Church needs funds for mission trip to Russia
By Elizabeth Coe
Members of the Cross Current Ministries in Ashburn have paired with orphans in Russia to sponsor them and help improve their lives.
Since last year, they've been sending money and writing letters each month, letting the children know about America and asking questions about the orphanage in Kirov, Russia, about 12 hours east of Moscow.
"It's just a small amount each month, and the main thing is to develop a relationship with them," said Sharon Hansen, who sponsors 16-year-old Katya. "The purpose is to give them hope."
This year, about 20 members of the congregation are planning a mission trip in August to visit Arbazh orphanage.
They'll bring craft supplies, toys and other gifts for the children, and they'll also be there to show them support and teach them, Hansen said.
"We want to teach them the importance of having a relationship with God," Hansen said. "I do think just having the relationship with us helps. They don't get visits from Americans very often."
Hansen and about 15 others from the Ashburn area visited the orphanage in November and spent a week with the 90 children there.
"It was so worth it," she said. "The kids are just great. They really leave an impression on your heart."
This year, about half the members going are teenagers who are closer in age to the Russian orphans, who are first- through ninth-graders.
Hansen's daughter, Shannon Rose, is 13 and is taking Russian lessons with her mom to prepare for the visit.
The church also is hosting several fundraisers to try to collect the $3,000 a person needed to fully fund the mission.
The overall goal is to raise $70,000 by June 1.
On April 22, the Chik-Fil-A at Dulles Town Crossing in Sterling will host a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. and will donate a portion of the proceeds to the church's mission trip.
A golf tournament May 2 also will raise money for the cause. The Missions Golf Tournament will start at 9 a.m. at General's Ridge Golf Course in Manassas Park. Hole sponsorships are $125, and golfing fees are $75 to $85.
Donations also are accepted and are tax deductible. They can be mailed to Russia Trip, Cross Current Ministries, 2 Pidgeon Hill Drive, Suite 240, Sterling, VA 20165.
For more information, call Kim Clawson at 703-856-3566.
For information on the church visit www.crosscurrent.org.
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com.