Stuff a Stocking Distribution Trip-2007

SOAR International Ministries’ 2007 Stuff a Stocking project once again provided stockings full of gifts and a Bible to needy children in Russia during this past Christmas season. Our distribution teams of SOAR staff, American volunteers and Russian Christians, along with local pastors, churches and other partners, delivered over 2400 of these stockings.  We traveled by bus and train (and even by snow machine in eastern Russia!) to more than 25 different sites in central, northwest and eastern Russia. 

SOAR’s ministry focuses on opening hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our goal is to show Christian love in action.  During each stocking distribution, the children enjoyed songs, puppets, stories, personal letters, hugs, love and the good news of God’s gift of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.  These visits by the team open the doors for the local churches and missionaries to have an ongoing ministry in many of these orphanages or centers.  The colorful stockings stuffed with lots of wonderful gifts of hygiene items school supplies, warm clothes, candy and toys brought instant happiness to children, many of whom have never received a gift in their entire life.  Each child also received their own personal Bible with colorful picture.  For these children whose lives are full of suffering, need and hardship, the stockings represent the miracle of God’s love.   

Little Anya was thrilled as she found the children’s Bible in her stocking.  She said, “When I came to this orphanage two months ago, I saw several of the other children had their own Bibles.  Although I really wanted one for myself I never thought it would ever be possible.  Today is the best day of my life!”

From the well-lit halls of a rented cultural center to a muddy barnyard in the rainy dark, Stuff a Stocking distribution teams ministered to children in a variety of situations.  Teams visited children whose parent(s) were in prison, others who had been found on the streets and were currently in an “evaluation center” and many others in similar desperate circumstances.  Stockings were also delivered by various Russian partner groups and churches to sites our visiting teams could not reach.  Our SOAR team in the Chukotka Region of eastern Russia delivered stockings in remote, isolated villages.  Their last trip took four hours by snow machine in temperatures reaching -25 degrees centigrade to reach children in a small village and distribute about 50 stockings. 

Only God can make the dramatic changes needed in these children’s lives.  Pray with us that He will take the seeds planted by the teams and use His Word to bring them to Him.  Pray also for those who found Chtrist as our teams shared the Gospel on this year’s trip.  Contact us at SOAR to find out more about sponsoring stockings/Bibles and joining us on our distribution next year to bring God’s Word and joy into the lives of these needy children through the Stuff a Stocking project.  You can make a difference in the world today, one child at a time.

The 2007 Stuff a Stocking Team Members