Lions & Tigers & Elephants...Oh My!

I was in Thailand for a conference (see previous post) and to visit and learn from our Orphan's Promise office in Chiangmai.   BUT after work was over, I had to make some time for play too!  And I can say hands down that the highlight of this part of my trip was TIGER KINGDOM!

After my time with the tigers I learned that everyone apparently has a secret desire to snuggle with a baby tiger, as the facebook pictures I posted gathered more likes then any pictures I’ve ever posted and seemed to evoke comments of envy from friends and acquaintances alike! Who knew everyone wants to touch a tiger?!

I will say that when my friend Karen posted pictures of her time at Tiger Kingdom a year ago, I too had that tinge of jealously rise up.  As a closet cat lover I definitely had secret desires to play with a tamer version of a tiger—and so added Chiangmai to the bucket list. (I just didn’t realize I’d get to make it only a year later!)

I will admit that even in their 4-month old form these beauties are a little intimidating.  Maybe it was the bite marks that I saw on the trainer’s hand, or the signs that were posted about not making and ‘sudden movements’ and not touching the head of the tiger.   Let's just say I was still feeling a little nervous, despite the smile on my face.

There were 4 choices at Tiger Kindgom for tiger visiting….Big, medium, small and smallest.   Visions of an untimely death and being mauled by a hungry adult tiger didn’t exactly sound like the best way to end my time in Thailand, so I played it safe and went with the small and the smallest tigers.   Seeing the big kitties from the other side of the fence was close enough for me!

Yes, they really were sleeping (I was not), yes, they purred, and yes, the smallest ones were my favorite—the ones deemed ‘small’ (like the one above) were already a bit too feisty for my liking! (Notice I'm keeping my distance!)

I managed to leave with 10 fingers still in tact and some awesome pictures of my brush with wild life. Thank you Tiger Kingdom!

"Approach the tiger from behind, that way they not think you want to play....."

Seeing the big kitties from through the cage was close enough for me :)

The other cool thing to do in Chiang Mai is have a ride on the elephants!  What dear dear creatures these are.  At the Maesa Elephant Camp I was treated to an elephant show (who knew elephants can play soccer, paint pictures and throw darts?), saw a 1 month-old baby, road through the hills hoisted high on one of these amazing creatures, and received a good many kisses from their long trunks.

 

Also, a very cool experience!   So there you go Thailand, free tourism advertising.  Thanks for the wonderful time—hope to come back again! 

4/14 Window in Thailand

Can’t say that Asia was on my bucket list of travel destinations, but after 2 weeks in what is deemed the ‘Land of a Thousand Smiles’ I have a new-found love for this part of the world.  Did I mention I love Thai food?

I was privileged to travel to Thailand to participate in the 4/14 Window ‘Rooted and Released’ conference in Bangkok.

What is the 4/14 Window you may be asking??  In short- it is a pretty amazing movement, which is focusing on seeing children as partners in mission. As in...don't forget about the children- they are important!

Statistically speaking, those who accept Christ between the ages of 4 and 14 will go on to follow Christ in their adult years.  Simply put, reaching children is critical.   As one of the speakers stated, “The church is never more than one generation away from extinction.” A very sobering thought.

Though I was raised in a Christian home I can say that my faith became my own at the age of 14, an age where the choices of going one-way or the other were screaming for my attention.  Praise God, thanks to discipleship and good teaching, my faith was cultivated and grown.  At that key age—14.

The purpose of the conference was bringing together leaders from across the world (92 nations to be exact!) and to bring teaching and resources for reaching today’s youth—as teachers, preachers, missionaries, media entities, etc.  I was there to take part in the Orphan and Vulnerable Children track and share strategies and ideas in that sphere. Again- surrounded by a phenomenal group of people.

Eastern European representatives

candles lit at the conclusion of our prayer time for orphans

In all honesty, I went to this conference rather tired.  I’ve organized and been a part of a good amount of conferences in my life and sometimes can feel like I’ve heard and seen it all—not a very humble attitude I admit!    So I went to this conference asking for some revival and some encouragement from the Lord…I think I realized I needed this to keep going. 

Today, 2 weeks later I’m still going through all my notes, trying to make sense of it all and trying to wrap my head around all I learned.  Believe me- there were many inspiring moments. One thing I was clearly challenged in is that we are going to have to get our hands dirty if we are going to make a difference. Or as it was said from the stage, “We need to put blood in the deal, and leave the talk behind.” Though my life may look glamorous to some from afar, I know that I play it safe in many spheres and choose the cleaner option- and I want this to change.

Wars are never fought from behind the palace walls.  Battles are never won in the castle; they are won on the fields.  I’m still wrestling with what this means in my work—where God is stretching me more and where he is calling me to step out of my comfort zone.  
 

So for now I'll leave this as a post that doesn't resolve with a nice wrapped up ending, as I'm still thinking and still wrestling with God on this one.  I guess I'm asking you to ask yourself the same question-- where are you playing it safe?  Where is God asking you to put action to words?

You'll have to answer that one for yourself.

9 years later...still in Ukraine

9 years ago today I arrived in Ukraine, for what was thought to be an 8-month post-college adventure.  23, fresh out of college and without much of an agenda or knowledge of what I’d be doing, I said 'dasividanya' to my life in Seattle and jumped into Ukrainian life.

The first year was crazy hard and profoundly lonely at times, but by the time month 6 rolled around, I was knee deep into a new project for orphans and had a feeling that God had a bigger purpose for me being in Ukraine; and as the story goes, I signed up for another year.

And then another year.

Oh what the heck, how about one more? 

Year 4 and 5 pass and I say cute spiritual things like ‘As long as God has me here.’

Year 7 and 8 pass and I start to freak out a little bit and think less spiritual things like, 'seriously? I’m still here? This was not part of my plan! God where is the amazing husband and the small litter of children?’ 

Today I sit amazed that 9 years have been spent in Ukraine--- realizing a full decade is literally on the horizon.  Where did the time go? And oddly enough I think I’m at a deeper place of peace with it all.  I'm here, and I see purpose in that, and maybe that's all I need to know right now.

Lately when meeting new people and I’m asked how long I’ve been here,  there is a slight hesitancy to respond.  Just the fact that I can say that I’ve been here for 9 years makes me feel old.  I am tempted to answer:  “I’ve been here for 9 years...you know,  I was 16 when I came.”  :)

Seriously, am I old enough to have lived here for 9 years??  Yes Karen, breath deep…you are 32 years old…deal with it.

I distinctly remember being on a women’s retreat (for missionary women) after only being in Kiev all of 2 months.  One evening they had people stand up for the various years they had lived in Ukraine, starting with one year and going up from there.  When I started seeing the 5, 10 and then the 15+ year ladies standing, I remember thinking—“Wow, they’re their crazy…there is no way that could ever be me!”

Famous last words right?  Reminds me of Sarah laughing at God…(“Me have a baby? At my age?? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day!”-k.springs translation) 

So here I sit in a cute little coffee shop, down the street from my apartment, reflecting on 9 years of living in a ‘land that is now my own’ (continuing the parallel with Sarah I guess.) 

Speaking of cute coffee shops—there weren’t any of those in Kiev 9 years ago.  Not to mention I didn’t have a cell phone, a computer, skype, or any form of social networking and I took my pictures on film!  Seriously, now I'm aging myself-- lamenting about the way things used to be! I digress.

So back to reflecting…

In all honesty, this isn’t the life I planned for myself.  Never in a million years.  I never had visions of cross-cultural living, let alone living more than 30 minutes away from my mother!  And yet I know that this has been God’s best for me.  Not always tear free…but still his very best.

When I was making the decision to stay on longer, way back when in 2005, I remember God using the story of Esther to get my attention.   

In Chapter 4 Mordecai has learned of an edict that has been made for the annihilation of the Jews.  He knows that he needs to get word to his niece Queen Esther, as she has the ability to speak to the King on behalf of her people.  Esther reads the message from her uncle and sends another message back to him- basically saying that it would be impossible for her to arrange a meeting with the king, unless he called for her, and he hadn’t called for her in 30 days. 

^"12When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, ¹³ he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

It’s probably the most quoted part of the book of Esther.  We’ve all heard the ‘for such a time as this’ line woven into people’s purpose and callings in life.

However, the part that stands out to me in this passage is what is said just before that.  

 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…”

When you think about it, Mordecai had amazing faith.  Some of us might have looked at that situation and thought, ‘oh man, if Esther doesn’t do something, we’re goners…she better get her act together and speak!’  We look at impossible situations and make the outcome dependent on people’s action or inaction.  But Mordecai did not.

He believed in the goodness of God and he audaciously believed in God’s promise to his people.  He knew that God would deliver the Jews, because they were his chosen people and he knew that it didn’t depend on Esther—God would provide deliverance somehow, even if she said no . Ultimately the outcome didn’t depend on Esther.   Yet he also knew that God could use Esther if she was willing—and as a result she would share in the blessing. 

As I read that passage it was as if God was saying, “Karen, this is not about you and what you can do.  There are orphans in Ukraine and I love them more than you ever could, and I will raise up people to advocate on their behalf whether you stay here or not.  This is about what I am doing in this nation.  The invitation for you to join me is open for the taking.”

I find that thought so humbling and so freeing.  God doesn’t need us.  But he wants to use us.  He can accomplish his purpose however he chooses…. after all he is GOD!  But in his graciousness he extends the invitation to partner with him in accomplishing his work.  Whether we say yes is entirely up to us.   Saying yes doesn’t mean it will always be comfortable, and it doesn’t mean that suffering won’t be involved.  But the blessings will come as you realize you are a small part of a big story that God is writing, and if you had said no, you could have missed it.

So here I am, 9 years after saying ‘yes’ to an opportunity. 
And I'm so happy I didn't miss out on seeing God moving in this nation...

Through redeeming the lives of hundreds of orphans, who otherwise would have remained in institutions.
Through Ukrainian families catching a spirit of adoption and taking children into their homes.
Through an entire national orphan care movement beginning.
Through being given family and dear friends in a land that is not my own.
Through seeing God's provision and faithfulness in ways I’ve least expected.

Maybe it’s not the life I planned, and believe me there are still many times when I ask, 'what am I doing here?'

But at the end of the day I can say one thing with certainty:

I am glad I said yes.

Armenian Hospitality

I was privileged to travel to the beautiful country of Armenia during the first part of September.  Armenia has been a hub of Orphan’s Promise projects for the past several years, and yet I’d never had a chance to view them first hand--until now!  Armenia is famous in the Eurasia world for the welcoming arms and hospitality...and I can say that is what I experienced on every turn.  

Armenia is a tiny country bordering Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran and boasts deep Christian roots, as it was the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity (301 AD).  It also boasts amazing views of Mt. Ararat—where is where the Bible records that Noah landed the Ark.

Mt. Ararat

Yet Armenia is also a country still struggling its way out of poverty and hardship, after the devastating 1988 earthquake, which claimed over 30,000 lives.  With a poor economy and a high cost of living, 35% of families are living below the poverty line and struggle to provide a future for their children.  Learning to speak English or learning to use a computer are considered a luxury and yet these are the very skills that would grant them better opportunities in life.

So I was very excited to see the projects that we are sponsoring that are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids.  I was able to visit our 4 training centers that OP is sponsoring and my team also held a 2-day training of all of our staff working with the kids there.  Bringing them more strategy for how to reach the kids effectively and teaching how to use our life skills curriculum. 

Armenian Orphan's Promise team at 2-day training

 

with kids at one of our centers

Beautiful brown eyes greeted me at each of the centers I visited and one thing was evident in the eyes of all who I saw—they were eager to learn and so grateful for the opportunity they’d been given.   Most of the children we are working with are from poor and broken families. They live at home, but often in dysfunctional situations and have very little chance at receiving a good education.  Thanks to these training centers, this is changing!

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.”  I truly feel that this is what these schools are doing.  Through education, the teachers are pouring living water into areas that have been void of outside resources.  I saw hope is in the eyes of these children. 

What impressed me the most about our work being done in Armenia is that it is done in connection with the local church.  As a result, the kids are coming to our centers, developing relationships with our team, meeting Jesus, and then getting plugged in with a church where they are growing and being discipled.  The kids are even bringing their parents to church with them and as a result their parents are meeting Jesus!

It was a sweet sweet time in Armenia (not to mention a tasty one at that!)…a time I will not soon forget!

 

  

Why Camp Matters

Throughout my time in Ukraine our ministry (Orphan's Promise) has been privileged to be involved in dozens of summer camps. When I stop and count them the number actually adds up to 16 camps that I've participated in.  Wow...now I'm starting to feel old. Probably because the kids stay in the same age range....its just us volunteers that get older!

Each summer brings with it new challenges and new faces (and some familiar ones too). Faces that then become names we learn and names that become stories of individual lives.  Individuals who have lived through an immense amount of pain and loss in their 14-18 years of living.

On the first day of the camp, kids from 3 different orphanages unloaded the bus and were instructed to divide into groups of 3 people so that we could then form teams (we figured if they were at least with 2 of their favorite friends they couldn't get mad at us for then mixing them with kids from the other orphanages).  As they began to divide into groups I began to have flash backs to my worst days of High School. The days when you saw the 'cool' kids picking one another and the not as cool kids shoved to the other side. (Repressed memories-- I know).

Cringe.
Some things are universal I guess.

As this popularity contest was happening and some kids were quickly grasping their bosom buddies, my eyes settled on one girl - the girl who looked lost among the mass of teens, the girl who clearly didn’t have friends to partner with. 

There she stood, all alone, wondering who would pick her and where she would end up.  My heart broke for her and I knew right then and there that we would become friends that week.

Later that day I would learn her name was Oksana and she was 16-years-old.  Throughout the week I learned pieces of her story. Orphaned at 12, abandoned by relatives, placed in a foster family and eventually in the orphanage.  It was clear that Oksana was a survivor. 



As the days of the camp went by Oksana came out of her shell and truly began to take in all she was learning.  Such a delightful girl! After a few days she was already on stage, helping lead the worship sessions.  Then in a prayer time with her leader, Oksana prayed to receive Jesus as her savior. (YEAH!) 
 
On the last day I asked Oksana if she’d mind sharing some of the things that were the most meaningful to her while at the camp ---things that I'd be able to share with others.  I was so touched by the eloquence of her own words, so I'll let her speak for herself:

“I can’t even express in words everything I want to say,” she said. “It felt like I was home here. Thanks to this camp I’ve gotten closer to God and I’ve gained information I know I’ll need for the future.  I think everyone has taken something away from this camp.  I’ve learned about gratitude and forgiveness here. In some ways I feel like God restored me to who I was before.”   

Sometimes I wonder if there is a point in continuing these summer out reaches, as many of the kids can seem so closed off to what we have to share.  But Oksana's words encourage me that God has us exactly where he needs us, and for that I'm grateful.

*This camp was made possible thanks to the ministries of CBN/Orphan's Promise, Emmanuel and Agape in Kherson.  Thanks to all who partner with these GREAT organizations! :)

Saying Goodbyes..

Well all of our Ukrainian kiddos made it safe and sound back to their home-land (And I lived to write about it!).  It was a bitter sweet day watching all the kids say goodbye in Seattle as they parted with their host families--there were not many dry eyes to be seen.  But I have no doubt that it was worth it.  These kids gained amazing experiences, heard about Jesus in their own language, were shown how a healthy family can operate and were shown unconditional love.  Some people question hosting programs and say it isn't right to let kids gain attachment- but I think the opposite is true--why not give them the chance to have these experiences and give them connections with loving adults? I know that each and everyone of these kids was grateful to have been given this opportunity. And for those who will not be adopted, we now get to be their strongest advocates. 

The night before we left we had a beautiful farewell dinner at our church, where the kids served up some yummy Ukrainian food for all our guests.  From donors, to host families to friends, we had a full house and a sweet evening sharing about the past month and what the hosting had meant for both the kids and the families. It truly took a community to make this hosting project happen and it was a wonderful night to celebrate what God has done.

 Here are a few more shots from the final week- where we spent the day at a park...

So I've just barely landed in Ukraine and now I'm packing my bags again!  Off to help put on a camp for 45 orphans in the Kherson region.  Should be a busy couple weeks ahead.  Please be praying for our team as we will be working with the youth in the coming days ahead-- namely for open doors and for open hearts!