Saturday 31 December 2016

Another New Year



At the end of 2016 I'm thankful for the year behind us.  It was an amazing year, the best part of which I was able to get back to my work in Ukraine.  I'm not going to do a year end review of my activities.  All of that is already posted on previous blog entries.  I'm looking forward to 2017.  We have a few days off for the holiday then it's back at it again until the Christmas holiday.  We have been having a lot of fun with the kids at McJoyful giving them a Christmas celebration they might not get otherwise and they are loving it.

I'm disappointed that I'll miss the last week of McJoyful (it runs until January 15th) as I have to head back to Canada, leaving Krivoy Rog on the 8th.  I'm praying that in 2017 that I'll be able to get back to my work here long term.  I'm hoping to get a residence permit so that I can do that.  It's going to take some miracles to make everything happen.  I ask for your prayers that it will happen this year.

If you would like to help out my work in a tangible way I (and many others) would appreciate it so much.  I don't receive any salary for my work.  It is all volunteer using my own funding.  To give on line you can click the "donate now" button on the right side of the blog or you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for other giving options.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to keep me and Ukraine in your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас! 

с новым годом!!  Happy New Year!!

Kids often have that wide eyed look of wonder at McJoyful.

A couple more people I get to work with.  Karina in the middle grew up in an orphanage and came to McJoyful as a kid.  Now she's helping to host it.

This is one of my "sons."  With the look on his face I can't help but wonder what he's up to.




Saturday 24 December 2016

There's No Place Like Home For Christmas(es)



I've been in Ukraine for almost 2 weeks now and it's almost 2 more weeks before I head back to Canada.  The time is flying by but I'm enjoying every minute of it.  Christmas season in Ukraine is an amazing time to be here...as well as any other time of the year.  :)  The 1st week I was just settling in, catching up and getting the jet lag over with which seemed to hit me harder on this trip.  I think it was due to the lack of sleep on the Toronto to Warsaw flight.  We are pretty busy right now and having a lot of fun at McJoyful Christmas which started this week.

So for the next 2 weeks until it's time to leave I'll be at McJoyful almost every day.  Please keep me in your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you all in the new year.


Some of the team I get to work with this time.  It's such a blessing and honour to work with them.



The TV and newspaper came to interview my friend about McJoyful and then asked why I came to Ukraine.

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Headed "Home" for Christmas(es)

Last summer when I booked my ticket to go back to Ukraine for the Christmas season it seemed like forever away.  That day is finally here as I head out again today.

If everything goes right I'll be in Krivoy Rog on Thursday.  Please keep me in your prayers for my travel and that I'll be able to get a lot done over the next month.  Stay tuned to the blog for updates of my goings on.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!