A few days ago, I I wrote about the death of one of our orphans, Sergei Adveev. It caused me to think about who mourns the death of an orphan? Who cares about their life? Who loved them? Who will miss them? I’m thankful for our wonderful Russian staff who are those people. Below is an account of Sergei’s funeral. Please join me in mourning the loss of his life and praying for orphans like him.

“We wanted to share more with you about Sergei’s funeral. Natasha and I went to Sobinka on Friday, February 29 to meet two ladies, Irina and Lena, and to help with arrangements for the funeral. Both of these ladies knew Sergei well and played a big part in the last few years of his life.

We purchased clothing (a suit, shirt, socks, shoes, and underwear), a coffin, pillow, wreath, and a large wooden cross (as a grave marker). We also paid for the services the morgue provided, transportation of Sergei’s body to the cemetery, for the digging of the grave and burial, and for the services of the priest.

We delivered the items to the morgue and waited for Sergei to be dressed. As is common here, a small bus served as the hearse and was the transportation to the cemetery. After Sergei’s body was loaded onto the bus, we (Natasha, Irina, Lena, and I) got on and accompanied Sergei to the cemetery where the priest was waiting. Our CHC driver followed in our van. In all, there were only 5 of us and the priest at the service. Our driver, Sasha, also knew Sergei, and he had on occasion taken things to Sergei in the hospital or in his dorm since he lives in Lakinsk (which isn’t far at all from Sobinka).

It was a shock, of course, seeing Sergei. It was so hard to believe that he was gone, and the ride to the cemetery, I think, was very emotional for all of us. Because of the nature of his wounds, the top of Sergei’s head had to be covered, and there were some bruises and scrapes visible on his face.

That day a cold wind was blowing and the skies were overcast and gray – which really went along with the sadness and pain we were experiencing. At the point in the service where the priest began reading about Christ’s resurrection and our future resurrection, something amazing happened: the sun came out and the wind stopped – just for a bit. When he completed the passage and continued the service, the sun went back into hiding and the wind started again.

During the sun’s appearance, the Lord reminded us of the HOPE we have in the midst of sorrow and confusion. It was an incredible moment. We feel Sergei believed according to his ability and the understanding he had of the Lord.”