It is freezing cold outside, but inside the house it is quite warm. Nobody is answering our question: "What are you heating the house with?"

They all look at each other with happy eyes and just smile. Finally the oldest, a 16 year old boy reveals the secret: "We are not cold. There are many of us and our body heat keeps the house warm and when we do get cold our mother covers us with blankets, reads the Bible to us, and we get warm."

For us it is hard to imagine how this large Christian family with 11 children can live without the basics in life and still be happy. Not all of their children are attending school at this time. They don't have the clothing and shoes they need and they can't afford the books or backpacks. From time to time they get help, but it's hard.

The oldest daughter is not attending school for the second year now. "My mother needs me more", she says. She continues: "I am happy that I can be of help to my family. I am helping my mother. She cannot do it without my help. Now, about school; the main thing is I know how to read. You see hanging there on the wall are my brother's and sister's favorite toys. And for myself I hung up the Christian calendar on the wall. Every day I read the Word of God for myself and the younger ones. They pray with me and we know that we can trust our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we love very much."

Leaving their house we had mixed feelings –we felt sadness and joy. We realized that without God this family would not have lasted a single day.

Please pray for brother Martik's family.

"Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." "That's what keeps me and my family going" – said Martik with a smile as we were saying good bye.