I suspected I would fall for them…. I anticipated I would fall in love…. I just didn't expect I would fall so hard.
This month in the Ukraine, we have been charged with two tasks. One is assisting in the ministry of Hope House International. For this, we have been building, cleaning, painting, wallpapering, grouting, scrubbing, and picking up trash for a new missionary house. This house will be a place for missionaries, like us, to call home while helping the ministry of Hope House build homes for families who want to adopt lots and lots of kids. The second task we have been charged with is loving on those "lots and lots of kids."
This month I have fallen in love with all of the kids we have met. One look and my heart is melted. The first week in the Ukraine, we held VBS for about four families of adopted kids (about 25 altogether). We poured into them, with songs and scripture, but they poured into us with wide smiles and fits of laughter.
This is Lilia, Michael, and Slovak. They are three of seven children in the same adopted family and were the first kids to ensnare my heart. Lilia is eleven years old and the apple of my eye. Since the first day of VBS she has hung on my every word (although she has no idea what I'm even saying). In return, she would chat away in Russian with my single response "Yenny Penny Myou" which means "I don't understand." She would just laugh and keep talking. At church on Sunday, I would sit between her and Slovak and play mediator from the feuding siblings. My heart for them is so big, I can't imagine someone giving them away. Michael's parents were told before adoption that he would never walk or speak. They were asked, "Why would you adopt such a child?" and his parents said "Because God loves him."
I adore them. And I know God does too. Please pray for their spiritual growth in the family of God. Lilia, the future worship leader. Michael, the future pastor. And Slovak, the prodigal son and future evangelist. (Just my ideas, but I know God has great futures in store for these little "Abizianas" "Monkeys".)
These are my other amazing kids: (Back) Misha, Bakdan, Me, Luba, Lila, Georgia, Angelina (Front) Elona and Marina. Every day before and after dinner I would hear "Courtney. Georgia. Some kids are here for you!" And until it got dark, we would play Ninja, chase each other, climb trees, eat sunflower seeds, and try desperatly to communicate with little words. God loves these kids. He has swept them up under his wings, given them new families, and "a hope for the future." Please pray for the future of the Ukrainian church which rests upon the shoulders of these amazing kids!
