Since 2004, Christian Horizons has been investigating and developing opportunities to help persons with special needs in Russia. Our work in this nation has been made possible primarily due to our cooperating relationship with Mission of TEARS - a Canadian based Christian organization, (www.missionoftears.ca) whose mandate is to develop programs that enable the underprivileged to lead more fruitful lives. They have been working towards that end in Russia for the last 14 years.

On August 8, 2006, a team of CH Volunteers (Judy Eerkes, Angela Sider, Gene Alexander) along with Mission of TEARS’ staff, Gordon and Diane Lewis, departed for St. Petersburg to continue to develop relationships, further assess potential project involvement areas and to offer specialized training.

The training sessions, which took place in several locations on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, were attended by a wide range of individuals: parents of children with a disability, staff who work with those having special needs and members from educational institutions. Training topics included - working with children having complex needs, working with people having aggressive/challenging behavior, and autism.

Based on current needs and the success of this trip, Christian Horizons will continue to support training programs in Russia. There will be further information to follow in the coming months as Michael Alemu travels to St. Petersburg in October for further project development.

Christian Horizons is working in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Russia, Ecuador and with people from the First Nations community in Canada. Please pray for Christian Horizons Global Projects