Prom Dresses and Cinderella Dreams

This time of the year for teenagers across America is filled with excited talk about Prom!!!  Girls walk through stores, try on dresses, and dream of the perfect fit.  It is a rite of passage, much like Homecoming.  But Prom.... ah... Prom is the day that every girl will remember.... or maybe try to forget.

I know of two girls here in Ukraine that are dreaming a similar dream.  You see, when you graduate from school in Ukraine, you attend a party a little like prom and get all dressed up.  For many girls, this is the first time they have had a "Ball gown" or even a reason to wear it.  For many, it will be the last time they wear one until their wedding day.

Natasha and Vika dream of having this memory, but for them, sadly, it probably won't be a reality.  That is.... it won't be a reality unless you want to help. 

Natasha and Vika are not just graduating from school this year, they will be leaving the safety of the orphanage that they have called home for many years. To be practical, they should be looking for a nice outfit that they can wear to job interviews, etc.  But what girl at 17 is practical.  They want to be like all the other girls in their class and wear a pretty gown to the party.  They want to be Cinderella for just one night.  They want to dream of their Prince Charming that will rescue them from the reality of what is facing them.

I want them to have this dream.  I have no way to pay for these dresses by myself.  I survive on a minimum support base and cannot buy one, let alone two, nice dresses for these girls.  The orphanage doesn't have funds for this kind of stuff.  So.... it is up to you.


Can you help the dreams of these girls come true?  If so, contact me and I will give you more information.  Please consider how you would feel if this were you or your daughter.  Wouldn't you do what you could to make it happen?  Help me make it happen!!!!

Aging Out

It has been a year since I last blogged.  I am sorry for that, and probably lost a great deal of "readership".  Suffice it to say, it has been a year of ups and downs.

But.... I can't be silent any longer!  My heart is struggling with trying not to be hurt again and the need to locate families for some desperately needy children.  Many of the children I work with at the local orphanage are so close to aging out of the system forever.  For some of these, it means a younger brother or sister losing a chance as well, since they want to go together and won't go without the other.

PLEASE... if you are, or know someone who is, preparing to adopted..... PLEASE consider these children.  My heart breaks each time I see them and hear their desperate pleas to find them a family before it is too late.

Vanya and Natasha

There are two sibling sets that need YOU to move quickly.  Natasha and Vanya are a loving brother and sister that long for a loving mother and father to call their own.  Natasha is very studious, has a good grasp on English, and is quickly approaching a deadline!  Vanya is a sweet boy that loves his sister and any sport.  He is kind and caring.  He and Natasha will bless your family!

Valya

Valya and Katya are sisters that have watched so many others go to their families.  Katya begs me every time I see her to find her a family.  However, because of Valya's age, her chance may soon be gone.  Valya has a slight hearing impairment, but is attending regular school.  She reads lips and can be understood when she speaks.  She uses a telephone without assisted devices.  She is smart and a very gentle girl.  Katya is a born dancer.  She loves music and loves dancing.  She is also a very kind and gentle girl who would blossom in a family.

Katya

PLEASE... pass the word along about these two sets!  If someone doesn't step up to the plate, they will forever be lost.  Their time is running out quickly!!!  Pray that God will send their families to save them from a life on the streets.  Both sets have no contact with mother or father and are begging for a family.... is it YOURS?

Hosting Veronika!

Just a short update to let you all know that Veronika is doing well.  She is still waiting for "daddy" and "momma" to come to Ukraine.  They are waiting on a very SLOW social worker to finish the home study.  INS is waiting for this last piece of the puzzle as well.  So.... we are all waiting.

In the meantime, Veronika is being hosted by Nadia!  and me, of course.  She has been with us a little over a week.  This has been just long enough to be hit square in the face with her "teenage-ness".  We have had a few melt downs, but through some tough love she seems to be settling to an even pace.  For the last 4 days, we have heard a lot of "please", "thank-you", and "can I help you" coming from her.  Hopefully, it will last.

We spend our days learning English, watching DVD's together, cooking, and generally living like a family would.  She is helpful around the house when she knows what to do, and never complains about being asked to help.  With boundaries, she thrives!!!

We have learned the hard way that over stimulation--like shopping all day-- leads to melt downs often ending in tears.  We have learned that she is easily disappointed in people when she is hurt by them. (Thankfully this wasn't us....but we had to bear with the results.)  We have learned she has a quick humor and loves to laugh at silly cartoons and films.  We have learned that she is a quick study and can pick up English rather quickly.  We have learned that she loves to be loved.  And.... we still have 16 days to go....but who's counting.

Pray with us as the next two weeks pass.  Pray that we would be examples of unconditional love like the unconditional love of our Father.  Pray for our stamina and strength....it is hard having a teenager with no other teenagers around.  Pray for her "forever family" and their paperwork.  They are frustrated and the longer it takes the more unsure Veronika becomes.  Pray for quick INS approval and a quick appointment with the National Adoption Center in Ukraine.  

 More later....

Until then.... I am....

In His Hope!

Wait a minute.... I didn't sign-up for this!

Today I took two friends to the orphanage in Boyarka.  They were here a little over a year ago and adopted three siblings from the orphanage.  They are back to adopt again from another orphanage and their kids sent gifts to friends still in this orphanage.  I expected it to be a pleasant day.

When I began working at the orphanage a year ago, I never expected to have my heart so deeply moved by these children.  I was there to bring joy, light, kindness, etc to these poor orphans.  Instead, they have brought these things to my life and so much more.  I have learned to love each of them in a special way, but there are a few of the older girls that have just captured my heart... and today one of them broke it!

As we were looking at pictures and talking about children that had left the orphanage, I noticed a gray cloud forming over Veronica's head.  She is a precious, loving child, and is usually involved in the conversations we have.  But today, I watched her withdraw.  It was so obvious.  I watched this beautiful flower wilt and fade away before my very eyes.  I watched her animated, joyful eyes fill with sadness and despair....  And my heart broke with hers because I knew what was happening.

In May of this year, Veronica will turn 16.  Her chance at a family, her chance at a life full of unconditional love, her chance at being held when she is scared or lonely.....is slipping quickly away from her...right before her eyes.  And she is scared!  She has NO ONE!  No one to turn to when her time at the orphanage is up.  No one to cry or laugh with.  NO ONE!  She is all alone in the world and at 15+ she is terrified of what lies ahead.

I wish I could tell her everything will be ok and that her forever family is just around the corner.  But I couldn't.  All I could do was hold her tight, kiss her cheek, and tell her to never give up hope.  It was all I could do!!!!  And my heart broke.  Even now as I write this, I am holding back the tears when I think about where this precious, gentle child will be if someone does not act fast!!!

My heart hurts..... and I didn't sign up for this!

Thankfulness

This week in my English lessons at the Christian school I talked about Thanksgiving.  It was fun to teach these Ukrainian children about our celebration...not just the food and football part, but the real reason we have the holiday.  It was a great opportunity to have them share what they were thankful for, and it was a great opportunity to get me thinking about all my blessings.

This season is a little tougher than ones in the past--knowing that my dad is not around.  Although it has been many years since I was in the states for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I could always count on that afternoon phone call with the full description of the meal, the latest antics of the grandkids, or the newest joke.   I always felt a little bit like I was "home for the holidays'.

Even though it is tougher this year...I find many things that I am thankful for just the same.  I am thankful that I was loved and supported through the years by my mother and father.  I am thankful that I grew up in a family that went to church and taught me the importance of faith and hope.  I am thankful for a church that was (and is) strong in the word and evangelistic.  I am thankful for Godly men and women that encouraged me in my Christian walk.  I am thankful for feeling wanted, loved, and prayed for.

I am thankful that God has provided me with an opportunity to serve Him in Ukraine, and for the people that I have met because of this time....supporters, visitors, fellow missionaries, and Ukrainians.  I am thankful for the blessing of touching the lives of children that have not been as fortunate as I was growing up.  I am thankful for a God-given love and desire to see these children cared for and protected.

Don't let this holiday season pass without telling those that you love that you are thankful for them.  Too soon they may be gone.

So...I am thankful for you!!!  Whoever you are reading this right now--whether family, friend, or casual guest.  Thank you that you cared enough to stop for a moment to listen to my ramblings.  I wish you and yours a very thankful Thanksgiving Day!

In His Hope,
Becky

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him and bless His name."  Psalms 100:4

At long last....

Yes I am finally blogging again. So much has happened in the last month that I never had time to post about it before it happened. And now.... I have TOOOOO many things I want to post about.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day in the USA. I think this is a great day to celebrate those that gave us life and trained us up. I have a great mom....and I made sure I sent my gift to her in plenty of time for Mother's Day. On Sunday, I was struck by the fact that many of you reading my blog were celebrating your first Mother's Day or the first on with your new kids. What a joy that must have been. Along with this thought immediately came the thought of the kids left behind in the orphanages throughout the world. My heart breaks for them... especially those that I have had the priviledge of getting to know.

I wish I had the money to adopt 6-8 of them today!!! But, according to our US standards, I don't even make enough to adopt one! I wish that House of Hope could open today.... but there just isn't the money....YET!!!!

Now is prime time on the market. I could buy a house that would suit our needs for a lot less than I could a year ago....and there are many for sell. $300,000.00 today would buy me a house, and furnish it completely to house children. Since a couple of friends of mine (Felix and Heidi) have come back to the states after adopting, they have "advertised" for me and I have received 3 pledges to help in this project. That only leaves 997 more people to find that will pledge $300. OR.... 300 people that will pledge $997. I wait for God's hand to move!

In the meantime, we are having to move again. The house we presently rent is for sale and we don't know when that will happen. Our rental agreement is up next month, so we started looking about 2 weeks ago. And.... WE FOUND IT! We are thrilled. It is a little more than we are paying here (+$150), but has twice the room! We have rooms to have guests... so come on over. We will be moving in the next two weeks... PRAY FOR US!!!!

I am posting some new pics from the English class at the orphanage. I hope you enjoy them.

Until next time..... I am.....In His Hope!

A Week of Celebration

Exactly one week ago tonight, I was one of the guest of honor at the Children's Home for International Women's Day. The children danced, sang, and recited poetry. It was absolutely beautiful. These kids are so amazingly talented that it astounds me.

After the program I was invited to celebrate with the teachers in the orphanage at a banquet. You would think by now that I would have learned what a celebration meal is like. There was SO much food--and it just kept coming. (Now, mind you, before I went to the orphanage, I celebrated Women's Day with my fellow teachers at Vineyard Christian School. We had salads, shashlik, lavash, sauces, and potatoes. I was stuffed!) The food kept coming, and culturally, I was expected to keep sampling it. It was great food, but I was so full!!!! They kept putting stuff on my plate... stuff I usually don't eat--like liver pate', mushroom/garlic/onion sandwiches. I lived to tell about it, though!

The food was great, but the companionship was even greater. I felt so honored to sit around the table with these wonderful women that care for the abandoned children everyday. I loved laughing with them, listening to their banter (even in Ukrainian), and hearing them sing traditional folk songs. What a gift to be included! Their hearts are so precious.


On Monday, I went back to the orphanage to talk with the director about the children dancing at my school this week. While I was there, I had the most precious opportunity to share my Christian beliefs with the accountant of the home. She has been so friendly to me every time I have come and on Monday was full of questions. I don't know where it will lead, but seeds were planted.

Pray for my ministry with these ladies and the children of the home. There are about 45 kids there now... ages 2-17. The director has been so good to let me come and go as I wish. She even let me take three of the girls out today to dance at my school and then out to eat. More on that later.

(On a side note, if you are at all interested in helping fund House of Hope--a foster home I hope to start--please contact me. I need 1000 people that will give a tax deductible gift of $300. Pray for me as I wait on God's storehouse to open!!!!)

For now.... I am.....

In His Hope!

Happy Birthday Ukrainian Style

Well, it is that time of the year again. I just celebrated living another year. Every year, I start off February saying that I don't want to have a party this year; and every year..... I end up having more than one. I have learned that it doesn't matter whether I want to celebrate getting a year older. There are people that want to celebrate it anyway. I am not sure that it isn't just to rub it in that I am getting OLD-er, or if they are really happy that I made it another year. Whatever the case, if I don't plan something.... it will happen anyway... like spontaneous combustion. If you know me very well, you know that I would rather have a plan than to be caught off-guard.


Since my birthday landed on a Wednesday, I thought I had won a reprive until the weekend. Nothing doing...! The school planned a "Day of Knowledge" celebration to acknowledge the first graders completing their first text book and I had to be at school. Now mind you, Wednesday is my day off and I had visions of sleeping until noon and then lazying around in my Eeyore pj's for several more hours. Now, I had to not only get up early, but shower and dress. UGH!!!! As I entered the hall for the celebration, the MC for the day announced that the day was special for another reason. All the students and teachers yelled out Happy Birthday and began singing the birthday song in English. I guess it was worth waking up early for after all.

Wednesday is also my day to teach English at the Children's Home. So I planned a party for that time. Cake (shaped like a cute little chick), chips, candy, and drinks. It was a lot of fun and the kids were SO polite. I had to make them eat.... but once they started... well that is a different story. At the end, one of the girls (Lena) stood up and read a card she had made for me IN ENGLISH. Then she turned to me and said "I love you" and kissed me. WOW!!!!! This was the best birthday present ever. Such unhindered love and affection coming from a child who was abandoned and had NO family to ever visit her.

That wasn't all. Dinner out with friends. Another party with our adult English class. A full-fledged Ukrainian celebration with all the food on Saturday for 12 people. And... a Shrimp Po-boy lunch with a friend on Sunday.

Isn't life great? I am glad that God has me here and has given me such wonderful friends to be apart of my life. I just pray that in some small way I can bring glory to Him by bringing joy to these friends. All-in-all... this was a great birthday. I can't wait to see what next year brings!!!!