Podcast: Download (Duration: 3:13 — 2.2MB)
From January 3rd to 12th, 2023, a group of 16 people, led by Michael Akulenko, traveled to Belarus. The purpose of the trip was to visit various communities, distribute donations to communities in need, and give Christmas packages to large families, people with disabilities, and children.
On January 3, 2023, the travelers met at the mission building in Speyer. After a 22-hour drive, the group reached the Belarusian border, where they were able to cross without any problems after their luggage and passports were checked. They then continued on to the Belarusian capital. Brother Anatoli Malaschuk was waiting for them at the local church.
First impressions
The first morning began with a church service for Ukrainian refugees from the war zone. Afterwards, the group toured the capital city. They learned about the city's history and visited a memorial to Jews who were burned at this site during World War II. In the evening, they participated in an evangelistic service for children with disabilities, after which they distributed gifts to the children.
Visit to the community in Minsk
The second Christmas
The following day, the mission group traveled to Slutsk to visit the local community. There, they conducted an evangelistic outreach for children and their parents.
The very next day, the Christmas service took place in this parish. This was particularly special for the German tour group, as they had just celebrated their own Christmas.
After visiting the city of Slutsk, they traveled to Minsk for a regional youth meeting with young people from various communities in Belarus.
The next day, they attended a Christmas service in the Minsk community, where they participated with a Christmas program. In the evening, they led an evangelistic service for children and their parents, addressing the question "What is Christmas?" and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
A special church service
On January 9th, the tour group traveled to Krasnaya Sloboda. There, they held a church service with people with disabilities. Afterwards, they visited the psychoneurological home in Grozovo and shared the joyful message of Christmas with the residents.
Evangelism service at the psychoneurological facility in Grozovo. Packages of sweets were distributed.
Return journey
On the last day of the trip, they went to the town hall of Slutsk. Together with their companion Igor Asanov, they expressed their gratitude for the cooperation on social projects that made it possible to hold church services with the disabled children.
On January 12th, the tour group arrived back in Germany safe and sound, although there were some complications due to some documents for the border crossing.
Elias Kromm
Municipality of Speyer
Further information about the projects in Belarus, the Christmas campaign and donation opportunities: