Over the past number of years we have been going to Ruzina in Latvia. The most exciting things that continue to happen are changes in individual lives. We saw many beautiful answers to prayer- God was saving, healing, forming new friendships and refreshing old ones, bringing to joy to the kids and bringing joy to us because of that!

One kid we met last year had just arrived at the orphanage. He had been forced to spend one of the earliest years of his life alone with the dogs in their shed at his parents' home in Latvia. His name was Uri (name changed). He was taken to the orphanage to be cared for. At the start of our time there he didn't play with other children and he didn't want to know us.

This year we approached the orphanage on the first day and he came running and jumped into our arms! Most of the characteristics we noticed last year had disappeared and Uri was integrating with the other kids and playing games. One the of the girls on the team was giving a kids talk after playing some games one day and she'd just finished when Uri immediately turned around and said to her, "Are we gonna pray now?" He wanted to be loved and he was also hungry for God!

Phil McElnay