Day 3

Artem getting....tickled!

The children did sleep late. Andrey and Dima ate a box of cereal for breakfast. The children rode bikes, played games and watched a movie. It was great to see Andrey playing around and laughing today. He has been too serious.
We enjoyed the families that came to visit. It is great spending time with friends, getting to know people better and meeting new people. Our house is open to visitors; see the schedule below.

Day 2

We had a quiet morning here at the host home. Alina, 8, at 3 bananas in less than 5 minutes. The orphans had eaten 2 bags of bananas and many apples in just a few minutes. (It reminded me of when our son Troy arrived!) I asked Alina to save the 2 bananas she was holding on to until today. She reluctantly agreed. I don't want her to get sick.
The afternoon was filled with horseback riding, Mule rides, fishing or should I say they just reeled in what others caught, slip and slide and side walk chalk. The evening ended with a fire where we watched as the children sat, talked and laughed. They fell over laughing several times.
The adults sat on the back porch and talked about God. I loved the fellowship. What a blessing to see what God is doing in the lives of others. What a blessing to see what God is doing with this ministry.

Day 1

We had a great first day. Alona woke up at 5a.m. and woke up Rachel! They cooked us breakfast. The kids tried on clothes, jumped, played and explored all morning.
After lunch we headed to my summer Bible study class. I watched as the kids took a swim "test". Rachel and a friend watched the kids as we finished up the Bible study. Afterwords our husbands joined us and we had dinner, prayer and praise. It was great. The kids roasted hot dogs and smores to go with the pot luck dinner. I think Alina ate half the watermelon. She loved it. They did not want to leave. They are all fast asleep. I hope they sleep late tomorrow!
Alona was so excited today. She knows some English and is having a ball. She is happy to be here.
Alina came up and hugged me this afternoon. Yes, I loved it! It was one of those long hugs where they hang on for awhile.
The boys loved swimming and video games on a big tv that 4 of them could play at a time.
It was a blessed first day.

Orphans in AL!

All five orphans are fast asleep in comfy beds. They slept most of the way here. By the time we left the airport they had already traveled 24 hours.
We are so excited and blessed to have them here.
Looking forward to a great time with them.
What a blessing to be working with orphans and share our home.
You are welcome to come meet them!
Let's put some meat on their bones!

On the plane!

All 5 orphans are on the plane. One did not have his visa until a few minutes before they left. We are grateful and praise God he is on the plane with them. I love it when we do not need the back up plan.
We leave after lunch to go to Atlanta to pick them up. The caregiver and other orphans coming to the US will go on to other cities. So we will be at the airport 2 hours to get them to their next flights. We will arrive home after midnight. The children left their orphanage at 4a.m. their time and will have traveled 28 hours to get here.
God is amazing. His mercy and blessings are unending.

Schedule

July 22: Visa appointment. Praise went well!
July 26: Get Visas. Praise all have them!
July 28: Travel to Alabama, late arrival. Praise...we made it.
July 29:Morning and lunch host home. Visitors welcome.
..at 1:00 Swim and dinner at Hansens.
July 30: Morning and lunch host home. Visitors welcome
..afternoon Bon fire at the Hardiman's
July 31: Day at host home. Visitors welcome until 9:00.
Aug 1: Church Visitors welcome 3:00-9:00
Aug 2: Spring Valley Beach (Hardiman)
..visitors welcome 6-9 host home
Aug 3: Visitors welcome 9-11 host home.
..Pic Nic in the park
Aug 4: Six Flags
Aug 5: Host home morning, visitors welcome 9-12.
Afternoon swimming and dinner (Dav)
Aug 6: Visitors welcome at host home. Call for times.
..Birthday party for orphans at 7:00-9:00
Aug 7: Visitors welcome host home 9-4.
.. 4:30 Church at Bradford Road, Pizza (Hudson)
Aug 8: Church then Home Day visitors welcom 1-9
Aug 9: Morning home visitors welcome 9-12
...12:30-5 swimming (Shar)
...6:30-9 home visitors welcome
Aug 10: Home day visitors welcome 9-5

... Trussville Playstaton 6-9 (Thank you!). Join us!
Aug 11:
..6:00-9 Living Word, church (dinner)
Aug 12:
Aug 13:
...Bonfire and laua at host home 7-9.
Aug 14: Visitors welcome host home 9-3.
.. Northpark Sun School Class outing (Bond)
Aug 15: 4:30a.m. leave to return to Ukraine

Help suggestions:

This is a list of some suggestions for the kids we will be hosting:

Fruit: bannanas, apples, grapes, oranges etc.

Summer sausage logs, Caprisuns, yogurt, 100% juice packs or bottles of juice, popcorn, breakfast bars, popsicles, snack crackers, raisins, snack chips. We will take food with us on some trips...so snack size helps to serve lunch quick.

We would love to have meals donated. The more that know about the 100,000 orphans in Ukraine the better. Ask your friends, church group or homeschool group to help bring a meal.

Boys age 7, 11, 12. Girls age 8 and 16.

Sponsor a trip for: bowling, Mcwane, Mcdonalds, Chick-fil-A, Pizza, Walmart gift cards to take the kids shopping or an amusement park.

All families are welcome to come to the house to meet the children. Children must have their parents supervising them. We have a list of rules to read to your children when you sign in at the house. Families are also welcome to meet with us on field trips. We love the company. Chaperones for field trips are needed

Hosting orphans 2010

We are planning on bringing 6 orphans to our home this summer. We bought the plane tickets today! Hosting dates are July 28 - Aug 15. Ages 7 to 15. We have had many changes this summer. We are beginning a new schedule. We are preparing our home for their visit. We are praying for volunteers, meals and outings.
Abraham walked in faith. We are walking in faith. We do not see the big plan. We have a God that works out all the details and knows the future. Looking forward to meeting new children and having them share our home. Praying we are so filled with God's love it overflows through us.
If you would like to receive emails let me know. If you would like to sponsor a trip or outing, bring a meal or fruit, or just come hang out at the house ....you will be blessed.
Hollieeholmes@aol.com 205-680-3736