Playground

The playground is full of children and we made "flower signs" to remind the children of the things they have been learning in our classes. It is the "Garden of Virtues" and the individual flowers are "love," "faith," "patience," "goodness," "kindness," "forgiveness," and "long-suffering." There has been some discussion among the parents of young children recently about our classes and one mother decided to bring her son to class last Saturday. We hope that more parents will make that decision in the future. It is amazing to watch what God can do with something as simple as a playground! We are packing today for our trip back to Panama City. We would appreciate your prayers on Wednesday and Thursday for safe travel and no lost luggage!

2012 Teen Retreat

Last week we took 20 of our teens and chaperones on a retreat to Berdyansk. Our theme was "Shining Like Stars" and we studied the Book of Philippians. The weather was great and everyone had a wonderful time. In an effort to reinforce the theme we made leather bracelets and put stars (and other things)on them, we had glow stick bracelets and we released nine Japanese lanterns at the bon fire Saturday night. Enjoy the pictures.

Great Day in Gorlovka

Today we had a full house at worship and the congregation decided they would like to have a cookout at the worship room. After several days of rain and cold weather, the sun was shining and it was a great afternoon. We capped off a great weekend of classes with a study of the Book of Joshua in "The Story" sermon series.

Busy Week In Gorlovka

We have had a great week in Gorlovka. The classes were full this weekend. Fourteen boys at young teen class, and two girls! (Exactly the opposite from several years ago). Game night was lots of fun with nearly 30 people. Our Saturday night Bible class was a real treat because Dasha, Masha, Zhenya and Vanya from our "old youth group" were there as well as kids from the current group. We had a fellowship (cakes, coffee and tea) following worship on Sunday, and this morning Dasha and I took a cake to the Baby Hospital for Dr. Sergei Korotya's 50th birthday. There are currently 9 kids in the ABC program.

Thanks to all our donors who make it possible for us to work with the people of Gorlovka, Ukraine. At Bible class Saturday night we were talking about the different blessings God has given us and Vanya said, "I cannot imagine a better place to grow up than in our neighborhood - with the church family loving and serving the kids who grow up here." He should know - he was one of those kids and now he is drawing great strength from his church family at a difficult time in his life. Jesus is working in the hearts of his people. Thanks for being part of the Cross Culture family.

ABC Kids

Thanks to all our donors who make it possible for us to provide Pampers, wipes, food, clothes and medicine for the abandoned children living at the Baby Hospital in Gorlovka. We are so thankful to have Dr. Sergei Korotya and Dr. Masha Sverdlova, both members of our church family, working with these precious children. We have provided help for literally hundreds of kids since January 2000! Thanks again donors, your generosity is changing lives in Gorlovka!

New Class Progress

In September I was asked by three young girls (around 9 or 10 years old) to start a class for their age group. We began that class about six weeks ago and last Friday we had 14 kids (plus me, the translator and one kid from the Sparrow's Hope program)! I was especially excited because there were nine boys present. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Thanks to all our donors who make it possible for us to teach this generation of kids in Gorlovka.

Classes and Sparrow's Hope Kids

Our classes are going well and are very well attended. Lora had 17 kids at her kids class last Saturday. We are averaging more than 25 kids at our weekend classes and every day the office is open we have around 20 kids coming. Yesterday I finished the shower and laundry room so the boys are showering and doing their laundry at the office now. I also let them ride our bikes yesterday - you would have thought I gave them a million bucks! They had such a great time riding the bikes (several of them put bikes on their "dream list" but the orphanage director said no bikes at the orphanage). It is amazing how grateful these kids are for the things we do for them. The ladies in our church are providing daily food for the boys who do not have cafeteria privileges at their institute. Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to work with these kids and teach them of the love Jesus has for them.

Sparrow's Hope Kids Update

The orphanage closed on the last day of August and all the kids have moved to their new homes. On Sunday, September 4, we hosted a picnic for them at the Worship Room followed by a concert with our friends Pasha, Ignat and Artem who make up the band Unbelievable. The kids had a great time. Out of 30 kids living in dormitories and in foster care in the city we had about 25 attend events that weekend. We open the Worship Room from 3 to 7 PM everyday but Monday and they are attending pretty well.

There are seven boys who live in a dorm without showers (if you can imagine that!)and who also do not have cafeteria privileges! Right now Lora and the ladies from our church are feeding them a meal everyday and I give them care packages containing ramen noodles, instant mashed potatoes, cookies, tea, etc. Thanks to our sponsors who make it possible to help these young men. We also give them the opprotunity to shower regularly. They really appreciate the help that we give them. They are also attending our Bible Classes and Game Night each weekend. Please keep the kids in your prayers.

ABC Kids...

Dima and I just got back from purchasing and delivering pampers and supplies to the Baby Hospital. We currently have 17 kids - lots of them are toddlers! It has been a while since we had so many toddlers and they are FUN. When we were there they were just waking up from their naps and they were ready to play! Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to provide the things needed for these precious children. Your generosity is changing little lives!