We are finished with camp, kids left yesterday.  It all happened very fast, but we had time to say and hug good-bye at breakfast.  I think most kids are kind of in shock, this was like a "Disneyland" experience for them, and now they go back to their lives in institutions or in homes with abusive situations or non-existant care due mostly to alcoholism.  We heard some extremely sad stories from the counselors last night what the kids shared with them what their lives are like.  Since we don't speak Russian we don't understand when they try to tell us.  One boy's father killed his mother.  One boy was beaten continually and tried to run away twice. He lived with an alcoholic father.  One day he beat his father with a rod and thought he killed him so ran away again.  They put him in prison for 2 weeks at age 14.  Many of the kids get very little food and tried to hoard the bread we have at each meal.  Some of them said they get no food at home, only from neighbors who try to help.They also tried to hoard craft supplies, like beads or wiggly eyes in their pockets.  They don't know better and have nothing. We are glad we didn't know those stories while they were here.  We just loved on each one, watched for the ones who stayed on the fringe and tried to draw them in.  Even though it seemed like they weren't listening at times, it was obvious at the end that most of them understood the message of God's love for them, His desire to protect them and live inside them.  They learned how to talk to Him wherever they are.  We are trusting now that the message through God's word, the songs they sang repeatedly, and our love will stay with them and God's spirit will continue to speak to them.

 

Gretchyn and Caleb did great with their first time in Ukraine.  The food is not always what we are used to eating.  Lots of noodles, potatoes, white bread.  We did get a piece of fruit each day, along with tomatoes and cucumbers at every meal.  And we could walk to the sidewalk market to get more fruit if we wanted. And ice cream, that happens to be the closest little shop to Hope  Center.  Wonder why they put that there!

Caleb was involved in everything, he volunteered whenever they asked for volunteers for a skit or to be at an activity station.  He was amazing!  And the team and kids all loved him.  Gretchyn always had girls hugging her as they walked from place to place.

It has been hot and humid, but we slept in cooler rooms. so that helped.  Today we leave, but the few that are left will head to the beach for one more swim.   I hurt my knee so yesterday and today I am resting it for the trip home.  Barry is meeting with Andre today about some renovations, what is the next project, etc.  He does so well with all of this because he has been here so many times.

For those of you who know Mama Natasha, we get to have dinner at her home in Simferopol tonight and fly to Kiev early in the AM.  She and her husband have a family style orphanage- what a gift to those kids to be in a Christian family setting.

I have loved the experience of being with the children.  What an amazing God, to provide this time and these people and this place!!!  May He continue to use it for His Glory!

Love Barb

Today is Sunday in Kerch, most of our kids left this morning, and some of the team also.  The Mn group is leaving tomorrow, so we have the rest of today we are relaxing, touring this 2600 yr old city, and having shislick?? tonight over a fire, along with som'ores.  Not sure of the spelling on those two items.  Many of us are looking forward to some red meat other than liver! 
Friday Gretchyn and Caleb did the Bible Lesson, Gretch did an excellent job talking about talking to God.  She made it clear and relevant to where they are.  Fantastic, so proud of them both for how they are dealing with these difficult kids. 

Friday night was another game of biffer which the kids love but have kind of figured out by now. We did pom pom crafts, making animals.  They loved the colors, the pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes,even the older kids! 
Saturday was our final day, so it included a closing ceremony with again more talent and comedy, along with olympic medals awarded. One act was a counselor who brought kids and was not a Christian.  After being here a week, she wrote a song about God and Jesus love for us, which spoke of her changed life!!!  Very exciting to hear.

Then we had a huge bonfire, with kids having a chance to come to the mike.  Most of them just said thank you for ---- and ---- and ----.  Even the food!  It is well prepared, just heavy on the carbs and white flour.  The end of the evening was a slide show of the entire camp, done so well by Mel Olson, and put to music by Jenya. The kids loved it, loved seeing themselves on the screen.  Bedtime was difficult, knowing it was our last good night hug and "I love you", which most of them have never heard.
Saying good-bye is very emotional because we know or maybe can't imagine what they go back to.  We have to trust God to go with them and His spirit to continue to work in their lives.
Caleb had to say goodbye to a new and special friend, Vlad.  They had much in common, Vlad speaks some english, and comes from Odessa.  They will continue to keep in contact as one of our team from Texas has been involved in Vlad's life.  It was emotional for both of them, not knowing if they will see each other again.  I am so thankful for how God allowed this friendship come  together.
It is sooooo hot here today, but thankfullly in the International Building we are allowed to use the air conditioning to cool down.  Thank You Globall Action.
Here is Gretchyn with interpreter Anna from Kiev.

My kind of craft, coloring!!

What a blessing to be on the other side of the shoe box ministry of Samaritans Purse. If you ever wonder if it matters, it is HUGE!!!

Another blessing!  On Sunday two girls from the Dream Project came  to visit, Alona and Nastya.  Anya translated, it was so fun to see them again, after meeting them here in October.  So I got to visit with 3 of them this trip!!!  All 3 are doing well in their work and love Jesus.

Thank you for all your support in prayer and following this blog!  We love you and will see you soon. 

Computer problems today, so now I need to run again, until 10:30 tonight!  For some reason everything on my computer came up in Ukrainian, but now Jenya fixed it and I am  back in English.  So tomorrow, I will post at least one more time.  Tomorrow is our salvation message.  Today is talking to God, by Caleb and Gretchyn.  Have to run!!   Dasvadanya

 Here are some pictures from yesterday, starting with the Birthday Girl!!

Barry and Caleb doing a Bible Lesson on needing God.

Special friends here:  Tanya, Mel, Avi, and Anya

Caleb and Alosha wrestling. Alosha is Tanya's son, but all the guys like to do this.

Bead lizards were one of the big hits, they carry them everywhere.  Some even took them apart to do them again.  They have so little materially and this was very special.

Getting ready for something- don't remember what!

It is Gretchyn's birthday today and probably one for the memory book. Singing in Russian and English, flowers, ice cream and water melon for all the staff and Melody even decorated for the party.  Plus lots of hugs from kids, but we get those all the time!

Yesterday a thunderstorm interrupted our Bible Lesson time, we got soaked, but continued when it stopped.  It also delayed our “Ukraine’s Got Talent” show until tonight, so the kids have had more time to  practice their skits.

At the beach they made sand castles, and were fortunate to see dolphins jumping not far from where the kids were.  Quite exciting for everyone.  Mickey and Barb don’t get to the beach, we kiddingly say we could get down there but would never make it up.  One day Jenja took us down by car, and that itself was an adventure.

Caleb is getting more boys to play basketball with him, Futbol is the game here (soccer).  So often when there is free time, they are out there shooting.  One of the men here takes the guys on a run in the AM, so there is lots of active time.

Now It is late, just came back from stories and praying with kids, hugs good night.  The talent show was awesome, so many kids participated, and most of the staff.  Gretch, Caleb and Mel from Texas did a great number which I will explain more later, Barry, Bob and I were back  up dancers.  Barry and Bob did an encore of Rock Around the Clock.  Kids loved the whole program, lots of dancing to Christian music during and after.  Hopefully they heard and saw God’s love through music and Scripture today.
I will attach a few pictures tomorrow, and head to the shower now,too tired and sweaty.

Thanks for the prayers, we can sense God’s presence.  One other thing, Mel Olson does an amazing job of leading staff worship times!!!

It is Tues night at Hope Center,  we just finished bedtime stories and lots of sweaty hugs!  Gretchyn is still in with the older girls, they are up a little later.  It wasn’t as hot today, which was a blessing!

We have had so many great experiences, some not so great!  But Caleb was able to play King Nebuchenezzer  in Bible Lessons yesterday, today Barb and Mickey shared about how God cares for us, with manna throwing  and birds flying.  We had morning relay Olympics today, planned by a young Ukrainian man.  Barry’s Tigers won the competition.  Gretchyn continues to have braid followers and kids hanging on her, and Caleb has several new friends, including one tiny guy named Andre who follows him around. 

In the afternoon Barb and Barry were able to meet with a young woman we sponsor in a city near here, along with her husband.  He is a pastor and she is beginning a youth ministry.  She has been through Global Action’s Glomos program.  What a blessing to actually meet them, hear their hearts for reaching their city, and share our stories with them.

We are seeing children open up, enter in, start to respond to hugs, etc.  This is all so strange to them, having adults pay attention to them.  Here are some pictures and Caleb may comment on a couple of them.

 Caleb was a biffer, ask him to tell you about it.  With him is Anya, a translator from Kiev.

 It's a hard life on the mission field!!

 Ladies on the team waiting for something to happen.

 Waiting for the Bible Lesson.

 
Caleb the King!

Grandpa Barry is the firey furnace, with Abby, Christine, Melody and Mary playing the parts of the 3 men and the angel in the furnace.

Love to all, pray for the kids to understand God's love and Jesus' sacrifice, which will be explained later this week.  Pray for our strength, which is waining!!!

Now we have experienced a full day and I can give you a glimpse of life here.  We start early with team devotions, then morning exercise with boys or girls, followed by hair brushing / braiding etc with the girls.  Gretchyn is in much demand for her french braiding skills.  Barb only does pony tails.  After breakfast the kids and staff all go to the sea for most of the morning, since it gets too hot to be out in the sun by afternoon.  They play in the water and have activities on the beach.  Most of these kids have never been to the sea, and it is not far from camp, but it is a steep hike down and back.

Afternoons start with rest time for kids / planning for staff and then staff makes a trip to the ice cream store before we rest also.  We start early and go late, so everyone needs a rest!
Then we begin with worship and Bible Lesson, interest groups, evening meal, activity or large group game time, followed by craft time and then bedtime stories / sharing / praying in their rooms. So from 4-10 we are busy non-stop.

Some of you will recognize Melody Grace and Abigail leading exercise dance in the AM.

We are all supposed to wear nametags, but some don't follow directions well!  Actually, he didn't have one yet.

There are some free times where the kids can choose an activity.  Uno can be played in any language.

Each child receives an age appropriate Bible, which they love to read.

Even the adults want Gretchyn to braid their hair.

It is a long exhausting trip here, but we got to Hope Center about 1:00 AM UK time.  Flight connections great, luggage all got here fine.  Andre was there to meet us, ate at McDonalds!!! along with hundreds of Ukrainians, then off on a 4 hour bumpy ride to Kerch.  Don't ever complain about Mn potholes!  Barry slept all along the way, Gretchyn and Caleb slept a little, Barb about 10 minutes and then tried to keep Andre awake because they drive crazy here. They make 3-4 lanes out of 2!  Lots of traffic as we were driving along the Black Sea during tourist season.
The kids came in yesterday, from big to little, young to older.  We haven't gotten to meet them, but will get started on activities now.
It is hot and humid here, much like MN, they go for a swim early in the day, then have activities the rest of the day.  Well planned, but it is only day 1!
It was so good to see Ukrainian friends again, and see Mel from Big Lake and Abby from Elk River.  They are doing great and seem to love the people here. 
Caleb,being 12, is pretty wiped so pray for his strength and energy to come back.  Gretch is meeting people already and getting involved with hair braiding, etc.  We were too tired to get to morning stuff today but tomorrow should be better.   
Here are a couple pictures so far: