Sep-Oct Trip Report- 3

The boy on the left just got about 40 years added to his life expectancy. Maxim was living with a homeless group in downtown Simferopol. He had run away from his home and from his abusive step-father. Denis convinced him to come to Pilgrim for food. He also got a second chance at life. The staff contacted his mother and made arrangements for Maxim to return home and live with his grandmother. Plus, he got an up-close, personal look at God's love in action.

.Sep-Oct Trip Report- 2

During my visit in September and October, I was able to spend time with friends from my home church.

A team from Southeast Christian Church spent a day painting playground equipment at Dyetski Dom. There are currently three families and a total of 28 children living in children living in the completed portion of the building

Sep-Oct Trip Report- 1

I visited Crimea during September and October. This is one of the reports from my visit. More will follow.

Pilgrim staff member Denis (right) invited this boy to come with him for food, a bath and clean clothes. He was already (about three pm) too strung out on glue to understand what was being said. Denis will continue to visit with him and try to break through.

Summer Camps 2010 Now Over

The early reports are in and it appears summer camp was a big success. There were three sessions with a total of 191 campers. American teams were on hand for two of the three sessions. The thirteen campers listed below were sponsored by Mulberry. Generous gifts from American teams covered most the cost. The balance came out of our operating budget.

Lera H. (8) daughter of a single Mom, attends the computer club at Pilgrim

Anzhelika N. (7) from a family at risk, very active

Kolya R. (8) from a family at risk, recommended by the government children's dept.

Nikita O. (10) from a family at risk, likes all sports

Danil I. (6) son of a single Mom, a daily visitor to Pilgrim

Vova S. (10) son of a single Mom, likes to draw

Alena N. (11) an orphan, her Mom died while she was at another camp

Lola A. (7) from a family at risk, enjoys dance classes at Pilgrim

Danil I. (6) attended camp twice, his Mom works seven days a week

Vika S. (14) three sisters who regularly come to Pilgrim so they can study

Vita S. (14) there are 14 children in the family, single Mom

Olya S. (11) this is a third sister, their father was murdered

Katya B. (15) from a family at risk, friend of the S. sisters

Special thanks to those who helped give these children a break from their very difficult lives.

It isn't too early to begin planning to be one of the American teams visiting next year's camps.

Don't grow weary.

Charles

April 2010 Visit to Ukraine

I just returned from a visit to Ukraine. Senior ministers from two of our supporting churches traveled with me this time. I wish you could have all been on this trip.

You would have gone on a street patrol searching for children living on the streets of Simferopol. You would have seen a teenage boy passed out under a busy railroad track and pre-teens running around with spray paint openly adding their marks to sidewalks and utility poles. At least graffiti is better than “huffing” the paint to get high. You would have been given an up-close look at an empty life.

Then you would have been able to see the work at Pilgrim, where children from the streets can enjoy a hot meal, a bath and clean clothes. They are able to play games like basketball, billiards and ping pong. They also get a lot of individual attention and a personal introduction to a personal Savior.

You would have visited with five of the Christian foster families Mulberry supports. Each of these families has eight to eleven children. The daily worries for these children consist of homework, music lessons and getting their chores done in time to play outside with their friends.

The more than 70 children in these two programs are now living a life that offers love and direction. God is doing wonderful work through the ministministries of Mulberry.

Ukraine is on Sale

The exchange rate in Ukraine is running about 60% favorable to the rate of just a couple of years ago. Local prices are skyrocketing. We keep adding children and services. Our costs are going up. But, US dollars are going a lot farther.

In case you're the type who just can't pass up a bargain, this is your chance. Right now, you can make a $100 donation for $60. (Actually, a $60 donation today will do the work of $100 from 2007.) If you are really ambitious and always wanted to make a $1,000 gift, you can do that for $600.

A new President was elected in Ukraine last month. No one is predicting how the economy will react. This could be a limited time offer. Please consider making a gift. Our address is Mulberry International, PO Box 43623, Louisville, KY 40253.

2009- A God Year

The year we just finished was really an odd one. The economy in Ukraine was actually in worse condition than the US. The “official” inflation rate was over 20%. When you combine this kind of inflation with our growth in ministry, we were forced to increase spending by as much as 65% in some areas. The overall increase was just over 56%.

We had all the elements of a “perfect storm.” The US economy put a strain on our partners. We feel blessed that 2009 giving matched 2008. When you consider we had a capital campaign asking for donations over and above our operating budget and 2009 could have been a disaster.

The strength of the US dollar relative to the Ukrainian currency gave us a very favorable exchange rate. Our dollars went 59% farther in 2009 than they did in 2008! Notice the similarity of those two numbers! We increased ministry costs in local currency by 56% and actually spent 2% fewer dollars.

Did I say this was an odd year? Maybe it was more of a God year.

2009 Year-end

2009 was a year of growth for Mulberry International. We were able to finish the third unit at Dyetski Dom. There are now 28 children living in these three Christian homes. And, this is a building built by the Soviet Union as a kindergarten. Children were to begin their Communist-Atheist indoctrination here!

A second transitional living home was added in October. There are now seven teens in these two homes who are too old for the state institutions but not ready for life on their own. All seven are still in school.

We continue to work with hospitals in Simferopol and Sevastopol. In addition to providing basics (food, medicine and diapers), we were able to make some physical improvements in both locations.

For the second year in a row, we received donations from over 170 individuals and organizations. If you would like more information on Mulberry’s ministries or its finances, please contact us at Mulberry International, PO Box 43623, Louisville, KY 40253.

Don't grow weary,
Charles