Wednesday, August 14th

August 14

One more day has come and gone and God is good!  It was hot, but we have been so blessed by the weather conditions this week which is normally very hot and muggy each day.   We drove 2 ½ hours to an orphan camp to visit 75 or so children (ages 6-17). Most orphans are sent to camp for two weeks in August.  When you think of camp.....this is not what we would consider “camp”.  This camp had grounds and facilities are old, unclean, and in need of serious renovations.  The children were hungry and do not get much to eat at these camps. The showers do not work and the building is unsanitary, yet, hear awaits these precious orphans trying to find fun and joy in the midst of these deplorable conditions. 

We are incredibly impressed and blessed by the missionaries (Max and Ben) who have formed amazing relationships and reputations in much of Ukraine orphan world.  The kids flock to them when they visit and they trust them, which is HUGE here!  They TRULY are the hands and feet of Jesus each day and need lots of prayer to keep up the incredible work they are doing here!!

God always provides what we need....even with the details for crafts!  J  We had 40 sun catchers to paint and yes, 40 children who wanted to paint them.  We decorated crosses and the kids could not get enough crafts while we were there.  Outside consisted of Frisbee, soccer, and lots of “photos” for the next two hours.  The kids LOVED it!!!  It was hard to say goodbye again today.......... 

We were then able to visit an incredible monastery in hills of Ukraine not far from the camps.  It was truly breathtaking and an educational experience for us all!  In the evening, we shared in our circle time that we must not “lose the zeal” we have for the people of Ukraine and prayed for more people to come and love on these children we have been touched by this week.

Tomorrow we will be taking the youth to a water park in the morning.  In the afternoon, we have hired hairdressers to help create a “spa day” experience for the girls in the SOS/Grace/Heart for Orphans Home.  The girls are so excited and we look forward to bonding even more with the kids there.  Thank you for praying for the Holy Spirit to “prick” the hearts of the kids here by the love we have for them.

 Angie, Steve and the Ukrainiacs