Since July of 1999, The Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project has helped more than 350 Russian orphans ages 7-15 years old to experience 10 day fun filled trips to potential adoptive families here in the US. Through the program, the orphans live in the homes of host families who are interested in international adoption. The children attend Vacation Bible School and participate in a variety of activities such as going to the zoo, a ball game, the dentist, and family activities as simple as riding bikes in the park. They learn about God and His love. In 10 days, the kids make new friends, learn some English, learn about God, share their culture, and hopefully find their forever families.

We have organized 38 trips to the states of Michigan, Illinois, Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Trips are scheduled during the Russian children's school holidays, and we usually do 6 trips a year, three in summer and one each during the second half of November; the first half of January; and the second half of March. Our next trips are scheduled for June 24-July 5, 2008 to Tulsa, OK and August 7-17, 2008 to Merrill, WI. We are always looking for new host cities and churches to help run our VBS program.

An on-line photo listing is available of the children who will be arriving. Contact us for more information on how to view the on-line listing.

A fee of $1000 for the first child you host is required to be paid by host families to defer the cost of the transportation of the children. In the case of sibling groups (related or unrelated sibs), parents are given the option of hosting a second child at an additional cost. Further, an application form, police records clearance on both parents and visa invitation letter are also required. Families who would like to host and who do not reside in any of the areas where we are having Lighthouse trips are welcome to travel and host anyway, if they are able to travel to one of the host cities and stay in a motel. The main advantage of hosting is that you may be meeting a child who will change your life and whose life you can change. Contact us for information our upcoming trips.