There
is a theory on our squad, that life, especially the World Race, is
all waiting and trudging; it’s all about how you handle the trudging
and what you do during the waiting. This month is definitely full of
waiting and trudging for our team; especially with the amount we have
to spend riding public transportation here.
Samantha,
waiting . . . to start trudging, yet again
One
week after arriving in Ukraine we finally started ministry. A great
deal of this month we will be working with a man who likes to
captivate people’s attention by saying, “I collect girls.” But
really, he does.
In
Ukraine, children leave the interloks, or orphanages, at the age of
16. When they leave, they have no identity, no life skills, and a
lot of times little or no education; thus they can’t get jobs, so
they can’t make money, so they turn to stealing, prostitution, or end
up being trafficked for survival. Many girls turn to guys for help,
end up pregnant, alone and penniless, then that cycle can start all
over for their children.
Hope
House and First Step, who we are partnering with for a big part of
our ministry here, provide assistance to these youth. They work to
get the orphans an identity, education and life skills to help them
obtain a job. We will be spending time at Hope House; where
currently about 10-12 girls are living. Here they have a place to
stay, learn how to cook and have responsibilities, and learn English.
The main things we will be is assisting with are various projects
around the house and garden and spending time loving on the girls.
Yesterday
we had our first afternoon there. They are in the process of fixing
up the basement; so we scooped out dirty water, dumped it outside,
power washed the floor, then scooped more water. We also moved
bricks and cans of paint. It was fun being able to help the girls
take care of the place.
Samantha,
Carmen, and Amiee after moving bricks
After
we were done with manual labor, we had the hardest task of the day .
. . hanging out with the girls on the beach:) We walked to the
Black Sea and played with the girls.
beach
on the Black Sea
I
think I can speak for my team and say that we are all excited about
our ministry this month and all that we will be involved with.
much
love!
