Kids, Cakes & Ninjas

Every Sunday evening I head over to one of the local orphanages with a group of people from our church to spend time with the kids. We usually do a Bible study, games, and crafts... but last Sunday was my 31st birthday. So, after celebrating with my family, I headed over to the orphanage to have a party with these little guys. It was a good day! Here are a few pic's of the time with them. Please be praying for these children!

The Ninja's are ready!

Marina liked the cake...

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Precious Children

This morning we headed into the tuberculosis hospital to spend some time with the kids. All these little ones have T.B. and some also have Aids. They don't get too many visitors and they get so excited when people from our church come to play and share the gospel with them. A young lady in our church, Oksana Polischuck, found this place and started going in all by herself to share Christ with these kids. They have a lot of needs. With the help of some generous people we have been able to replace 15 windows so their bedrooms stayed a little warmer this winter. There's still much that we want to help them with. There are about 30 kids right now. Here are a few pictures I took.

Oksana sharing the gospel with the kids.

Two little heads watching us leave... waving goodbye.

Face Paint

I took these of the kids in the orphanage down the street from our house today. They loved getting their faces painted! It's been really encouraging visiting these little ones lately. They seem to be grasping the gospel more than ever. God is working, please keep praying for them!

Video From Last Weeks Trip

Ten Great Years

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This month marks our tenth year in Ukraine. We were looking through our old prayer cards remembering how gracious and merciful the Lord has been to allow us to live here. To witness God's power in saving lives here has been amazing. We are so very grateful for how He has cared for us and provided for our every need these past ten years. We are blessed to be able to live in Chernigov and be part of the church family here.
Thank you to all who have prayed for us for so long!!! Please keep praying for Ukraine.

Sidewalk Chalk

This past Sunday we were able to head outside with the children at the Orphanage down the street from our house. We had the Bible study outside and then ran around and played with the kids in the yard. It was so nice playing with them outside in the sun. Spring is here!

Something happened after the Bible study that caught my attention. We gave the kids a bunch of sidewalk chalk and told them to have fun. There is a little patch of pavement in the courtyard. The kids ran over to it and started drawing animals, some drew funny faces, while the girls played hopscotch. I noticed that two little boys had taken their chalk and drawn crosses on the pavement. I walked over to one of them and asked him about his drawing. He told me "I drew the cross that Jesus died on so that he could forgive our sins!" To see this little guy run from the Bible study, draw a cross and tell me its meaning made me so happy! Thank you all for praying for the orphans that our church visits each week. The Lord is good and He is opening the eyes of these little ones to the gospel.

Marina thanks for the pictures!