Jonathan Peoples, Laymen Ministries worker

This question was simple and to the point, but how diverse the answers we received!

“We have 10 computers, but would you buy us 10 newer computers?”

“We don’t have any needs, thank you.”

“My orphans have a pony; would you buy a mate for our pony, because he’s lonely?”

And then came the answer we were looking for:

“Our needs are the bare necessities of life. In fact, this morning we used up the last bit of soap we had and I was wondering how we would be able to acquire more. We don’t have email or fax, but we’ll send a list to you somehow, because we really need help.”

Over the next few weeks, Joshua Miller (Laymen Ministries Missionary to Lithuania) and I found several such orphanages— ones receiving little help from the government or outside organizations. The children were poorly clothed, low on food, and short on hygienic supplies. Sorting through the maze of orphanages was a prayerful challenge. Let me explain.

Understanding the mindset that is a leftover from communism, Joshua and I couldn’t simply trust the words of the orphanage directors. We had to see conditions for ourselves. Sometimes we didn’t even have to talk with the director. We could tell when we walked in the front door or drove up to the building. Those were easy ones. The challenge came in dealing with some of the directors.

We listened to the various directors, who would tell how poor they were and how much in need of help; but in taking a tour, we could see that this wasn’t the case. Several orphanages had far better living conditions than my family had while we lived in Lithuania. We prayed that God would lead us to those we could trust and who really needed help.

After a week and a half of driving, interviews, investigation, and decisions, out of 21 orphanages we had originally considered from our list, we narrowed it down to five orphanages that we honestly knew were greatly in need of our help.

You may be asking, Why are there 100+ orphanages in a country that is only the size of the state of West Virginia? The list we had wasn’t complete by any means, plus there is a large number of what we might call “foster care schools.” Lithuania is a very poor country; the suicide rate is the highest in all of Europe. Alcoholism is rampant and unemployment is extremely high. These factors contribute to the high incidences of child abuse and abandonment, resulting in so many children in care facilities. Unfortunately, with the laws of Lithuania as they currently are, a child generally suffers a great deal before they can be removed to the custody of the state.

And why such a difference in conditions from one orphanage to another? One orphanage director explained this disparity to us. She showed us her accounting books and explained that the Lithuanian government allots a certain amount of money for each child. This money, in the current economic conditions, covers only basic needs of food, utilities, employee salaries, etc. When all these are covered, there is perhaps the equivalent of $5 (US) per child per year to cover shoes and clothing. Even in Lithuania this wouldn’t buy a good set of underclothes, let alone suffice for all clothing for a year! How do some orphanages get more? They have friends in other countries of Europe, such as Germany, Sweden and Norway, who sponsor them. Without friends in high places, the children suffer.

The last week of our trip was set aside for accumulating the clothing and necessities for the orphans. Jeff Reich (Director of Laymen Ministries) sent Glenn Woiler to Lithuania to video tape the proceedings for a 3ABN and video report. At first, things were rather uneventful for Glenn, until we went to buy items in the open market.

“What are you doing here? You are not allowed to video inside the open market!” a security guard who met us at the market gate firmly denied us entrance.

After explaining that we were buying large amounts of clothing, shoes and other necessities for orphans, he said, “You’ll have to talk with the administration.” We weren’t told till later that they believed we were from the Lithuanian IRS, coming to film all the illegal activity in the open market.

The Director from one of the orphanages was accompanying us, and went with Joshua to talk with the administration. They gave us not only permission to enter and video tape, but gave us our own personal security guard! Of course we didn’t have any idea this would be helpful, but God knew what He was doing. The crime rate in Lithuanian is very high. I am sure more than one person there would have liked to steal not only our camera, but all the money we were obviously carrying. It was helpful to have an armed guard with us.

Several vendors in the market became angry about the video camera. Without the guard’s presence, it could have turned into an uproar! We learned later that most of the people who were upset about our camera were more than likely doing crooked business, and were afraid our video tape would be a means of bringing them to justice. They either became violent or simply ran away. However, with the guard walking right beside us, nobody was brave enough to try anything.

We purchased hundreds of winter boots, shoes, slippers, socks, and underclothes. Not to mention all the shirts, sweaters, coats, and other clothing. Then there were sheets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand soap, shampoo, laundry and dish detergent, paper, school notepads, pencils, school backpacks, basic medications, and other things. We tried to find the best quality goods that we possibly could. And the sellers we purchased from gave us very nice discounts for buying in such quantities. Altogether we spent $6,300 over a 4-day period. I don’t think I have ever spent so much money as quickly as I did on this trip to Lithuania! BUT I can say of a certainty, this money was not wasted.

Each orphanage that we visited with clothes and shoes seemed to have striking similarities to the last. As I looked into the eyes of some of those kids, I could see rejection, hurt, bitterness and hatred. But even more plainly I could see the question mirrored on each face. “Do you love and accept me even in the condition I am in? Or will you reject and hurt me as others have done?”

I longed to tell each of these kids about the compassionate Savior that I have come to love and serve, and how much He loves them, and wants them to learn to love and trust Him, too.

With this in mind we also carefully selected Lithuanian Christian books, geared for their age groups, including the staff and directors, which would uplift their minds to know more of the loving God and Father that will never turn them away or forget them. I pray that as they read those books that God’s Spirit will open their understanding and enlighten their consciences that they will surrender their lives to Jesus. Yes, we want to help them physically, because they are in desperate need, but most of all, they need Jesus living and ruling in their hearts, molding and shaping their characters after His likeness.

Note: If you would like to see the video update on this project, call or write our office and request video #45, The Orphanage Project.

“This question was simple & to the point, but how diverse the answers we received!”

“We listened to the various directors, who would tell how poor they were & how much in need of help; but in taking a tour, we could see that this wasn’t the case.”

“What are you doing here? You are not allowed to video inside the open market!”

We purchased well over 100 pairs of shoes from this vender alone. It is common for vendors to sell out of stalls and trailers

“We purchased hundreds of winter boots, shoes, slippers, socks, & underclothes... not to mention all the shirts, sweaters, coats, & other clothing.”

We brought with us 6 bundles stuffed full of new quilts, created & donated by John & Mary Reitor from Canada...