Zhenya

Sponsor a meal

We have made it easy and convenient for you to sign up to sponsor a meal.  Simply go to http://www.takethemameal.com and type in recipient's name "Ukraine" and password "hosting" and you will be taken to the schedule where you can sign up for a day and time to bless these children with a meal.

Please pray for Wilson in Haiti

Not only does my family support work with orphans in Ukraine but also in Haiti.  My husband, Gabe, is on the board of the Hands and Feet Project that has 2 orphanages in that country.  In November, Alexandra, Jay and I traveled to Haiti and while there, met Wilson.  At the time he was very sick and they were trying to get a diagnosis for him.  An American doctor there believes he has cancer, perhaps lymphoma, but they have not been able to get a definitive diagnosis. On April 30th, an American doctor visiting Port Au Prince will evaluate Wilson.  Please pray that the doctor will agree to provide him treatment in the US and that the Visa will be quickly granted for him to travel here.

Suzette

Vasya

Sasha

Still thinking about sweet Sasha and hope to hear soon whether he is going to be able to travel due to the changes made in his paperwork.  I am reminded of something my pastor David Platt said:  "Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names.  They are easier to ignore before you see their faces.  It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms.  But once you do, everything changes."  Update:  We will know on Wednesday, April 25th, whether Sasha can still come. Update:  He's coming!  Woo Hoo!!!! 

Flight reservations finalized

The children will arrive in Atlanta at 8:05 on the evening of June 11th.  They will fly back out of Atlanta on July 10th.  One of the boy's mother died recently and that changes the nature of his paperwork so pray that this can be sorted out and he will still be able to come with the other kids.  Its funny that when you are deciding whether to bring 10 or 11 children, whose names and faces you do not yet know, it is not that big of a deal.  But once that 11th child has a name and face and you have been praying for him by name,  the thought of him not coming is incredibly sad.  He already has a special place in my heart.  As always, trusting God's sovereign plan and purpose.

Sasha

join me in praying this week for Sasha.

Flight plans subject to change

I spoke too soon regarding exact flight dates.  Will have to wait about a week to complete reservation so date might change by a day or so depending on availability of flights.

Update

All passports have been received.  Visa appointment is set for May 4th.  Flight reservations are made!  There has been a slight change in dates.  The children will arrive in Atlanta on the evening of June 11th.  They will return to Ukraine on July 8th.

A Little Geography

The 7 children from the Shchotove orphanage got their passports today.  Next in the process is the obtaining of insurance, making flight reservations, getting final governmental approval and the Visa appointment, which is set for May 4th.  


I have been to Belorechenka many times and I know what the village and the orphanage there are like.  I have never been to the village of Shchotove or the nearby city Antratsit, the administrative center of the district.  I am a bit fascinated with geography and have spent some time trying to learn more about the village of Shchotove where 7 of the children are from.  If this bores you, check back later for more interesting info!

Location:

• World map
• Show coordinates

   As you can see, Shchotove is very near the border of Russia.  Like Belorechenka, its main industry is coal mining.  It is a village of about 4000 people, but only 9 miles from Antratsit with a population of 61, 000.  Both Belorechenka and Shchotove are in the Lugansk region of Ukraine.  

You can find some more information on Antratsit and see some photographs here:  http://ukrainetrek.com/antratsit-city;  you can see from photos of the village of Shchotove here:  http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=48.174321&ln=39.113292&z=4&k=2.

I look forward to visiting Shchotove in October and getting to know the people there.  Ira and Anton who we work with in Ukraine, along with Sasha, told us that the Director of the orphanage there was nice and friendly, and that the children were well behaved and polite.  The orphanage does not receive much in the way of support.  Some orphanages are supported my outside organization from within Ukraine or around the world.  They might have computers for the children or flat screen TVs throughout the orphanages.  Other orphanages, like the one in Shchotove,  lack basic necessities.  Ira and Anton took a package of copy paper and the workers there were ecstatic because they had not been able to afford to purchase their own paper.  Likewise the Belorechenka orphanage lacks many basic necessities.  We were involved several years ago with Reach Orphans with Hope, who installed a needed toilet and shower stall there. 


As I have said before, our hosting program is more than a temporary vacation for these precious children.  We intend to make every effort at establishing long-term relationships with these orphanages and working alongside fellow believers there in bringing humanitarian relief as well as a gospel witness into the region.    I look forward to visiting Ukraine in October and dreaming bigger dreams.  

Alona

Would you pray with me today for Alona?  I think of how often I pray for each of my children; for their safety, for their future, for their salvation.  What if there was no one praying for them?  I had a praying grandmother.  When I look back over my life, I see God answering her prayers as I was protected from harm in many situations and eventually came to know Christ.  I am thankful that someone was praying for me.  What if there is no one praying for Alona?  Would you do that today?

Thankful for the Body of Christ

It is so exciting to see God bring in helping hands from all over:  Montgomery; Alexander City; Monroeville; Thomasville; Wetumpka; Milton, Florida.  I tell people that this is not something we can do alone.  We need you.  I am so grateful to those who have already committed to help us minister to these precious children.