My Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Anya and Valya. I wish I had some comforting news to share but at this point I do not. Last Friday the hospital released Anya to her mother and although Valya had given a promise to go back home to her village, she only showed there briefly. Apparently she went to pick up some clothes and since then she has not been seen. The other girl's children have been placed in a baby home and the two mothers came to talk to the social workers yesterday. They still had bandages on their arms but seemed to be doing okay. The most troublesome thing though is that Anya was not with them. I have no idea who they may have left the girl with and where they are living now. There is no way for us to reach Valya, nor does she want to talk to us for that matter. From the former orphanage director that basically raised Valya and Marina (the other girl's name) we know that Marina lives a very promiscuous life and Valya is totally under her influence now. As much as I do not like Russian orphanages and baby homes, I am convinced that Marina's two children are in a better shape now than Anya. Please pray that somehow we find Valya and Anya and if the mom does not change her ways, the child will be better off in the baby home.

Another story that I want to share with you. We have really started helping some more families like Valya's (where usually a young mother struggles to keep her child but without help cannot cope with all the financial burdens) and a couple of days ago Zhenya learned about this horrendous situation. The young mom is on drugs, is now being wanted by the police for theft. Before she disappeared, she had sold everything of value there was in this rented flat. Now the grandma (in the photos) is trying hard to keep her 10-month-old child Daniel. Pictures speak louder than words, so I will let you see everything for yourselves. Zhenya has taken them some food and is going back there tomorrow to try and fix some loose wiring (there is only one electric socket working in the apartment) and see what can be done with the sink that sits on a stool. Ruth and Nancy, some clothes for the baby would be nice if you run into a good sale please.

Also, with me money Desana sent for Karpinsk, I have ordered $3,000 worth of toys for the kids to enjoy both outside (in the sandboxes we built a few years ago and just in the open air) and inside. I will be shipping them off (a friend is going that way and though he can't take me along, he will take the toys in his van) tomorrow. Will send pictures later.

You are making such a difference, dear friends. It gets frustrating at times, but God helps us to pull through. Every day I thank Him for each and every one of you, my friends and children's advocates.

All my love,

Elena