Children's hospice: beams of relief and encouragement brought by God's Word.

For many years the BSRB has been keeping close contacts with the Belarusian children's hospice. We came to be on friendly terms with Anna G. Gorchakova, and the Bible Society has given the set of the literature for the hospice every year. Until recently the hospice was located in the building of a kindergarten, which had caused certain inconvenience. At the present time the Belarusian hospice is situated in the settlement of Baraulyany, Minsk suburb, occupying a big nice cottage. The hospice currently houses nearly 50 kids, several months to 20 years age bracket. Some 50% of them are those suffering from grave forms of cancer, another half is a group of the children with chronic diseases. The main social problem for the kids from both categories is lack of communication, and the workers of the hospice do their best to render social, medical and physiological help the inmates need so much. Spiritual literature is extremely valuable in this regard.

The workers of the Bible Society visited the hospice and brought along the Children Bibles, Bible Stories and other books to hand to the kids. Anna Gorchakova ushered us into the rooms, and we presented the kids with the books. Thanks to those precious gifts the children received the opportunity of getting acquainted with the Word of God. Besides, it is of a great help and support to the nurses looking after them.

Feeling concern for the future of the inmates of the hospice, Anna Gorchakova asked the Bible Society to render material and spirityal help help to the family of a young couple. The young parents Sasha and Alesya had once been classmates and come to love one another since 4th grade. They got married right after reaching lawful age, and the future looked bright upon them. But the great joy one feels at the birth of his child turned to be a severe ordeal. Their baby arrived with an inborn incurable illness known as Vernigo-Gofman disease. That disease paralyses the activity of spinal cord, leaving a brain functioning. That leads to muscle atrophy, and forced lung ventilation is needed. The nurses of the hospice render the young parents psychological help and teach them how to use the medical equipment.

The Bible Society on its side handed this family the Bible and articles of prime necessity. Sasha and Alesya were very pleased to receive the gifts, their hearts full of thankfulness.

We will carry on collaborating with the hospice, using every opportunity of bringing relief and encouragement to that place.