The graduating orphans at Children's Village in Kobryn, Belarus, are off to college! Kris and I were delighted to join them for their graduation events. It's a bittersweet time for the house-parents, just like any parents at graduation time. They've cared for these kids as their own, for years. Now they have to say goodbye. We were invited to offer the graduates some words of wisdom for the journey. (Special thanks to interpreter Angelika.) But the real joy was hearing from t

Just a note of thanks on behalf of all those in Belarus feeling the love from friends who support New Thing: The orphans, foster families, children and adults with disabilities ... the homeless and poor, the sick and injured in hospitals ... and others in need. More adventures to come! Thanks for journeying with New Thing! Much love, Doug Brendel (Photos by Oleg Yarovenko)

Friends of New Thing have been helping families of children with disabilities in Dzerzhinsk for 13 years. Masha has been there from the beginning. We’ve watched her grow up. Masha at the circus. Masha making dessert. Masha celebrating love! This week we got the latest photo of Masha. She took the hand of our beloved photographer Oleg. I think it’s a good look. It says We’re still connected. Thanks for helping so many in need, all across Belarus, by journeying with New Thing.

For the child delighted by an unexpected gift... For the homeless person grateful to finally sleep on a real mattress... For the mommy finally able to warm her newborn’s bottle in the maternity ward... For every Belarusian child and adult whose life is better today because good-hearted strangers stepped in... This is just a word of gratitude. God bless you for giving. Your love matters. Thanks for journeying with New Thing. More adventures to come! Much love, Doug Brendel (Ph

As our “Response of the Heart” team wrap up a well-deserved season of vacation (in the Belarusian tradition), I want to thank you again for journeying with New Thing. It really means a lot to me, and to our team, that you’re willing to track with this work of compassion in a place most folks never think about. Most friends of New Thing were introduced to the work when I spoke to their Rotary Club (150+ Clubs in the past 4 years). In each meeting, I give everyone a copy of my

Beautiful? Depends on my definition. Lovable? That depends on me, too. We all draw circles of love. You’re inside, I love you. You’re outside, well then, not so much. Friends of New Thing have been drawing great big love circles for a long, long time. Whoever needs love in Belarus — regardless of how they’re “defined” — we love them. The child with “deformities.” The old person. The woman with one leg. The man without a home, who’s made lots of mistakes, and looks 20 years

A truck from Germany pulled up at our “Response of the Heart” warehouse on Shuadrina Street in Minsk. Inside, 11 tons of donated humanitarian aid: boxes and bags, wheelchairs (a prized commodity), medical equipment, and on and on. Electric radiators. These would be priceless come winter. A support group for the blind needed chairs for their meeting place. Problem solved. A family couldn't afford a mattress for their child’s bed. Prayers answered. How long will this aid help p

A child says, “Gimme a hug.“ Of course. That’s what kids say. Your arms go around them. That’s first. ”What’s up?" you ask. Maybe it’s something big. Probably something small. Maybe it’s nothing at all. Just wanted a hug? Friends of New Thing have been doing "hug first" for 20+ years. Give a little love ... then see if there’s more we need to do. Thanks for journeying with New Thing. More adventures to come! Much love, Doug Brendel (Photos from the Children’s Village orphanag

Ten years ago tomorrow, I visited the boarding school for 80+ children with physical and mental disabilities at Osipovichi, Belarus. When a child is hurting, you don't want to tell them no. So every Thanksgiving, friends of New Thing provide a year's worth of medicine cabinet meds and supplies to make sure the caregivers are able to meet the children's basic needs: a headache, a scraped knee, whatever. Some of these kids are grownups now! But I bet they remember the love they

First things first: I’m delighted to report that 32 households gave generously to provide Life Starter Kits for all 14 of the graduating orphans at the Children’s Village in Kobryn, Belarus. God bless all who gave, and thanks to all who have journeyed with the orphans on this adventure! And now, from our hardworking ”Response of the Heart” team this week.... It may not look like much, but a semi-truck arriving from Mogilev, near the Russian border in the east of Belarus, is c