Our team traveled to Znamenka to visit with the orphanages and provide our support. The train ride is a 4 hour ride from Kiev in vibrant colored cars. The orphanage is not too far the train station and the Director sent a van for us. However, we strolled through the town on the way back to the station. I thought I would put together a Montage of the walk, showing the town buildings. It's my first time using the Windows video maker and I had some trouble inserting Captions and adding music. But for all of you who are traveling to Znamenka either to adopt your child, or to work with the orphans, here it is!!!

Yhinking of joining us on our for the conference this summer? Here's an idea of the schedule for just the Conference part of our trip.!
SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

AUGUST 1ST THROUGH AUGUST 6TH

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 Tuesday, July 31, 2012 – depart for Ukraine

 Wednesday, August 1, 2012 – arrive in Kyiv, pass through customs and go to housing at pre-arranged flats in Kyiv. Meet with Pastor and staff from Almaz Church. Make some new friends, become a bit familiar with Ukraine’s language and culture, get some rest, and prepare for adventure! Team meeting that evening to review details of conference.

 Thursday, August 2, 2012 – Some time for sight-seeing in Kyiv, followed by finishing up details on our presentations or on committees to serve conference participants. Visit an orphanage in Kyiv, with option to visit Baby House in Vorzel (45 Km outside of Kyiv) or to visit Level Four orphanage in Znamenka (all day trip by train).



 Friday, August 3, 2012 – Final preparations for Conference -- go to Conference Hall and set up for Friday evening presentations.

 Saturday, August 4, 2012 – Full day of presentations at Conference Hall, closing ceremony and press/tv interviews. Relax with team dinner, sleep!!

 Sunday, August 5, 2012 – attend service at Almaz Church, sight-seeing in Kyiv, farewell party at night.

 Monday, August 6, 2012 – Fly back to US!

                               The Children of Znamenka

Our Team under the direction of Pastor Sasha Skripak from Almaz Church, has been visiting and supporting the orphans in Znamenka. These children have benefitted from the Director, Tatiana Valko's dedication  to enhancing the quality of their life while living in an orphanage for the 'disabled'. The children  now receive therapies and education and no longer live in a dark, unstimulating environment. She is making the best with what is available  from the Government and has advocated for the children and works with International Mission groups to benefit the children. You can help us help them and other orphans who are in orhanages that need support to change as well!!  

Some random Pics from Znamenka

                                           Posing with Tatiana Valko, the Director

                           This sweetie has been etched in my heart! She needs a Family!

                                      Our team posing with some of the little  ones!

                     Presenting donated Happy Meal Toys for the children!! Enough for everybody!

                                             Couldn't get or give  enough hugs and kisses!

 This young man makes beaded flowers and I hope to provide hin with more beads!

 CHecking out a piece of equipment we don't have in the US. It bothers me that the equipment doen't look really used!

 Ths children love looking at their pictures. I will be printing out all my pictures so they can have them hanging by their beds. Validates their identity!

                                                        Too cute for words!

                                      Olya Skripak with a young man who wanted to pose with the pretty one!!!

                           Now I ask myself "What is this child doing in this orphanage???"

A Prayer for Our Special Children

Let's say this pray for our children with special needs and for all the orphans and children with special needs throughout the world!

A Prayer for Our Special Children

(Jan Bentham, OCSB)

Lord of all kindness, we ask your blessing for the children in our care who have such special needs.

We ask for their comfort when their living is hard.

May they experience joy if they ever feel abandoned.

May they be blessed with strength to overcome challenges.

May they be blessed with friendship to allow them to grow in love.

Lord, we pray for all of our children, that they may realize their dreams and live their lives in the fullness of your love and mercy.

May the healing touch of mercy be there for our children.

Let our hands be your hands, our words be your words and let your mercy flow through all of us who have your children in our care.

We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

JULY 2012 UKRAINE MISSION TRIP

What does it cost to go on such a trip as we have planned? Here is a breakdown on the estimated costs of our trip this summer!!! Can you please help??We can't do this alone!!!Will you please consider doing a fund raiser for us??? All donations are tax deductible!!!

PROJECTED TRIP ITINERARY   ESTIMATED COSTS
Saturday, July 21 – leave US for Ukraine   Airfare -- $1000 to $1400
Sunday, July 22 – arrive in Kyiv, check in   Pick-up at airport, travel to Vorzel,
at Spa or Sanatorium at Vorzel as base for   breakfast, lodging, local transporta-
first ten days of orphanage work    tion, translators, donation to Almaz
for projects at orphanages -- $1080
Monday, July 23 – train to Snyatyn    Train ticket - $60, food and lodging
Tuesday, July 24 – work at Snyatyn    $60, $50 orphanage donation = $170
Wednesday, July 25 – bus to Ternopil    Bus ticket -- $30, food and lodging, Wednesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 26 --   $60, $50 Center donation = $140
work at Therapy Center, train back to Vorzel   Train ticket -- $50
Friday, July 27 – meet Team Two at airport,   Travel to and from airport -- $50
return to Vorzel for work with orphans
Saturday, July 28 – work with orphans and build
playground set at Vorzel
Sunday, July 29 – go to Almaz church, sightseeing  Travel to and from Kyiv -- $50,
in Kyiv       souvenirs and miscellaneous -- $50
Monday, July 30 – day trip to Znamenka  Travel to train station and back $50 Train $40, food $20, donation $50
for a total of $160
Tuesday, July 31 – work with orphans at Vorzel
Wednesday, August 1 – meet Team Three at   Trip into Kyiv -- $20, Housing $30 airport, move into Kyiv for 4 nights, prepare   per night based on triple occupancy
for Conference      x 4 = $120, food $30 per day x 4 =
Thursday, August 2 through Saturday, August 4 --  $120, local transportation = $30 per prepare for Conference and present at Conference  day x 4 = $120, translator $30 plus
$30 for extra translator at Conference = $60, Conference Donation $400
Thursday, August 2 – day trip to Romanov  Travel cost $40, food, $30, donation $50, for a total of $120
Sunday, August 5 – fly back to US    Airport transportation -- $30
Miscellaneous and souvenirs -- $200
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST = $3940 TO $4340

Weighing in at 14 pounds, little Faith has a family!!

Please go to this blog to help support little Faith's family by entering a contest to win lots of great stuff and bring little Faith home while there is still time!!!

No Greater Joy Mom: because this life matters!:   I have sat typing and deleting this post for hours.  Sometimes the right words, those which adequately express what is in our hearts, ...