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All about Big Family Mission to Russian orphans
Helping Russian orphans...
Big Family is an outreach ministry to Russian orphans. We provide financial and prayer
support to churches in Russia who reach out to love and to help orphans. Donations to
Big Family Mission go directly to help provide the love of Christ through food, clothing,
and the many “little things” that are in such short supply in Russian orphanages. Big
Family celebrates the lives of Russian orphans through monthly birthday parties. Other
activities for orphans that are sponsored by Big Family include summer camp, field trips,
Christmas parties, Christmas gifts, and "fruit days".
Helping Russian orphanages
Many Russian orphanages have a long list of needs that are not being met: building
renovations, plumbing repair, washing machines, access to hot water, showers, toilets,
refurbishing and equipping of activity rooms for the children, new beds for children, and
the list goes on. Some of Big Family's projects have included: providing washing
machine for an orphanage, installing computers, installing a bathroom including a
shower, refurbishing of activity rooms, providing beds, blankets, and pillows, providing
locks needed for some of the rooms, providing lockers, and buying sports equipment
and games.
Focusing on changing lives
Big Family works with older children (ages 5 to 16). Some of these children may be
adopted, but most will live their entire life in an orphanage setting. When they
"graduate" at age 15 or 16, they are not prepared to make it on their own. Big Family
works with various foster home agencies, has established a Big Family foster home, and
encourages and supports programs that bridge the gap between orphanage graduation
and adulthood. It's important to improve the living conditions of orphans, but building
better orphanages is not a long-term solution. Our vision is to provide a family for every
Russian orphan!
How Big Family Mission got started...
Like any children’s story, we could begin the Big Family story with “once upon a time”.
Once upon a time, we (Dianne and Ken) prayed that God would give us a vision and a
mission in life, and the burning desire to carry out that vision. Almost 10 years later, in
2004, we officially introduced Big Family, a mission outreach to orphan children in
Russia. The story of what happened between “prayer” and “birth” is a long one, and if
you want to know the "full story", invite us to come to your church or civic group to talk
about Big Family Mission. Our work with Russian orphans started with an orphanage
east of St. Petersburg, Russia, and we have gradually expanded to other orphanages in
the St. Petersburg area. Big Family works through churches in Russia, providing
financial encouragement and prayer for Christian volunteers who go into the
orphanages to spread the light and love of Jesus.
Initially our mission focused on improving the living conditions of the orphans and
providing necessities that are often in short supply in the orphanages. We continue to
minister to orphans and orphanages in this manner, but now we also seek opportunities
to promote foster homes, adoptions, transitional homes, and mentoring programs for
orphans. Our ultimate goal is to see every Russian orphan in a family. It is impossible
for us to accomplish this goal, but with God, all things are possible!
How we are organized...
Although Big Family Mission is officially organized as a mission society of non-
denominational Lighthouse Community Church, Lyon Station, Pennsylvania, we now
enjoy the participation of believers from many different denominations. (To learn more
about Lighthouse Community Church, click here.)
We have come to realize that involvement in a mission to orphan children can greatly
bless those who are the "missionaries"; therefore, we encourage you and your church to
get involved with us. We used to pray for finances for Big Family Mission, but now we
pray for people like yourself who will join us in this important work into which God has
called us. We praise our Father God "who sets the solitary in families"! (Psalm 68) Will
you join with us? It's easy! Click here for more information: Join Big Family Mission.
Financial information...
If at some point you decide that it is God's will that you give a financial gift to Big Family
Mission, it will be tax deductible because of Big Family's status as a mission society of
Lighthouse Community Church.
Donations to BIG FAMILY go to Russia to help provide food, clothing, and the many
“little things” that are in such short supply in Russian orphanages. We also support and
encourage foster homes and transitional homes for Russian orphans.
All administrative expenses of the ministry are paid by the founders of the ministry and
through special donations. This allows 100% of donations designated for orphan
support to be used to help the orphans.
The vision of BIG FAMILY
Our vision:
A home and a family for every Russian orphan.
The mission of BIG FAMILY
Our mission:
Through the goodness and grace of God:
- To link U.S. churches and volunteers with Russian churches and volunteers who
minister to orphans;
- To provide Family Friends who will pray and help provide support for Russian orphans
and orphanages;
- To encourage Russian Christians to consider becoming fosters parents;
- To encourage the adoption of Russian orphans, particularly the older children who
normally are not considered;
- To promote awareness of the vicious cycle of the Russian orphanage system.
Our mission and vision are based on James 1:27 (AMP):
"Worship that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the father is this: to
visit and help and care for the widows and orphans in their affliction and
need….”
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