diapers, eyeglasses for 14 children and medicine such as antibiotics and pain and asthma medication.
Mrs. Adams said the team members played soccer with the children.
The team also did a work projected by team member Gary Reed of Wooster, who supervised as members gutted three rooms and renovated them into two bedrooms and shared “living room” space.
She noted for some team members, it was the first such experience. “I think everybody learned that love doesn’t need a language. Love is expressed in actions and deeds ... by who you are and by what you do,” she said.
Other team members were the Rev. Russell Adams, Victor Emerick, Sarah Hennessey, Teri Johnson, Courtney Kyle Joachim, Jan Machel, Christopher Colin Reed, Gary Reed, Jennifer Timmer and Jessica Whiting.
An informational meeting about the next trip, Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 12, 2012, will be at 3 p.m. May 1 at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, 4580 Canfield Road, Canfield. For information, visit www.2russiawithlove.com or email Kathrynpcm@aol.com.