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Taryn, Lori and I arrived in a small village in western
Ukraine on Monday. The first day
was spent with administrative type activities. Another difficult aspect of ministry. And, frankly, there were moments where
we all looked at each other and asked “now why are we here?” But we continued to walk in faith,
trusting that the Lord had sovereignly
brought us here. Near the
end of the day, the Director introduced us to a boy with downcast eyes. She explained he did not know much
Russian or Ukrainian. I told him
it was okay, I didn’t either. He
almost smiled. God whispered: “this is why you are here.”
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The next day, we watched a performance by the younger
children in the orphanage. 7, 8, and 9
year olds with no parent in the crowd to beam at them or applaud their
efforts. My heart ached thinking
“no child this young, this beautiful, should be orphaned.” God consoled me:
“this is why you are here.”
We visited the children with mild special needs. We talked to them. Held them. Heard their stories.
With few hours left in the day , I pulled Taryn and Lori away: “We still have so much to do while we
are here!”
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For a few moments we sat in silence. Words were insufficient. Love for a new place was blossoming. God had given us care, concern, and even pain, where none had been a day before. And then my thoughts looked ahead. Plans to be made. Money to be raised. One of us spoke what the others were already thinking: how can we make others see, care, help? I don’t know the answer to that question. But one thing I do know. I must live each day asking how I can bring these 100 children to the attention of the world. And not just these 100. But the 500 orphaned children in east Ukraine we have been asked to help. Children displaced by the war; with no socks, underwear, or basic hygiene products. Now more than ever, we need your help. They need your help. The withdrawn boy. The grumpy girl. The orphaned. The poor. It's not easy. There is pain in the offering. But offer we must. I mean, isn't that why we're here?