Sweet Reunion

Last weekend I traveled south with 3 friends to reconnect with some of the kids who were at our July camp in the Nikolaev region. The kids we came to visit live in 2 different orphanages in the region. We had promised all fall that we would come...and it always feels great to keep a promise!

The visits were short, but I have to say the 9 hour train ride and 11 hour bus ride home were worth the sweet hugs and smiles we received. I think what will never cease to blow my mind is how much these simple visits mean to them. I use the word kids loosely too, as Lina is already 18. And yet at 18 she still held on tightly to me and cried as we said our goodbyes.

For those of you that remember, Lina

was the girl I wrote about this last August, the girl who I was able to pray with and who I was able to give a Bible to. She has a very sweet and gentle spirit and just a heart to love others- which is so apparent in the way all the little kids in the orphanage come running up to her and throw their arms around her! Please keep Lina in your prayers and that she will continue to seek out a deeper understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. She has such a tender heart and great dreams for her future, so I am really praying she will be used by God.

And since this is Ukraine, we did manage to add a little bit of drama on our weekend trip as well. We showed up at the second orphanage on Sunday (after riding on a bus 5.5 hours to get to the middle of nowhere location) and were planning on spending the afternoon hanging out with girls that my friend Yulia had gotten to know from her group at the camp. But there was a little bit of a mix-up in the fact that the director wasn't made aware of our arrival and thus after 30 minutes of hanging out with the girls we were kicked out. So sad! I know the directors have the right to decide who does and who doesn't get to be on their territory, but given the fact that we had come all the way from Kiev I thought she might have a little bit of mercy.

But again, this is Ukraine. Mercy not usually given.

But I have to say the 30 minutes we spent with the girls were very precious and so were all the smiles the kids had when they realized how far Yulia had come to see them. So we said our quick goodbyes, handed out a few gifts as the director gazed on with her eyes that seemed to say, 'I told you to leave!' and headed back from whence we came. We trekked back down our deserted road in the middle of nowhere and found a bus to take us to another little town where we could catch another 6 hour bus back to Kiev. All in a day's work I must say!

Anyone considering a visit anytime soon?? I promise there is always some adventure waiting to happen around here! Not to mention some pretty sweet kids who are sure to make you fall in love with them real fast.

Great place to wait for a bus...

And another goes home...

I first met this spunky, lively little girl named Rimma in 2007 when we brought a group of orphans from Kherson to Virginia and Colorado with the Shoemaker play. She was one of those heart stealing type of girls. She was 11 years old, bounced off the walls and had a smile that melted the hearts of all she met- including me. She had a sassy side too, which kept you on your toes, but I could tell this was a girl determined to find herself a family, along with her friend Zina. So it was no surprise when she won the hearts of Felix and Heidi Roge instantly! Their hearts ached when they learned that Rimma wasn't registered for international adoption...but they didn't let that stop them and they fought the fight that very few are willing to take on-- the Ukrainian 'system'! It has been quite a journey for them to bring her home...over 2 years of waiting to be exact. But with great joy I can now say that Rimma's long wait is finally realized and she has gone home to her forever family in Colorado!! Yesterday Rimma landed on American soil and was officially stamped to become an American citizen!

Felix and Rimma stayed with me in Kiev this past week as they were finishing up everything at the US embassy. It was so special to have that time with them and to reminisce about the past two years and all that has transpired

to get them to this point. I've seen a lot of kids adopted over the years and I have to say I'm really touched and blessed by Rimma's perspective. This week as we were sitting around the kitchen table she shared her heart and said, "you know, I've seen a lot of kids go to America because they think they'll have a better life, more money, and more opportunities. And I know that I'll have those things...but honestly the only reason I ever wanted to go to America was so that I would have a family to love me and to support me....I've never had that. I've never had that kind of love." From the mouth of a 13-year-old. Felix and I told her to remember that perspective when things get hard...because there will be hard moments for sure. Rimma truly see's the Lord's hand in her adoption process even throughout the past two years of waiting. A lot of wisdom for a 13-year-old in my opinion. So proud of you Rimma!

The faith journey continues for the Roge family as they wait out the next year to bring home their second daughter, Zina, who they met along with Rimma in 2007. Zina is still waiting out the 'system' so that she will be available for international adoption. Zina is another young lady wise beyond her years, clinging to faith that yes- this adoption will happen!

Our prayer is that at this time next year (if not before!) there will be one more smiling Roge daughter entering through the immigration line at the Denver airport!

If you want to follow the Roge's journey click here.

Street dog challenge....

Ahhh how can I live in Ukraine and not give at least one 'shout out' to the street dogs? I have this mixed feeling of hate and pity towards the poor creatures.

Yesterday I was on a walk and came across the sorry pack of dogs pictured above...apparently trying to curl up to get warm. Guess they didn't realize that curling up closer creates warmth!

So here is your street dog challenge...how many street dogs can you count in this picture? Post your answer in the comment section.

12 years

A while back at church we had a guest speaker who spoke from Mark chapter 5, where Jesus heals a sick woman and raises a dead girl to life. He noted that this incident was documented in 3 of the 4 gospels and so I decided I’d go home & do a little more study on these miraculous healings. Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8 all give accounts of Jesus healing the woman who was subject to bleeding and the little girl who had died.

Now these are accounts I’ve read numerous times as a believer, however upon reading them all together, I was struck with an interesting piece of information that I’d never noticed before. All 3 of the accounts state that the woman had been subject to bleeding for 12 years, which is something I think we can just read right over. But think about it—she was suffering for 12 whole years of her life- and all the authors thought it important to make note of this.

Then in two of the accounts something else jumped out at me that I don’t remember reading before—the little girl who had died was 12 years old. I found it interesting that the gospel writers thought it important to note how old the girl was- and then I realized-- it matched the same length of time that the woman had been bleeding!

This shared number caused me to start thinking more about these two individuals. Neither the woman nor the girl is named in any of the accounts- and yet we are given information about specific years of their lives. I realized that when this little girl was born, this woman started bleeding. As the little girl learned to walk, and talk and play, this woman was suffering and spending all she had on doctors and treatments. As this little girl matured, the woman suffered still and probably wondered if she would ever find healing. She had no freedom from her pain.

Joy and pain were co-existing… probably only miles away. Such a picture of real life.

Suddenly all that changed for the little girl and her family, because at the age of 12, she was dying. Of what, we don’t know. Suddenly her situation was as desperate as the bleeding woman she knew nothing of.

Amazing how pain and suffering bring us to a point of unity and suddenly we have so much in common with people we’ve perhaps never met. Suddenly our need for healing- our need of deliverance unites us…makes us desperate for a savior.

Enter Jesus.

We know the story. The woman- in desperation and in faith, reaches out to touch Jesus- convinced that he can heal her. And he does. His power goes out from him and instantly she is healed. Instantly. 12 years of suffering and living as an outcast have ended in a second—her life will never be the same! Jesus tells her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Her faith.

Next come in the friends of the 12-year-old’s father—telling him it is too late- the daughter has died. Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." He did…and she was.

Just believe.

I keep thinking about this passage…trying to “get it” or grasp it. Does healing come as a result of our faith? Or because of the faith of others? Why do some suffer so long, while others are healed instantly?

The more I ask these questions and look at this passage the more I realize that the answers aren’t cut and dry. They never really are, are they? I’m also challenged to consider that perhaps the answers to these questions aren’t so important.

I may never understand God’s timing…but these stories remind me of a Truth. The truth that God cares about our pain and he wants us to reach out to him…to grasp at the hem of his robe and realize our desperate need of a Savior- whether we’ve known it for 12 years, or we’ve only just become conscious of our need.

Reach out in faith…and keep reaching. And look around you…sometimes we have to reach out in faith for others- when they’ve lost the strength to reach out for themselves.

L*O*V*E

This weekend in honor of Valentine's Day we had a little cupcake decorating party! I've got 'control' (or so I'd like to think) of the Weber brood this weekend as Steve and Kristi are traversing around England celebrating their 22 years of marriage.

We always manage to have fun of our own in their absence though...including traipsing through a crazy snow storm to get to church this morning. We were all a little wet and weary for the wear by the time we walked in I think. In all the years I've been in Ukraine, this is by the snowiest I've ever seen! I'm so ready to see some spring sunshine!!

I always enjoy these sweet babysitting times with my cousins-- they keep me on my toes but they have lots of love to share as well...including the youngest finding his way into my bed around 3am every night- claiming it is 'too loud' in his room! How can you say no to that? :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Perfecting the art of saying goodbye…or trying to

One thing I’ve come to realize about my life is that it is continually full of ‘goodbyes.’ Some of them more permanent then others, but the reality is that they are always there—whether in Ukraine or the US, I can’t escape the fact that either I or the people around me seem in continual motion.

No matter how many times I come and go from ‘home’ (even that word has started to have multiple meanings) I still have the same feelings surface as I have to pack up my bags and again say goodbye to some of the people I love the most- as I did a week ago. Tucking my sweet nephew in for the final time, that final trip to the airport, that last tearful look towards my mom as she waves me on through the security line and I do my best to remain composed…- it’s as if in these moments all the emotions boil to the surface and there is this little part of me that is tempted to run back and say, ‘Okay! I’ll stay.’ Suddenly that tiny part of me that would rather stay in the safer place wants to burst out and run back into the arms of ‘home’.

But somehow, when I find myself alone, seated on the tarmac, engines starting, with some stranger sitting next to me, I close my eyes and I hear that familiar still small voice whisper ever so gently, ‘trust Me, you are right where you are supposed to be.’

I can’t tell you how many times in moments like this I have opened my Bible and the words that seem to find me are these: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29

Believe me, I’m not trying to paint myself as some saint because I know I am far from it. But the reality is that when I read those words they are just so tangible to me. The people that Jesus lists in that passage are real and have faces of people attached to them- faces of people that I love. Which makes reading that passage even harder at times. But reading those words and reading the promise helps to remind myself of why I’m living in Ukraine. It has to be because of Jesus. And ultimately that helps puts these quick earthly goodbyes in perspective.

But in all actuality I prefer to say, ‘I’ll see you soon!’

Some sweet moments from my time at home...

Christmas morning

weekend with some of my dearest friends

and...one of the hardest parts of saying goodbye! I mean- look at those eyes!! :)

Highlights of 2009

While I've been at home as I was able to do a presentation in my church about my life in Ukraine and the

recent happenings in ministry and in life. I put together this little video as a 'highlight' of sorts for 2009 and

thought I'd share it here as well for you all to get a different kind of glimpse.

The song I used, "Albertine" by Brooke Fraiser has become quite special to me. She wrote the song after

a trip to Rwanda and was convicted by the Lord to share the stories of those she met...specifically a girl

named Albertine. Her song has reminded me that it is the faces that matter-- it is their stories that matter.

That's why I try to share them here with you all.

So take a look into the eyes I was privledged to look into this year...they all have stories of their own to tell.

Sweet Reunions

I've been having fun getting caught up with family and friends while I'm home, but one of the sweetest moments was seeing Oksana Jones for the first time at my home church. Many of you may remember when I wrote about Oksana when she was being adopted by a couple from my home church last winter.
Well now she is home and speaking beautiful English! When I said goodbye to her in April I told her she'd be speaking English the next time I saw her. She didn't believe me at the time, but I was right! She is doing awesome with her language. It amazes me how quick these kiddos learn!

We had a very sweet reunion at church on Christmas Eve! And my dad and her dad had a fun time capturing the moment on camera! It was a very special moment seeing her for the first time.

I also got to spend the day with their family at home over the new year. When I walked in, Oksana said, "will you do my hair like yours?" Next her little sister Kylie wanted her hair done, and then we decided Natasha needed to join us as well, so I taught Oksana how to do her Mom's hair. Never knew I could start a fashion trend so quickly!

It was awesome getting to spend the day with them and just catch up on life.

I love you Jones family and feel blessed to be a part of your journey!!

our 'fancy' hairstyles!

While I'm waiting...

So I didn't fly home early as I had hoped. But I have been enjoying the snow while I've been waiting. This weekend we had an amazing snow fall. The kind that children dream of! So my cousins and I had a little photo session in true Ukrainian style....

"Baby it's cold outside!!"

Adventures in Kherson

Why is it then when we plan a trip to the orphanages in the Kherson region it seems to never go according to the plan? I've decided we should just stop planning anything as it never will turn out that way in the end! :) Last weekend we took the long 8 hour trek down to Kherson with the plan of visiting 4 orphanages and 2 trade schools that we have worked with over the years through summer camps and trips to the states.
We pulled in Friday night and immediately got in the Christmas spirit as we began wrapping the 120 children's Bibles and chocolates we had brought as gifts for 2 of the orphanages. Then the next morning we drove another 2 hours, to the village of Kolinenska where we had one of our camps this summer. I was really looking forward to this trip, specifically because one of the girls from that orphanage calls me at least 4 times a week, wondering WHEN we are coming for a visit?

However, upon arrival into our familiar little village, our hopes were quickly dashed when the director announced that a new H1N1 quarantine had begun and they could receive NO visitors!

Ummm not a part of the plan!! It didn't matter that we'd driven the 8 hours from Kiev or the extra 2 hours from Kherson, and it didn't matter that we came bearing gifts and a Christmas program...no, it didn't matter. The door was shut to us!!

Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why this stuff has to happen...especially when you know how sad the kids are as a result. For me it is just another reminder about what we are up against....sometimes it is just masked as the swine flu!

So after a few tears on behalf of our team (okay- mostly me)- we put smiles on our faces (and masks too) and went to the orphanage down the street instead- where we happen to know kids from a previous summer camp. Ironic that this director was willing to receive us despite the quarantine. We just had to adorn some cute masks first. So we did our Christmas program at this orphanage instead and picked up a few boxes of cookies on the way to help celebrate (we left the Bibles with our friend in the village to deliver to the first orphanage at a later date.) So we met some new sweet children and did the Christmas program for them. It still amazes me and breaks my heart that there are 2 orphanages in this small village of less then 2,000 people. Sadly, most of these kids are not registered to be adopted from what I understand because parental rights have not been removed. Oh this system!

The next day we were reunited with our kids in Stari Zburivka, another village in Kherson region. We did the same program for these kids and this time were able to distribute the gifts we had brought. They were very excited to unwrap their gifts and seemed excited to be given these beautiful Bibles and of course the chocolate too!

We've known the kids here for a little over 2 years, so it is amazing to see how some of them have grown and changed so much- while others seem about the same size. We talked to the director while we were there and it looks like we are going to be able to bring a group of 10 of these kids to Kiev for the Christmas holiday to stay with families from a church here, so we are very excited about this opportunity. Some of these kids have never even left the region of Kherson before! We are blessed to have a great relationship with the director there.

The rest of our reunion trip united us with the kids from our graduate orphan camp we had this past August. These kids are now studying in the trade schools in the region. We also saw some of the graduated kids who were in America with us two years ago. On one hand it was so good to see them all and get an opportunity to hang out with them and encourage them, but at the same time it is so hard to see the reality of their lives in these small villages and living in the dormitories. They are living in a true war zone for their very souls.

Our reunion meeting with the youth from camp

We were able to meet up with a pastor that is doing a weekly youth club in one of these trade schools (that we were able to attend) and I was so blessed to see his heart of service for these youth and his persistence in reaching out to them through bringing light into a very dark place. It is humbling to see his life in this village and his desire to remain for the very purpose of reaching these young people who are at a pivotal place in life and in need of so much guidance.

The youth group gathering at the dormitory in Lipitikha

Reunited with Yulia, Sasha and Igor, who were on our Christmas trip to the US in 2007.

We are planning another camp for the coming summer for graduated orphans in this region, so we pray that we can continue to encourage these young people and help them turn their hearts to the father of the fatherless. He is what gives me hope for them- the system here certainly does not.

Tis the Season...

So I decided that after 3 years of living in my apartment and not decorating for Christmas, it was high time I started! In reality this is the longest into December I've been here, which has made me a little stir crazy and ready to go home...but also more ready to embrace the Christmas season here!

So I decided to host a little Christmas party last weekend for some of my girlfriends here in Kiev. It was a fun time of baking and cooking and decorating to get my little place a little more Christmasy! And it turned out GREAT! Playing hostess is a new favorite pastime.
I am heading home to Seattle for Christmas celebrations soon! You can be praying I get on a flight on the 19th- which is what I've been trying to change my ticket to. Otherwise I'll be flying in on the 23rd. Either way...I'll be home for Christmas :)

Deep Thoughts from Babushka...

Awhile back I was traveling in Eastern Ukraine with our concert team. One afternoon while I was sitting on an old log, enjoying the scenery around me, I see this little babushka come walking by. She sets herself down on the log next to me and I'm thinking to myself, oh, how sweet, the babushka wants to talk to me! So she sits, and I say hello and I'm prepared for some nice friendly Russian conversation with the sweet old woman.

She starts looking at me up and down, and then proclaims, "why, you have really big feet!"

Gee..thanks! And here I was thinking we would exchange our opinions about the weather! Glad this woman felt inclined to share with me what she was really thinking instead.

She got up a few minutes later and started hitting some dogs with a stick and yelling at them to get away.

Guess I'm lucky she just commented on my feet.

one of my friends captured the moment as it was happening!