So I have officially lived in Europe for a week now and I am still experiencing culture shock. Ridiculous. But I guess that is what living in Asia and Africa for 9 straight months does to you. Funny story to tell you first… my team and I were waiting for the bus to come yesterday and I saw a man stop next to us and fix his camera. I stood there just waiting for him to take our picture so I could give him a “are-you-kidding-me” kind of look. He then fixed his camera and went on his way. I stood there so puzzled and confused. Then I realized…. We don’t stand out in a crowd anymore. We aren’t the only white people around anymore. People don’t just want to take our pictures anymore. People don’t actually care. Yep, that actually hit harder than you think…mhmm.
Anyways… Ministry! This month we are mainly working with World Hope Ukraine’s Hope House & the First Step Center here in Odessa. When I heard it was connected with World Hope, I became really emotional because I had actually looked at possibly helping with the Hope House before I came on the World Race. And now I am on the World Race AND helping with this organization. How awesome God is?! He just can’t stop showing His wonders, can He?! I love it!
So what is this Hope House & First Step program I am talking about? Well let me tell you a little bit about it…
Here in Ukraine, children have to leave the interlocks (aka orphanages) at the age of 16, or at least when they reach grade 9 in school. When they leave the interlocks, they have no documents, no life skills, and little to no education. Because of this, they are left without jobs and therefore can’t make any money. This leads them to turn to stealing, prostitution or even being trafficked in order to survive. A lot of times, the girls turn to guys for help. Most of them end up pregnant, alone and without any money in the end. This just starts over in the same cycle when their children grow up, and so on and so on.
Hope House and the FirstStep Center provide the help these youth need. These programs help the orphans obtain an identity and all of the paperwork needed to allow them to get a job, as well as other life skills and an education.
The Hope House is a safe house for the girls once they leave the interlocks and/or girls who are in risky situations and need emergency relief. Currently there are around 14 girls who are living at the Hope House. The Hope House provides them a place to live, teaches them how to cook and have responsibilities, and learn English.
This month we will be gardening, painting, cleaning out the chicken coup, making jars of jam (that will be fun!), and other various activities around the “house”, as well we loving on all of the girls and spending time with them at the beach. ;]
Yesterday, we helped the girls clean out the basement at the Hope House. We scooped up dirty water and dumped it outside, power washed the floor, and then did it all over again. We also moved some bricks and other random things. And after all of the work was finished, we went to the beautiful Black Sea shore and spent some time in the sun with the girls. :]
I’m totally loving Ukraine! :]
ps_ i will more than likely be posting some blogs this month from India and Nepal that I haven’t done yet. Just wanted to let you know, so you aren’t confused or anything as to my location in the world. :]
