The Gift of Hearing

Meet Alyona.

Alyona is 5 years old and lives in Kharkov, the second largest city in Ukraine.

This beautiful, smiling little girl, was pronounced deaf by the time she was one year old, and it is likely she lost her hearing because of adult antibiotics she received as an infant when she was very sick. Her family was devastated when they learned of her hearing loss.

Living at the poverty level, her parents could not afford hearing aids to help her with the minimal hearing that remained. But her grandmother was determined that she would function in the hearing world and since Alyona was a toddler, her grandmother has spent countless hours with her, teaching her words and how to read people’s lips. What Alyona is capable of understanding and voicing without hearing sound is amazing!

Sadly, Alyona’s father took his own life this past fall. He had been living in a deep depression because he was out of work and felt he couldn’t provide for the needs of his family and was devastated that he could not help his daughter’s hearing loss. After his death, Alyona’s mother, alone and with nowhere to turn, was led by a friend at work to write our mission in Kiev and ask for help. She didn’t know what to expect, and was surprised when our staff called her and invited her to come to Kiev with Alyona to see if we could help. The family couldn't understand why complete strangers would want to help!

In March Alyona was brought to Kiev to receive an ear examination at our medical clinic and the moment she was fitted with top of the line hearing aids, it became apparent that her whole future was about to change! She could HEAR! Her grandmother and mother were in tears as they saw Alyona react to sounds around her—including the sound of her own voice! Her mother recognized the hand of God—someone she had been unwilling to recognize before.

About two weeks ago I had the privilege to travel to Kharkov on behalf of Orphan’s Promise and deliver Alyona the hearing aids that had been ordered for her. I got to spend the whole day with sweet Alyona and her family, as we produced a story about her life and how it was made possible for her to receive the hearing aids-- something her family would have never been able to afford.

What a miracle to witness a child being given this gift! Ukraine is not a country that makes room for people with disabilities, which means these hearing aids will provide Alyona with a better life and allow her to be accepted in the hearing world.

In a year of such tragedy for this family, I can't describe in words how it was to see her mother and grandmother rejoice as their little one received the gift of hearing; and to realize her life will forever be different! Praise the Lord for his provision.

"My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice!" Psalm 34:2

Ode to my Mama...

In honor of Mother's Day I'd like to dedicate this post to my one and only Mama!

Really, one post isn't enough to say how much I love her and how much she means to me...but here I go...trying my best....

If you just see my mom it is clear that she is a beautiful person on the outside- but this outer beauty that draws people to her is just a tiny preview to her heart. My mom is a woman who loves with her whole heart, who gives sacrificially and who lives with a steadfast faith. My mom has taught me much of what I know about Jesus by the way she loves other people. She is a servant at heart and will put her needs and desires last to make sure that those of others have been met. From the days that she served as my ever faithful stage mom as I performed in plays, to her now over seeing all my bill paying, banking, and doctor scheduling as I live abroad- my mama has always taken care of me!

My mom isn't as outgoing or outspoken as I can often be- but instead she leads by quiet example. Growing up, I remember every morning, as I woke for school, wiped my tired eyes and headed to the bathroom, I would pier into the living room and see the back of my mom's head- curled up with a blanket in the easy chair with her Bible in hand-- beginning her day in the Word and praying for her children. She would never draw attention to this action and words would rarely be spoken -- but I saw her just the same. Her actions spoke volumes. Seeing my mom, up before the sun rose, before her children rose, showed me the importance of beginning the day with Jesus. I knew that my mom loved God's word and it was (and still is) evidenced by her time spent with him.

My mom is a nurturer and full of compassion. That's why she makes such a great nurse as well. I remember watching how she cared for her own mother as she fought cancer and faithfully tended to all her needs- until the day she died. I remember thinking she was so brave--so strong. And now with the same strength she lovingly cares for my grandfather- all the while being an amazing wife, mother and the hippest grandmother I know!

I love that my mom has allowed me to be in Ukraine, and has supported my calling and my dreams. I remember the first year or so I was in Ukraine, my parents thought that would be 'it' and then I'd be home to start my life. But as time has ticked away they have graciously stood back in support and have allowed God to be God- which means letting go. I am surrounded by so many others in ministry who have pressures of family telling them to come back 'home' and I cannot tell you what an amazing blessing it is to have a family that loves the Lord and releases you to go where he leads. Her sense of permission has meant the world to me and has allowed me to remain as long as I have.

My mom isn't famous. She's not a public speaker. She's not really computer savvy. And she can even get angry sometimes (something my friends still have a hard time believing)!

But she is my hero.

She is wise

She is beautiful

She is godly

She's who I call when I have a bad day

She's who I call when I have a great day

She prays for me

She misses me

She loves me unconditionally

She is the REAL thing

Mom, I love you. Thank you for making my life better. Thank you for being YOU.

Happy Mother's Day!

Camp planning

We are gearing up again for Summer Camps!! It's hard to believe but this summer I will be taking part in organizing our 9th and 10th camps for orphans and graduated orphans in Ukraine!! Wow! We will be reuniting with kids from last year’s camps, allowing us to follow-up and continue building relationships.

These camps are in large part sponsored by the organization I work with- CBN and our specific Orphan ministry- Orphan's Promise. To see a little bit about what we do at our camps, take a look at this video which highlights one of our camps from last summer:

Looks fun huh! Wanna come?

To fund both of the camps for this summer will cost about $12,000 (which includes housing, food, supplies, transportation and activities). Most of the money has been raised, but we still need about 2 thousand dollars to reach our goal and to buy the needed craft and sporting supplies. With any money I raise through family and friends I will be able to purchase all the needed extra supplies when I'm home in the states this July (prior to our August camp).

For the past 2 years I've given friends and family a chance to partner in our summer ministry to orphans in Ukraine and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity in response. I want to again ask that you join with us to make these camps a reality this summer.

As seen in the video above- lives are truly transformed in these 10 day camps--only God can do that-- but he allow us to play a part!

I have a way set up through an organization called Co-Link, for people to make- tax-deductible donations. This is a way that will allow me to purchase all the supplies myself- instead of sending it through my organization here. Any money that is donated under my name will go directly for the costs of the camp.

If you would like to make a donation please send to:

Colink

16261 36th Ave. NE

Lk. Forest Park, WA 98155

Make checks out to: Colink with Acct # 751 in the memo line.

Write "Karen Springs" on a post it and stick to check—that way there will be no confusion.

or to donate online you can go to:

http://www.colinkonline.org (just use account number 751)

Thank you for your partnership!! I look forward to the stories I will share as the summer begins.

They should have known...

While I was home at Christmas, my mom was going through old pictures of mine, and pulled out this one. I'm 10 years old in the picture...and clearly at the cusp of my awkward stage (which lasted till I was 18 I think).

Just looking at the picture, my parents should have known what was in my future. I mean look at me...surrounded with children of all colors, shapes and sizes...even better- taking a posed family picture! If you look closely you'll see that the sign I'm holding reads "Love is are family" (yes I know- spelling was never my gift).

I have very specific memories of my childhood, playing house and playing orphanage. To this day I can still remember the name of every doll in the picture...including little Gretchen in my lap! :) That couch brings back good memories too!

Hmmm... 8 children? We'll see!

"Strengthening Families" Adoption Conference 2010

This past weekend marked a very special event--the first ever-national conference for Ukrainian adoptive parents!!My team and I (pictured above) have been hard at work since September,planning and dreaming and puttingtogether all the details for our 2010 Adoption Conference- “Strengthening Families.”

The only thing we hadn’t planned on was a volcano to stir things up at the last minute. (Note to self: keep in mind that natural disasters can really mess up human plans! Second note to self: God is still in control!)

With only one keynote speaker kept away by the volcano, the conference went on! We had 85 Adoptive/Foster couples in attendance, from 16 regions of Ukraine, representing nearly 300 adopted or foster children!!!

Early this fall I approached the Radisson Hotel in Kiev to partner with our event and provide accommodations, conference halls and some meals for our participants. They went above our expectations and provided us with almost a 75% discount on accommodations. We were able to find various sponsors to provide the needed

funding, so conference participants only had to pay a small fee. It truly was a team effort to put this event on and it was amazing to see so many Christian organizations coming together to support something that was so needed.

Currently very few resources exist in the Russian language to help families parent children who have come out of trauma or abusive or institutional settings, and since the church as a whole has become more active in adoption and foster care, it has become clear that more training is needed.

This was one of the motivating factors to provide this conference.The couples in attendance were able to choose from a wide variety of workshops and then also attended 5 general sessions. We recently translated and published 3 books on

parenting adopted kids, and we had these resources available as well. People were so eager to get their hands on this material!

Many of these families came in from villages and remote regions of Ukraine, and had never been to Kiev before, let alone a 4 star business hotel!! We were amazed by Radisson’s hospitality and I even had several women come up to me throughout the weekend and tell me that they were living out their fairy tale.

Some of these families are parenting up to 10-12 children, so as you can imagine the weekend getaway for these couples was a much-needed time of rest and time to reconnect for them. I’ve never seen so many smiling Ukrainians all at once!! :)

couple's forum on Saturday

night sparked some interesting questions for the panel! (r)

Kristi and I

checking in on Friday

Yuliya selling newly published books!

planning team and some of the speakers

It was truly a weekend to remember and I pray that all the parents who attended will be returning to their children today full of encouragement and with new skills to meet their needs. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to put on such an amazing event- may this be the beginning of a new movement to come.

Time for a little change!

So as you can see my blog has had a little make-over! I decided it was time for a little re-vamping of the blog to keep it interesting and so I got some help from Summer- who did a fabulous job don't you think?! (Thanks Summer!)

The top left picture is an old one...actually 4 years old to be exact! As I was thinking of- and searching for a picture for the header-to sum up what my life is about in Ukraine, this is the picture that I kept coming back to-- a picture that has been dear to me ever since it was taken. It's a picture that often reminds me of the initial calling that God gave me for the orphans in this country-and not only a reminder of that calling- but of God's faithfulness to provide and answer prayers.

The little girl in the picture was named Ira. I met her in the fall of 2004 at the Berdyansk orphanage in southern Ukraine. It was my first time in a large state run institution and I had only been in Ukraine 1 month- still wondering what in the world I was doing here and how on earth I could ever be of use?! But it was on that unexpected little trip that God changed the course of my future.

Through a group of 12-year-old girls, he gave me a new vision- a heart for the fatherless, for adoption and a desire to encourage and support families on their adoption journey. Ira was the first little girl I met that weekend-- at the time she was only 11 years old. She took my hand, and as a result she won my heart. When I returned to Kiev after the few days spent with Ira and her friends I odly discovered a picture of the same little girl- in the trash can in the place where I was living. I still to this day have no idea how that picture got there. It is beyond explanation. But I knew in that moment that I would commit to pray for Ira and pray that a family would come for her. So I taped that little picture into the front of my Bible. I didn't even know if she was available for adoption- I just desperately wanted her to have a family.

Two years later God answered that prayer and an amazing Christian family came to adopt Ira...now Erin. I still stand in awe of God's faithfulness...in all the details!! So the picture I chose for the blog is a reminder of that faithfulness. A reminder that this work is not in vain...that the Lord does hear, he does answer....and he truly does restore beauty from where ashes remained.

2 weeks ago I had the joy of being reunited with Erin here in Kiev! On a mission trip with her family and ministry partners, she returned to Ukraine for the first time since her adoption. As you can see, she's grown a bit since the last time we were together in Ukraine! Now a beautiful young woman. It still amazes me the way that our God weaves stories together. The way he uses his children to be apart of his work and the way he blesses us with the ability to see the realization of answered prayers.

So the picture is a reminder that I need to keep praying. Because honestly I can often forget. Or maybe it isn't that I forget- maybe I am just tempted to give up. When I feel like nothing is changing or I'm not seeing breakthroughs- it's easier to give up.

But then I remember little Ira. And I'm reminded that she is now Erin. And that gives me hope and challenges me to keep praying for the other kids I meet along the way.

Russia calls for halt on US adoptions after boy is sent back

Many of you I'm sure have seen the recent news about the American woman who put her 7-year-old (recently adopted) Russian son, back on an airplane to Moscow, with a note attached for him to be delivered to the ministry of education. If you want the NY times version of the story you can click here

Being that I work in the sphere of orphan ministry and have helped with numerous adoptions over the years, people have been asking for my opinion on this whole situation.
After hearing the adoption community buzz and all of the expressed outrage against this 'unfit' mother, I have to say that there has been one huge oversight on the real issue at hand...an issue that is not receiving media attention.

First off, do I think that it was wrong to just send this little boy back to Russia in the way that this woman did? Yes. This has been the thrust of the media attention. Crazy, cruel woman. Poor little orphan boy.

What is clear to me is that this woman was in a crisis situation and she reacted in fear to a child that she was ill-equipped to parent. In the best case scenario she should have turned to local social agencies for help instead of sending the boy back to Russia-- as her decision has now had repercussions on the entire Russian adoption world-- immediate moratorium.

However, this is where the story has stopped in it's media coverage. I think the bigger question is why did the child act out in the way he did to begin with? Where did his bizarre and violent behavior come from? Russia and the world are currently reacting in anger and outrage at the irresponsibility of Americans (generalized of course) over ONE child that was sent back to an orphanage. It’s horrible I agree. But why are they not reacting with the same outrage and anger toward the Russian system that currently holds nearly 800,000 children captive in its orphanages? Why villanize just one woman, when a whole nation is not willing to take responsibility for a huge moral and social short-coming? Blame shifting is much easier.

And why are we not even more concerned about what is happening inside the walls of those orphanages? What is happening that is causing a child to act out in the way he did when he was placed in a family? What has childhood trauma and institutionalization done to rob these youth of their innocence? To me these are the biggest evils that this story exposes. It’s about sooo much more than one woman and one boy.

The NY Times article quotes that there have been 14 reported deaths of Russian children in America since 1996. However they neglect to report how many deaths have happened in Russia by adoptive Russian families as well as how many disrupted adoptions have occurred. That number is drastically higher.

This isn't a 'Russian children being murdered in American homes problem.' It's a lot bigger then that. What is clearer to me more then ever is that families who adopt need more education and training about what it means to parent traumatized and abused children (the vast majority of children adopted in Ukraine and Russia!). This is the bigger issue brought to light through the story of 7-year-old Artyom who was sent back to Russia. I'm not excusing what this woman did. I just think that by putting all the focus on the 'mean mom' that returns the 'poor little orphan' boy-- we take away from a deeper issue. What is being done to educate adoptive parents and what is being done to prevent children from being placed in the orphanage system to begin with?

I’m just asking the questions….and praying about how I can best be used as part of the solution.

Jesus, be with Artyom. Heal his wounded and broken spirit; destroy the wok of the enemy in his life. May you take the wounds of his past and turn them around for your glory. May his story be one of healing and redemption that will bring your name honor. And for the woman who couldn’t be his mother…Jesus comfort her as well, heal her anger and deliver her from fear bring those into her life that will love her and bring Godly counsel. In your mighty name…amen.

Tale of the drinking Barbie doll

Last weekend I was asked to travel with our musical group from our mission and perform again as you guessed it...the Barbie doll. She's beginning to grow on me I think. Well...maybe just a little. I mean who doesn't like dressing up like a popular American iconic doll and then attempting to speak Russian in front of adoring Ukrainian children? Quite delightful really.

Unless....

So after living in Ukraine for 5 years now I never make any cultural faux pas. Who me??? Never. So therefore when I was on stage last weekend playing the life size Barbie doll and the narrator was singing the song about a telephone, I surely did NOT make a gesture with my hand that was culturally misinterpreted. I mean come on, I would have already known after living here for so many years, that putting up your hand in the shape of a telephone really means you want to go have a drink or go get drunk and doesn't mean you want to give the person a call! So no, there is no possible way I would have made this gesture to the lead singer while she was singing this song, and kept smiling along merrily as I was lifting up my so called 'telephone'.

And certainly I would never have done this in a production in front of 300 children.

Never.

Not me.

See? Totally innocent! Totally.

Recent Life Skills training

Last week we held a 4-day training for our life skills curriculum here in Kiev and had 19 volunteers go through the course. This is the training we hold twice a year for people from throughout Ukraine who are already doing work with orphans (or graduated orphans) or who desire to begin work in this area and are looking for more resources and education.

I am always amazed how this course turns out!! Just when we think we don't have enough people signed up to put on the training, the last hour chimes and the phone starts ringing! We had people from 6 different regions of Ukraine in attendance and even one woman from Moldova. As always I was humbled and encouraged by their stories of how timely this training was for their perspective ministries. Several people mentioned how they were getting ready to write such a material and then they learned of our material and training! Such a direct answer to prayer!
Among our group of volunteers we had former drug addicts, those who had served time in prison, foster moms, pastors, and students! Talk about a group with a lot of interesting stories and experiences! It was awesome getting to hear their various stories and hear how they came to know the Lord, how their lives were transformed and how they are now serving others- namely orphans.

This was also the first training where I was able to do some teaching. Usually I'm just in charge of the organizational aspects of these trainings, but this time I was recruited to teach some of the sample lessons. My favorite of course was when I did the lesson on 'bad habits' and was able to demonstrate that smoking a cigarette is like inhaling chemicals for cleaning and finger-nail polish remover! Similar chemicals are used in both. Activities like these are used to give them ideas of creative demonstrations for their youth. They got a kick out of watching me 'smoke'!

We are very excited that 19 more people are now equipped with this training and material to take into the orphanages throughout Ukraine!! To date we have trained nearly 500 people from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Romania, Kazakhstan and Moldova with this curriculum. Our next training will be in Western Ukraine in May.

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.