Ministry News
It looks much bigger on TV!
Today, we got to see for ourselves, up close and personal what the Siret border crossing is really like. You know what? It’s much smaller in person! It’s mainly just a narrow street, lined with various charity stands – free things for incoming Ukrainian refugees. There are some gravel parking lots off to the side, and it was not very busy at 8:00 pm – not backed up at all. In general, it was very organized. Weary travelers seemed generally happy to be there, and glad they made it across the border. The Romanian people were welcoming and helpful! We were glad to receive our 10 Ukrainians – all orphanage families. It was easy to find them once they came across.
Headed to ROMANIA!
Just a very quick note to say that the last few days have been spent sorting, packing and weighting luggage. We have filled each of the 8 duffles to the brim with medicines, first aid kits, socks, underwear and items that Ukrainians have asked us for. When we arrive in Romania, we will be searching for additional humanitarian aid and will pass this across the border to our team in Ukraine. They will take it from there.
Newlyweds from Mariupol to Western Ukraine
Update on our dear Myroslava: Our newlyweds fled their newly furnished home in Mariupol, and after having spent 3 days traveling on a freezing cold train with only 4 apples to eat, they have now settled down to 'village life' in Western Ukraine. They found this house (which had just been vacated as the owners fled across the Ukrainian border) and were offered to live there for free -- just pay the utilities. It looks like a time capsule -- the owners fled literally in the middle of a meal, it seems -- and did not have time to tidy up, or put anything away.
At first, Myroslava could not sleep here, as there were so many tiny uninvited guests running around all night long -- mice! However, these sounds are often drowned out by air raid sirens, or missiles themselves. Like many Ukrainians, Myroslava and her husband have decided to stay in Ukraine. They volunteer when they can, and visit various Ukrainian governmental offices, looking for that illusive stamp that will prevent her husband from being drafted into the war. Myroslava is classified as "disabled" due to her extensive scoliosis -- you may remember that as a child, she had surgery in the USA to repair this life threatening disease. Her husband is technically her caregiver, but so far they have not been able to get a stamp to prove it. If they can prove, it, then they can cross the border into Europe. Please pray that this soon becomes a reality.
At first, Myroslava could not sleep here, as there were so many tiny uninvited guests running around all night long -- mice! However, these sounds are often drowned out by air raid sirens, or missiles themselves. Like many Ukrainians, Myroslava and her husband have decided to stay in Ukraine. They volunteer when they can, and visit various Ukrainian governmental offices, looking for that illusive stamp that will prevent her husband from being drafted into the war. Myroslava is classified as "disabled" due to her extensive scoliosis -- you may remember that as a child, she had surgery in the USA to repair this life threatening disease. Her husband is technically her caregiver, but so far they have not been able to get a stamp to prove it. If they can prove, it, then they can cross the border into Europe. Please pray that this soon becomes a reality.
Another Day of War...
As Pastor Genchu continues to buy food for the poor people left in his village – many of whom are widows, he asks to share this testimony: “With God's help, we continue to support the destitute people of our village with food & supplies and clothe them with prayers. Several neglected families have called the church for help. Now, they are also coming to the church on Sundays for our worship services. There are a lot of personal testimonies. One of them I want to share. One lady phoned us and asked for help. She had heard that we were able to provide people with food, and she really needed some. This woman was depressed because of the war; she didn’t have a penny to buy any food. She said she wanted to be out of this life by self-destruction. She told us how she would end her life, and she joked with us. Our brothers and sisters brought her food and supplies, and that woman was amazed by God. She marveled how that God, through people unknown to her, worried about her and provided for her. So, we will continue to practice this grace and glorify God. God bless you for your donations which help us achieve this aim.”
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.
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