About a week ago, Michael and I were walking with our Ukrainian friend Rudy to the children's hospital. On the way, Rudy ran into his acquaintance, Andrew. Rudy introduced us and what was supposed to be a 2 minute conversation turned into an hour long conversation which ended in prayer over Andrew's efforts to open up a home based orphanage. Michael wrote this blog about our meeting.
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By: Michael Whitson
The other day I met a man. It's common, I know, but this was a divine appointment, I believe. Have you ever had those "divine appointments?" I always walk away feeling re-energized after speaking with people God puts in my path.
I was heading to the baby hospital one day last week when we were unexpectedly introduced to a man named Andrew McVeigh who was here in Uzhgorod, Ukraine from England. He looked tired, but behind the tired eyes he was filled with so much joy. He has traveled back and forth multiple times in his attempts to open up the privately run orphanage that wasn't run by the government. This home would be a safe haven that would give the children a stable home like environment that would point them towards God. The home would have a couple that would live there full time serving as the parents of these kids.
The process hasn't come without it's struggles, however. Since Andrew doesn't speak the Ukrainian language he is in constant need of a translator. The first translator he had was corrupt and didn't translate what Andrew was saying instead translating what would benefit themselves instead. This led to the translator stealing the home Andrew had purchased right out from under him. The house was signed over to the translator instead and became their property. This legal battle between the two was very expensive and consumed a lot of the budget Andrew had set aside for other projects on the house. In the end Andrew had to repurchase the home.
Not only were there legal battles, but there were also supernatural battles. The home prior to the purchase was used as a convention for witches. Andrew said that the home had demonic activity going on and needed to cleansed. Not a huge ordeal but a battle nonetheless.
Currently the house is setting waiting to be opened. The only problem is that the government will not allow it to open because it is not furnished. It only needs a small number of furnishings. Andrew says it needs only a few beds, wardrobes, and a TV. I told him that I didn't think God would bring him this fare without supplying a couple of beds and some dressers. He laughed at the thought and agreed.
He is a man full of faith and so much love for the Kingdom of God. In his recent past he is now a reformed Catholic who is on fire for God. He gets sad at the fact the Catholic church doesn't fully understand a relationship with Jesus and how Christ can fully change one's life, but Andrew definitely lives this new life serving and following what God is leading him to do. If you would like to help Andrew and his vision he would love to hear from you. You can reach him the following ways:
Web: www.takehope.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
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Andrew hopes to one day leave his life in England and move to Ukraine to care for orphans. He has a plan to open 8 home orphanages in the Uzhgorod area. He showed us many statistics about orphans growing up in Ukraine and he hopes to be the light to them. He told us of how he wanted the homes to be run by pastors so the children will grow up with a Christ like influence and hopefully that would impact generation after generation. If you can help this man fulfill his God-given dream of opening these homes, please contact him! Thanks!
