Covenant News

Covenant Women Head to Russia

CHICAGO, IL (September 30, 2003) - Fifteen women from six conferences of the Evangelical Covenant Church are traveling this week to Russia for a cross-cultural opportunity visit to three Russian provinces sponsored by Covenant Women Ministries (CWM).

The October 1-15 trip is being led by Ruth Hill, CWM executive minister, and Jenya Haps, area director for the Colorado-based Children's HopeChest. Others heading to Russia include former CWM executive director Deirdre Banks along with Betty Eddy, Rebecca Hammer, Janelle Johnson, Kimberly Miller, Karin O'Connor, Grace Pederson, Phyllis Semmes, Lynn Murray Smith, Bonnie Dean Smith, Sandra Warren, Natasha Westerhoud and Donna Wright.

Covenant Women Ministry's interest in Russian orphanages grew out of a relationship with Children's HopeChest, founded in 1994 and offering practical aids to orphans throughout the world. It was the recipient of funds from CWM's Project 2003: Our Next Step. The project will address the needs of graduates of Russian orphanages, offering them life skills training as they transition into adulthood. Children must leave orphanages at age 18 and many do not have the support systems and/or resources to make a smooth transition into Russian society, Hill reports.

From October 10-12, the group will be part of the first-ever rally for women graduates of Russian orphanages. The event will take place in Vladimir, a province located northeast of Moscow. Speakers will discuss a variety of topics, including domestic violence and sanctity of life issues, parenting and dating within the Russian context.

Hill and her husband, Brad, were visiting professors at St. James Bible College in Magadan, Russia, in February 2001. It was on that visit that she discovered that a CWM "My First Bible" project (the distribution of Bibles via International Bible Society) in 1995 served as a catalyst for the development of orphanages in the region. Banks was part of the 1995 trip. So was Haps, a Russian translator for the International Bible Society tour who says she was so moved by the experience that she joined the Children's HopeChest as an employee. She now travels back and forth to Russia from her home in Wheaton, Illinois, as a U.S.-based staff member for the organization.

"We created this opportunity to coincide with the fundraising for Project 2003, offering women an in-depth opportunity to minister to these young Russian women" said Hill. "Part of the money we've raised is for family centers that will model family life for orphans who are graduating. Through this they'll learn about budgeting, husband-wife relationships and even cooking - anything about what it means to live as a family. Another part of the funding will support weekend retreats designed to help the women to rely on help from their heavenly father."

Additional information on the trip may be found under the CWM link at www.covchurch.org and may also be access by calling 773-907-3332.

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