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Covenant Women Head to Russia
CHICAGO, IL (September 30, 2003) - Fifteen women from six conferences of the
Evangelical Covenant Church are traveling this week to Russia for a
cross-cultural opportunity visit to three Russian provinces sponsored by
Covenant Women Ministries (CWM).
The October 1-15 trip is being led by Ruth Hill, CWM executive minister,
and Jenya Haps, area director for the Colorado-based Children's HopeChest.
Others heading to Russia include former CWM executive director Deirdre
Banks along with Betty Eddy, Rebecca Hammer, Janelle Johnson, Kimberly
Miller, Karin O'Connor, Grace Pederson, Phyllis Semmes, Lynn Murray Smith,
Bonnie Dean Smith, Sandra Warren, Natasha Westerhoud and Donna Wright.
Covenant Women Ministry's interest in Russian orphanages grew out of a
relationship with Children's HopeChest, founded in 1994 and offering
practical aids to orphans throughout the world. It was the recipient of
funds from CWM's Project 2003: Our Next Step. The project will address the
needs of graduates of Russian orphanages, offering them life skills
training as they transition into adulthood. Children must leave orphanages
at age 18 and many do not have the support systems and/or resources to make
a smooth transition into Russian society, Hill reports.
From October 10-12, the group will be part of the first-ever rally for
women graduates of Russian orphanages. The event will take place in
Vladimir, a province located northeast of Moscow. Speakers will discuss a
variety of topics, including domestic violence and sanctity of life issues,
parenting and dating within the Russian context.
Hill and her husband, Brad, were visiting professors at St. James Bible
College in Magadan, Russia, in February 2001. It was on that visit that she
discovered that a CWM "My First Bible" project (the distribution of Bibles
via International Bible Society) in 1995 served as a catalyst for the
development of orphanages in the region. Banks was part of the 1995 trip.
So was Haps, a Russian translator for the International Bible Society tour
who says she was so moved by the experience that she joined the Children's
HopeChest as an employee. She now travels back and forth to Russia from her
home in Wheaton, Illinois, as a U.S.-based staff member for the
organization.
"We created this opportunity to coincide with the fundraising for Project
2003, offering women an in-depth opportunity to minister to these young
Russian women" said Hill. "Part of the money we've raised is for family
centers that will model family life for orphans who are graduating. Through
this they'll learn about budgeting, husband-wife relationships and even
cooking - anything about what it means to live as a family. Another part of
the funding will support weekend retreats designed to help the women to
rely on help from their heavenly father."
Additional information on the trip may be found under the CWM link at
www.covchurch.org and may also be access by calling 773-907-3332.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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