Ukraine Trip 2015

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Winter Trip      2015

As I started for my trip back to Ukraine for my mission trip with Mercy Projects, I was filled with joy and excitement. As always I am very grateful to God for giving me the chance to serve on his behalf. I was asked to give a sermon and I said yes but then I felt kind of nervous. But I also know that God will be with me and he gives me the words of what to say. A special thank you goes to all of the wonderful people that prayed for me and for all of the financial help that I got to get to Ukraine. So I was traveling I felt like God was telling me don’t worry I am with you and just be faithful to me and I will guide you through it all. As I arrived in Kyiv, my ride was waiting and I went to my hotel and got ready for the next day which I would be going to camp with the staff, counselors, and translators. It was really nice to see some familiar faces and to meet you, people, as well too. As always the Ukrainian staff is always so nice and kind to me. I helped out putting all that is needed for the camp. It felt good to be at camp early. I first lunch I was asked by Yana to pray for our meal and that was really nice. Then, Mike and Jim arrived late in the evening.

The kids arrived today and we did a flash mob type of style and froze when the kids got off the bus. They were so amazed to see us and I even see some kids that remembered me from last year. I see a lot them that I remembered and I also met some new kids. After getting them settled in we had our first meal with them. We then were put into teams and I was put with Max and Kate. It is crazy but I and Max have a similar background but that is how God works. We had a good time during candle time getting to know one another and that is really wonderful. Our first full day was filled with a lot of fun and games. These kids are really amazing and it is a great honor to know and teach them. It is so wonderful to know that we Americans bring them so much joy and for me just seeing them smile and laugh fills my heart with complete joy and happiness. They really enjoyed playing games with us and are always asking me to play. Mike gave a great message.

This day was really fun because we had games planned all day and it even snowed so that was really wonderful. Running around like a kid is really great. Some of the kids even said was very cool and I like me. I am started to get close to some of them and I hope I can be a great impact on them. Our candle time is really amazing and fun. These kids express what they are feeling. But like most kids, they just want to have fun and we are always asked to join them. Another day of great fun at the camp, it is so amazing on how the counselors and translators do such a wonderful job with preparing everything. We had some awesome games and worship, Mike gave a great message. Our candle time was great and the kids are starting to open up. Hearing some of their stories just breaks my heart and makes me feel lucky and blessed to have the family and parents I have.

Today was another great day and feeling the blessings of the Lord. Today I helped out with the games. My counselors Max and Kate are amazing and it shows how they really love these kids so much. My translator, Ihor, is really great and it does an awesome job. We played a great today where we had to tape up and try to tag the kids in the snow. It snowed a little while I was here. It was really awesome to see and God showed me how loving and caring he is. Just simple little gifts like these just touch my heart. In the chapel service, I gave a message. As I started to preach, I thank the kids for being so kind and loving to me and I expressed to them that I love them and I am always praying for them. Then, I gave my message and I also shared on how God worked in my life and how he changed me so much. As I was speaking I felt very nervous but God helped me through it. I shared each milestone I have had in the last 7 years. Then, I asked all of the counselors to please come to the front and then I asked all the kids if they wanted prayer. I was amazed at how God moved in a great way, almost instantly they started coming forward to groups. Seeing the kids being broken by the Lord was quite something because I did not expect what was happening. I was just in awe of what was happening and it was great to see the Lord move. I started to pray with some kids, asking God to heal them and give them the strength to seek him. I can say honestly that I was in awe of all that was happening. A lot of kids came up to me hug me and said thank you, to be honest, I was so choked up and just said you are welcome. God always finds ways to use me even in Ukraine. We are truly seeing what God is doing here in this camp. One young lady, Miraslava, in the camp needed new boots; because the one she had the bottoms had come off. Some of the counselors tried to glue them but it would not stick together and hold. Well, in the evening Yana, explaining to everyone at the camp what had happened the director presented her with a new pair of boots. This young was so thrilled and happy just to receive a new pair of boots. Her smile was so bright and shining, it was clearly of a sign of God’s love for this young lady. Stories like these just make my heart jump with joy and happiness. Also, one young man, Sasha, accepted Christ and then we all laid hands on him and prayed for him. Keep this young man in your prayers that he will continue to pursue God.

Today Max, preach and he gave an awesome message. Hearing his testimony broke me in many ways. To hear how his childhood was very heartbreaking. But God uses many of us counselors to draw the kids and God works in our camp again. Hearing some of the kids weep brought tears of joy and sadness. To hear what they go through was so hard to hear but to know that the Lord will help them and guide them. Another day of wonderful games and just playing games with kids was amazing. I felt like a kid and was dancing with the kids and just having a wonderful time. It was our last night being with the kids. Then, something really amazing happened Max proposed to Kate in front of all us and that was so beautiful and everyone was just in awe. What a way to end the camp. So much joy and happiness I witnessed on this trip. We ended our night with a wonderful gift from everyone and having a meal together.            As we met for our final candle night, all the kids ask me not to forget about them and they told them I will never forget about them and that I would be praying for them. But then I told them I ask all of my kids and counselors in my group number three, to write down their name, where they live, and their prayer requests and then we all took a group photo.  All they agreed and wrote down for me and I was quite delighted, God always finds a way to show me that he is always working.

Well, today was our last day and we just reflected on all that happened and we thank one another. Without the Ukrainians hard work all year long this camp would not happen. We have seen off the kids and I just expressed them to keep seeking the Lord and that I will be praying for them. Then, we went Ivankiv, Ukraine to attend a beautiful concert, got see some wonderful people that are from Eastern Ukraine and some soldiers. It was a great afternoon and I was able to meet Jeff Thompson. As we all departed we said our goodbyes and I told them I see them next year.

After camp gave us a chance to get to know one another. One of the counselors Tima, helped me and Jim get settled in in our apartments. He made sure I found my apartment and even took right to my place and made sure I was okay. My translator Ihor always does a great job in helping me out as we tour Kyiv. I spent the day hanging out with some of the counselors as we walk around Kyiv and seeing a lot of places. Then, my zipper to my coat ripped. Max’s fiancé Kate sewed my coat zipper in a store and I was very, very grateful. We spent the next few days hanging out with Zhenya and Jim. It was really great to just to get to know one another. Jim and I hosted Yana, her husband, Oksana, and Zhenya over for dinner. Jim did the cooking and I hosted my apartment. I and Jim shared our testimony in detail about how God saves us. It gave the counselors a chance to hear how God has been so faithful to us. We had a great time just sharing with one another and fellowshipping. On my final night, I went to a coffee house ministry that Max is part of. While we were at camp Max had asked me to speak and I said yes. At first, I was really nervous but I just settled down. I just spoke about my life and how God has saved me from all of my bad ways. Everyone thanked me and I said I am here to help in any way that I can. Everyone at the Coffee House was really amazing and kind to me, they kept thanking me for coming and for the love I have for Ukraine. It has been really wonderful too bad the trip had to end but there is always next year. After we were about to leave I said my goodbyes to Max and Kate, which I will dearly. I feel like I have known them all of my life and not just a few weeks. But then Max and Kate surprised me and said we would like you to come to our wedding and I said yes, I will come. What a way to end the trip to Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who helped me get to Kyiv and to serve and for all the prayers. All of you played a special role in my trip.

Ukraine Winter Trip 2014

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I will be traveling back to Ukraine in January of 2014. But this time I will be joining a mission group called, “Mercy Projects”. It should be an amazing time and I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord will show me on this trip. Please keep me and the team in your prayers. There will be about 12 of us. Here is a link to what they have done in recent trips. Thank you for your prayers and support. Well, I am ready to leave for my mission trip, a special thank you goes to everyone that help me financially to get there. This trip could not be possible without your help. Thank you, everyone, for always being a great support to me from the people I work up, my friends, and my church family. All of you played a key role in my mission to serve in Ukraine. Thank you again and stay tuned for updates while I am in Ukraine. Keep me and team in your prayers as we will be traveling tomorrow.

My trip started out by meeting the team at the airport. They were all very nice and it was a great way to start the trip off. The team consisted of Zach Bell, the trip coordinator, Jason, Maddie, Jonah, Aaron, Jennifer, Brandon, and Bailey. We also met up with Michael Fullmer, Richard Wannal, Michael Irish and a young woman Sam from the United Kingdom. Part of the team was from Mercy Projects in Murrieta, California. Everyone was very loving and kind to me. The Lord has definitely placed me with such a great and loving group of people to work with and serve to him.
We had a great first day on the trip, and we all got to know each other and I knew then that we would have an awesome trip and become really good friends throughout the duration of the trip. We finally arrived in Kiev, Ukraine, and it was snowing a little with flurries.
The staff from the camp met us at the airport. It felt good for all of us to meet at the airport and then we jumped into the van and headed to the camp in Klavdievo, Ukraine. On the way, we stopped for lunch at McDonald’s and arrived at the camp later that day. We finally were assigned to our rooms and we had dinner and later that evening we were given a short overview of what was expected of us while we were there. The next day the kids arrived at the camp.

I was in awe over how the kids just ran to the counselors as soon as they got off the bus. I knew then that this camp was going to be amazing! The kids were smiling and laughing, and I knew that they just loved being there. We helped the kids carry their bags to their rooms and then they got settled in. We were then assigned to groups. In these groups, there were 2 Ukrainian counselors, 1 translator, and 2 Americans. We met with the kids in our group and they told us where they were from and how old they were. I was amazed at the fact that some of the kids were very young and could play 2 or more instruments and even some of them could speak English and Spanish. We then had prayer time and talked about the next day of events. The next day was a full day at the camp.

This day started off with devoting time to all the counselors, translators, staff and Americans. We then woke up the kids and got them ready for breakfast. We ate every meal with our group. We shared conversations with each other and my translator was with me the whole time. Then, the kids played some games and just had a great time. I felt a great connection with some of the kids in my group. They are very open and one little boy named Roman liked sitting next to me. So I got to know him very well. He told me he loves very much to come to this camp.

This day was busy but amazing! The chapel service has been so incredible and they put on a great show there. My days were filled with so much fun and excitement! I played a form of Russian basketball with the kids, where I held a bucket, and they tried to make a basket while their eyes were covered. Some of the kids made all 5 balls and they cheered very loud when they made the basket and they shouted out my name “ROBERT” each time they made the basket.
We put the kids down for a nap or rest time from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Then, we were given an assignment as a team to perform an act. Somehow I got tricked into becoming part of it, but once I said I would do it, there was no turning back. So we met and discussed what we would do next, and I have to say that they really know how to put things together here fast! I did an act with 5 other kids– Masha, Alina, Liz, Eliat, Nikita and Natsya. The act we did was a Ukrainian dance with my dressing up as a snowflake and it was amazing!
After the performance, everyone in the stands applauded for me. It will be a day I will never forget and everyone at the camp just loved it. Afterward, all the counselors, staff and Americans got up to dance. Now everyone and all the kids kept telling me that I did a great job and that made me feel very close to them. The night ended with prayer and then I just got up and told all the counselors and translators that it was a great pleasure to be a part of their camp. I also told them that they do such a great job here and I see how happy the kids are when they are here. I even took part in playing a game of Uno with them. Of course, they have their own rules here. Today is my turn to watch the kids and make sure they are sleeping.

This was another day of great fun and activities. The chapel service was amazing and Jason did a great job in the sermon with the kids. I am learning a lot from the Ukrainian counselors, staff and from the other people that I am serving with.
This day is extra special because a little girl by the name of Valeriya (Lera) came up and started talking to me in Spanish and that was amazing because she speaks better in Spanish than I do, but we can communicate. Then, after the kids got up from their nap, I had to give my group of 9 kids the bible study. This is where serving in children’s ministry has paid off. So I just pictured in my mind all these kids and how to reach them and give them hope.
After the bible study, they smiled and said thank you. Every time, I seem to get amazed at how God can show his love through these special and precious children. The Americans, Ukrainian counselors, and staff were asked to go into the auditorium so we all formed a bridge and all the kids dressed in their Ukrainian Christmas clothing and ran through the bridge and then we saw a famous Ukrainian cartoon. We then had a fabulous Ukrainian dinner with music and dancing. Our night ended with prayer and the staff thanking us for all of our hard work, but I think we should be the ones thanking them for all they do all year long. As we were praying, I could hear some of the kids feeling the Holy Spirit with little sniffles and crying and even one little young child was holding my hand a little tight as I was praying for her. We prepared for Christmas the next day. I cannot wait to see what will happen next.

Today, we had a good devotion and prayer. We will now prepare for the children to exchange Christmas gifts and then we will have a game. They do a lot of games and activities here and I never realized how much fun camp can be. I played some pool and other games with the kids and staff, and I even joined a master class–making marshmallows dipped in chocolate, some M&M’s, and some pretzels for making a reindeer. We played hide and seek with the kids, and all the counselors were to hide anywhere in the forest and all the kids were to try to find us.
Once they found us, they would form a chain link fence around us as though we were prisoners. It was pretty cool. We had a great Christmas here, and I thank God that we were able to spend Christmas with these kids. I was touched by the Holy Spirit and even shed tears, myself. I also prayed for the boys in our group. I even got a Christmas gift and I was so happy to get one, but I ended up sharing my gift with the kids in my group. We had a great time in prayer, and these kids are really getting me to pray out loud to them, and that is great, too!
After the kids went to bed, the counselors, Ukrainian staff, and the Mercy Projects team had time to just fellowship with each other. This is when I presented them with the scarves that Gina and Esmeralda made. They were so thankful and we had a great time eating cake which the staff provided and it was delicious! They made me feel as though I was family and that was amazing. I am so grateful to God for being a part of this team and organization.

The last day at camp, a lot of mixed emotions, and I just hope for the best for these kids. We had a great morning chapel service. I played some pool with some of the counselors and kids. Just being a part of this has been so remarkably good for me. Having meals with the kids was a wonderful and beautiful thing. It just amazes me how fast and easy they can put decorations together, and everyone here is working very hard together. Let’s see what fun the evening will bring us tonight!
None of this would have manifested if it were not for the Glory of the Lord working his SPIRIT in all of us to make this happen. Even with the language barrier, we all communicated well and got along together. Aaron is an amazing young man. It was a great evening with the kids at the camp and we played a final game before it was all over. We had to find prizes in the forest, and I felt like a kid again, running around the forest with kids to find clues and other things. We came in the last place, but we had a blast.

The final night was really wonderful with dancing, singing and just having a lot of fun. It was quite emotional because we were going to be parting our ways soon. We took a lot of photos with the kids, the Ukrainian staff and counselors. So many memories and I will not forget the special moments I spent with these kids. They all will have a special place in my heart.
As we had our last candle night, we were very emotional over the kids, especially the girls. Some of them were weeping so much, and tears were just flowing throughout the room. I felt tears running down my cheeks as well. I will continue to pray for the American team, the Ukrainian staff, counselors and the children. Because of the manifestation of the Lord’s Spirit working throughout this camp, 5 kids turned their lives over to Christ and several other kids just opened up their hearts to us.
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Link

Yalta and Bakhchisaray, Ukraine 2013

Well, the trip starting out by rushing to the airport being stressed out. I arrived at the airport rushed to check in baggage, go through customs, and get my gate. I finally got to my seat and got settled. Then, when I arrived in Paris rushing again to find my gate and then I had to go through a second check point and then I got to my gate to board next flight. Finally got some rest on my flight and I arrived into Kiev, Ukraine safe and sound. As I was walking as I seen this little boy playing with ball so I smiled at him and then he toss the ball to me so I put my luggage down and we started playing together. His mother just smiled and then I said good bye. I had more time to get to my next flight and I had some good food. Finally my last leg of my trip then this is when my ordeal started. I landed in Donetsk, Ukraine and I could not find my driver to take me to my apartment. I said oh no this is how my trip is going to be.  So I just took a cab down to Mariupol, Ukraine and hoping that this cab driver would take me to a hotel, I prayed Lord get me to Mariupol safe and sound. As we are driving down to Mariupol we started to negotiate a reasonable price that was suitable for the both of us. I can’t speak Russian and the driver is very limited in English but we both agreed to fair price. After a 1 hour and 30 minutes I arrived in Mariupol and   rented a hotel for 2 nights.  I was truly blessed to have Oksana and Inna who helped me find an apartment on Monday, while I was sleeping these 2 young ladies were looking for an apartment for me. Of course I was really thankful so I took them out for dinner. Now the 3 of us have been hanging out every day.  We have been going to cafes and I even cooked some dinner for myself the other day. Pretty cool and amazing, I even went to the movies and watched “R.I.P.D.”  In Russian of course I did not understand a word but at least I went to the movies like the locals. The weather here is so crazy one minute it is sunny and then it just starts pouring, thundering, and lightening. So crazy, I am so not use to this. But the weirdest thing is that I cannot log onto any website but I can get on Skype, this so crazy but maybe this is because the Lord wants me to have a break from being on the internet. It is an adjustment I am coping with, well I am on vacation. Tomorrow is Thursday and if the weather is willing I will head down to the Sea of Azov which leads into the Black Sea. Planning to soak up some sun and maybe even get a little tan. Heading down to the Sea of Azov and it was pretty amazing. I jumped into the water and just had a blast. My 2 new friends were really amazing. They took really good care of me while I was here. I had a great time. Now it is time to head to my next adventure. Looking forward to my next time I will come back.  The bus ride from Mariupol to Donetsk was really nice and very inexpensive, I will definitely take the bus the next time maybe even train it from Kiev.

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Link

Kharkiv, Ukraine 2012

My trip started off with a delay at Moscow airport and then to find out later that I might have to spend the night in the airport. My first thought was “don’t tell me this is how my trip is going to be Lord”. So I just said well let’s see what happens.  My first thoughts are this is going to really interesting.  So I just tried to be patient and not try to get upset.  As I was standing in the transit area this man was just yelling at the lady at the counter, I said to myself that cannot be good for him. Then, I noticed a young woman that was speaking English and Russian. So I approach her and asked her if I would get hotel for the night?  And she said do not worry you will be out into a hotel soon, you just have to be patient. Then, after a couple of ours, the airline staff said that about 10 people would be staying in a hotel and they even gave us a food voucher and I said to myself now that is really great. I knew that God was in control of all of this. So, I got a chance to be in Russia without a Visa, pretty cool. Finally, I made it to Kharkov, my interpreter is really great.  Let’s see what tomorrow has in store for me.

As I went to the orphanage I was really nervous and really did not know what to expect. Well, like always the Lord has his way and I met with the head doctor that runs the orphanage and his name is Ramon Marabyan, he was such a great and caring man and I bought 2 radios for the kids. I met the staff and they were all so caring and loving. They showed such gratitude towards me. I felt like I have known them for many years. The highlight was when one of the kids just put up his hands and touched my hands. The feeling of great joy ran through my body and I even felt like I crying, tears of joy. Then, we went to another room where one of the workers was playing the piano and then this little girl just came up and handed me some bells to start ringing, I feel so blessed and encourage.  What a day, I was so worried about what I was going act like and the Lord just took over like always. Now my trip was been a complete blessing.  Thank you Lord for always giving me so much encouragement and for giving the chance to serve here in Ukraine.

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Last day here in Kharkov and it was a great time here. God really touched my heart at Shevchenko Park as I was praying I just felt like the Lord wanted to talk to me so I just kept praying and listening. Then, I started to listen to some worship music and tears started flowing. Then, I started singing and then this woman was there and I did not even know it. When I turned and looked there was a woman with her baby and she gave me thumbs, so I guess I was singing okay but who really knows.

Gallery

Donetsk, Ukraine 2009, 2010, and 2013

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September 2009

I just want to thank everyone who helped out with advice and encouragement while I was planning my trip to Ukraine. It started about 7 months ago when I decided that I wanted to just take time off. As I started to explore where to go, I felt that I might want to go to Eastern Europe. I researched religion, culture, and history. I finally decided on Russia or Ukraine. As I looked for a church to go to, Children’s Orphanages came up in Mariupol, Ukraine. So I said to myself okay, let’s start planning. I did extensive research on culture and history. I talked to a lot of people who had traveled around the world and asked a lot of questions. After a conversation with Ron and mentioning to him where I was going he advised me to talk to John Carbonneau. So I contacted John but after several attempts we just could not catch each other. So, one day I called the number that was in the church directory one more time. The person that answered told me that he had moved and she gave me his new phone number, so I called the next morning and his wife answered and told me to call back after he got off work, so I did. I and John had a nice conversation and that is when John started to give me so much information about Ukraine. At the time I felt like it was a lot of stuff, writing everything down and asking as many questions as I could. I was so thankful for Ron, TJ, and Mr. Cunningham for mentioning me to talk to him. After numerous conversations things started to piece together. As the days got closer it seemed like everything was in place. But one day I had this weird feeling that I shouldn’t go but, I prayed to the Lord and just said if I am not supposed to go then put up some barriers and help me to see them. At the time I was starting to build a strong relationship with John and his wife Kathy.

Then I set to go on my journey. Joel offered if I needed anything so I asked him if he could give me a ride to the airport and he said yes. I was really thankful to Joel for driving me to the airport. So on 9-4-2009 I was on my way. After Joel dropped me off at the airport I decided that I would call Andrew my contact from the Children’s Orphanage in Mariupol, Ukraine. During our previous conversations he made it seemed like everything was in place. But as soon I called him and told him that I was on my way suddenly things started to take a different approach. Andrew tells me that he needs to talk to his administrator. I said to myself you never said anything like this before and tells me that they will call me. So here I am in the airport thinking what should I do? I could have easily just cancelled everything and just went to work or go somewhere else but I said to myself, I always hear to trust in the Lord and he will deliver. So I prayed to the Lord and said well I’m going to trust that you will open new doors and I am going to trust in you. Well, I did not expect for those barriers to come up the day I was leaving. I had to make a decision and had about 4 hours to decide. I started praying and just asked God for direction. I walked around the airport thinking and saying to myself what do I do. Finally, I said to myself I am going and I am going to trust that the Lord will take care of me. Then, I asked the Lord for protection, with the language barrier, and just to see Ukrainians as people, and to help me while I was on my journey. Now no one from family knows what is going on, only me and God know what is going on.

As I boarded my first flight I am fine but when I board my second flight I start to get really nervous and scared because there is no turning back. As I landed in Moscow I felt very nervous and I just looking around the airport and said I am almost there. Then, when I landed in Donetsk, Ukraine as I was going through passport control the doors slammed shut behind the last passenger which was me. They asked a bunch of questions and of course their English was not very good. But I finally got through and headed to my hotel. I waited for Andrew to call, but he never did. To this day I have not heard from them. So here I am far from home and I do not have any service on my cell. So I start to venture out in the city. One day I was walking along the river and just praying to God to get me to a children’s orphanage. Well, my prayers were answered, on 9-7-2009, I walk into a tour guide company and I spoke to a women named Larisa and I told her what had happened and she looked like she wanted to cry and I asked are you okay? She told me it is so great that you came all this way to help our children. Then, she said do not worry I will get into a children’s orphanage today or tomorrow. She called her assistant and ordered lunch for us. Then, in about 10 or 15 minutes she brought out a list of about 4 pages of orphanages in Donetsk. So we went through the list and picked some out. She called the person in charge named Lucine and she was the GM for the orphanages in Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus. We scheduled an appointment with Lucine to take us and we all met later that day. We all decided to go later that day. I was so amazed at how good God is.

After arriving at the Orphanage I was such in amazement that I could not believe that I was finally here. Here I am in a strange a land but yet I feel like I am right at home except when I ordered some food I realized I was in Ukraine. This journey was so tremendous that I will never forget it. The best part of the trip was seeing this little boy reach out and hold me my hand and he was smiling. This moment will always been something very special in my heart. Once I saw this little boy smile I was happy. My main purpose was to put a smile on the kids’ faces. That is all I wanted to do. I was thankful to Larisa and Lucine. But the one who deserves all the credit is God. He made everything happen, keeping me safe and opening up doors for me to see the orphanage. Now I have 2 friends from Ukraine and I plan to go back in May or June of next year but it is what the lord what wants me to do. Thank you to everyone that supported me in every way.

Gallery

Simferopol, Ukraine 2010, 2011, and 2013

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As I started to prepare for another trip to the Ukraine this time I was headed to the Crimea, for the very first time. I was blessed with a great interpreter, Vyacheslav Zadidiuron (Slava). He made sure that I was very well taken care. Always making sure that I had everything that I needed from going to the local market to just showing all of the sights in Simferopol, along with providing me with a great apartment and pick up at the local airport. He was a great interpreter and always took the time to make a phone call to ask me if I needed anything. On the latest trip he provided me with help to go to orphanage. When I arrived in my apartment we arranged the details to go to the Orphanage, Gagariiski.

As we arrived at the orphanage I met 2 of his friends who were very helpful in getting us to see some of the children. As we were standing waiting I was getting kind of serious but I just did a silent prayer and just asking God to work everything out. As we first walked into the Orphanage there were about 10 kids from the ages of 6 years to about 10 years old. So while standing there the children came up to say hello, of course in Russian. Then, I asked the caretaker if I could give the children some things and she said yes. So we sat down and I introduced myself with the help of my friend Slava. They asked me what I did for living and I said I work at a lawyer’s office as a file clerk. Then, when I pulled the Plasticine or Playdoh they got so excited and they ran over to the table. Then, we started to make objects; well the children did because all I could make is flat objects. But they made stars, little houses, and a bunch of other stuff. Then we played a couple games of dominoes and that was really fun. It was kind of funny because one of the kids was cheating and it took is a little while to figure it out. Well one of the other kids figured out. Of course she denied that she cheating just like any kid would.

After a being there for a couple of hours we left. As I was standing there waiting for my interpreter one of the kids came up to me and pulled on my back pack. So I turned around, not knowing if it would be okay to I pick up Angelina and gave her a hug and said good bye. At that point I felt very blessed that God has given me this great opportunity to serve her in the Ukraine at an orphanage. As we left I shared with my friend Slava, how I was very grateful to him for being very close friend of mine. It was also a very touching experience. One of the most special moments was giving the children some candy and to see how their precious eyes just light up. It was amazing on how happy they got just with some candy. On our second visit we started our day by arriving at the Orphanage mid-morning and we starting playing some games, helping the children build some puzzles. It was such an amazing time. Special thanks to everyone that helped out with prayers. For the people who donated items, Liz thank you for the yarn and knitting needle, the children loved them and Kit thanks for all of your suggestions as well too. Special thanks goes two special friends from work, Susan and Melissa, they always take the time to listen to my trip adventures and for everyone who is always very supported of my trips to Ukraine.