An Update From Ukraine

You may remember in June, after I finished fund raising for blankets for the Kemin Seniors Home in Kyrgyzstan, that I mentioned that I had enough money left over to pay for another McDonald's and movie day for the kids at the Rehab Centre in Ukraine.  I am so happy that this past Saturday (September 6th) the kids were finally able to go.

Just a bit of refresher:  Going to McDonald's in Ukraine is a HUGE deal for anyone, let alone orphaned children who have very little in their lives, and people will often dress up just to go there.  In North America we take for granted going to McDonald's several times a week, but children like the kids at the Rehab Centre might get there two or three times a year - one of those times during McJoyful Christmas.

The last couple of years I have arranged for the kids to go in the summer so they wouldn't have to wait so long between McJoyfuls.  The manager of the movie theatre upstairs from the restaurant gives free admission to the kids and we combine it so that the kids can have dinner and a show, that they can have a great time away from the centre for a few hours.  This year as I was not able to be there in person I forwarded the extra funds raised from the blanket project and my friends in Ukraine did all of the rest.

The kids had a great day filled with games, the movie and, of course, Happy Meals.  A big THANK YOU to all of those that helped to pull it off.  Thank you also to those of you who gave to make this day possible.  Check out the photos below.

In other news my arm and ankle continue to do really well.  I am also still praying for financial miracles so that I can return to Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine soon.  Would you like to partner with me to show God's love to those that need to see it?  If so, you can help by clicking the "donate now" button at the right side of the blog to give on line, or you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for other options to help.  Whatever you can help with will be appreciated by so many people.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to pray that the russian terrorism will be stopped in Ukraine and that there will be peace there soon.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

Games in the theatre lobby with some costumed guests.

The movie they saw was "Planes"

More games at the restaurant

For kids that often don't have much to smile about, it was smiles all around.

Speaking of smiles...I still get a kick out of the russian smiles they put on for the camera.  These boys really were having a good day.

Yura is not ALWAYS behind the camera

Lena was having a great time too.

For the kids that couldn't get to the movie a special delivery was made to the Rehab Centre.

A VERY happy bunch of kids.