BIG FAMILY MISSION TO RUSSIAN ORPHANS Home How You Can Help About Big Family About Russian Orphans News About Big Family Current Projects Join Big Family Mission Make A Donation Contact Us   All about Big Family Mission to Russian orphans 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. 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….”