For the last week, I've been receiving Christmas wishes from Ukraine. This isn't unusual since it is Christmas. What makes it noteworthy is that Christmas in Ukraine isn't observed until January 7. That is "Orthodox" Christmas. I'm not sure where the difference came from, but it's been around a long time.
Another Ukrainian Christmas tradition is that Father Frost (Santa Claus) visits on New Year's Eve and gifts are exchanged on New Year's Day. That tradition is a holdover from Communism. An atheist government had to find "something" to substitute in the place of Christmas. New Year's Day was convenient, so it was adopted as a gift giving holiday. Still today, the two celebrations are separate.
When you think about it, that may not be too bad. All of the commercialism gets transferred from Christmas to New Year's Day. And, Christmas becomes a "religious" holiday again.
Several friends have made special Christmas gifts to Mulberry for our parents and staff. Each family will get some money for New Year's Day and Christmas celebrations. And, there will be a Christmas party at Project Sasha for all of the regulars there. The Christmas story will be presented to some of the children for the first time.
Please remember their special days. They remember ours.
Don't grow weary.
Charles
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
US and Ukraine Orphans
In a session at the Global Missions Health Conference, the topic was AIDS orphans. Almost as a side comment, the speaker said there are 127,000 adoptable orphans in the US. That number sounds too small, but I don't know the definition of "adoptable." If that represents half, then the total would be around a quarter of a million.
In Ukraine, the government admits that the number of children in state institutions is over 120,000. Estimates are that the actual number is probably closer to 200,000. And, there is an equal number of children living on the city streets.
The total population of Ukraine is about one seventh the population of the US. Why are these children allowed to remain in these places?
In my position, I get to ponder that question a lot. The answer isn't simple. Basically it's one of the differences between a country founded on Judeo/Christian moral values and a country rooted in Communist atheism.
One illustration that I think sums up the difference is this one. When you visit Ukraine, there are high-rise apartment buildings on every street. Almost without exception, these buildings look abandoned. The outside is a shambles. The stairwells and elevator lobbies are covered with grafitti and trash. However, when you enter one of the flats you find a home that is neat, clean and well-maintained. There is a definite line of separation between the flat (it's mine) and the building (it's not mine.)
The same attitude applies to the chidren. Orphans and street children fall into the category of "not mine." They are the responsibility of someone else. Adoptions aren't just rare, they are frowned upon. The work Mulberry is doing with foster homes is so counter-culture that our parents can even be shunned at church. Ukrainians just don't recognize a responsibility for the "not mine" children. And, they will question why we care.
There was a time when God could have looked at me and said, "Not mine." He didn't. Now, my goal is to see these children through God's eyes. That makes them my responsibility.
In Ukraine, the government admits that the number of children in state institutions is over 120,000. Estimates are that the actual number is probably closer to 200,000. And, there is an equal number of children living on the city streets.
The total population of Ukraine is about one seventh the population of the US. Why are these children allowed to remain in these places?
In my position, I get to ponder that question a lot. The answer isn't simple. Basically it's one of the differences between a country founded on Judeo/Christian moral values and a country rooted in Communist atheism.
One illustration that I think sums up the difference is this one. When you visit Ukraine, there are high-rise apartment buildings on every street. Almost without exception, these buildings look abandoned. The outside is a shambles. The stairwells and elevator lobbies are covered with grafitti and trash. However, when you enter one of the flats you find a home that is neat, clean and well-maintained. There is a definite line of separation between the flat (it's mine) and the building (it's not mine.)
The same attitude applies to the chidren. Orphans and street children fall into the category of "not mine." They are the responsibility of someone else. Adoptions aren't just rare, they are frowned upon. The work Mulberry is doing with foster homes is so counter-culture that our parents can even be shunned at church. Ukrainians just don't recognize a responsibility for the "not mine" children. And, they will question why we care.
There was a time when God could have looked at me and said, "Not mine." He didn't. Now, my goal is to see these children through God's eyes. That makes them my responsibility.
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