Ministry News
Is this trip going to be a bust?
I admit, visiting Ukraine in winter can be a bit tricky. Certainly, it is not for anyone unaccustomed to dealing with ice and snow and as a native Minnesotan, I like to think I can handle harsh winter weather. Plus, last January’s trip was full of snowy fun and navigating the roads was not a problem. So far, it’s been a different story in 2018.
Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?
Every year, members of our family dutifully write up a detailed list of gift hints designed to make Christmas shopping productive, easy and usually amusing… it’s a sort of grown up version of writing a letter to Santa, except for family members. All of whom usually comply, except me.
College Visits for Teen Orphans in Limbo
In Ukraine, after the 9th grade, children living in orphanages age-out or “graduate” and hopefully move onto a new institutional setting. We say hopefully, because education beyond age 16 is not mandatory, and many kids without a support system or even the most basic help simply disappear into a street life of gangs, prostitution, drugs or worse. Recently, we discussed the disturbing situation of orphans in Ukraine.
Teachers Link at Christian Ethics Training
“Today, if money was no object, and you didn’t have to figure out how to achieve it, what would be your biggest dream for your ministry?” My husband asked me that question a couple of years ago, and I brazenly blurted out “For Shpola Orphanage to become a first-class Christian school.”
Back to School
For a child at Shpola Orphanage in Ukraine, “Back to School” is very different. It’s NOT the familiar waxy smell of crayons, freshly sharpened pencils and a cool new backpack.
Challenger Youth Camp 2017
Several weeks after our Shpola Kids Camp, Hope Now USA was blessed to host another camp, but this time for high school teenagers, called Challenger Youth Camp. Kompas Park welcomed the oldest orphans from Shpola orphanage, kids that had previously graduated from Shpola as well as many teens from local Cherkasy churches. Sometimes, teenagers can be pretty difficult to work with, but with the right approach and a positive attitude, our team of Ukrainian and American volunteers found it a joy! You can check out all the fun we had by watching the attached video.
Ukraine: Orphans, A Disturbing Situation
Right now, there are about 750 institutions housing 106,000 orphans in Ukraine, with the majority of them being “social orphans” who were abused or abandoned by their parents and were placed in the care of others. Every three days an orphan with a disability dies, usually because they don’t get the necessary medical attention. In Ukraine, the orphanage, known as an Internat, is a mixed boarding school for orphans and children from families living in poverty and is a catch-all for children of every background and need.
Dreams Come True for kids from Shpola Orphanage
For the past several years, volunteers from Hope Now have been coming to Shpola orphanage to spend a few days with the children, to get to know them and to bring God’s word to them. These visits have become very special to the orphans and to the volunteers alike. The leaders began to dream about how awesome it would be, to take the children outside of their everyday environment and bring them to Kompas Park, a top-notch Christian camp facility. Then they started talking about this idea together and it was clear that they all had the same desire. Of course, it is easier to reach a destination with others than by yourself. So, the planning the camp of our dreams began.
Get well soon, Marina
"All that is here is the best of my life! I'm happy that I have so many friends who love and appreciate me and I them! The Lord does everything for me and I remember that! With God it is easier than in a past life!" -- Marina, age 17
A year ago, those thoughts would have never entered Marina's mind. She was a scared, defiant and self-conscious 16 year old, seeking attention from anyone who would give it. She told me "I really want friends, but I am unable to make any."
Throughout her teen years, I saw how Marina was positioned as an outcast in
A year ago, those thoughts would have never entered Marina's mind. She was a scared, defiant and self-conscious 16 year old, seeking attention from anyone who would give it. She told me "I really want friends, but I am unable to make any."
Throughout her teen years, I saw how Marina was positioned as an outcast in
Christian Education Updates
As part of our Christian Education program, God has called me to use the connections I’ve made in Ukraine, to link orphans and their families to the local community. So, in addition to our Youth Group for Shpola Orphanage Graduates, I recently invited Sophia Christian School’s theatre group to Shpola Orphanage to get acquainted with the children and staff there. Together, the Shpola kids and Sophia School kids put together a great assembly!
Update! New Windows Coming soon!
We had a great day today in Ukraine! Last month, I introduced you to a widow named Valeria and her two young daughters who stay at Shpola Orphanage. Today, Inna and I paid another visit to Valeria’s home in Lebedyn.
This time Pastor Sasha from the local church came with us to measure the window that will soon be replaced. Initially, Valeria didn’t want anyone from the church to help her, as she is currently exploring other beliefs, and has gone away from...
Some families of orphans can be renewed.
About 18 months ago when I was at the orphanage, I was shocked to have a lady greet me and start speaking to me in English… and not just a greeting, either. Valeria was obviously a well-educated lady, who could carry on an intelligent conversation in English!
She told me all about her two children, Hima and Ananda whom she had just enrolled at Shpola. She qualified to have her children stay at the orphanage, because she was recently widowed and had moved back to Ukraine from Moldova.
She told me all about her two children, Hima and Ananda whom she had just enrolled at Shpola. She qualified to have her children stay at the orphanage, because she was recently widowed and had moved back to Ukraine from Moldova.
Facebook Updates
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