Ukraine's Government/Economy

As often happens, the initial news gets revised almost before I can read it. Apparently, the banks in Ukraine are back to something approaching normal. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the government. Elections will be held sometime in January, but there isn't a schedule. Until then, it everything seems to be on pause.

The latest bit of news is that families who rely on government assistance have been warned not to expect payment in January and February. Five of our supported families rely on this assistance. The reason given is the government uncertainty. There is no approved budget for 2009. The support for the two girls added to the Chernov family in October was not paid.

This is the latest news from Konstantin, our Ukraine Director:

November 16, 2008

Piece and blessings of the Lord, to you, brother Charles. Our prayers were with you and the whole USA during elections of the president. We came to know about the victory of the candidate of the Democrats from the news here. We will pray about the new government, for them to start working sooner and solve economical problems.

As for elections in our country – no one knows anything here. If it will take place, then probably, in January. The fact that our government isn't doing anything can effect our ministry. State officers told our parents that in January and February they will not receive any financial support because the document about state budget hasn't still been confirmed.

This problem can touch the families of Macevich, Chernov, Gudwill, Shalbetskiy and Zarizon. I am telling you about it in advance so that we could think of our possible steps for January and February.

The situation with banks here is more or less normal, but nobody knows how long it will be ok. It's better to send funds while everything is fine with banks.

Construction is going well in Yevpatoria – the walls are over my height now. Pilgrim is busy, working – we had 20 kids yesterday.

All in all we are doing fine.
Respectfully. Konstantin.

News from Project Sasha

I received this letter from Galya, the director of Project Pilgrim (Project Sasha.) You can find videos of her testimony and her vision for Project Sasha in the video links. In this photo she is leading worship, as she does every day.

November 8, 2008

Charles, hello!

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ to you. Sorry for my long silence, I just didn't know what to write about. I could write something and just in an hour everything could be changing and information wouldn't be useful.

But now I just decided to write you, even though the situation in our country isn't getting any better, we still trust our God. We pray and thank Him for all of you, that notwithstanding the difficult time, you don't forget about us and don't leave us. Our faith has become stronger when the difficult times came! We know that God will not leave His people, and I'd like to encourage you that God has got everything under His control. He will not give us more than we can carry. Thank God and you all, our dear.

A little bit about us. Though our staff is 2 people short now, we are doing good, we have a lot of kids, up until 20 children. Konstantin Vladimirovich is leading a photo activity the kids love it.

We also make birthday parties for children, we pray for the birthday guy, play games. We have a Saturday day in town today, so we are going out with kids to work. We also have a lot of work at the project, it's getting cold and street kids come in big numbers. Just a few days ago we sent one guy to a rehab center, looking for a job for another guy, for now we found him a place in the shelter. The difficulties come when we have children that have no paperwork and we don't' know how to help them.

I correspond with 4 guy who are in prison, they are thankful for hearing the word of God at the project, their faith helps them greatly now. I hope they will change, God also can use this way to change people. School time has started and we give lessons at schools for prevention of bad influence among youth. I don't' know how we manage it all, but with God's help we can do everything.

That's our life is now. Write us what's new in your life? God's blessings on you, dear, we love you, pray for you and bless you.

Election Day

I just voted. The campaigns have become so negative that the sense of relief that it's finally over almost outweighs the concern for the outcome. Whoever wins, God will still be on His throne and He will still be calling all the shots. Hallelujah! The guys who want to be in charge scare me.

The news from Ukraine reminds me how peaceful a change of power is here compared to the rest of the world. The political and economic climate is so bad you can almost understand why some Ukrainian people get disgusted with the democratic process. New elections are scheduled for December. Meanwhile, the economy has deteriorated to the point that banks have frozen all deposits. ATM's have been turned off. People who rely on government support, like retirees and most of our foster families, can't access their accounts. So far, we've been able to send money successfully, but there have been delays and there is still concern.

As expected, we've added two children to foster care (front row, pink coats.) The Chernov family needs your prayers as they now have six children in their four room flat. Construction continues at Dyetski Dom, but it doesn't look like we will be able to do any more than add a new entrance this year.

The Project Sasha staff serves as parents, teachers and friends for boys and girls who desperately need parents, teachers and friends. They are using their new computers to start a photo club. Everyone enjoys taking pictures, being in pictures and using the computer to process pictures. Fun is good, but the real goal is to build relationships and develop some marketable job skills.

Thanks for being interested enough to read a blog.

Don't grow weary,

Charles