Thank you all for your prayers! We're home...safe and sound! Exhausted, but praising God for all He did in and through us this week! Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we "recover" and process all that the Lord did and continues to do in our hearts!
"A Father to the fatherless,
a Defender of widows,
is God in His holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families..."
- Psalm 68:5-6
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
We’re Headed Home!
It’s hard to believe we’re heading home tomorrow morning (Monday)! Seems like we just got hear yesterday! Our team is tired and ready to see loved ones, yet already feeling the heartache of leaving all of the precious faces we’ve grown to love deeply this week. Thank you so much for all of your prayers this week! Please continue to pray for us as we travel home tomorrow: flying to JFK, then driving to DE. Pray also for Kristen and Misha who stay here another week – a few days in Kiev, then a visit to Misha’s hometown and orphanage.
Soccer Update: Praise God! We were able to play soccer again with some Tulchyn teens / kids on Friday! When we walked up to the soccer “court”, they were eagerly waiting for us…what a blessing it was to be able to play with them, and even more kids showed up this time, totaling about 9 or 10! We were also able to give them more gifts, along with sodas and waters. Andy and Luke also shared the Gospel with them again. Continue to pray for these young men…that the Gospel would penetrate their hearts.
Orphanage Farewell: On Friday evening, we said farewell to the orphanage workers and their director, Maria. We presented them with gifts, Bill said an official “thank you” from our group and shared the Gospel, and we received some gifts from them as well. Just before we left the orphanage, Kristen, Scott, and Luke were able to tour a room holding about 5-6 infants, 3 of whom have extreme special needs. Pray specifically for these little ones. (We will share more when we return.) Leaving the orphanage was very emotional for all of us. Continue to lift these children up to our Father who is a “Father to the Fatherless”…praise God!
We’ll see you tomorrow evening!
Soccer Update: Praise God! We were able to play soccer again with some Tulchyn teens / kids on Friday! When we walked up to the soccer “court”, they were eagerly waiting for us…what a blessing it was to be able to play with them, and even more kids showed up this time, totaling about 9 or 10! We were also able to give them more gifts, along with sodas and waters. Andy and Luke also shared the Gospel with them again. Continue to pray for these young men…that the Gospel would penetrate their hearts.
Orphanage Farewell: On Friday evening, we said farewell to the orphanage workers and their director, Maria. We presented them with gifts, Bill said an official “thank you” from our group and shared the Gospel, and we received some gifts from them as well. Just before we left the orphanage, Kristen, Scott, and Luke were able to tour a room holding about 5-6 infants, 3 of whom have extreme special needs. Pray specifically for these little ones. (We will share more when we return.) Leaving the orphanage was very emotional for all of us. Continue to lift these children up to our Father who is a “Father to the Fatherless”…praise God!
We’ll see you tomorrow evening!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
We're Back...Sort of
Greetings from Kiev! We have just arrived back in the capital after another wonderful day. I know after last summer, many of you were concerned about the weather; we have had comfortable days and nights this year, so thank you for your prayers!
After the “trench” incident that turned out to be a great icebreaker for meeting our neighbors in Tulchyn, a family at the end of the road invited us back the next night for tea. We were very excited to visit with a family from this village outside Tulchyn. We didn’t want to show up at this family’s door empty handed nor look like Santa bearing gifts. We decided it would be appropriate to bring a little something, so while the children at the orphanage napped, we went into town to buy some fresh peaches, filled cookies and chocolates. While we were shopping around, we happened upon a household appliance store. Although none of us were in the market for a vacuum cleaner or electric teapot, we were VERY much wondering how the start of the Olympics in Beijing was going. Fortunately this store also sold wide-screen televisions, so we were actually able to see some of the fanfare, music and fireworks on Ukrainian TV!! Nataliya, one of our Bethany translators has also been to China, so she was excited to see it as well.
Food in tow, we headed back to the orphanage for our last afternoon with the kids. Needless to say it was very hard to leave. We had not been able to visit with the infants up to this point, but some from our group were permitted to enter that building and catch a glimpse of the very tiniest ones. As for me, I went in one last time to see one of the hydrocephalic toddlers who had been unable to come out because it had been too breezy. I went inside her room and played on my wooden recorder for her, but had a difficult time finishing the song. One of the workers just gave me a big hug after I finished and her eyes told me she understood. Although there is a language barrier, there is not always a communication barrier. Music and hugs—what can be clearer than that?
After leaving, our group split into two; some went to play soccer and some to prepare to visit this family. We arrived a bit before 9:00 and the father, wife, mother-in-law and young son came out to greet us. The father had promised us tea and boy, did this family deliver! He brought the samovar outside and began to ignite the fire to heat the water. Using pages from a book and some kindling he got some sparks going inside, and then held a long pipe about four or five feet high and six inches across over the top of the samovar to serve as the “chimney.” I asked through our interpreter, Nataliya, if this samovar had been in his family very long. He said only 30-40 years. Nataliya informed us that the one her family uses in Kiev is over 100 years old! The host told us that people today use electric samovars sometimes, and that they even owned one, but the tea doesn’t taste as good as the kind that use wood. Cherry wood tastes the best, he said. After the water was heated in the samovar, we went inside to a beautifully set table.
Teacups, saucers, a plate of lemon slices, sugar and a crystal bowl of cookies awaited us as we entered this modest house. We crowded into their little room with pink wallpaper and soft drapes and started to enjoy our tea with water from the samovar. We tried to show his son, Sasha, some of the toys we brought, but he was very shy with so many strangers in his home. We were also allowed a taste of some homemade beverages, one made from green pine cones!
We asked about life in Tulchyn, as he had grown up there. Our host told us that most of the kids here finish high school; some get jobs in the meat or butter factory in town and others go on to college. However, because of the unemployment problem, some college graduates come back home to live in or around Tulchyn because there is not enough work.
Our host told us that he had worked for many years in the butter factory, but that the owner of the factory didn’t always pay them, so he quit factory work and now sells clothing in the local market. He and his wife get up at 3:00 a.m. to get ready for their day at the market at 7:00. I know the unemployment situation has many Ukrainian families very frustrated.
Our host stated that he had not had many opportunities to meet Americans. He said that now he can say he has met some—in person! This family was very gracious to us. Opening their home like this, gives us a more specific prayer focus. I looked at his little son and wondered what his future would be in this great country that can grow so many delicious foods and feed so many people. What a resilient nation!
Ok, signing off. We are getting ready to go eat dinner in Kiev, then showers and off to bed. See you all very, very soon! Thank you for your consistent prayer support. There will be more to share when we meet face to face.
P.S. Pictures to follow of both soccer and the tea, we are having some difficulty getting them off of the camera.
After the “trench” incident that turned out to be a great icebreaker for meeting our neighbors in Tulchyn, a family at the end of the road invited us back the next night for tea. We were very excited to visit with a family from this village outside Tulchyn. We didn’t want to show up at this family’s door empty handed nor look like Santa bearing gifts. We decided it would be appropriate to bring a little something, so while the children at the orphanage napped, we went into town to buy some fresh peaches, filled cookies and chocolates. While we were shopping around, we happened upon a household appliance store. Although none of us were in the market for a vacuum cleaner or electric teapot, we were VERY much wondering how the start of the Olympics in Beijing was going. Fortunately this store also sold wide-screen televisions, so we were actually able to see some of the fanfare, music and fireworks on Ukrainian TV!! Nataliya, one of our Bethany translators has also been to China, so she was excited to see it as well.
Food in tow, we headed back to the orphanage for our last afternoon with the kids. Needless to say it was very hard to leave. We had not been able to visit with the infants up to this point, but some from our group were permitted to enter that building and catch a glimpse of the very tiniest ones. As for me, I went in one last time to see one of the hydrocephalic toddlers who had been unable to come out because it had been too breezy. I went inside her room and played on my wooden recorder for her, but had a difficult time finishing the song. One of the workers just gave me a big hug after I finished and her eyes told me she understood. Although there is a language barrier, there is not always a communication barrier. Music and hugs—what can be clearer than that?
After leaving, our group split into two; some went to play soccer and some to prepare to visit this family. We arrived a bit before 9:00 and the father, wife, mother-in-law and young son came out to greet us. The father had promised us tea and boy, did this family deliver! He brought the samovar outside and began to ignite the fire to heat the water. Using pages from a book and some kindling he got some sparks going inside, and then held a long pipe about four or five feet high and six inches across over the top of the samovar to serve as the “chimney.” I asked through our interpreter, Nataliya, if this samovar had been in his family very long. He said only 30-40 years. Nataliya informed us that the one her family uses in Kiev is over 100 years old! The host told us that people today use electric samovars sometimes, and that they even owned one, but the tea doesn’t taste as good as the kind that use wood. Cherry wood tastes the best, he said. After the water was heated in the samovar, we went inside to a beautifully set table.
Teacups, saucers, a plate of lemon slices, sugar and a crystal bowl of cookies awaited us as we entered this modest house. We crowded into their little room with pink wallpaper and soft drapes and started to enjoy our tea with water from the samovar. We tried to show his son, Sasha, some of the toys we brought, but he was very shy with so many strangers in his home. We were also allowed a taste of some homemade beverages, one made from green pine cones!
We asked about life in Tulchyn, as he had grown up there. Our host told us that most of the kids here finish high school; some get jobs in the meat or butter factory in town and others go on to college. However, because of the unemployment problem, some college graduates come back home to live in or around Tulchyn because there is not enough work.
Our host told us that he had worked for many years in the butter factory, but that the owner of the factory didn’t always pay them, so he quit factory work and now sells clothing in the local market. He and his wife get up at 3:00 a.m. to get ready for their day at the market at 7:00. I know the unemployment situation has many Ukrainian families very frustrated.
Our host stated that he had not had many opportunities to meet Americans. He said that now he can say he has met some—in person! This family was very gracious to us. Opening their home like this, gives us a more specific prayer focus. I looked at his little son and wondered what his future would be in this great country that can grow so many delicious foods and feed so many people. What a resilient nation!
Ok, signing off. We are getting ready to go eat dinner in Kiev, then showers and off to bed. See you all very, very soon! Thank you for your consistent prayer support. There will be more to share when we meet face to face.
P.S. Pictures to follow of both soccer and the tea, we are having some difficulty getting them off of the camera.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Friday's Update
Today is our final day at the Tulchyn Orphanage. It’s our desire to make the most of every opportunity, hug and love the kids as much as possible, work as hard as we can, giving it all we’ve got. In our hearts, we’re already anticipating how much we’ll miss these kids and the caregivers we’ve grown to know and love. 
Wednesday night, when we can back to the house from the orphanage, there was a 100 foot trench in front of the houses on the street where we're staying. At first glance, this trench was seen to some of us as an obstacle and another discouragement. We had to hop across it when we went in and out of the house from the van. When we came back to the house last night, some of the neighbors, including women, were filling in the trench with shovels and spades. We felt led to help them do this, so we took over for the ladies filling in the ditch. They were appreciative of this, and after a little while told us that they would be getting a tractor to fill the rest in. They thanked us, even giving us hugs and kisses. We then decided to give them some gifts. We went down the road to one of the family’s house. They were very welcoming and appreciative of our gifts. They told us that the trench had been dug so that they could be reconnected to the water supply that had broken two weeks ago. They were planning to get a tractor to come to backfill the entire trench later, but thought that it would be an inconvenience for us until the tractor got there, so decided to fill it by hand. Scott was able to share the Gospel and we’ve been invited back tonight to have tea with them. They will be inviting their neighbors from across the road, who both grew up in orphanages. They have one young child and are very poor. Please pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel with our neighbors, both in word and deed. Although we saw the trench as an inconvenience to us, it actually was a doorway to provided by God for us. We look forward to sharing more of this story with you upon our return.
Construction Update: We’ve begun installing the new flooring in the two rooms. Please continue to pray for flexibility and patience as we continue the tasks set before us (that we’ll be able to finish both rooms today).
Child Care Update: This morning Jess shared the story of Daniel and Lion’s Den with the children while they colored and made a craft. We also sang with the children while Luke played guitar and Janice played the recorder.
Soccer: Yesterday, after leaving the orphanage for the day, we played soccer near the center of the town of Tulchyn. There were about 6 kids who played with us. Afterwards, we gave out t-shirts, hats, and water bottles to the kids, along with water and soda, and Luke shared the Gospel. These guys loved playing with us and asked us to come back tonight, which we’re planning to do. Pray that more Gospel seeds would be sown to these young men.
Later today before we leave the orphanage, we’ll be presenting the orphanage workers each with a gift, along with two refrigerators and two microwaves that the orphanage needs very much. We’re also leaving several suit cases full of items for the children, including quilts, games, toys, and clothes. Bill will be presenting the Gospel and saying an “official” thank you to Maria, the orphanage director. Please pray that God will bless this special time and that the eyes of the hearts of the orphanage staff will be open by the Holy Spirit.
Once again, thank you for your continued prayers...we love you all
Wednesday night, when we can back to the house from the orphanage, there was a 100 foot trench in front of the houses on the street where we're staying. At first glance, this trench was seen to some of us as an obstacle and another discouragement. We had to hop across it when we went in and out of the house from the van. When we came back to the house last night, some of the neighbors, including women, were filling in the trench with shovels and spades. We felt led to help them do this, so we took over for the ladies filling in the ditch. They were appreciative of this, and after a little while told us that they would be getting a tractor to fill the rest in. They thanked us, even giving us hugs and kisses. We then decided to give them some gifts. We went down the road to one of the family’s house. They were very welcoming and appreciative of our gifts. They told us that the trench had been dug so that they could be reconnected to the water supply that had broken two weeks ago. They were planning to get a tractor to come to backfill the entire trench later, but thought that it would be an inconvenience for us until the tractor got there, so decided to fill it by hand. Scott was able to share the Gospel and we’ve been invited back tonight to have tea with them. They will be inviting their neighbors from across the road, who both grew up in orphanages. They have one young child and are very poor. Please pray for more opportunities to share the Gospel with our neighbors, both in word and deed. Although we saw the trench as an inconvenience to us, it actually was a doorway to provided by God for us. We look forward to sharing more of this story with you upon our return. Construction Update: We’ve begun installing the new flooring in the two rooms. Please continue to pray for flexibility and patience as we continue the tasks set before us (that we’ll be able to finish both rooms today).Child Care Update: This morning Jess shared the story of Daniel and Lion’s Den with the children while they colored and made a craft. We also sang with the children while Luke played guitar and Janice played the recorder.
Soccer: Yesterday, after leaving the orphanage for the day, we played soccer near the center of the town of Tulchyn. There were about 6 kids who played with us. Afterwards, we gave out t-shirts, hats, and water bottles to the kids, along with water and soda, and Luke shared the Gospel. These guys loved playing with us and asked us to come back tonight, which we’re planning to do. Pray that more Gospel seeds would be sown to these young men.
Later today before we leave the orphanage, we’ll be presenting the orphanage workers each with a gift, along with two refrigerators and two microwaves that the orphanage needs very much. We’re also leaving several suit cases full of items for the children, including quilts, games, toys, and clothes. Bill will be presenting the Gospel and saying an “official” thank you to Maria, the orphanage director. Please pray that God will bless this special time and that the eyes of the hearts of the orphanage staff will be open by the Holy Spirit.Once again, thank you for your continued prayers...we love you all
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thursday’s Update
It’s Thursday here in Tulchyn, it's beautiful and cool outside, and we can’t believe how fast our time here is flying by! Thanks for your continued prayers – we feel them and can’t tell you how much it encourages us to know you’re praying! Thanks also for the comments left on the previous entries – these have encouraged our team as well…
As we mentioned in yesterday’s post, we had the honor and privilege of visiting the Orphanage in Ledezyan. This facility is actually a “state hospital” for severely mentally and physically handicapped children, teens, and young adults. This is a “level 4” facility which holds those no one else wants or cares to deal with. They are truly the “least of these”, forgotten orphans, and we know that this is where Jesus would spend His time if He was here in Ukraine. After seeing Ladezyan,, we have a very clear picture of where many children from the Tulchyn Orphanage could possibly end up if they aren’t adopted. Would you join us in praying that the orphans in Tulchyn would find forever families? Would you continue to pray for the precious ones in Ledezyan…that our Heavenly Father would watch over them, protect them, wrap His loving arms around them and work miracles in their lives, finding forever families for them as well? Our God hears our prayers and He is big enough to answer them!
Pray specifically for one young man whom we met from Ledezyan. His name is Anitolek and his nickname is Tolek. He’s 21 years old, has above averaged intelligence, and the only reason he’s in the Ledezyan facility is because he’s unable to walk - he’s confined to a wheelchair. Tolek is a very resourceful young man and if he lived in the U.S., he’d be a productive citizen. He’d probably live a normal live, have a job, a home, and a car. He’s not mentally unstable at all. Tolek was once given a laptop – he learned to use it after never being taught how! Unfortunately, some of the other orphans at the facility got a hold of it and broke it (we’re looking to get him a new one!). A local pastor bought him a cell phone to use and frequently purchases minutes on it so that Tolek can call him along with others. This is his only life-line to the real world, an “escape” so to speak. Please pray for Tolek – that God would move powerfully in his life, working miracles and wonders…
Please continue to lift up the various construction projects in prayer – that we would accomplish the tasks set before us. Pray for continued flexibility with many changed plans.
Also, pray that God would open the door for us to be able to connect with the local kids and teens in Tulchyn. This has been a struggle up to this point, and it’s our desire to share the Gospel and play soccer with these kid’s if God allows.
Today we’ll be presenting the Tulchyn Orphanage with various gifts. We’ll also continue to spend time with the children. Thanks again for your prayers - we look forward to sharing more with you soon!
As we mentioned in yesterday’s post, we had the honor and privilege of visiting the Orphanage in Ledezyan. This facility is actually a “state hospital” for severely mentally and physically handicapped children, teens, and young adults. This is a “level 4” facility which holds those no one else wants or cares to deal with. They are truly the “least of these”, forgotten orphans, and we know that this is where Jesus would spend His time if He was here in Ukraine. After seeing Ladezyan,, we have a very clear picture of where many children from the Tulchyn Orphanage could possibly end up if they aren’t adopted. Would you join us in praying that the orphans in Tulchyn would find forever families? Would you continue to pray for the precious ones in Ledezyan…that our Heavenly Father would watch over them, protect them, wrap His loving arms around them and work miracles in their lives, finding forever families for them as well? Our God hears our prayers and He is big enough to answer them!
Pray specifically for one young man whom we met from Ledezyan. His name is Anitolek and his nickname is Tolek. He’s 21 years old, has above averaged intelligence, and the only reason he’s in the Ledezyan facility is because he’s unable to walk - he’s confined to a wheelchair. Tolek is a very resourceful young man and if he lived in the U.S., he’d be a productive citizen. He’d probably live a normal live, have a job, a home, and a car. He’s not mentally unstable at all. Tolek was once given a laptop – he learned to use it after never being taught how! Unfortunately, some of the other orphans at the facility got a hold of it and broke it (we’re looking to get him a new one!). A local pastor bought him a cell phone to use and frequently purchases minutes on it so that Tolek can call him along with others. This is his only life-line to the real world, an “escape” so to speak. Please pray for Tolek – that God would move powerfully in his life, working miracles and wonders…
Please continue to lift up the various construction projects in prayer – that we would accomplish the tasks set before us. Pray for continued flexibility with many changed plans.
Also, pray that God would open the door for us to be able to connect with the local kids and teens in Tulchyn. This has been a struggle up to this point, and it’s our desire to share the Gospel and play soccer with these kid’s if God allows.
Today we’ll be presenting the Tulchyn Orphanage with various gifts. We’ll also continue to spend time with the children. Thanks again for your prayers - we look forward to sharing more with you soon!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday: Ledyzhyn Orphanage Update
We've just returned from the Ledyzhyn Orphanage. It was a very intense experience and our hearts are broken for the children, teens, and young adults there. We are unable to post pictures, but look forward to sharing them with you when we return, along with lots of video. We were able to visit the first floor of two buildings at this orphanage. We spent time interacting with the kids, playing with them, singing with and to them. Luke played his guitar for them, and we gave them tamborines and shakers and they loved it. It's beautiful to know that their caregivers care so much about them - Ruslan shared with us that the caregivers make about $100-$150 a month!...In other words, they aren't in it for the money because it takes about $300 a month to survive as a Ukrainian. Thank you for praying for us...we will continue to process this experience for many days to come and are eager to help in any way that we possibly can. Please continue to lift our team up to our Father - praise Him that our team's health is good! Praise Him that our times with the children at the Tulchyn Orphanage are rich and full of joy! Pray that the Lord would continue to strengthen each of us, and give us the ability to "leave everything on the table" so to speak, making the most of our limited time here. We love you all and will post more pictures when we are able. For now, enjoy the ones we were able to add to the previous post.
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