I received an update from Kostya in Ukraine this week. The families are all doing well. As expected, the Chernov family has added two children and Galina has added one. What wasn't expected is the new child in Galina's home is Timor, Zoya's son. Apparently soon after Zoya found a new place to live and moved out of Galina's home, she abandoned Timor again. Seems like whenever we take two steps forward the one step back can't be far behind. But, this is a praise- three more children are no longer living in state institutions.
Project Sasha is finding a way to operate even though they are very short handed. Kostya is even helping out with the cooking and cleaning. You have to know Kostya to appreciate that image.
Ukraine has been functioning with a coalition government for some time. The President is pro-west while the Vice-President is pro-Russia. Neither group has a clear majority. With the recent unrest in the region, the government has called for new elections in December. This has not been a smooth process in the past. The financial condition has deteriorated as well. Prices continue to increase. Factories and businesses are closing down. And, banks are freezing deposits. I will be sending construction funds today. Pray that there aren't any problems.
Don't grow weary,
Charles
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Prayers Needed
Yesterday, my usual Friday morning Cracker Barrel breakfast became a discussion about prayer. That was the topic for Oswald Chamber’s daily devotional. We discussed Luke 10, the passage where Jesus tells his followers that the fields are ready for harvest. If I was in charge, the next line would be grab a basket and start gathering. Jesus instructions were different. He said pray for workers.
Then last night, my wife and I were discussing Mulberry and the communications that I send out. She asked if I realized that I didn’t ask for prayer as much as I used to. Sometimes God can get your attention with a whisper. Sometimes He has to be much more forceful. Today, I’m asking you to pray for the workers.
Pray for our foster parents. They are raising families with three to eleven children. Their names are: Andrei and Anya; Gena and Elena; Sergei and Lilya; Galina; Anatoly and Olga; Vadim and Irina; and Galya.
Pray for the Project Sasha staff. They are short-handed right now and working hard to provide as much ministry as they can. Their names are Galya, Bogdan and Igor.
Pray for the Administrative staff as they oversee each ministry. Our director is Kostya. Our bookkeeper is Valya. And, our translator is Vika.
Please include Natasha and me as we work to maintain the connection between the Ukrainian ministries and our US support team.
Pray for Mulberry’s board. They are all volunteers with a heart for the work that is being done in Ukraine.
Finally, pray for each other. You are a huge part of Mulberry.
Don’t grow weary- there are too many depending on us.
Charles
Then last night, my wife and I were discussing Mulberry and the communications that I send out. She asked if I realized that I didn’t ask for prayer as much as I used to. Sometimes God can get your attention with a whisper. Sometimes He has to be much more forceful. Today, I’m asking you to pray for the workers.
Pray for our foster parents. They are raising families with three to eleven children. Their names are: Andrei and Anya; Gena and Elena; Sergei and Lilya; Galina; Anatoly and Olga; Vadim and Irina; and Galya.
Pray for the Project Sasha staff. They are short-handed right now and working hard to provide as much ministry as they can. Their names are Galya, Bogdan and Igor.
Pray for the Administrative staff as they oversee each ministry. Our director is Kostya. Our bookkeeper is Valya. And, our translator is Vika.
Please include Natasha and me as we work to maintain the connection between the Ukrainian ministries and our US support team.
Pray for Mulberry’s board. They are all volunteers with a heart for the work that is being done in Ukraine.
Finally, pray for each other. You are a huge part of Mulberry.
Don’t grow weary- there are too many depending on us.
Charles
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October Update
Mulberry is growing again. Zoya and her son have found a place to live and moved out of Galina’s home. So, Galina can now begin the paperwork to take in two more foster children. Also, two more children will be placed with the Chernov family by the end of the year. For Galina this is a matter of getting back on task after the Zoya diversion. For the Chernov family, this is a legal expectation in order to maintain their “large family” registration. Galina’s rented house is large enough to handle the additions. The Chernov family will struggle with six children in their four-room apartment until we can finish the next unit in Dyetski Dom.
And, speaking of Dyetski Dom, the first stage of construction has begun. With the matching funds, we were able to raise money to add an entrance and stairwell to give units three and four private entrances. This phase will be completed soon. Construction on the actual housing units will begin as we raise additional funds. The Chernov family is easily the most anxious group watching for this work to begin.
As the economy continues to deteriorate, the number of children visiting Project Sasha remains at a high level. Three Project Sasha staff members left during September for higher paying jobs. This is a recurring problem. Although this puts a real strain on the remaining staff, it does take a little pressure off of October’s budget.
Through a very generous donation, both Dyetski Dom and Project Sasha received computers in September. The Dyetski Dom children (foster care) are being taught basic computer skills by their parents. The Project Sasha children will be able to use the computers for homework or to learn marketable job skills.
Mulberry will roll out a new website and e-mail newsletter very soon. The next update may look very different.
Don’t grow weary,
Charles
PS As always, feel free to share this with others you feel are interested in our ministry.
And, speaking of Dyetski Dom, the first stage of construction has begun. With the matching funds, we were able to raise money to add an entrance and stairwell to give units three and four private entrances. This phase will be completed soon. Construction on the actual housing units will begin as we raise additional funds. The Chernov family is easily the most anxious group watching for this work to begin.
As the economy continues to deteriorate, the number of children visiting Project Sasha remains at a high level. Three Project Sasha staff members left during September for higher paying jobs. This is a recurring problem. Although this puts a real strain on the remaining staff, it does take a little pressure off of October’s budget.
Through a very generous donation, both Dyetski Dom and Project Sasha received computers in September. The Dyetski Dom children (foster care) are being taught basic computer skills by their parents. The Project Sasha children will be able to use the computers for homework or to learn marketable job skills.
Mulberry will roll out a new website and e-mail newsletter very soon. The next update may look very different.
Don’t grow weary,
Charles
PS As always, feel free to share this with others you feel are interested in our ministry.
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