Please pray as we plan camp in Ukraine for this summer. We plan to go to several different villages to teach Bible, crafts, games and feed the orphans and children in the village lunch. Many Ukraine children do not get good nutrition. So, let's feed these precious children Bible and real food.
Please pray about joining us on one or two of the mission trips. We need 5 volunteers each week from the United States. We will again partner with Christian Ukrainians in teaching Bible. Cost will be about $2,450 for a week in Ukraine. Those choosing to stay a second week the cost is $2,800 for both weeks.
If you are unable to go please pray about helping to financially support those going.
Be Joyful in Hope....Hosting Ukraine orphans and providing camps in Ukraine for orphans.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hosting 2012
Please pray as we prepare for Ukraine orphans to be hosted in 2012. Many details have to be planned and we need prayer. We have not set the dates yet but hope to have those posted soon. We are planning on hosting orphans from two different orphanages. We are trusting in God's perfect plan and timing.
There will be many opportunities for volunteers again this year. The orphans will need: pajamas, clothes, shoes, field trips, meals, bottled water, and more.
We have been in touch with orphans brought on previous hosting trips. We sent a package to them. We were thrilled to hear that they did receive the gifts and candy. If you would like to pay shipping or send a care package to orphans, that would be a blessing. Shipping cost range in price. The box we recently sent cost $130 in shipping. Groups are welcome to work together to send the orphans surprise packages. Email: bejoyfulinhope@yahoo.com if you or your group is interested in helping.
There will be many opportunities for volunteers again this year. The orphans will need: pajamas, clothes, shoes, field trips, meals, bottled water, and more.
We have been in touch with orphans brought on previous hosting trips. We sent a package to them. We were thrilled to hear that they did receive the gifts and candy. If you would like to pay shipping or send a care package to orphans, that would be a blessing. Shipping cost range in price. The box we recently sent cost $130 in shipping. Groups are welcome to work together to send the orphans surprise packages. Email: bejoyfulinhope@yahoo.com if you or your group is interested in helping.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Things have not slowed down since the orphans left.
This week I have been working on a newsletter. It has been a challenge for me. Computer work is not my gift. God is stretching me!
I've also been trying to make a cd that we could give to pastors, small groups or churches to introduce our ministry. It needs more work. Trying to learn how to type words and copy slide show to cd or dvd.
This week I have been working on a newsletter. It has been a challenge for me. Computer work is not my gift. God is stretching me!
I've also been trying to make a cd that we could give to pastors, small groups or churches to introduce our ministry. It needs more work. Trying to learn how to type words and copy slide show to cd or dvd.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hospitality
Today I posted and then took a short nap. Then cleaned part of the house. There is still so much cleaning to do. The laundry is unending.
We went to the Hansen's to help prepare their home for the arrival of Vicka and Dima. It was a joy to see many helping get their home ready and providing for a welcome party. Many friends came to greet them. Some came to clean that did not even know the family. Awesome how others are willing to help strangers because they are Christians. We had a great time. The teen girls were unending in their conversations. They are so glad to see each other.
The night is ending with a mom and 2 children sleeping in our home. We had not met them before tonight. But they came all the way from TN to meet the new additions to the Hansen family. I heard the quite voice of God say "invite them to your home." The first instant thought is "hospitality is not my gift." The next is "they are strangers." The next "I just had 12 children living in my home and I need to show hospitality to others because it is in the Word of God." I am enjoying hearing the 2 small boys giggling. A house of joy. Love it.
We went to the Hansen's to help prepare their home for the arrival of Vicka and Dima. It was a joy to see many helping get their home ready and providing for a welcome party. Many friends came to greet them. Some came to clean that did not even know the family. Awesome how others are willing to help strangers because they are Christians. We had a great time. The teen girls were unending in their conversations. They are so glad to see each other.
The night is ending with a mom and 2 children sleeping in our home. We had not met them before tonight. But they came all the way from TN to meet the new additions to the Hansen family. I heard the quite voice of God say "invite them to your home." The first instant thought is "hospitality is not my gift." The next is "they are strangers." The next "I just had 12 children living in my home and I need to show hospitality to others because it is in the Word of God." I am enjoying hearing the 2 small boys giggling. A house of joy. Love it.
Back to Ukraine
Yesterday we were very tired and it was hard to get up. None of us wanted to miss telling the children good bye at the airport. My team, 4 older daughters, had worked endlessly with these children over the past 3 weeks. Volunteers had been scarce. This has been excellent training in missions for my children. I look forward to hearing what they learned and how they grew through this experience. Some things are evident in their lives. It is awesome to see God at work in your children and other children.
We love each of the hosted orphans. We spent time getting to know each of them. This is not the first time we have said good bye to orphans at the airport. This time was harder for me. Hopefully this is not the last time either. We have already begun discussing hosting next year.
At the airport, there are always people crying, both Americans and Ukrainians. I've listened to a song many times, "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." I've been asked if it was cruel to bring them here and then send them back. I go on vacation knowing that I have to go back home! I can't stay at the beach forever. Better to go on vacation than to never leave home (or the orphanage). Better to rest, relax, do new things, live life to the fullest than to stay home (in the orphanage). We tend to eat different foods on vacation too. These orphans ate as much fruit as they wanted on their vacation. They had milk, yogurt, and meat. These precious children have incredible memories of their trip! They made new friends, experienced new things and learned that we are praying for them. We encouraged them to talk to God and read His Word the Bible. We laughed with them and cried with them. We bandaged their wounds and were at times baffled by what they were saying. We gave our all because "to live is Christ and to die is gain." We died to our normal schedules. Serving God by serving these children became our goal. Die to self....live for Christ. Living for Christ includes some wonderful blessings. Oh, how I wish some of you had joined us on this journey. I wish you had seen their precious faces and laughed with them. I am at a loss this morning without them. Only 5 children in the house, not 18. This will take some adjustment and quickly because it is school time here and in Ukraine.
I want to say a special thanks to the Davies family for hosting the children the last week. They were a blessing in many ways. We enjoyed getting to know their family better. Their home became our second home for the week. We are grateful for the open home policy that they showed to visitors. Suzette and I both plan to work on the next job set before us. We will welcome home Sophia, Vicka and Dima. We rejoice at their arrival after a long journey.
Thank you to everyone that prayed, donated and helped. I feel compelled to say that in the last 3 weeks the money we received has been from a child's birthday party, and two young ladies that recently graduated from high school. I love that it is children helping children. I'm blessed to know all 3 of these young ladies personally and am grateful for their hearts and their giving to the orphans. We are still short of the funds needed to pay for the plane tickets. My heart is missions. For me to be doing missions is God's perfect will. Not that I am perfect because I am not. But that when I am obeying and serving God I am content and filled with joy. My husband's gift is giving. I'm so glad God put us together. He is also the rock that I hug when I don't need to cry. He gives me strength to endure the loss of children in our home. He quietly pays for my mission trip to Ukraine. We have not had a family vacation this year because of me going to Ukraine in Feb. Some of our children have been blessed to go on vacation with friends. My children know that I believe God provides as He sees fit to provide. He could have had someone pay for the trip in Feb. But that is not how it worked. We give our all to God. That means we give our time, money, work and energy our prayers, our hopes and dreams. People ask what happens if the tickets are not paid for this year. It is simple. We go to the bank and borrow the money just as we did last year. All that we have is God's. God is our provider. We are His servants. We do what it takes to get the job done that He gives us. We know He will provide for us through it all in the way He sees fit.
Thank you again for joining us as we serve God through missions to orphans. May God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. Blessings and prayers to each and all.
We love each of the hosted orphans. We spent time getting to know each of them. This is not the first time we have said good bye to orphans at the airport. This time was harder for me. Hopefully this is not the last time either. We have already begun discussing hosting next year.
At the airport, there are always people crying, both Americans and Ukrainians. I've listened to a song many times, "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." I've been asked if it was cruel to bring them here and then send them back. I go on vacation knowing that I have to go back home! I can't stay at the beach forever. Better to go on vacation than to never leave home (or the orphanage). Better to rest, relax, do new things, live life to the fullest than to stay home (in the orphanage). We tend to eat different foods on vacation too. These orphans ate as much fruit as they wanted on their vacation. They had milk, yogurt, and meat. These precious children have incredible memories of their trip! They made new friends, experienced new things and learned that we are praying for them. We encouraged them to talk to God and read His Word the Bible. We laughed with them and cried with them. We bandaged their wounds and were at times baffled by what they were saying. We gave our all because "to live is Christ and to die is gain." We died to our normal schedules. Serving God by serving these children became our goal. Die to self....live for Christ. Living for Christ includes some wonderful blessings. Oh, how I wish some of you had joined us on this journey. I wish you had seen their precious faces and laughed with them. I am at a loss this morning without them. Only 5 children in the house, not 18. This will take some adjustment and quickly because it is school time here and in Ukraine.
I want to say a special thanks to the Davies family for hosting the children the last week. They were a blessing in many ways. We enjoyed getting to know their family better. Their home became our second home for the week. We are grateful for the open home policy that they showed to visitors. Suzette and I both plan to work on the next job set before us. We will welcome home Sophia, Vicka and Dima. We rejoice at their arrival after a long journey.
Thank you to everyone that prayed, donated and helped. I feel compelled to say that in the last 3 weeks the money we received has been from a child's birthday party, and two young ladies that recently graduated from high school. I love that it is children helping children. I'm blessed to know all 3 of these young ladies personally and am grateful for their hearts and their giving to the orphans. We are still short of the funds needed to pay for the plane tickets. My heart is missions. For me to be doing missions is God's perfect will. Not that I am perfect because I am not. But that when I am obeying and serving God I am content and filled with joy. My husband's gift is giving. I'm so glad God put us together. He is also the rock that I hug when I don't need to cry. He gives me strength to endure the loss of children in our home. He quietly pays for my mission trip to Ukraine. We have not had a family vacation this year because of me going to Ukraine in Feb. Some of our children have been blessed to go on vacation with friends. My children know that I believe God provides as He sees fit to provide. He could have had someone pay for the trip in Feb. But that is not how it worked. We give our all to God. That means we give our time, money, work and energy our prayers, our hopes and dreams. People ask what happens if the tickets are not paid for this year. It is simple. We go to the bank and borrow the money just as we did last year. All that we have is God's. God is our provider. We are His servants. We do what it takes to get the job done that He gives us. We know He will provide for us through it all in the way He sees fit.
Thank you again for joining us as we serve God through missions to orphans. May God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. Blessings and prayers to each and all.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The last day
A day of reflection.
What did we do right? What could we do better?
How will we spend our last few hours with the 12? That one is easy. Trying to let them be children, have fun, play and laugh. Did you know every boy hosted is ticklish? All 12 have beautiful smiles. It is not very Ukrainian to smile. They all give great hugs. They all want to be hugged.
Little time for posting.
Visitors welcome 9 to 9 today at the Davies. Swimming and just hanging out with each other. God equips the called. What has God called you to do today? Will you do it?
Needs? Prayer, funds, suitcases, fruit and some to smile and laugh with them today.
Join our foreign mission trip brought home to Alabama. Some will never go overseas on missions. This is your chance to be on mission with Ukrianians in Alabama.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Schedule
We will be going to Desoto Cavern tomorrow. We would love to have helpers with us tomorrow on our field trip. We will be back at the Davies around 4:30 and visitors are welcome to come and swim. Visitors welcome until 9.
Tuesday is the orphans last day in the U.S. We will be packing in the morning and could use some help. If you are available please let us know.
In the afternoon we will go to the local arcade. Please join us.
Tuesday evening visitors welcome from 4:30-9
Wednesday morning, leaving for airport at 9. Arriving about 10 for check in. Departing Birmingham at 12. Please pray for the group. It will be hard for them to leave. It will take about 24 hours for them to get back to Poltava. The 2 from another region will have an even longer trip.
Call me for more details!
We visited The Church at Brookhills this morning. It was great to see friends. We enjoyed the service.
The children loved the lake day today. It was a day full of smiles and fun. Thanks to the Naden's for having us over and cooking dinner. Thanks to Gabe for bringing his boat. I think lake days are my favorite day. The children all have fun. I'm glad this group was able to go on such short notice. Beautiful day!
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