Comfort Foundation Brings Care

and the Gospel to Russian Orphans

By Joan Langenberg

Founded in 1998 in Vologda, Russia, the Comfort Foundation’s purpose is to support the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of approximately 275 orphans living in four orphanages and two day shelters in and outside of Vologda. A Living Word Bookstore has also been recently founded in Vologda as another avenue of ministry. The foundation consists of twelve board members and nine participating churches who financially and emotionally support the 18 staff members who serve the orphans.

It all started when Comfort Foundation Director Sherri Brock came to Vologda with an organization called Commission in 1993. This organization, as well as several others, had been invited by the Russian Foreign Ministry to travel there and introduce Russian teachers to a Christian ethics and morals curriculum. By that time, the Iron Curtain had fallen. Sherri says, “Everything had collapsed.” But Russia’s door was thankfully open to missionaries, and missionaries from all religions were traveling there.
The Russian foreign ministry project involved over 20 cities within the Soviet Union. Enthusiasm was high because most of the Russian teachers had never seen a Bible before, nor had they ever discussed biblical principles. Sherri says, “The teachers were hungry for the Word of God. We grew and God provided money and people.” During the next three years, several Russian teachers made a commitment to Jesus Christ and wanted to give back to the community. The result was the formation of The Comfort Foundation in July, 1998, a not-for-profit organization to minister to orphans and other underprivileged children in Vologda and Cherespovets, Russia.

Thankfully, a Cincinnati church who had visited some of the orphanages in 1998 felt compelled to help the Foundation financially at that time and for several years afterwards. “They put us on the map,” Sherri says. “And the timing of the Foundation was perfect because the very next month – August 1998 – there was a financial crisis in Russia: The ruble dropped greatly in value and all the social agencies started to fall apart.”

Currently a staff of 18 give consistent and loving spiritual, emotional, and material support to approximately 275 orphans in Vologda’s four orphanages and two day centers (New Corners Ministry Center and Light of Hope Children’s Shelter). Ninety-five percent of the children in these orphanages and shelters have been abandoned by their parents due to drug and alcohol abuse and, unfortunately, the majority of these children will never be adopted.

Children come to the orphanages starved for love and attention. They also lack basic life skills. The staff has done a tremendous job in mobilizing churches as well as Christian and non-Christian organizations to help teach self-care issues such as budgeting, sewing, cooking, woodworking, and other skills.

There are more than 842,000 children living in orphanages in Russia and there are an estimated 1.5 million children waiting to be admitted.  Since the State requires children to leave the orphanages by age 17, the staff of the Comfort Foundation is actively involved in trying to find appropriate living situations for them after they leave.  Otherwise, many of them would turn to crime or prostitution just to survive.

One of the most positive aspects of the Comfort Foundation ministry is their relationship between visiting American teams throughout the year and the Comfort Foundation staff. The encouragement and support communicated to the staff through these visitors is overwhelming.  Sherri says, “Visiting American team members bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy as well as music, crafts and other useful items. It’s an awesome ministry! Those who visit get to see first hand what God has done through the staff and their support has an incredible impact on the Russian teachers. Someone sits down and listens to them and prays for them. The Americans come over to encourage and love them so that they can reach the kids…As long as the staff is still standing, our ministry will continue.”

During the summer, staff members, sometimes with the help of visiting Americans, provide camp experiences outside of Vologda, which include sports and Bible studies. Last year, Chip and Jane Wiese from St. Louis traveled to Vologda to visit the orphanages. Jane says, “We went over there to be a blessing but as it turned out I think we were the ones blessed. They were so joyful and so appreciative. It was just amazing to see the joy and happiness on their faces. It was a total pleasure, and we can’t wait to do it again.”

July 2008 marked the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the Comfort Foundation. God has truly been at work to change and restore the lives of hundreds of children in these orphanages and shelters. Staff member Nicolai says, “It’s obvious that God is already working in their hearts. You can see it in their eyes when they greet you.”

Lena Z. at the Light of Hope day center says, “The children who come to the Center are going through very difficult situations in their lives, but the parents are starting to come to the Center too. The good news is their families are beginning to change.”

The experience for Sherri and the staff members has also been life-changing. Sherri says, “I love to see the kids respond to God’s love. They know they’re part of something bigger -- the family of God. And I love seeing it happening in Russia! It’s been such a privilege to work with the staff. They understand who God is, and they’re passing that understanding on to their families and friends. The staff is wonderful. They love God and they love the kids!”

The Comfort Foundation is attempting to create a network of prayer and financial support among churches, organizations, and individuals in the USA for long-term ministry to serve their Russian staff and the children they serve. If you’re interested in learning more about The Comfort Foundation, please go to their web site at www.comfortfoundationUSA.org, email them at sherrinvologda@yahoo.com, or call them at (314) 909-9197.