Thanks to so many of you, our orphans in Ukraine had a very Merry Christmas! Remember all of those “Bags of Blessings” that you sent in? We assigned one to each child at the orphanage, packed them up and brought them to Ukraine! Meanwhile, our dedicated team was busy practicing a play which told the story of Jesus’ Birth! After the Christmas presents arrived, it was time to head out to the orphanage…
Our team leader extraordinaire, Inna, sent a short message saying, “Hi Cyndee!!! We gave out almost all the presents yesterday. Just few of children were not at school. An air raid changed our plans and while the children were safely waiting in the bomb shelter, our ministry team had to wait 1.5 hours in the hall. But after the air raid finished, we had a good time with all the kids! We gave a drama on stage, which told about the Good News of Jesus’ birth! We also played lots of fun games and had tasty treats! Of course, the kids were so happy and excited to receive a Bag of Blessings as their Christmas present. If it wasn’t for Hope Now, I don’t think the children would have any presents at all. Thank you to everyone who participated in this project!”
We also received a message from the Assistant Director at the orphanage. Olga writes, “Hello dear Cyndee! I wish to convey our warm Christmas congratulations and a big thank you from our children and our staff for your great care, boundless love, and great work! Inna, Luda, Lena, and everyone who came yesterday made the children a wonderful holiday and gave many good & positive emotions. We are always happy to have you. We love you. ❤️ Greetings to the family.”
Each Class had a photo made with their classmates – can you spot your sponsored child? Despite the war raging on in Ukraine, we still have some new children at the orphanage. Some are newly displaced kids, who’s grandparents are now living locally but cannot look after their grandchildren full time. Some of the new children have recently become orphans themselves, due to the casualties of war. And still some of the kids have come to the orphanage because social services now deem their parental home unfit due to severe poverty in the land, due to rampant inflation. No money to make repairs or to buy food.
Click for Christmas Greetings from the Children |
Thank you, dear partners, for sharing your love to these precious children during the hard times of 2022. Your faithful support of our ministry helped us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – and the tasks that were already set before us. These children, as well as our own team members have been through so much trauma this year. Please join us in praying that the seeds we have sown and watered this year will grow deep in the Ukrainians hearts who have heard them. Please consider giving a year end gift, which will help catapult us well into 2023. Happy New Year!