Orphans...

There are so many kids in the orphanage system here in Ukraine. Today, as I was waiting for A there was a boy and a girl playing in the foyer area. They were all smiles and giggles. I asked them their names. He was Roma and she is Irena. They asked me mine. I watched them play. Then before I knew it, I see Irena squatting down against a wall as if resting. Roma comes up and starts kicking here repeatedly. It was play for them, but I knew it was hurting her. I asked them not to do that. Then the teacher came and rushed them away.

The other day, Zhenia stopped N's class outside and talked with them. They were in a big group and he just chatted with them, quizzing them in English and their studies. They asked us a few questions and we asked them some. Really great kids. I see in their eyes a desperation. It's like they are searching in our eyes for something. I pray when we come across them that they will see the light of Jesus through us.

There is a sweet friend of N's I have met. David met her when he was here in October and I have seen her in pictures. We asked about her and were told she was a good girl. However, she is trapped in the system and unable to be adopted.

There is a brother and sister we met last summer at a hosting program. I saw the sister on one of the first days here. She came up to me with a big smile and a hug. She ran off and then played with me through the window. I have seen the brother a couple of times. He always gives David and I smiles, hugs and high fives. They, too, are trapped in the system and not available for adoption.

There are many, many children like this who live in orphanages. They need prayer, they need hope, they need love. What can we, as Christ followers, do for these kids? David and I pray over this and talk about it often. I know God will lead us to where He wants to use us. Please pray for the orphans of Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. They lead a life where they are forced to grow up too soon and experience hardships and adult situations before they are equipped.

Yesterday, we had a friend over, Lori. She works with Radooga and has been in Urkaine for 4 years. She is from Florida. It was great to sit and talk with her. Her heart is for orphans and you can hear the passion she has for them as she talks. I pray that she is able to get a foothold here in in Poltava. She inspires me. There are friends in Zhytomer who work with orphans and graduated orphans. What they are doing is wonderful and you can see God working through them. We heard of a conference that was held in Kiev for Ukrainians to equip them to work with orphans. How great---Ukrainians who want to work with orphans!!! Getting the nationals involved is key!

Please pray for Ukraine to rise up and care for their orphans and for God to be glorified through it all!