church with some orphans from the trade school. 
Monday, December 28, 2009
what an ordeal to Ukraine
My journey to Ukraine
My travel to Ukraine was quite the experience. Getting out of St. Louis was the first challenge. With the light snow cars were all over the highway. It was a parking lot at best. We decided with amount many others to travel on the shoulder going the opposite way. I thought I was in Ukraine already.
On my way to Munich, Germany I had a great discussion and sharing with a man from India. He was a Hindu. I was able to share with him about the living God and the gospel. He went away encouraged and thanked me for sharing.
Donetsk from Munich Germany the flight was diverted to a different city due to heavy fog. When we landed in a different city in Ukraine there was no direction or help in what to do next. I knew I needed to get my luggage. After waiting a long time I found only one set. The other piece I had to file a missing claims report. That in itself was a joke as many had lost their luggage. Thank God I at least had one. I called Anya my translator who has been helping me for several years. She is wonderful and a great Christian women of God. She mentioned that eight orphans from the trade school had come to the airport to greet me. It was difficult since I wasn’t able to be with them and greet them myself. I hope to call today and see where this lost luggage could be. How I could have one without the other is a mystery.
Not knowing what to do and feeling like a lost puppy I went through customs and then headed for the Lufthansa office. A large crowd of people with no direction, order, crowded around the small window. Pirate taxi drivers were making deals with us stranded passengers. Lots of hand motions going back and forth. Once again now really understand what was happening all of sudden a lady heads out of the office and the crowd of people stated to follow. I was able to ask someone who spoke very little English what was going on. She said, “bus.” In a mad rush I followed the crowd. It as everyone for themselves in hopes to get a seat. I have been in a situation before here knowing why the people were acting in such a panic. The
There was never any information when we would arrive or where they would drop us off. When someone would ask the driver when we would get there he said, “we get there when we get there.” that is a Ukrainian answer a lot.. After 11 hours we were dropped off at 6AM. I was so tired and couldn’t feel a thing. The bus was no Greyhound. More like a large van.
On my first day I went to meet with the kids from the trade school. I also visited with some kids from the orphanage I happened to see outside while walking. I hope to call the orphanage about visiting the kids. I heard they are not allowing visitors because of the swine flu.
My travel to Ukraine was quite the experience. Getting out of St. Louis was the first challenge. With the light snow cars were all over the highway. It was a parking lot at best. We decided with amount many others to travel on the shoulder going the opposite way. I thought I was in Ukraine already.
On my way to Munich, Germany I had a great discussion and sharing with a man from India. He was a Hindu. I was able to share with him about the living God and the gospel. He went away encouraged and thanked me for sharing.
Donetsk from Munich Germany the flight was diverted to a different city due to heavy fog. When we landed in a different city in Ukraine there was no direction or help in what to do next. I knew I needed to get my luggage. After waiting a long time I found only one set. The other piece I had to file a missing claims report. That in itself was a joke as many had lost their luggage. Thank God I at least had one. I called Anya my translator who has been helping me for several years. She is wonderful and a great Christian women of God. She mentioned that eight orphans from the trade school had come to the airport to greet me. It was difficult since I wasn’t able to be with them and greet them myself. I hope to call today and see where this lost luggage could be. How I could have one without the other is a mystery.
Not knowing what to do and feeling like a lost puppy I went through customs and then headed for the Lufthansa office. A large crowd of people with no direction, order, crowded around the small window. Pirate taxi drivers were making deals with us stranded passengers. Lots of hand motions going back and forth. Once again now really understand what was happening all of sudden a lady heads out of the office and the crowd of people stated to follow. I was able to ask someone who spoke very little English what was going on. She said, “bus.” In a mad rush I followed the crowd. It as everyone for themselves in hopes to get a seat. I have been in a situation before here knowing why the people were acting in such a panic. The
There was never any information when we would arrive or where they would drop us off. When someone would ask the driver when we would get there he said, “we get there when we get there.” that is a Ukrainian answer a lot.. After 11 hours we were dropped off at 6AM. I was so tired and couldn’t feel a thing. The bus was no Greyhound. More like a large van.
On my first day I went to meet with the kids from the trade school. I also visited with some kids from the orphanage I happened to see outside while walking. I hope to call the orphanage about visiting the kids. I heard they are not allowing visitors because of the swine flu.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
glimps of Donetsk's
Donetsk is the fifth-largest city in Ukraine. With a population of over 1,120,000. While the majority of people in central and western Ukraine speak Ukrainian, most residents of Donetsk are Russian-speaking Ukrainians (Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group primarily living in Ukraine) According to 2001 population census, Ukrainians make up 56,9% of Donetsk area and Russians 38,2%.
Donetsk's residents belong to many different religious bodies: Eastern Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Protestant, and Roman Catholic as well as Islam Mosques and Judaic synagogues The largest religious body with the most members is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
The city was founded in 1869 by a Welsh businessman, John Hughes who constructed a steel plant and several coal mines. The city's steel industry was expanded and since 1924 it was renamed Stalino after Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee from 1922 until his death in 1953...Today, the city still remains an important industrial centre for coal and steel in Ukraine.
In the beginning of World War II The territory of Donetsk at the time of the Nazi German
Mostly consisted of a Jewish ghetto. Donetsk consisted of 507,000, and after the war - only 175,000 remained. World War II almost completely destroyed the city, which was mostly rebuilt on a larger scale at the war's end.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Donetsk and other neighboring cities suffered heavily, as many factories were closed down and many inhabitants lost their jobs. However, in spite of the difficult economic situation in Ukraine Economy of Ukraine is a developing city.
Donetsk's residents belong to many different religious bodies: Eastern Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Protestant, and Roman Catholic as well as Islam Mosques and Judaic synagogues The largest religious body with the most members is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
The city was founded in 1869 by a Welsh businessman, John Hughes who constructed a steel plant and several coal mines. The city's steel industry was expanded and since 1924 it was renamed Stalino after Joseph Stalin. Joseph Stalin was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee from 1922 until his death in 1953...Today, the city still remains an important industrial centre for coal and steel in Ukraine.
In the beginning of World War II The territory of Donetsk at the time of the Nazi German
Mostly consisted of a Jewish ghetto. Donetsk consisted of 507,000, and after the war - only 175,000 remained. World War II almost completely destroyed the city, which was mostly rebuilt on a larger scale at the war's end.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Donetsk and other neighboring cities suffered heavily, as many factories were closed down and many inhabitants lost their jobs. However, in spite of the difficult economic situation in Ukraine Economy of Ukraine is a developing city.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
These are some of my favorite pictures. A group picture of the many orphans I was able to spend time with. I am blessed beyond what words can explain. I wanted to capture so much more while I was in Ukraine and share with you. Pray for these kids. Lord willing, I will be back to minister to these orphans once again!!! 
Monday, September 14, 2009
Anoton with his black and bloody eye. He is only 7 years old. No one was there when I arrived at camp to comfort Anton. He told me, " I was playing with an older group of boys and they were cheating and I said I was going to tell on them." He was kicked in the face by a 13 year old boy for saying such a thing. These kids begin to develop such a toughness or lack of feelings in order to survive. Anton asks for a family
During the night I would gather some orphans together and Theodor (interpreter) would play his guitar. We would play Christian songs and sometimes just talk. This was better than the kids wondering around at night with nothing to do. 
Brother and sister. New to the orphanage and want a family so badly
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Their rooms. The beds were horrible. No air-conditioning or fans in the hot summer. No screens to keep out all the bugs including the BIG mosquitoes.
I would say goodnight to each of them. They looked forward to this so much. During the day they would ask to make sure I would visit them at night. Orphans normaly never have someone tuck them in with a hug or tell them a bed time story. It is simply "lights out get to bed."
Boredom is the biggest problem among the orphans. Their routine is always the same. Many children just wonder around with nothing to do, no activities
With your help I was able to ship before my trip many games and puzzles. I would bring out the games each day. It was great to see so many kids enjoying them. Thank you!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
In A Nut Shell
Dear Partners,
I am back from my nine plus weeks ministering to the orphans of Ukraine. It went by so quickly !! So many blessings that took place I don’t even know where or how to begin or end this report. I thank God so much for His blessings and guidance. His protection and for my health during this trip. I must also thank all of you who PRAYED for me and the orphans. Thank you to those who gave. I couldn't do it without your help financially. ALL of your donations went directly to the kids and the expense of the translator.
Each day I would travel to an orphanage or to a government run summer camp. The orphanages would have around 200 + kids. When the orphans would be at the government summer camps there would be over 400 orphans from several orphanages. I also spent time with the kids from the trade school who are left in this world all on their own starting at the age of 15. I spent time with all these groups in various ways. God’s hand moved so much when I shared His love and care for each one of them. I was able to share His word with them and pray often with these hurting kids.
At times I was able to ask how they became an orphan. Their stories where all so different but yet all the same. Alcohol, drugs, TB, neglect were all so common in each one. But I couldn't help to see the individual pain, shame, and their tears in each of their eyes. All I could do was show that I cared give them a hug and listen. That is what they mostly wanted and needed. I would pray with them and let them know God can heal their pain and help them through it. Many saw their dad beating their mom to death. Many had been abandoned because drugs were more important. Their parents just simply left and never returned. Leaving kids at the age of 5, 6, or 7 defend for themselves. Many saw their dad walk out on the family and their mom turn to drugs, alcohol, or for different men. Some would go to live with grandparents but then they would get to sick, old, or die themselves. Many grandparents do not have enough money to feed and care for a child so off to the orphanage they would go. These stories add up too more than 1 million orphans in Ukraine. As we would talk I would ask in a group who desires a family. 9 out of 10 raised their hands in hopes of one day someone who will care and love them and have a place to call home .
I took humanitarian aid like shoes, clothes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, soap, these are just some of the examples of which much was donated from people like you. I took games puzzles, and other fun activities which helped them to be a kid again and also broke-up the prevalent boredom. These kids don’t own or have anything except the clothes on their backs. So these items including the occasional candy was well received. I went to the market to purchase soccer balls and other outside activities for them to enjoy. Most of the time they sit and look at TV or wander around. But most of all spending time with them listening and showing that I care about them was what they needed. I would tell them I do care but there is a God who loves and cares about them more and wants to be a father to them. My focus was not to be on me but always directed towards JESUS. I will attach some pictures. I have more to share that I will post soon. I want to say again a BIG THANK YOU for your donations, financial help and prayers.
I am back from my nine plus weeks ministering to the orphans of Ukraine. It went by so quickly !! So many blessings that took place I don’t even know where or how to begin or end this report. I thank God so much for His blessings and guidance. His protection and for my health during this trip. I must also thank all of you who PRAYED for me and the orphans. Thank you to those who gave. I couldn't do it without your help financially. ALL of your donations went directly to the kids and the expense of the translator.
Each day I would travel to an orphanage or to a government run summer camp. The orphanages would have around 200 + kids. When the orphans would be at the government summer camps there would be over 400 orphans from several orphanages. I also spent time with the kids from the trade school who are left in this world all on their own starting at the age of 15. I spent time with all these groups in various ways. God’s hand moved so much when I shared His love and care for each one of them. I was able to share His word with them and pray often with these hurting kids.
At times I was able to ask how they became an orphan. Their stories where all so different but yet all the same. Alcohol, drugs, TB, neglect were all so common in each one. But I couldn't help to see the individual pain, shame, and their tears in each of their eyes. All I could do was show that I cared give them a hug and listen. That is what they mostly wanted and needed. I would pray with them and let them know God can heal their pain and help them through it. Many saw their dad beating their mom to death. Many had been abandoned because drugs were more important. Their parents just simply left and never returned. Leaving kids at the age of 5, 6, or 7 defend for themselves. Many saw their dad walk out on the family and their mom turn to drugs, alcohol, or for different men. Some would go to live with grandparents but then they would get to sick, old, or die themselves. Many grandparents do not have enough money to feed and care for a child so off to the orphanage they would go. These stories add up too more than 1 million orphans in Ukraine. As we would talk I would ask in a group who desires a family. 9 out of 10 raised their hands in hopes of one day someone who will care and love them and have a place to call home .
I took humanitarian aid like shoes, clothes, toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, soap, these are just some of the examples of which much was donated from people like you. I took games puzzles, and other fun activities which helped them to be a kid again and also broke-up the prevalent boredom. These kids don’t own or have anything except the clothes on their backs. So these items including the occasional candy was well received. I went to the market to purchase soccer balls and other outside activities for them to enjoy. Most of the time they sit and look at TV or wander around. But most of all spending time with them listening and showing that I care about them was what they needed. I would tell them I do care but there is a God who loves and cares about them more and wants to be a father to them. My focus was not to be on me but always directed towards JESUS. I will attach some pictures. I have more to share that I will post soon. I want to say again a BIG THANK YOU for your donations, financial help and prayers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)