We are the Sproles family. We live in northeastern Indiana on a small farm. There are six of us. Mark (the Dad), Margaret (the Mom), Rachel (Daughter), Shawn (Son), Malachi (Son) and Sarah (in heaven).

We have a love for children and want to provide a home for a couple of Children from Ivanovo, Russia. Why?

That's where this story begins....

In August 2005, while attending church (Merriam Christian Chapel), I (Mark) looked at the bulletin and saw a paragraph about a mission trip to Russia that was coming up in December of that year. While I was reading, I knew that the Lord wanted me to go. When we got home after church I mentioned this to my family and my daughter, Rachel, said she felt the same way. We both knew that this was something that we were to do together. So we signed up for the trip.

We would both need to raise a little over $2000 each to go. We had no idea how we would raise the funds to go. Rachel did not have any concerns about the raising of the funds, she fully trusted the Lord to make this happen. I, on the other hand, worried. Rachel told me to stop worrying and let God take care of the details. So I did and He did as well.

We left on December 27th, 2005 for our journey. We met many different people and saw a whole new world. While in Ivanovo we visited several orphanages and were able to interact with the children. While in one of the orphanages we met a boy named Misha (12) whom we spoke with and played games. In another, we met a girl named Ira (3), who we quickly learned loves chocolate. I knew when I saw them that this was the main reason the Lord wanted me on this trip. Rachel, once again, had the same feeling.

When I told my wife, Margaret, she was in total agreement. Our family knew that this was something these children needed and God wanted.

We have worked constantly to prepare our home for these children. We have a long journey ahead of us. We are up for the task. We believe that the Lord will provide what is needed to make this happen and are praying for support from our friends, family and fellow Christians across the nation.

Please pray with us and if you are able, please help us to raise the funds needed to give them a home!