Ukraine
Behn and I are back from Ukraine! Actually we got back late Sunday night, but were quickly accosted by returning to work and fighting jetlag. We're still a little off on the sleep schedule. We went to bed at 8:30 last night (a Friday) and were up at 6:15 this morning (Saturday).
Anyway, Ukraine. The trip was amazing! Each day we learned more about the world and the special people in it. We were able to minister and serve, as well as to be served and ministered to. The wonderful, Christian family who hosted us are now fast friends. We love Ruslan, Archie and each of their amazing 12 children. How inspiring for us to live with a family who seeks to honor God through loving orphans!
We got to spend a few days playing with the kids in orphanages. We briefly visited the shelter in the town where we were staying, but spent the majority of our time in Tulchyn. This orphanage is the one that Luke and Jess' church, Crossroads Presbyterian, has been particularly involved in. For Luke and Jess, it was familiar and exciting to be back. For Behn and I, it was a new and eye-opening experience. We really enjoyed playing with the children, holding them, sharing small gifts, and giving them the attention and love they so crave. We sang songs, supervised a craft, read a Bible story, and helped with a puppet show that Operation Mobilization was producing. The kids we spent most of our time with were preschool age, but we also got to hold the babies, which was one of my favorite parts. Behn especially liked a cute little girl named Sveta- she was such a sweetie! The children are still very much on our minds, even though we've been back for a week, and we are hoping they do not fade from our memories.
We also spent an afternoon in an orphanage in Ladyzin. This was the most challenging experience. The residents there were mentally and physically handicapped, some of them severely. Most of them are orphans, though many were grown adults. The conditions at this facility were pretty gruesome, very understaffed with very little to no medical treatment for the residents. They are pretty much left there to suffer until they die, but so many of them smiled and reached out to us. We all did our best to be cheerful and loving, singing songs and sharing cookies with the ones who could eat them. I wish we could have devoted more time to each resident. There were probably a 100 that we couldn't even visit because we didn't have time.
When we weren't on the road or at the orphanages, we were spending time with Ruslan, Archie and their children (1 biological, 11 adopted) at their home. They live on an estate in the very south of Ukraine, right next to Moldova (you can see Moldova in plain view of their house). Rusland and Archie very much love the Lord. They were wonderful hosts, full of good humor, wisdom, and excellent food. They shared everything they had and showed us the meaning of hospitality. They work hard to make their own food: they have a huge garden full of delicious fruit and vegetables. They raise chickens and geese for their own use. They make their own juice, bread, wine, can their fruit and vegetables and buy their milk from the neighbor next door- it was very Little House on the Prairie and I loved it. Living simply and off the land is the way to go! We really enjoyed their children. The teenagers, who have been living with them for years, are respectful and helpful. They also spoke English, which was helpful (of course, Ruslan and Archie spoke perfect English. Archie is American, btw). The little kids were all from the fostercare system and orphanages, except the youngest, who is their biological daughter. They were all adorable and very loving. We had fun holding them, teasing them, and teaching them a little English. They each had heartbreaking stories...but each story ended with them joining this remarkable family, which is a GREAT ending.
We also got to spend some time sight-seeing with Bethany Social Services staff. We visited Kiev, of course, and Venetza. Kiev is huge! We only had a day or so there so we obviously couldn't see too much, but it was wonderful to get a feel for the city. We also enjoyed Venetza, it was smaller and really pretty.
Spending time with Luke and Jess was also very special. We had a lot of fun cracking jokes, telling stories, and sharing in this experience together. Traveling with them fun and we'll treasure those memories.
Behn and I really now feel even more convicted about orphan care and our own personal call to adopt someday. While we are looking forward to that time, we will continue to pray for the orphans in Ukraine and world-wide! Thanks to everyone who supported us through prayer and resources!
Anyway, Ukraine. The trip was amazing! Each day we learned more about the world and the special people in it. We were able to minister and serve, as well as to be served and ministered to. The wonderful, Christian family who hosted us are now fast friends. We love Ruslan, Archie and each of their amazing 12 children. How inspiring for us to live with a family who seeks to honor God through loving orphans!
We got to spend a few days playing with the kids in orphanages. We briefly visited the shelter in the town where we were staying, but spent the majority of our time in Tulchyn. This orphanage is the one that Luke and Jess' church, Crossroads Presbyterian, has been particularly involved in. For Luke and Jess, it was familiar and exciting to be back. For Behn and I, it was a new and eye-opening experience. We really enjoyed playing with the children, holding them, sharing small gifts, and giving them the attention and love they so crave. We sang songs, supervised a craft, read a Bible story, and helped with a puppet show that Operation Mobilization was producing. The kids we spent most of our time with were preschool age, but we also got to hold the babies, which was one of my favorite parts. Behn especially liked a cute little girl named Sveta- she was such a sweetie! The children are still very much on our minds, even though we've been back for a week, and we are hoping they do not fade from our memories.
We also spent an afternoon in an orphanage in Ladyzin. This was the most challenging experience. The residents there were mentally and physically handicapped, some of them severely. Most of them are orphans, though many were grown adults. The conditions at this facility were pretty gruesome, very understaffed with very little to no medical treatment for the residents. They are pretty much left there to suffer until they die, but so many of them smiled and reached out to us. We all did our best to be cheerful and loving, singing songs and sharing cookies with the ones who could eat them. I wish we could have devoted more time to each resident. There were probably a 100 that we couldn't even visit because we didn't have time.
When we weren't on the road or at the orphanages, we were spending time with Ruslan, Archie and their children (1 biological, 11 adopted) at their home. They live on an estate in the very south of Ukraine, right next to Moldova (you can see Moldova in plain view of their house). Rusland and Archie very much love the Lord. They were wonderful hosts, full of good humor, wisdom, and excellent food. They shared everything they had and showed us the meaning of hospitality. They work hard to make their own food: they have a huge garden full of delicious fruit and vegetables. They raise chickens and geese for their own use. They make their own juice, bread, wine, can their fruit and vegetables and buy their milk from the neighbor next door- it was very Little House on the Prairie and I loved it. Living simply and off the land is the way to go! We really enjoyed their children. The teenagers, who have been living with them for years, are respectful and helpful. They also spoke English, which was helpful (of course, Ruslan and Archie spoke perfect English. Archie is American, btw). The little kids were all from the fostercare system and orphanages, except the youngest, who is their biological daughter. They were all adorable and very loving. We had fun holding them, teasing them, and teaching them a little English. They each had heartbreaking stories...but each story ended with them joining this remarkable family, which is a GREAT ending.
We also got to spend some time sight-seeing with Bethany Social Services staff. We visited Kiev, of course, and Venetza. Kiev is huge! We only had a day or so there so we obviously couldn't see too much, but it was wonderful to get a feel for the city. We also enjoyed Venetza, it was smaller and really pretty.
Spending time with Luke and Jess was also very special. We had a lot of fun cracking jokes, telling stories, and sharing in this experience together. Traveling with them fun and we'll treasure those memories.
Behn and I really now feel even more convicted about orphan care and our own personal call to adopt someday. While we are looking forward to that time, we will continue to pray for the orphans in Ukraine and world-wide! Thanks to everyone who supported us through prayer and resources!
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