Belarus
In 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007, Grace
Baptist Church sponsored 6 children ranging in age from 9-17 to come to
Rochester. The young people came from Mogilev, Belarus; an area affected
greatly by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear accident in the 1980's.
Studies showed that even 6 weeks being outside the affected area could
increase their lifespan. Although healthy, area doctors, dentists, and
opticians showed generous support and offered appointments free of charge.
The children were also present for church services, attended family
conferences in Tennessee and vacation Bible schools, shown hospitality by
church families, and were taken to such notable sites as Genesee Country
Village and Museum, Ontario Beach, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Letchworth
State Park, and Niagara Falls. They also visited Washington, DC, Hershey
Park, and New York City before their return flights to Belarus. In 2009, one
of the young ladies from the first group of children, returned with her
mother after 7 years to visit with us before entering a university in Minsk,
Belarus. Contact is still maintained through phone calls and emails.
Ukraine
In 2007, 2008, and 2009, several
members entered the mission field to the Ukraine with the Reformed Bible
Church of Westmoreland, NH. The first year consisted of Pastoral teaching to
area Pastors as well as offering dental support by dentists and hygienists
as exams and cleaning were provided while Bible stories were shared with
those children waiting. In 2008, Pastoral teaching to area pastors and
construction of a fence around the church building as well as a vacation
Bible school to area orphanages. In 2009, Pastor John traveled with Pastor
Ken Sanders of NH to provide teaching to pastors from Ukraine and Belarus.
Ladies' Monday Night Bible Study
On the first and third Monday evening
of each month, a Bible study is held with various biblical topics discussed.
Baywinde Retirement Community Bible
Study
On the first and third Wednesday of
each month, a Bible study is held for Baywinde community residents where
books of the Bible are searched for God's truth.
Heritage Hymn Writers Presentations
One of our members gives talks
concerning the lives of writers of some of our most beloved hymns. She has
visited local schools and organizations with in-depth histories of these
hymn writers.
Support for Troops and their
families
Supplies are collected and distributed
to soldiers and their families throughout the year.
Samaritan's Purse
In the fall, shoeboxes are filled with
toys, school supplies and toiletries and sent to needy children throughout
the world.
Haitian Goat Project
Donation of money to purchase goats
for children at a school and mission in Marche-Canard, Haiti. The children
will care for the goats as a school project and sell any of the babies to
aid in the tuition at the school. After their primary education is complete,
future plans are for cows to be raised for tuition to secondary school,
college and professional skills.
Siberian Ministry
We were very grateful to learn that
God has worked in the hearts of over a dozen pastors in small churches in
the Irkutzk region of Siberia, bringing them to understand and embrace the
Reformed faith. As this change has come about only over the past couple
years, there is a great need for these pastors and their congregations to
receive more books, sermons and commentaries which have been translated into
the Russian language, along with encouragement from like-minded brethren.
There are presently about 10,000 books in storage in Minsk and Moscow. These
titles include the puritans John Bunyan and John Flavel, theologian William
Hendriksen and sermons by Charles Spurgeon.
