Mission 2021 QUARTER 1 EURO-ASIA DIVISION - AdventistMission.org
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Mission CHILDREN’S
2021 • QUARTER 1 • EURO-ASIA DIVISION
AdventistMission.org
1Q21 Children.indd 1 1/28/20 12:40 PM
Contents
O n the Cover: Kamila, 13, prayed to be excused from Saturday classes in Kyrgyzstan.
God answered by providing an opportunity to go to an Adventist school. Story, Page 16.
UKRAINE RUSSIA
4 Believing in Saint Nicholas | Jan. 2 22 Faithful Pathfinder | March 6
6 How Old Is God? | Jan. 9
24 Shining for Jesus | March 13
8 A New Girl | Jan. 16
10 Missing Memory Stick | Jan. 23 26 Artist or Doctor? | March 20
12 Unexpected Witness | Jan. 30 28 Ivan’s Happiest Day | March 27
KYRGYZSTAN 30 Future Thirteenth Sabbath Projects
14 Surprise Gifts | Feb. 6 31 Additional Activities
16 No School on Sabbath | Feb. 13
18 Praying for Vitaly | Feb. 20 35 Leader’s Resources
20 Best Birthday Present | Feb. 27 36 Map
Your Offerings at Work
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering three years
©2021 General Conference of
ago helped construct this gym at South Union Seventh-day Adventists ® • All rights reserved
Adventist College in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Read 12501 Old Columbia Pike,
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601
stories from the school on pages 14-21. 1-800-648-5824 • AdventistMission.org
2
1Q21 Children.indd 2 1/28/20 12:40 PM
Dear Sabbath School Leader, Andrew McChesney
Editor
A remarkable story is unfolding across Union when the institution
the Euro-Asia Division, where the number now known as Zaoksky
of church schools has surged from 14 in Adventist University opened outside
2012 to more than 50 today. Moscow in 1988. But compared with
“There are many reasons why schools other parts of the world, Adventist schools
are opening quickly now, but one of got a slow start in the vast territory of
the main reasons is it is the right time the Euro-Asia Division, partly because of
and the right place for God to fulfill the seven decades of Soviet rule. Brave
His plans,” Mikhail Kaminskiy told me Adventists who surreptitiously translated
during his 2015-20 term as president of church cofounder Ellen White’s writings
the Euro-Asia Division. into Russian intentionally omitted her
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering advice to open church schools over fears
will make a big difference to Adventist of needlessly provoking the authorities. As
education by helping two schools a result, it was only after the 1991 Soviet
construct buildings on the campuses of collapse that read White’s counsel such
Zaoksky Adventist University in Russia as: “In all our churches, and wherever
and the Ukrainian Adventist Center of there is a company of believers, church
Higher Education, a college located near schools should be established: and in these
Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Currently the schools there should be teachers who have
combined elementary schools and high the true missionary spirit for the children
schools borrow classroom space from the are to be trained to become missionaries”
institutions of higher education. (The Southern Review, July 18, 1899).
The Adventist Church established the The first elementary school was opened in
first Protestant seminary in the Soviet 1990 at Zaoksky.
The Euro-Asia Division is home to
330.4 million people, including 107,252
Adventists in 13 countries. That’s a ratio
Opportunities of one Adventist for 3,080 people.
The Thirteenth Sabbath Offering You can download the PDF version of
this quarter will help the Euro-Asia the Children’s Mission magazine at bit.ly/
Division to: childrensmission and the youth and adult
Construct three-story preschool, Mission magazine at bit.ly/adultmission.
elementary school, and high school on the Mission Spotlight videos are available
campus of Ukrainian Adventist Center of at bit.ly/missionspotlight. A printable
Higher Education in Bucha, Ukraine
mission bank image, which the children
AdventistMission.org
Construct two-story preschool, can color, can be downloaded at bit.ly/
elementary school, and high school
on the campus of Zaoksky Adventist
bank-coloring-page.
University in Tula region, Russia Thank you for encouraging children to
be mission-minded!
3
1Q21 Children.indd 3 1/28/20 12:40 PM
UKRAINE | J a nua r y 2
Daniela, 14
Believing in Saint Nicholas
D aniela felt so lonely when she began
first grade at the public school in
Bucha, Ukraine. Of the 40 children in her
“What did Saint Nicholas give you?” a
boy asked a girl.
“He gave me a doll!” she said. “What
class, she only knew one child, a girl with about you?”
whom she sometimes played dolls. The “He gave a sled,” the boy said.
other children were already good friends The boy turned to Daniela. “What did
after going to preschool together. Saint Nicholas give you?”
It was hard to make friends at school. Daniela didn’t know what to say. She
Daniela came from a Seventh-day felt embarrassed. “Nothing,” she said. “I
Adventist family, and she was the only don’t believe in Saint Nicholas.”
Adventist in her class. The children had “How can that be?” the boy exclaimed.
been raised by their parents differently. “I’m an Adventist,” Daniela said. “We
They had a different understanding don’t celebrate that holiday. We believe
of what it meant to be friends. They only in God, not in Saint Nicholas.”
celebrated different holidays. The boy had never heard about such a
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
One Monday, Daniela arrived at thing. “You are strange,” he said.
school to hear the children excitedly Every so often, Teacher took the class
talking about the gifts that they had on field trips to a small cathedral near
received over the weekend. Their families the school. The first time, Daniela went
had celebrated Saint Nicholas Day on along and was astonished to see the other
December 19, and the children had children light candles and say prayers to
received gifts as part of the holiday. Saint Nicholas and other saints. She had
4
1Q21 Children.indd 4 1/28/20 12:40 PMnever worshiped that way before, and she
U K R A I N E
watched awkwardly. At home, she told Story Tips
her parents about what had happened.
Mother asked the school to excuse Find Bucha, Ukraine, on the map. It is
located just outside the capital, Kyiv.
Daniela from future field trips.
Things improved when another Ask the children whether they have
Adventist girl enrolled in the school. ever felt uncomfortable or embarrassed
about being a Christian. Ask them why.
Olga was in the same grade as Daniela. Encourage them never to be ashamed of
One day, Olga came to Daniela with Jesus, who said, “For whoever is ashamed
a big smile. “Guess what!” she said. “An of Me and My words … of him the Son
Adventist school is opening in our town, of Man also will be ashamed when He
comes in the glory of His Father with the
and we can go there!” holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
Daniela couldn’t believe her ears.
“That’s so cool!” she exclaimed. Watch Daniela on YouTube:
bit.ly/Daniela-ESD.
A week and a half later, on February
11, Daniela transferred to the new Download photos on Facebook
Adventist school. It turned out that a (bit.ly/fb-mq).
group of parents had felt sorry for her and Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
other Adventist children and decided Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
to open a school just for them in a big
apartment. Forty Adventist children met
in the apartment for the first school year. “I really like the school,” she said. “I
Daniela liked her new school. The like the Adventist teachers. It is easy
teachers didn’t yell at her. Everyone was when you aren’t alone in your faith.”
kind. It was easy to make friends.
Today, the school meets on the campus Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth
of an Adventist college and has 180 Sabbath Offering will help Daniela’s
children, many of whom come from non- school construct its own building.
Adventist homes. Daniela is 14 years old Currently the school borrows classrooms
and the only Adventist in her ninth- from an Adventist college, and your
grade class. But she does not feel lonely. offering will help the children meet in
Her teacher is Adventist, and she has their own classrooms.
Adventist friends in the other classes. By Andrew McChesney
Ukraine has a long Christian history. In 988, Prince Vladimir of Kiev,
known as Vladimir the Great, negotiated a marriage to Anna, sister of
the Byzantine emperor, Basil II, and converted to Eastern Orthodox
RECORD
MISSION
AdventistMission.org
Christianity. Subsequently he destroyed many pagan shrines and
established a number of Christian churches.
5
1Q21 Children.indd 5 1/28/20 12:41 PMUKRAINE | J a nua r y 9
How Old
Is God?
N i k i ta , 1 2
small Bible is just the right size for me.”
He opened the Bible and found a candy
wrapper trapped between the pages. He
F ather and Mother owned three nice
Bibles. But they never read them.
Nikita wasn’t particularly interested
took out the candy wrapper and looked
underneath. “In the beginning God
created the heavens and the earth,” he
in God. He had heard about God, but he read in Genesis 1:1.
didn’t think about Him. Until one day. “Finally!” he thought. “Now I can find
One day little Nikita began to wonder out why God created people.”
about life. He went to Mother. The Creation story was fascinating,
“Where did people come from?” he and he immediately read several chapters.
asked. “Where did the world come from?” When he finished, he realized that
“God created everything,” Mother said. Mother had been wrong. God did not
“Why?” Nikita asked. create people so He could be happy. He
“God made us so He would be happy,” created people because He loves people
Mother said. and He wants them to enjoy the earth
Nikita didn’t quite understand that. that He made.
Why would God create people so He Nikita went to Mother. “Guess what I
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
would be happy? Why would God create read in the Bible?” he said. “God created
Nikita to be happy? Nikita wanted to people because He loves people, and He
know more. Then he remembered that created the earth for them to enjoy.”
the three Bibles. One was big and purple. “Amazing!” Mother said. “You are only
The second was gray and not as big. The 7 years old and reading the Bible.”
third was small green and yellow Bible. The next morning, Nikita woke up and
“I’m small,” Nikita thought. “That remembered the small Bible. He resumed
6
1Q21 Children.indd 6 1/28/20 12:41 PMreading in Genesis. After that day, he
U K R A I N E
read every morning. But he still had Story Tips
questions, and he wasn’t finding answers
Find Nikita’s hometown of Bucha,
right away. He asked Mother.
Ukraine, on the map. It is located just
“How old is God?” he said. outside the capital, Kyiv.
Mother didn’t know. Nikita noticed
Ask the children how often they read
that people went to a church near his the Bible. Encourage them to read the
home, and he decided to ask there. The Bible every day like Nikita. Help them
people at the church also didn’t know find a time of the day to read regularly.
God’s age, but Nikita liked worshiping Mornings are usually the best.
there every week. Watch Nikita on YouTube:
Mother was surprised to see Nikita bit.ly/Nikita-ESD.
reading the Bible every morning, and she Download photos on Facebook
liked listening to him talk about what he (bit.ly/fb-mq).
had read. She also saw that he was going Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
to church, and she began to go with him. Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
One summer, when Nikita was 10,
Mother had an idea. the afternoon after school. Other times
“Since you love reading the Bible, why he reads at night. Reading the Bible is his
don’t you go to a school where they teach favorite time of the day.
about God?” she said. “Now I understand that God is real and
She sent him to the Seventh-day near,” Nikita said. “He helps me.”
Adventist school in Bucha, Ukraine. At
school, he learned God’s age. A teacher
Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth
read Revelation 4:8, which says, “Holy,
Sabbath Offering will help Nikita’s school
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was
construct its own building in Bucha,
and is and is to come!” That means God
Ukraine. Currently the school borrows
has lived forever. He never was born, and
classrooms from an Adventist college,
He never will die.
Today, Nikita is 12, and he reads three and your offering will help the children
chapters in the small Bible every day. meet in their own classrooms.
Sometimes he reads in the morning or in By Andrew McChesney
The Orthodox Church, and later the Communist Party, were hostile
to Adventism in Ukraine. Many church members and pastors were
RECORD
MISSION
persecuted for their beliefs and spent many years in prison: some
AdventistMission.org
died in camps during Stalin’s time. Because of this, the church was
developed as an underground institution, and the establishment of
the Adventist Church organization only began in 1978.
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1Q21 Children.indd 7 1/28/20 12:41 PMUKRAINE | J a nua r y 16
A New Girl
S o fi a , 1 1
nearby town of Bucha. “Sofia, you have
a choice,” she said. “You can go to the
Adventist school, or you can go back to
S ofia liked to smile and laugh and talk
with her friends at the public school
in Vorzil, Ukraine. But then she had a big
the public school.”
Sofia didn’t need to be asked twice.
fight with her best friend, Vernika. There was no way that she wanted to
“Nobody needs you,” Vernika said return to the public school.
angrily. “You will never have any friends.” Sofia was very shy when she started fifth
Vernika shoved Sofia, and Sofia fell grade at the Adventist school. She didn’t
against a school wall, hitting her head talk to anyone. She was scared that the
hard. When she got up, her head hurt children might be unkind like Vernika.
terribly. But she didn’t cry. Instead she went On the first day of school, a girl
to the teacher and asked for permission to greeted Sofia.
go home early. Teacher allowed her to go. “Hi,” the girl said.
The headache eventually went away, “Hi,” Sofia replied.
but Sofia’s heart ached for a long time “What’s your name?” said the girl.
because of Vernika’s unkind words. “I have to go to my desk now,” Sofia said.
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
Sofia stopped smiling and laughing. She She didn’t say anything to anybody for
became very quiet. She wondered whether the rest of the day. When it was time to
Vernika had told the truth when she said go home, the boy seated next to her desk
that she would never have any friends. spoke to her. “Bye,” the boy said.
Mother saw Sofia’s sad face. That “Bye,” Sofia said.
summer Mother heard that a Seventh- And that was all.
day Adventist school had opened in the Sofia spoke to hardly anyone for the first
8
1Q21 Children.indd 8 1/28/20 12:41 PM“How old are you?” Teacher said.
U K R A I N E
Story Tips “Ten.”
“Why don’t you talk to anyone?”
Find Bucha, Ukraine, on the map. It is Teacher said.
located just outside the capital, Kyiv.
Sofia told her the story about the mean
Ask the children whether they have girl in her old school.
noticed anyone who seems to be shy Teacher listened carefully. When Sofia
and lonely. Ask what they can to make
the child feel welcome. Ask what Jesus finished, Teacher asked, “Would you
would do. like me to tell you about Someone who
forgave people who hurt Him?”
Watch Sofia on YouTube:
bit.ly/Sofia-ESD. Sofia wanted to hear the story.
Teacher told her about Jesus.
Download photos on Facebook Sofia had never heard about Jesus,
(bit.ly/fb-mq).
and she wondered how He could have
Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast forgiven the people who hurt Him. She
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD. wanted to know more, and she began
to read the Bible at home. At school,
two weeks of school. No one spoke to her she began to talk to her classmates. She
either. She felt lonely and sad. She didn’t became a new person — happy and
have any friends. friendly. She even preached a sermon at
She cried quietly on her bed at home. church. Her friends say she is a new girl.
“Nobody needs me,” she thought. “Jesus loves everyone,” Sofia said.
“Nobody even wants to talk to me.” “Jesus changed my life.”
A few days later, Teacher approached
Sofia after school. This quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath
“What is your name?” Teacher said. Offering will help Sofia’s school construct
its own building in Bucha, Ukraine.
Sofia knew that Teacher already knew
Currently the school borrows classrooms
her name. She wasn’t sure why Teacher
from an Adventist college. Thank you for
was asking her, but she was happy that
planning a generous offering.
someone was talking to her.
“My name is Sofia,” she said. By Andrew McChesney
Ukraine has a number of nature and
BigStockPhoto.com
game reserves, reflecting its commitment
to the conservation of its natural heritage,
AMAZING
particularly the steppes. The first of these,
NATURE
Askaniya-Nova, began as a private wildlife
AdventistMission.org
refuge in 1875; today it has a successful
program of breeding endangered species,
including the onager and Przewalski’s horse.
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1Q21 Children.indd 9 1/28/20 12:41 PMUKRAINE | J a nua r y 23
Ya r o s l a v a , 1 1
Missing Memory Stick
Y aroslava had a favorite memory stick.
The memory stick was gray and blue
and attached to a heart-shaped key chain.
saw an empty cell phone case. But no
memory stick. “Where else could I have
put the memory stick?” she thought.
On the heart was a red ladybug with black She looked over on her desk. She saw a
spots and the words, “God loves you.” computer and a lamp. She saw her backpack
Yaroslava saved music on the memory and her purse. But no memory stick.
stick for singing at church. Yaroslava Then she looked on the windowsill.
loved to sing, and she was often asked to She saw a plant in a pot, but nothing else.
sing for special music. Yaroslava realized that she didn’t have
One summer, Yaroslava needed the any more time to look. It was time to go
memory stick to sing a song at day camp to day camp. She went to Mother.
at her school. But she couldn’t remember “I can’t find my memory stick,” she said.
where she had put it. She stuck her hand Mother took Yaroslava’s cell phone
into her purse and felt around. Nothing. and downloaded the needed song from
She looked around the bedroom that she Yaroslava’s computer. Then Yaroslava
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
shared with her little brother. Where went to day camp, where she sang.
could it be? “God, help me to find the Back at home that evening, Yaroslava
memory stick,” she prayed out loud. “You looked for the memory stick again. She
know how much I need it.” really wanted it. It wasn’t convenient to
Yaroslava looked on the bookshelf. save music on her cell phone.
She saw lots of books and a small treasure “God, help me to find the memory
chest with a tiny angel inside. She also stick,” she prayed.
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1Q21 Children.indd 10 1/28/20 12:41 PMShe looked on the bookshelf. Nothing.
Story Tips
U K R A I N E
On her desk. Nothing. The windowsill.
Nothing. Behind her bed and in
Find Bucha, Ukraine, on the map. It is
the closet. Nothing. That night she located just outside the capital, Kyiv.
remembered the memory stick in her
Ask the children whether God has
bedtime prayer. “Dear God, thank You for
answered their prayers and to share
the good day today,” she prayed. “Thank examples. Ask how long they would
You that I could spend time with friends. be willing to pray. Encourage them to
Please help me to have a good night. be like Yaroslava and never give up
praying. Remind them that Jesus says
Help me to find the memory stick.” we “always ought to pray and not lose
She prayed the same prayer the next heart” (Luke 18:1).
night and then the next. But the memory
Watch Yaroslava on YouTube:
stick was nowhere to be found. A year bit.ly/Yaroslava-ESD.
passed, and Yaroslava kept praying.
She didn’t want to spend money on a Download photos on Facebook
(bit.ly/fb-mq).
new memory stick. She was sure that God
would help her to find it. “If God cares Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
for the sparrows, He will care for me to
find the memory stick,” she thought.
One day, Yaroslava was rearranging
the books on her bookshelf when she saw
something gray and blue wedged between Yaroslava prays to God all the time,
two books. It was attached to a heart- and she talks to Him about everything.
shaped keychain with a red ladybug and “God is my best Friend,” she said. “God
the words, “God loves you.” always hears our prayers, and He always
Yaroslava grabbed the memory stick answers sooner or later.”
and ran to Mother. “Mother, I found the
memory stick!” she exclaimed. This quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath
She returned to her bedroom with a big Offering will help construct a building for
smile. “Thank You, God, for helping me Yaroslava’s school in Ukraine.
find the memory stick,” she prayed. By Andrew McChesney
The national dish of Ukraine, and the
one most familiar to foreigners, is borsch, a
AMAZING
soup made primarily from beets, as well as
UKRAINE
other vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes,
AdventistMission.org
tomatoes, carrots, and onions, and often
flavored with garlic and dill weed. There are
about 30 different kinds of Ukrainian borscht.
BigStockPhoto.com
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1Q21 Children.indd 11 1/28/20 12:41 PMUKRAINE | J a nua r y 30
S o fia , 1 3
Unexpected Witness
S ofia didn’t know anyone when she
started sixth grade at the Seventh-day
Adventist school in Bucha, Ukraine. The
teaches us to be modest,” Sofia said.
The school year passed quickly.
One day, the sixth graders were
school was growing and had never had a discussing bad language while eating in
sixth-grade class before, so none of the the school cafeteria.
eight children knew one another. A boy looked up from his plate of
The sixth-grade class only had two girls, mashed potatoes and turned to Sofia.
Sofia and Tanya, and they quickly became “I’ve never heard you use bad language,”
friends. Sofia came from an Adventist he said. “Have you ever said a bad word?”
family, and she went to church every “No, never,” Sofia said, firmly.
Sabbath. Tanya’s family was not Christian, The boy looked at Tanya.
and Tanya didn’t go to church. “I’ve never heard you use bad language
Sofia told Tanya about God and either,” he said. “Have you ever said a
going to church. Tanya listened and bad word?”
asked questions. Tanya looked embarrassed.
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
“Why do you go to church on Saturday “I used to use bad language all the
instead of Sunday?” she asked. time,” Tanya said.
“Because the Bible says Saturday is a Then she looked at Sofia. “I stopped
holy day,” Sofia said. because of Sofia,” she said.
Another time Tanya asked, “Why do At the beginning of the school year, she
you wear longer skirts?” heard several sixth-grade boys swearing.
“Because I go to church, and the Bible The boys, who did not come from
12
1Q21 Children.indd 12 1/28/20 12:41 PMTanya about how to be a Christian.
U K R A I N E
Story Tips Later that day at home, Sofia told her
mother about what had happened.
Find Bucha, Ukraine, on the map. It is
located just outside the capital, Kyiv.
“Mother, today I learned that Tanya
stopped using bad language in order not
Ask the children how they are silent to upset me,” Sofia said.
witnesses for Jesus just like Sofia. Explain Mother was so happy.
to the children that they are witnesses no
matter what they do. Whether they do “That is wonderful!” she said. “Your life
good things or bad things, they have an is a witness for God.”
influence on others. Kneeling beside her bed before going to
Watch Sofia on YouTube: sleep that evening, Sofia thanked God for
bit.ly/Sofia2-ESD. helping her to be a witness without even
Download photos on Facebook knowing it.
(bit.ly/fb-mq). “Help me to continue to be a witness to
Tanya so she can know more about you,”
Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD. she prayed.
Sofia prays that she can be a witness for
God every day.
“For me that was a wonderful
Adventist homes, had sworn softly so experience with Tanya,” she said. “I was
the teacher couldn’t hear. But Sofia had amazed that I was allowed to play such a
overheard them and asked, kindly, “Boys, big role in her life. I am a witness to my
please don’t talk that way.” classmates whether I know it or not.”
At that moment Tanya realized that
Sofia did not like to hear bad language. Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth
“I learned that Sofia was a Christian Sabbath Offering will help Sofia’s school
and didn’t use bad language,” Tanya told construct its own building in Bucha,
the boys at the cafeteria table. “I decided Ukraine. Currently the school borrows
not to use bad language anymore.” classrooms from an Adventist college,
Sofia was astonished as she listened to and your offering will help the children
Tanya’s story. She remembered that she meet in their own classrooms. Thank you
was a witness for God whether she knew it for planning a big offering.
or not. She had unexpectedly witnessed to By Andrew McChesney
The Adventist message was preached in the area for the
first time on the Black Sea coast in southern Ukraine and the
RECORD
MISSION
Caucasus by German missionaries, Perka and Kandad. After a
AdventistMission.org
baptism in 1886, the first Seventh-day Adventist church with 17
members was established in the village of Berdibulat.
13
1Q21 Children.indd 13 1/28/20 12:41 PMKYRGYZSTAN | Fe br ua r y 6
Surprise
Gifts
Jared, 13, and Samuel, 11
O ne day 13-year-old Jared read about
a boy named Wilford in “Uncle
Arthur’s Bedtime Stories.” Wilford liked
throw them over walls,” he said.
Kamil smiled widely. He thought it was
a grand idea, and he wanted to help, even
to surprise people with gifts. He wrapped though he didn’t have any toys to give away.
up gifts, tied them to a rope, and lowered The boys took two tissue boxes
them over people’s walls. Then he fled. and filled them with Legos, toy cars,
Jared thought it would be fun to do the scarves, and bars of soap. Getting onto
same thing in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, where their bicycles, they rode to Kamil’s
he lived with his parents and 11-year- neighborhood and chose two houses at
old brother, Sam. He asked Mother for random. Jared hurled one box over a
permission to put gifts in old tissue boxes. fence, and Kamil threw the other one over
“What kind of gifts?” Mother asked. another fence. Quickly, the boys pedaled
“Some toys and whatever else I can away. At Jared’s house, they laughed as
find,” Jared said. they imagined the surprise of the children
Mother liked the idea. Jared and Sam who had received the gifts.
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
had cars and Legos that they had brought Jared’s brother, Sam, overheard the
along when their family moved from excited conversation. “Can I join you
Argentina to serve as gospel workers in next time?” he asked.
Kyrgyzstan. Many neighborhood boys A few days later, the three boys got
were poor and didn’t have toys. together to prepare more gifts. They
Jared told a school friend, Kamil, about invited another boy from school,
the plan. “Let’s put some toys in boxes and Kozimbek, to join them. The boys filled
14
1Q21 Children.indd 14 1/28/20 12:41 PMtwo shoeboxes, two empty tissue boxes,
and two plastic bags with a variety of toys, Story Tips
scarves, and soap. Loading the boxes on
Find Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, on the map.
their bicycles, they set off in search of
unsuspecting homes. After a few minutes, Ask the children what nice surprises they
Jared saw a house surrounded by a fence. can do for other people. Remind them
that when they do kind deeds for others,
The yard was filled with trees. “Sam,” he they are doing them for Jesus. Remind
said, “throw your bag into the yard.” them that Jesus said, “It is more blessed
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
Sam tossed the bag over the fence, and to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
it landed in the tree’s lower branches. Watch Jared and Sam on YouTube:
“Quick, do something!” Sam squealed. bit.ly/Jared-ESD.
Kamil was the tallest, so he leaped Download photos on Facebook
over the fence. Reaching up into the (bit.ly/fb-mq).
branches, he grabbed the bag and Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
dropped it on the grass. “Let’s go before Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
anyone sees us!” he shouted.
The boys raced away on their bicycles.
After throwing four more gifts over was pleased. He prayed for the people
fences, the boys were left with one last who had received the gifts.
box. Jared spotted a house with a large Jared and Sam are still throwing
metal gate. “Quick, push the gift under surprise boxes over people’s fences. No
the gate,” he told Kozimbek. one knows that they are responsible, and
As soon as Kozimbek pushed the box that’s the way they want it.
under the gate, someone yelled, “Why are
you throwing garbage into my yard?” Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath
As the boys rode away, they heard the Offering three years ago helped construct
voice suddenly exclaim from behind the a gymnasium at Jared and Sam’s school
gate, “This isn’t garbage. It’s a gift!” in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Thank you for
During family worship that evening, supporting Adventist education.
Jared and Sam excitedly told Father and
By Andrew McChesney
Mother about what had happened. Father
BigStockPhoto.com
Kyrgyzstan’s largest ethnic group (73.3%)
are the Kyrgyz. Historically nomadic, the
AMAZING
Kyrgyz moved with their herds of sheep,
NATURE
horses, and yaks, living in portable round
AdventistMission.org
tents called yurts. Many Kyrgyz herders
are still semi-nomadic and take their herds
into the mountains during the summer.
15
1Q21 Children.indd 15 1/28/20 12:41 PMKYRGYZSTAN | Fe br ua r y 13
Ka m i l a , 1 3
No School on Sabbath
K amila had a big problem when she
started eighth grade in Bishkek,
capital of Kyrgyzstan. Up until then,
Mother handed the pastor’s letter
to the principal. “What is this?” the
principal asked without looking at it.
classes had only been from Monday to Mother gestured in sign language. Kamila
Friday. But the public school required interpreted Mother’s words to the principal.
that all eighth graders study six days a “That letter says that we go to church on
week — from Monday to Saturday. Saturdays,” Kamila said. “We are Seventh-
Kamila and her mother went to the day Adventists, and we don’t work or
pastor to ask for help. Mother, who was study on Saturdays. Can you please excuse
deaf and mute, used her hands to explain Kamila from classes on Saturday?”
the situation through sign language to The principal had never heard of
Kamila. Then Kamila spoke to the pastor. Adventists. “Other Christians go to
“Let’s pray about it,” the pastor said. church on Sunday, and your daughter
He wrote a letter to Kamila’s school, also can go to church on Sunday,” she
asking that she be excused on Saturdays. said. “Then she can study on Saturday.”
Kamila and Mother took the letter to Mother explained that Adventists are
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
the eighth-grade teacher. But the teacher not like other Christians and do not work
said she could not give permission. or study on Saturday.
“We have to ask the principal,” she said. The principal shook her head. “I don’t
Kamila, Mother, and the teacher went care,” she said. “We are not a Christian
to the principal’s office. “Excuse me,” country. Many of our students go to school
Kamila told the principal. “My mother on Friday when they should rest according
wants to talk to you.” to their beliefs. We cannot excuse you.”
16
1Q21 Children.indd 16 1/28/20 12:41 PMto pay for the tuition.
Story Tips “I’ll tell you next Sabbath whether I’ve
found someone,” the principal said.
Find Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, on the map.
All week Kamila prayed for God to find
Ask the children if they have had a someone to help.
Sabbath conflict. Ask how they resolved “Dear God, please bless me with
it. Encourage the children to keep the
Sabbath holy. someone who can help pay for school,
and bless him for his help,” she prayed.
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
Watch Kamila on YouTube:
bit.ly/Kamila-ESD.
The next Sabbath, the principal
greeted Kamila before church. She had
Download photos on Facebook a big smile on her face. “God has blessed
(bit.ly/fb-mq). you!” she said. “We have found someone.”
Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast “Thank you so much!” Kamila squealed
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD. with joy.
The next day, Kamila moved into the
Kamila didn’t go to school the next dormitory at the Adventist school. In
Sabbath. Instead, she went to church addition to studying, she also is working,
with Mother. At church, Mother saw the cleaning the school floors, to help pay
principal of the Seventh-day Adventist the tuition.
boarding school in Tokmok, located “I am so thankful to God,” she said.
about two hours away by car. “Now I can keep the Sabbath.”
After the worship service, Mother
explained the school situation to the Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath
principal and asked whether Kamila could Offering three years ago helped construct
go to the Adventist school. a gymnasium at Kamila’s school in
“Let’s pray about it,” the principal said. Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Thank you for
The principal prayed for Kamila. She supporting Adventist education in
asked God to find someone to help pay Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere in the Euro-
for Kamila to study at the Adventist Asia Division.
school. Mother didn’t earn enough money By Andrew McChesney
Horse riding is still
important in Kyrgyz culture,
and many of the traditional
AMAZING
NATURE
games and national sports in
Kyrgyzstan reflect this. Horse
AdventistMission.org
BigStockPhoto.com
racing is, of course, very
popular, particularly long-
distance races.
17
1Q21 Children.indd 17 1/28/20 12:41 PMKYRGYZSTAN | Fe br ua r y 20
Vi t a l y, 1 3
Praying for Vitaly
T hree years ago, we read a mission
story about a boy named Vitaly in
Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.
and kind. Mother didn’t like that. She
wanted him to be loud, tough, and mean.
She thought all boys should be loud,
Vitaly loved to go to church every tough, and mean, and she worried that the
Sabbath. It didn’t matter whether it church was keeping Vitaly from being a
rained or snowed, he waited outside his real boy. Mother told Grandmother that
home for the Sabbath School teacher to she wanted Vitaly to come live with her.
pick him up in her car. He liked church When Vitaly came home from school,
so much that he invited his brother to go Grandmother was waiting to have an
with him. He liked church so much that important talk with him.
he memorized a Bible verse every week to “You need to try to live with your mother
give to God as a gift on Sabbath. for one month,” she said. “If you like living
Vitaly started going to church after with her, you should stay with her.”
being invited by his teacher at the Vitaly didn’t want to leave
Seventh-day Adventist school. He lives Grandmother. He had lived with her since
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
with his grandmother and grandfather, he was a small boy.
who gave him permission to go to church. When Mother saw that Vitaly didn’t
He looked forward to Sabbath every week. want to move, and she tried to convince
But then something happened. Vitaly’s him. “Come live with me for only one
mother called Grandmother and said day,” she said. “That’s not too long.”
she didn’t want her son going to church Vitaly was quiet, gentle, and kind. He
anymore. You see, Vitaly is quiet, gentle, didn’t want to hurt Mother’s feelings, so
18
1Q21 Children.indd 18 1/28/20 12:41 PMhe agreed. The next morning, Mother
changed her mind and said Vitaly should Story Tips
stay a month. Vitaly agreed. He wanted to
Find Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, on the map.
see what it was like living with her.
Mother didn’t want Vitaly to go to the Organize a special prayer time during
Adventist school anymore. She wanted which each of the children can pray
for Vitaly. Encourage the children to
her son to be loud, tough, and mean, so remember Vitaly, and other children
she sent him to public school. who are forbidden from going to
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
Vitaly didn’t like the new school at all. church, in their personal prayers.
His class was big, with 40 children, many Read the previous mission story about
more than the 15 children in his class at Vitaly: bit.ly/Vitaly-Part1
the Adventist school. Also, the boys were
Watch Vitaly on YouTube:
always fighting in class. They were loud, bit.ly/Vitaly-ESD.
tough, and mean. He begged Mother to
send him back to the Adventist school. Download photos on Facebook
“But think of all the money that you (bit.ly/fb-mq).
would be spending on the Adventist Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
school,” Mother said. “It would be better to Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
use the money to swim at a water park.”
Vitaly liked water parks, but he liked
the Adventist school even more. “I
would rather study at the Adventist Vitaly pleaded with Mother for five
school than go to a water park,” he said. months. Finally, she agreed that he could
After a week, Mother agreed to send live with Grandmother — but only if he
Vitaly back to the Adventist school. agreed not to go church.
“But I will not pay for it,” she said. Vitaly has been back with Grandmother
“Grandmother has to pay.” for five months, but he still cannot go to
Vitaly was happy to be back among kind church on Sabbath. He misses worshiping
friends at the Adventist school, and they God at church. Friends and teachers at
were happy to see him. The children and school are praying that Mother will allow
teachers had prayed that he would return. him to return to church. Will you join
People at church had prayed that he would them and pray that Vitaly can worship
return. God had answered their prayers. God again on Sabbaths?
But things weren’t the same. Vitaly still
could not go to church. He missed living Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath
with Grandmother, whom he visited Offering three years ago helped construct
every day. After three weeks, he told a gymnasium at Vitaly’s school in
Mother that he wanted to move back to Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Thank you for
AdventistMission.org
Grandmother’s house. He promised to supporting Adventist education in
visit her often. But Mother had another Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere in the Euro-
idea. “Why don’t you live with me and go Asia Division.
visit Grandmother?” Mother asked. By Andrew McChesney
19
1Q21 Children.indd 19 1/28/20 12:41 PMKYRGYZSTAN | Fe br ua r y 27
N a s ty a Two , 1 4
Best Birthday Present
N astya became best friends with
another girl named Nastya at the
Seventh-day Adventist school in Tokmok,
Turning to Nastya One, who was
waiting for answer to her invitation to
attend church, Nastya Two asked for time
Kyrgyzstan. Let’s call the girls “Nastya to think. “Let’s discuss it later,” she said.
One” and “Nastya Two.” Nastya Two thought about the church
Nastya One and Nastya Two liked for several days. She wanted to make
to paint and draw with colored pencils. Nastya One happy. She also wanted
Nastya One and Nastya Two liked to sing. to see what people did at church. She
Nastya One and Nastya Two liked to read. asked Grandmother for permission to go.
But Nastya One liked to do one thing Grandmother was furious.
that Nastya Two didn’t do — go to church “That church isn’t ours!” Grandmother
every Sabbath. shouted. “Why do you want to be like
One day, Nastya One told Nastya Two them? This conversation is over.”
that she was a Seventh-day Adventist Two days later, Nastya One asked
and invited her to go to church together Nastya Two whether she had made up her
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
the next Sabbath. “Why should I go to mind about going to church.
church?” Nastya Two thought. “I asked Grandmother, and she said that
She didn’t believe in God. She was I can’t go,” Nastya Two said.
certain that God didn’t exist. After all, “Ask her if you can come to a youth
a loving God wouldn’t have allowed her meeting on Friday night,” Nastya One
mother to die, leaving her to live with said. “I’d be very happy if you came.”
her grandparents. Nastya Two waited a week for
20
1Q21 Children.indd 20 1/28/20 12:41 PMbirthday, she decided to ask Grandmother
Story Tips for permission to go to church. But she
was afraid that Grandmother would
Find Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, on the map.
be angry. She prayed, “God please
Ask the children why they think help me to know about You. I want to
Nastya believes in God. (He answered know more about You.” Then she went
her prayers.) Ask the children why
they believe in God. to Grandmother. “Tomorrow is my
birthday,” she said. “As a present, could I
K Y R G Y Z S TA N
Watch Nastya on YouTube:
bit.ly/Nastya-ESD. go at least one time to church?”
Grandmother was not pleased, but she
Download photos on Facebook agreed to allow her to go. “It’s your life,”
(bit.ly/fb-mq). she said. “Do whatever you want.”
Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast Nastya Two loved the church. She
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD. especially liked Sabbath School. It was
the best birthday present ever.
“It was one of the happiest days of my
Grandmother to calm down. Then she
life,” she said. “I was able to learn more
asked whether she could go to the youth
about God.”
meeting. Grandmother listened carefully
Today Nastya doesn’t go to church
to the request. When she learned that
every week because Grandmother
Nastya One would be at the meeting, she
sometimes doesn’t allow her. But she goes
agreed. She liked Nastya One.
as often as she can.
The next day, Nastya One and
“Now I believe in God,” she said.
Nastya Two went to the meeting at an
Adventist pastor’s home. The pastor
and his wife led nine teens in singing, Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath
and they read about Solomon in the Offering three years ago helped construct
Bible. Nastya Two enjoyed the meeting, a gymnasium at Nastya’s school in
and the people were kind and friendly. Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan. Thank you for
She decided to go again. She attended supporting Adventist education in
the meetings nearly every Friday for two Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere
months. She wanted to go to church, too. in the Euro-Asia Division.
One Friday morning, the day before her By Andrew McChesney
Falconry is a traditional pastime in Central
Asia, particularly hunting with eagles. The
AMAZING
Kyrgyz name for the golden eagle is bürküt
NATURE
AdventistMission.org
and the handler is a bürkütchü.
BigStockPhoto.com
21
1Q21 Children.indd 21 1/28/20 12:41 PMRUSSIA | Ma r c h 6
Nastya, 14
Faithful Pathfinder
N astya wanted to go on campouts
and other outings in nature. She
looked for an outdoors adventure club
to a Pathfinder summer camp. Finally she
would be able to go on a campout!
On the last day of the camp, a Sabbath,
that she could join in her hometown of a woman was baptized in a river. Nastya
Vladivostok, Russia. But she couldn’t was moved by the sight, and a desire
find a club. swelled up in her to be baptized as well.
Then her mother learned about “When can I get baptized?” she
Pathfinders. A group of Pathfinders murmured, speaking to no one in
organized a holiday party at the special- particular as she watched the baptism.
needs school where Mother worked, and Her camp counselor was standing
she was impressed. nearby and overheard.
“I think this club is exactly what you “Which city are you from?” she asked.
have been looking for,” Mother told “I’m from Vladivostok,” Nastya said.
Nastya. “Call them.” The camp counselor told Nastya that
But Nastya was busy with school. she needed to speak to the Adventist
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
Six months passed, and the Pathfinders pastor from Vladivostok, and pointed
returned to the school to hand out pizzas to him. He was the man who had just
to the children. Mother told them about baptized the woman.
Nastya, and they invited Nastya to come “When can I get baptized?” Nastya
to their club, the only one in the city. asked the pastor.
Nastya enjoyed the Pathfinder meeting “Which city are you from?” he asked.
and happily accepted an invitation to go “I’m from Vladivostok,” Nastya said.
22
1Q21 Children.indd 22 1/28/20 12:41 PMup at summer camp and now wanted to
Story Tips be baptized.
“You need to attend baptismal classes,”
Find Vladivostok, Russia, on the
map. It is west of Japan and north of
the pastor said. “It also would be nice if
North Korea. you attended church.”
After summer camp, Nastya had only
Nastya loves Pathfinders, and she is
grateful that God used the Pathfinder
one goal: to be baptized. She went to
club in Vladivostok to lead her to church every Sabbath. At 6 p.m. every
Him. She has this advice for other Sabbath, she went to the Pathfinder
children: “If your church doesn’t club. Many Sabbaths she ate lunch at
have a Pathfinder club, start one.
Organize outings in nature. And, most the pastor’s home. She became especially
important, tell everyone, including good friends with his elder daughter,
children who don’t go to your church, Anna, who was two years older. One
about what you are doing and invite Sabbath, Anna surprised her with a new
them to participate. You never know
where a seed might grow.” Bible, and Nastya studied on her own.
After six months, Nastya started
Talk to the children about the
importance of giving their hearts to
baptismal classes, and she finished them
R U S S I A
Jesus through baptism. in two months. She was ready to be
Download photos on Facebook
baptized. Nastya was baptized at the
(bit.ly/fb-mq). same summer camp where she had first
wanted to be baptized.
Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD. “I found answers to all my questions
in the Bible, and I am thankful to God,”
she said.
“You’re from Vladivostok?” he
exclaimed with surprise. Part of the Thirteenth Sabbath
There was only one Adventist church Offering three years ago help construct
in Vladivostok, and he had never seen a new building for Nastya’s church in
Nastya in church. He couldn’t understand Vladivostok. Thank you for supporting
how this 13-year-old girl who had never the Adventist church in Vladivostok with
attended church wanted to be baptized. your mission offering and prayers.
Nastya explained how she had ended By Andrew McChesney
Adventism in Russia began as a lay missionary movement
by German colonists who had emigrated from Russia to the
United States in the 1870s. After being converted to Seventh-
RECORD
MISSION
AdventistMission.org
day Adventism, they began to send Adventist publications in the
German language to their friends and family in Russia.
23
1Q21 Children.indd 23 1/28/20 12:41 PMRUSSIA | Ma r c h 13
Ilyas, 9
Shining for Jesus
I lyas was sitting with his 16-year-old
brother on one side of the church at
preacher began to shine. A bright white
light seemed to circle his hands, body, and
Zaoksky Adventist University in Russia. head. He shone whiter than laundered
Mother and Father were sitting on the white clothing.
other side. Ilyas blinked. “How is that possible?” he
Ilyas sometimes sat with Mother and thought. “He looks like an angel.”
Father, but today he was sitting with his The preacher seemed to be shining as
brother, Isaak. Isaak, who was sitting with brightly as the sun itself. Ilyas squinted his
his own friends, had invited the boy to sit eyes. The light seemed to make his eyes
with them. feel dry. He blinked rapidly several times
Sometimes Isaak allowed Ilyas to play to wet his eyes. He looked at the preacher.
car racing games on his cell phone during He was still shining.
the sermon. But Ilyas knew it was wrong Ilyas looked over at Isaak. His brother
to play games in church. Today he didn’t was listening to the sermon. Ilyas
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
even want to play games. He wanted to wondered whether Isaak also could see
listen to the sermon. The preacher was that the preacher was shining. But he
interesting. He was telling stories from the didn’t want to ask him. He was afraid that
Bible and stories from his own life. Isaak might make fun of him.
As Ilyas listened, the morning sun The preacher shone until the end
shone through the church windows, of the sermon. Ilyas decided not to
casting a warm glow on the preacher. The tell anyone about what he had seen. It
24
1Q21 Children.indd 24 1/28/20 12:41 PMwould be a special moment between
him and God. Story Tips
A few days later, Ilyas remembered the
Find Zaoksky, Russia, on the map. It is
preacher when he read Jesus’ Sermon on south of Moscow.
the Mount in Matthew 5. Jesus said, “You
Ask the children how they can shine
are the light of the world. A city that is for Jesus.
set on a hill cannot be hidden. … Let
your light so shine before men, that they Watch Ilyas on YouTube:
bit.ly/Ilyas-ESD.
may see your good works and glorify your
Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Download photos on Facebook
Ilyas realized that he also could shine. (bit.ly/fb-mq).
Jesus said people who do good things Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
shine for Him. Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
“I can shine, too,” Ilyas said. “I can
study hard and get good grades. I can
help Mother make supper, go to the store
to buy groceries, I can help Father by building on the campus of Zaoksky
R U S S I A
mowing the lawn. There are many things Adventist University. Currently, Zaoksky
that I can do to help others and shine for Christian School borrows classrooms
God. I want to shine for God.” from the university, and your offering
will help the children meet in their own
Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth classrooms. Thank you for planning a
Sabbath Offering will help Ilyas’ Seventh- generous offering.
day Adventist school construct its own By Andrew McChesney
The matryoshka is the Russian nesting doll, a set of wooden figures
which can be pulled apart to reveal a similar but smaller figure inside,
with usually six or more in total. The shape of the doll is usually smoothly
cylindrical with all the decoration being painted on, often elaborately.
AMAZING RUSSIA
The most common theme is peasant girls in traditional
dress, but it can be almost anything,
including political figures and
fairy tales.
AdventistMission.org
BigStockPhoto.com
25
1Q21 Children.indd 25 1/28/20 12:41 PMRUSSIA | Ma r c h 20
Yu l i a n a , 1 6
Artist or Doctor?
Y“You
uliana wondered for a long time what
she wanted to be when she grew up.
are good at helping
“I know!” one of the boys, Daniil,
shouted back as he clamored up onto a
small pier to jump into the pond again.
people,” Mother said. “You should “My mother told me not to swim here.”
become a doctor.” He jumped off the pier and plunged into
Grandmother also thought Yuliana was the water. A moment later, he surfaced
good at helping people. — shrieking. Panic gripped Yuliana. She
“You should become a nurse,” she said. wondered what was wrong. She saw fear
Yuliana didn’t like the advice. in the boy’s eyes and understood that
“I don’t want to be a doctor or a nurse!” something serious had happened.
she said. “I like to draw, and I think I’d “I’m hurt!” Daniel cried, tears streaming
rather be an artist.” down his cheeks.
One summer afternoon, Yuliana was “What happened?” Yuliana said. “Why
walking home, and she saw three 10-year- are you crying?”
old boys swimming in a pond on the Daniel raised a leg from the muddy
campus of Zaoksky Adventist University water, revealing a large gash on his foot.
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
in Russia. Immediately she worried about Yuliana was scared and began to
the boys’ safety. The water was brown and tremble. “God, give me strength to
filthy. Moreover, people sometimes threw help him,” she prayed silently. It was
garbage into the pond. the first time in her life that she had
“Hey, boys!” she called out. “That seen such a wound.
water is really dirty. It isn’t a good idea to It also was the first time that Daniil’s
swim there.” two friends had seen such a wound. They
26
1Q21 Children.indd 26 1/28/20 12:41 PMwere scared and an away. Daniil also had
never seen such a wound before, and it Story Tips
was on his foot. He was frightened.
Find Zaoksky, Russia, on the map. It is
“What will Mother say?” he cried. south of Moscow.
“Don’t worry about that,” Yuliana
Watch Yuliana on YouTube:
reassured him. “Everything will be OK.” bit.ly/Yuliana-ESD.
Yuliana saw that the filthy pond water
Download photos on Facebook
and worried that the wound might (bit.ly/fb-mq).
get infected. “Quick, get out of the
water!” she said. “It would be very bad if Download ESD Mission Posts and Fast
Facts at: bit.ly/2021-ESD.
something bad gets into your wound.”
Yuliana helped Daniil out of the water
and told him to sit down on the ground.
But what could she do? She wasn’t a Yuliana no long wonders what she
doctor or a nurse. wants to be when she grows up. She
“God, send someone to help us,” she doesn’t want to be an artist who draws
prayed. “Help me not to faint.” pictures. She wants to be a doctor or a
R U S S I A
She looked around for help. No one nurse who helps others.
was in sight. “I like to help people,” she said.
“Help! Help!” she cried.
Two adults appeared. Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth
“We need a first aid kit!” Yuliana said. Sabbath Offering will help Yuliana’s
The adults ran off and returned a few Seventh-day Adventist school, Zaoksky
minutes later with a first aid kit. One Christian School, construct its own
adult placed a bandage on Daniil’s foot. building on the campus of Zaoksky
Then Yuliana saw a church member Adventist University. Currently the
driving past and stopped his car. He took school borrows classrooms from the
Daniil to the hospital. university, and your offering will help the
Later Yuliana learned that Daniil had children meet in their own classrooms.
landed on a broken bottle when he had Thank you for planning a big offering.
jumped from the pier. By Andrew McChesney
In the “purges” of the early 1930s many Adventist ministers and church
members in Russia were arrested and exiled, often without any actual
RECORD
MISSION
charges being made against them. The remaining ministers were denied
AdventistMission.org
full civil rights and were not allotted food rations, and their children were
not allowed into schools. In addition, the ministers had to pay a special
“professional tax” that often exceeded their income, forcing them to
leave the work.
27
1Q21 Children.indd 27 1/28/20 12:41 PM13 th SABBATH | Ma r c h 27
Ivan, 12
Ivan’s Happiest Day
I van was excited because he didn’t have
to study at school for a whole day.
Instead, he was going play at a concert.
At a big concert hall, the boys waited
while other children played music
on violins, guitars, and other musical
In the morning, Ivan brought his guitar instruments. Many people crowded into
to Zaoksky Christian School in Russia. He the concert hall to listen to children
met five other boys who also had brought from various schools playing for the
guitars, and Teacher prayed with the boys musical festival.
in the classroom. Hours passed. Teacher grew worried.
“Dear God, please protect us as we She and the boys had to return to the
travel to the concert,” she prayed. “Please train station by 5 p.m. to catch their train.
bless us as we play at the concert, and give If they were late, they would have to wait
us a safe trip back here in the evening.” two whole hours for the next train at 7
The boys grabbed their guitars and p.m. No one wanted to wait two hours
followed Teacher for a 10-minute walk and arrive so late back at school.
to the train station. When the train Finally, the time came for Ivan and his
Adventist Mission Euro-Asia Division
arrived, they got onboard and rode for friends to play. They picked up the guitars
about 30 minutes. The train arrived at and played a lively tune. The big crowd of
their destination, and they got out and children and adults clapped loudly when
walked 10 minutes. The guitars were big the boys finished.
and heavy. But the boys had tucked the The boys didn’t pause to listen to the
guitars safely in their cases, and it wasn’t applause. They quickly put their guitars
too difficult to carry them. back in the cases and followed Teacher
28
1Q21 Children.indd 28 1/28/20 12:41 PMYou can also read
