Ministry News
Feeding an Army
Moms who have a large family often joke about having to “feed an army...” Cooking pretty much around the clock – especially if there are teenaged boys to feed. But imagine having to cook for a real army! Except you’re not a professional, you aren’t cooking in a well-equipped army kitchen, you can’t get many essential ingredients, and oh yeah – you’re in the middle of a war, complete with air sirens and missiles flying around your head. This is the reality for our little church in Khutory, where Greenfield (our Hope Now Boys Home) is located. 100 soldiers from the Ukrainian army battalion from Donetsk, recently took over the local school and turned it into their barracks, since their own was blown up by russian aggressors. Day in and day out, our ladies from the church cook homemade meals, package them up, and deliver them to the 100 soldiers who have come to rely on them.
A New Home – A New Church
As a child, if you have ever moved across town – or even across country, you’ll remember that unsettling feeling you get when you first step onto the playground or into the school cafeteria. That’s probably what a lot of our Ukrainian kids are feeling these days. Moving to an orphanage in Romania, they are definitely the new kids in town. They do not speak the same language as the other kids. In fact, the Romanian kids have to be kept separated from the Ukrainian kids (or is it the other way around?) until everyone has had their health checks.
Waking up in Romania
After our group of 15 arrived in Romania late last night, the older teens and adults that still had energy ate a tasty dinner, had hot showers, prayed together, and then hit the sack! Imagine the next day starting to wake up at daylight. For a couple of groggy moments, you savor that peaceful feeling of warmth, safety, and security. Then comes that strange sensation of not really knowing where you are – when you wake up somewhere new. Imagine waking up in Romania! And reality starts flooding in.
Conquering Fear and Building Faith at Camp
The fear of failure is one of the primary feelings experienced by orphans on a daily basis. All their lives they’ve been told that they are not that smart, not strong enough, and not even capable of achieving their dreams and goals. In fact, unfortunate circumstances and lack of support usually discourages them to pursue their dreams at all.
A hunk, a chunk, a drunk or a monk? Life after quarantine...
How did seven of our Orphan Graduate Girls manage to get through the COVID-19 pandemic while living in our Girls Flat? Just like the rest of us, adjusting to a new lifestyle during a pandemic was not easy. As a result of staying home most of the time, the girls began to feel helpless physically and emotionally. Read how they learned and grew from this life-changing experience!
COVID Summer for Orphans
In an effort to control the spread of the Coronavirus, this past spring the government of Ukraine issued a nationwide quarantine, closed the border, all schools and orphanages and sent the children “home”. Instead of online distance learning, writing happy messages with chalk on sidewalks and sourcing the cutest mask, orphans were thrown back into the very environment they escaped from. So, what did they do? How did they cope?
"Kompas Park is truly my favorite place in the world."
Kompas Park is near and dear to many of our hearts. In an effort to share our support and love for the camp, and to encourage its staff during this Sabbatical Summer, we asked past volunteers to share their favorite memories of the camp. Read what they shared!
A Day at Kompas Park
This week would have been our Kids’ Camp at Kompas Park. The happy sounds of laughter, gleeful shouts, and worshipful singing should be reverberating loudly through the camp today. Instead, it is silent. While those of us who have been to Kompas Park Kids’ Camp can picture what this week would have looked like without COVID-19, we realize that to many of you, a day at Kompas Park is unfamiliar. So, we’d like to share what a typical day at Kompas Park Kids’ Camp looks like through the eyes of a camper.
My father is no more.
How many times have I heard an orphan say that to me? “My father is no more.” It’s a terrible expression, but perhaps it’s better than saying, “Papa is dead.” Or, “My dad deserted us.” Or even worse, “Daddy abandoned us, forgot about us and has a new family now.” For the hundreds of children we minister to in Ukraine, almost ALL of them have suffered the loss of their earthly father one way or another, and it is absolutely crushing.
Kompas Park Needs Your Help!
Visitors say that Kompas Park summer camp is a slice of heaven on earth! Its fields, assembly hall, dining room, beach area and bunk rooms hold precious memories for campers and volunteers alike. Unfortunately, due to the risks of COVID-19, this summer, the gates of Kompas Park will be closed. Since the camps have all been cancelled, KP has been hit hard financially. Will you support them during this time?
Inna & Lena’s Grocery Delivery
One month ago, Ukraine closed its borders and will continue to be on quarantine through May 11. Since that time, all of the children in the orphanage were sent “home” to their guardians and are supposed to be distance learning for the remainder of the school year. We asked how can we help the children? The answer was clear and swift – bring food. So, Inna and Lena leapt into action, bought groceries, made up food parcels and received today’s list of the families that needed them immediately.
Marina's New Design on Life
One of our orphan graduates wants to give you an update! You may remember Marina was in the hospital about 3 years ago when she had plastic surgery on her neck and legs to remove painful scars she has carried since childhood. She has some great news to tell now!
Facebook Updates
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