From Dima and Katya Nachyna, the couple over the Belarus orphanage ministry CPC has supported for many years:
When a child says, “Happiness Does Not Exist”:
These were the words of a fifteen-year-old girl during our very first conversation about happiness. She had recently returned to the orphanage after a failed foster placement. Behind those words were disappointment, deep pain, and the feeling that nothing in her life could ever change.
It is for children like her that we organize our summer camp year after year. A child who has grown up without a family needs far more than rest or fun activities. They desperately need to meet people who will stay by their side, listen without judgment, offer a hug, and show them that they are loved and valued. We believe this is one of the ways God reaches human hearts.
Dear friends,
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your prayers, financial support, and practical involvement in our ministry to orphaned children. Because of your generosity and God’s mercy, our summer camp took place from June 12–21, bringing together 95 orphaned children and 22 volunteers.
This year’s theme was “The Formula for Happiness.” Each day we searched together for the answer to one important question: Where can true happiness be found? We talked about faith, peace with God, prayer, God’s Word, love for others, and the freedom we have in Christ. Yet the most meaningful changes did not happen only during the group sessions. They were born in personal conversations, shared prayers, and time spent reading Scripture together.
It was especially moving to see that the children were not waiting for games or gifts—they were waiting for people who knew them by name and remembered their stories. This is how trust is built, and without trust it is impossible to speak about hope or God’s love.
The children were overjoyed to reunite with the mentors they had met the previous year. They ran to hug them, eagerly shared stories about their lives, and did not want to let us leave in the evenings. Even after the evening program ended, they stayed with us, sat close, hugged us, and continued talking long before bedtime.
Throughout the camp we realized once again how important it is for every child to feel loved and valuable. Many of them were used to saying, “I can’t,” “I won’t succeed,” or “I’m not able to do that.” But with just a little patience, love, and encouragement, they began reading, tying their shoelaces, performing on stage, playing musical instruments, and confidently speaking in front of others. Often, the greatest miracle begins when someone believes in themselves for the very first time.
One of the most popular workshops was the music class, where we taught the children to sing and play the guitar. Every evening, one of the teams led the camp in a worship song. After they finished singing, it was impossible not to notice the change on their faces. They were glowing with joy because they had overcome their fears and discovered abilities they never knew they had. These small victories became important steps toward confidence and hope.
One story, in particular, has stayed with me. A young boy spent the first several days of camp hardly speaking and never once smiled. He kept to himself, as though he believed no one could possibly care about him. Then one evening we saw a completely different child—smiling, open, and genuinely happy. For most people, a child’s smile may seem ordinary. But when the child who has not spoken to anyone for days suddenly smiles and begins to trust others, you realize that something far greater than a good mood has happened inside.
During one of the creative workshops, Ruslan was drawing a star-filled sky. As he worked, he quietly said that he imagined the day when he would meet his mother again in heaven. Another teenager shared his dream of growing up, finding a job, and bringing his younger brothers—who are currently living in different orphanages—to live with him. Tanya, who for a long time had kept everyone at a distance, opened her heart to her mentor for the first time and spoke honestly about her pain. Moments like these remind us that true ministry does not begin on a stage. It begins when we are willing to stop, listen carefully, and share another person’s burden.
Throughout the week the children asked many questions about God, forgiveness, prayer, heaven, and eternal life. Many prayed sincerely and intentionally for the first time. Some made the decision to dedicate their lives to Christ. It was especially touching to see older teenage boys—who often found it difficult to express emotion—unable to hold back their tears during testimonies and prayer. Once again, we witnessed God working in the hearts of children who may have been abandoned by their biological parents but have never been abandoned by the Lord.
The camp changed not only the children, but also the volunteers. Many gave up part of their vacation to spend the week serving these boys and girls. Every day we saw God working in our own hearts, teaching us to love, to be patient, to serve, and to recognize each child as a precious person created in His image.
The camp passed by so quickly. Yet we believe that God’s Word spoken at the right moment, a sincere prayer, a simple hug, a smile, or genuine attention can leave a lifelong impact. We do not know what each of these children will become in ten or twenty years, but we do know that throughout this week the Lord knocked on every one of their hearts and revealed His love and care through all of us.
Thank you for serving these children together with us. We believe that the Lord will continue His work in their lives, and that the seeds of faith and love planted this week will, in His perfect time, produce a beautiful harvest.
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