Two weeks and thousands of miles away...but still on the top of my heart...

In some ways, it seems like far more than two weeks have passed since my heart-touching trip to Ukraine; in other ways, it was just yesterday.  But regardless of the days or miles that separate us, the people - big and small - I met and the memories I experienced are still very much on the top of my heart.

Every time I pick up my cell phone I see Sveta and her big cross-eyed smile grinning back at me.  Multiple times each day I think and share about the blessings and contrasts that I witnessed:

• The cold eyes and demeanour of the orphanage director who only wanted to talk about financial support for remodeling and murals;
• The kind, warm, deep eyes of the director who spoke of his dislike of designated giving and his desire to focus on meeting the needs for the children's food, care, and programs instead of some of the much evident repairs;
• The children who looked and smelled of wet diapers quietly rocking themselves for comfort since they knew that their cries would bring no response;
• The children who laughed and played, who listened to Christian CD's in the hallway and had posters of their favorite sports teams hanging over their beds;
• The 21st century version Ukrainian orphanage version of the quilting bee...10 toddlers sitting in a circle working on potty training;
• The therapy space that was pridefully showed to us, but which was obviously unused since it had mirrors and other equipment laying in its midst;
• The beautiful murals painted by orphanage teachers, on their own time, at their own expense, so that the children could have brighter surroundings;
• The joyful giggles of toddlers racing after plastic mushrooms - seeing who could gather the most - while their teacher played a jubilent tune on the piano;
• Malinka problinka (my poor spelling)...small problem...camp without electricty...bus without a wheel...;
• Experiencing the joy and delight with a new, special friend at her first stay in a hotel;
• The sophistication and brilliance of a gold-domed, painting and image filled church;
• The simplistic beauty of three wooden crosses on a sandy hill at a camp in the woods;
• The hearts of new friends working to translate the hearts and passions of others we met, helping to forge relationships filled with hope and faith as we crossed the country;
• The excuisite ornamentation and professionalism of the ballet featuring dancers from around Europe and Asia;
• The self-composed songs sung around a candle lit table in the middle of the woods, while cooking and eating dinner, playing cards, collapsing chairs, and working to stay warm (and yes, Olexiy, I have a video);
• The reminder that God is good...all the time...even when it looks like He is hiding...and that happiness, joy, and blessings that can be found in the simplicity of a balloon or a sticker can remove the darkness of the world, barriers, and any situation surrounding us, if we will only remember to pause and look;
• The joy of Jesus in a hug, a smile, the squeeze of a finger, the changing color of a leaf, the peace of a sleeping baby, the passion of those striving to serve Him regardless of their language, education, financial status, or outlook on life; 
• And oh so many more....

Pray big...believe big...big things happen...

Children of Ukraine

Miracles and Darkness

Our God is one who does miracles and it is exciting to have a front row seat to watch them in progress.  And He has the power to overcome and bring light to the darkness.

At the beginning of August two containers filled with more than $20,000 of baby supplies left the United States for Ukraine with the hope and prayer that they would arrive in time for our team to distribute them at the orphanages which we would be visiting.  The week before we left, we received a message saying that the supplies would arrive on time, but that customs would be holding on to it and not releasing for distribution until AFTER we had returned to the USA.  Several of us began praying and claiming that God would intervene and the supplies would be released.  Well...on the road out of Ivanik, 20 miles from Cherynobyl, while leaving an orphanage, after meetings with several people, lots of prayer, and an "expediting fee", we got word that the shipment is being released!!  We're still working on figuring out how we're going to get it from Kiev to Donetsk, since we've now left Kiev and are 7 of 14 hours en route to Donetsk.  But we know that because He released it, He'll also help us get it into our hands.

We left the celebration of the "miracle of the container release" to enter the darkness...through the power of the Internet, Facebok, and networking relationships, we were introduced to an American missionary (Andrew Kelly) who is in the process of building a camp in Ivanik.  We pulled up to the drive of the camp - Pine Branch (www.jeremiahshope.org) - to discover that the bus could not drive down it due to its sandy nature (as in, welcome to the Ukrainian beach in the middle of the woods)...so out of the bus we tumbled, bags in tow, and through the woods, past the pumpkin patch we went.  In the process learning that the camp had lost its electricity, which also meant that it did not have any heat.  After a quick team meeting, it was decided that we would stay - even though temperature projections were for the low 40's.  What a wonderful adventure it was.  Candles were lit and blankets piled on.  Nothing could diminish the joy felt, experienced, and memories being made.

Today was a much harder day at the orphanages.  It was one where the director placed a higher priority on renovations than on care, and where we were not permitted to touch, photograph, or even play with the children - some of which were severely handicapped.  But we know that God is there, even in the middle of their darkness.

Tomorrow it is another 7ish hour drive and more adventures to be had. 

Sveta...the light...

We made it safely to Kiev, and have been on a whirlwind, non-stop adventure.

Yesterday, Saturday, was our first day visiting the orphanages.  The first was what I believe will be the "gold standard" of those we visit.  It has a number of sponsors currently, including the Ukrainian national soccer team.  There were bright colors, a happy play ground, and a display proudly sharing the pictures of their children which had been adopted into their forever families. 

I was a part of a group of 5 that went into the first room with the 2 year olds.  And there I met Sveta...a precious, precocious little girl with crazy curls pulled back into pony tails, big glasses, crossed eyes, colorful tights, and a smile and giggle that would not stop.  She loves to laugh, hug, and was fascinated playing with the balloons we brought.  One could not help but feel brighter being with her, even though she lives in an atmosphere where she there are not many high expectations for her future...and her name, appropriately, means "light."

Today I met Olga.  Olga + Balloons = Joy.  Olga is 2 and lives in an orphanage outside of Kiev in an area filled with pine trees.  We entered into Olga's room which was filled with toys, bright colors, and nanny's which have an obvious love for her and the other children under their care.  Olga and her friends were seated at their table and when tossed balloons erupted into contagious laughter which could only be described as pure joy.  While Olga and her roommates all have Down's Syndrome, it is not what you first notice when you enter the room.  It is the joy that radiates from the inside out, completely unaware of the limitations that her life might hold.  Certainly a lesson that we can all learn from.

Tomorrow we depart for Ivanick (not sure if I spelled that right, but that's how I hear the name to be).  We'll be in a small village, visiting a maternity hospital, and staying at a Christian camp that a missionary I was introduced to via Facebook is building.

Pray big...believe big...big things happen!