There is an old construction container in the outskirts of a small village in North Ossetia. We are traveling with Nikolaj, pastor of the local church, and we can hardly believe that anyone lives here. But for Akhmet and his mother Zarema, the small shelter is a home...
There is an old construction container in the outskirts of a small village in North Ossetia. We are traveling with Nikolaj, pastor of the local church, and we can hardly believe that anyone lives here. But for Akhmet and his mother Zarema, the small shelter is a home.
Friendly, hospitable Zarema invites us "into the house" and offers us tea."Sorry," she added, "that I can't offer anything to eat... we don't have anything, unfortunately..."
Zarema is Russian, but converted to Islam when she married Akhmet's father, who was of the Ingush people. When her husband died, she was left with only her son, no money, and no roof over her head. No one from her husband's family helped her.
Akhmet, an outgoing boy, sat up in his bed and was happy to see us. Akhmet suffers from cancer, his liver is enlarged, and numerous other ailments trouble him. The container is completely unsuitable for winter. It can only be heated electrically, and the debts for the electricity bills are mounting immeasurably. Occasionally the electricity is cut off, as it was last year, when Akhmet immediately contracted pneumonia because it was freezing cold in the hut.
Stunned, we listen to Akhmet's mom crying as she narrates. All we can give to Akhmet is a Christmas package. But how much joy it brings to him! We explain to him that it is not just a box full of sweets, but that he can make a Nativity Scene out of the box.
Akhmet can't believe the variety of sweets he found in the gift box. In fact, he wants to start crafting the Nativity right away. But it is already late, and his mother suggests that he start building the crib with her tomorrow.
Before we leave, we pray for the little family, and Zarema and Akhmet prayed with us as we thanked God for His Son Jesus Christ.
Soon after,Pastor Nikolai relays a voice message from Zarema: "Nikolai, the day after your visit, I had to go to the hospital for a short time, and when I came back, my little Akhmet greeted me with a beaming face, rejoicing: mom, mom, I crafted the Nativity scene all by myself!"
Shared by Ilya Kozminych, Exec. Director of BM Moscow, Russia
Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Mongolia.
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With your gift of $10 per package, we can bring Christmas packages to children in these countries: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Turkey and Mongolia.
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