On My Way…Again

Well the packing is done and in a few hours I’ll be heading to the station to get the overnight train to Kyiv for my flight to Kyrgyzstan tomorrow.  These last 3 months have just flown by.  It has been a busy summer here but I’m looking forward to what is going on in Kyrgyzstan.

This past week Anya and I continued our visits to the baby hospital.  The little boy whose mother “forgot” him for 2 weeks has now been transferred to an orphanage.  Then the girl I mentioned in my last entry turns out to be named Vika who is 1½ years old and her mother drinks.  We were there one day when her mother came to visit.  When the nurse came in to get her Vika started crying at the very mention of her mother.  Then before they could get her ready the mother left without visiting.  Vika has really taken to Anya and has been calling her mama – so cute and so sad at the same time.

Then there is Mikhail who has 2 club feet.  His arms are also shorter than normal and his hands are turned in.  When I was carrying him around he seemed very lethargic and unresponsive.  His eyes were half shut and he seemed to be just dead weight in my arms.  In hospital the kids’ hands are usually in little mittens or are covered with long sleeves.  I guess that’s to keep them from scratching themselves when rolling around in their cribs.  So for some reason I laid Mikhail down, rolled up his sleeves, picked him back up and held his hands.  He grabbed my fingers and perked right up and became VERY alert to the things around him.  I have often heard of the power of touch but I don’t remember ever seeing such a dramatic example of it before.  It’s also a great reminder that the least little action we do can make the world of difference to someone else.  I find this so humbling,

I also managed to get to the kids rehab centre to spend some time with the kids there.  They are an amazing bunch of kids.  Then yesterday on my last full day in Krivoy Rog I went with Lena T. to visit the girls at Sunshine Orphanage.  I can’t think of many better ways to end my visit here this time.

So off to Kyrgyzstan I go (again).  I’m still wondering what activities I’ll be able to do on a shoestring budget but I’ll figure that out when I get there.

If anyone wishes to help with my ongoing support or any of our programmes, or to help me sponsor activities and needs just click the donation link for LinK 127 at the right side of this blog.  You can donate on line or find the mailing address under the “Details and Contact info” tab to send a cheque.  When mailing a donation please include a note to specify where you may like your gift to be directed to.  (For on line donations there’s a drop down box with my name in it and a memo box for instructions.)  Donations from Canada are tax deductible.

I ask for your continued prayers and support.  I can’t do this without all of you. Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!

Anya and Vika

Mikhail and I

This is a craft we did at the kid's rehab centre.  I got reprints of one of our McDonald's and movie day photos so that they could have a souvenir.

They had a lot of fun decorating their "frames."  I still get a kick out of those "Russian" smiles.

At Sunshine Orphanage

The girls at Sunshine like to borrow my camera & smart phone to take pictures.  This is my new favourite shot of me.

Next stop - Kyrgyzstan!!

Winding Down Here…Getting Ready to Go There

This coming week is my last in Ukraine for a while as I’m preparing to go back to Kyrgyzstan next week.  Immigration laws keep me moving and my 3 months is just about up here.  So I’m winding down things here in Krivoy Rog. 

This past week Anya and I continued our visits to the baby hospital.  On Monday’s visit the little boy whose mother “forgot” him for 2 weeks took what we think were his first steps by himself.  Watching him let go and take a few hands free steps I was so humbled thinking that actual parents were not a part of this big milestone.  Then on Thursday we visited a new baby who the police brought in the night before.  The nurses didn’t even know her name yet and she wasn’t able to tell anyone as she has very little vocabulary and talks mostly baby talk.  She seemed to answer to Masha.  We figure she is between 1½ to 2 years old and the only other detail given was that her mother was in a mental institution for an assessment.  (Another visitor said that the next day her mother was there and looked like she had been abused.)  We spent the morning with this sweet and very bright girl but when it was time to leave she started crying…the real loud, screaming, heartbreaking kind of crying that was echoing throughout the corridors of the hospital.  Needless to say it seemed like a very long walk down the hall when we left…sigh.  So obviously we’ll have to check on her this week to see if she is still there and see how she’s doing.

Also this past week Yura and I armed with more candies made another visit to see the folks at Boorie Ooglie.  The new kitchen looks finished and they were giving it a good cleaning to get it ready.  Yura also showed me a partially built building on the property that I had not seen before.  It was supposed to be the replacement for the disabled home but construction stopped, as construction stopped everywhere, with the fall of the Soviet Union and I guess Ukraine never found the money to finish it.  That’s why the residents are in a very old and run down facility.  But at least there has been some folks sponsoring some repainting and things that I mentioned in my last blog entry to make the surroundings more pleasant for the residents right now.  At this point one can only dream about a shiny new facility with proper plumbing and accessibility features where the residents are given a better quality of life.

So to wind down, this week I hope to visit the kids at the rehab centre as well as get a couple of baby hospital visits in before I leave for Kyrgyzstan.  I have a wish list of things that I would like to do when I get to Tokmok but right now I only have the budget just to love on the folks there.  On top of this costs are higher in Kyrgyzstan than in Ukraine.  At least the visa laws in Kyrgyzstan have changed recently where I don’t have to buy a visa for a 60 day stay.  But I know God didn’t call me there without plans for pulling things off…all in His time.  Your continued prayers are really appreciated.

If anyone wishes to help with my ongoing support or any of our programmes, or to help me sponsor activities and needs just click the donation link for LinK 127 at the right side of this blog.  You can donate on line or find the mailing address under the “Details and Contact info” tab to send a cheque.  When mailing a donation please include a note to specify where you may like your gift to be directed to.  (For on line donations there’s a drop down box with my name in it and then a memo box.)  Donations from Canada are tax deductible.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!

A few minutes after this photo was taken he took some steps by himself.

This is the temporary kitchen for Boorie Ooglie

This was to be the new Boorie Ooglie before the USSR fell

Yura (on the right) with a resident of Boorie Ooglie and another view of the partially built building

Some of the Boorie Ooglie folks and me

Another School Year Has Begun

The kids here started another school year this past Monday and with a new school year it brings forward more and more needs.  On top of the usual requests for help I have received requests for donations for books, school supplies, back to school clothes and more.  The kids in the orphanages have very little and it is disheartening to see the disappointment their eyes when they aren’t able to get something that we take for granted in North America.  I was able to help with a few things but then when I looked at my bank book I could only say “Oy!”  I’m not to the position where I need to diet yet (even though I probably should lose about 20 pounds) but I realize I have to learn when to say “I’m sorry.  It’s not in the budget.”  …sigh…  Oh the things I’d like to do if resources were unlimited.  These amazing kids who have been through so much that a child should not have to go through deserve so much better.  Needless to say I’m a little bummed out.  There, that’s my heart on the table.

However, this past week was not all gloom and doom.  Anya Z. who helped me out so much last winter is now home from a 2 month work trip to Finland and has been helping me out again.  While the kids are in school we have been going for regular visits to the baby hospital to love on the babies who have been abandoned or who are what we would call wards of the state in Canada.  The police bring babies to the hospital where they spend time for a health check before being transferred to the orphanages.  There is one little boy there just little over a year old whose mother is being deprived of her parental rights under Ukrainian law.  It seems that she forgot him somewhere and then came looking for him…2 weeks later.   

This past week we also went to the kids rehab centre to drop off a donation towards school supplies.  The director is sooo pleased about the McDonald’s and movie day last week and the kids are still talking about it.  We happened to be in the hallway when it was time to start recess and when the kids saw me I was attacked with lots of hugs and requests to play football (soccer).  This was one of those days when I love my “job” more than other days.  Again, thank you so much to those who helped to make it happen.

The other day Yura and I went to visit the folks at the disabled home in Boorie Ooglie.  (I’ve spelled this how it’s pronounced.  It translates to brown coal.)  Because Yura is a former resident there he showed me the entire facility and back hallways which I (and I’m sure others) had not yet seen.  Some of these halls were under lock and key but Yura was able to talk us in.  I am VERY pleased to see that this facility has caught more attention from the outside world.  I saw that some new doors, windows and flooring have been installed in different areas, a lot of new paint on walls and many other improvements.  The main kitchen is currently being remodelled to restaurant standards courtesy of some folks from BC.  However, despite these improvements this facility has a long way to go to take it from the 1950’s style of institution and make it more liveable for these wonderful residents.  They still need proper washroom (they still use chamber pots) and bathing facilities among other things…and don’t get me started about that cage...

I have also been asked to forward this request about Boorie Ooglie.  A ministry programme is going to be starting to give music lessons to the residents.  They would like donations of musical instruments, perhaps guitars (if anyone is coming to Krivoy Rog) or financial donations to buy instruments.  If anyone is interested in helping out please let me know.

So that’s what’s going on for now, as well as me preparing to return to Kyrgyzstan in 2 weeks.  But I see this is getting long, so more on that later. 

Again, thank you for your continued support and prayers.  If you wish to help with my ongoing support or any of our programmes, or help me to sponsor more activities and needs just click the donation link for LinK 127 at the right side of this blog.  You can donate on line or find the mailing address under the “Details and Contact info” tab to send a cheque.  When mailing a donation please include a note to specify where you may like your gift to be directed to.  (For on line donations there’s a drop down box with my name in it.)

 Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!

Anya & I at the baby hospital

Boorie Ooglie's new kitchen

This is going to be a fitness room

Some of the Boorie Ooglie residents and I

Passing out candies in the cage...

and in the rooms...

...as well as outside

Yura (on the left) with a resident

A Fun Week So Far

Even though it rained a lot this week we still had fun.  On Tuesday the birthday picnic for the younger girls at Sunshine Orphanage was moved inside but they still had a great time.  It turns out that some of the girls had never had roasted chicken before - the kind you buy already roasted at the store.  I’ll let some of the photos speak for themselves.  Please excuse the blurriness.

On Wednesday it rained again.  Lena postponed the picnic for the older girls for another time and we took the rehab centre kids to McDonald’s instead.  The manager of the multiplex, where one of the McDonald’s is located, gives the rehab centre kids free movie tickets.  So we combined things and had a movie and McDonald’s day.  It was a perfect activity to get out of the house on a rainy day, or in this case the rehab centre.

The movie was in 3D and called от винта! (ot vinta) which translates as the propeller - it also means get out of the way.  It was like the movie Cars but with airplanes.  Afterwards we went downstairs to McDonald’s for games and Happy Meals.  It was also great to have Ira drop by the restaurant to visit.  If you remember from previous blogs Ira is one our main workers here in Krivoy Rog and recently had gall bladder surgery.  She is on the mend and is doing well.

Again, thank you sooo much to those whose donated and helped to make this day happen.  The kids (and us) had a blast.  I’ll let those pictures speak for themselves as well.

Thank you for your continued support, your prayers and for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!

Balloon relay

Playing the blind object game

I have never seen him smile (likely because he came from a rough family situation like all of these kids) but he was ALL smiles today.

 

Finally! – An Update

It’s a long weekend here for Independence Day and since it’s been a few weeks I am FINALLY sitting down to write an update.  We had house guests with a visit of a team from Sarnia, Ont. for a couple of nights and as soon as they left another team from Abbotsford, BC arrived.  On top of ensuring our guests were taken care of I have been busy.  While the rehab centre kids were at camp I did some exploring around Krivoy Rog.  I now know where certain places are and more about the trolley routes to get to them.  I also helped to paint one day at rehab centre.  By the way, I have received enough to take the kids to McDonald’s.  Thanks so much to those who donated.  We are still making the arrangements and I’ll post pictures in a future blog after it takes place. 

Last week I helped out at a picnic for some of the folks from the disabled home at Boorie Ooglie.  (I have no idea how to spell it right.)  It was a great day with lots of fun, food and, of course, swimming.  I also managed to get a couple of visits in to see some of the kids at Sunshine Orphanage now that they are back from camp. 

I’m still trying to figure out craft ideas with just coloured paper, markers and glue.  Any ideas you can share would be really appreciated.  I searched all over town during my exploring and someone finally said that craft supplies are not available in Krivoy Rog.  In my searching the different markets all I found were paint sets and modelling clay…and 2 tombstone sellers.

This coming week will also be another busy one as it is the last week before school starts.  Lena T and I will be doing birthday picnics for a couple of the girl’s groups at Sunshine Orphanage and hopefully we’ll get the rehab centre kids to McDonald’s this week.  Lena has also been helping me to learn Russian.  We’re working on verbs and their tenses.  I was never very good at them in English and now I’m also not very good at them in Russian.

Thank you for your continued support and for your prayers.  If you wish to help with my ongoing support or any of our programmes (or help me sponsor more activities) just click the donation link for LinK 127 at the right side of this blog.  You can donate on line or find the mailing address under the “Details and Contact info” tab to send a cheque.  When sending a donation please include a note to specify where you may like your gift to be directed to.  (There’s a drop down box with my name in it for on line donations.)

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!

Some of my painting.  It was like painting an upside down picket fence.

At the picnic for the Boorie Ooglie folks

One of the sights around Krivoy Rog.  The sign over the clock has Krivoy Rog in Ukrainian (not Russian).

There are many monuments around town to the Great Patriotic War (WW II) as well as more and more Orthodox churches.

30th Anniversary of Victory Square and 200th Anniversary of Krivoy Rog Avenue

Dare to Dream

Recently when Lena and I visited the kids rehab centre we asked the kids to draw a picture representing their dreams or something that they like a lot.  It didn’t take them long to get down to it and put them on paper.  We collected the pictures and told the kids that we would pray for their dreams.  These kids have basically nothing but yet they still dream.  The following photos are some of these dreams.  Please feel free to pray for them also.

The kids are at camp now until August the 15^th and I have a dream to take them to McDonald’s when they come back before the school year starts in September.  As I mentioned in a previous blog these kids don’t have the means to get to McDonald’s and McJoyful Christmas is still a few months away.  I’d also like to get some craft supplies for our visits.  Right now I only need to raise another $100.  Would anyone like to help make this dream come true?

Another dream forwarded to me is one to take more people from the handicapped homes on picnics.  The people who live in these 1950’s style institutions don’t get the best of food or many treats.  (I’m not sure if this is a budget thing or a not caring about the disabled thing.)  Each of these picnics costs $300 to put on.  It’s a day where they can get out of the institution to enjoy a beautiful park, to get some good food and to get some dignity.  Please see my previous blog for pictures of one picnic last weekend.

We are also hoping to help out Ira, one of our workers here in Krivoy Rog, who cannot afford her recent gall bladder surgery (also mentioned in the previous blog) which cost $900.

If you can help with anything towards making these dreams come true it would be so amazing and soooo appreciated.  Every dollar counts. 

To help you can click the donations link for LinK 127 at the right side of this blog to donate on line.  You can designate the donation to me by clicking my name in the drop down box.  Please also specify in the memo box which dream you wish to help with.  If you prefer to send a cheque you can find the mailing address under the “Details and Contact info” tab.  When mailing a donation please include a note to specify where you may like your gift to be directed to. 

Please keep me in your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

These are the kids I'd like to take to McDonald's

A dream to have football (soccer) gloves

A dream to own a car

A dream to own a Mercedes

A dream to own a good motorbike

Likes the computer, music and a telephone

Likes computer and music

A dream to play football

A dream to have a bicycle (to the left of the tree)