Jan 23
Thank You 2009 Supporters!!!January 23, 2010
Thank you to all of you who donated clothing to send to the orphans. We are thankful!
Thank you to all of you who donated financially to help ship the clothes. We are grateful!
Thank you to all of you who helped send a team member on the 2009 mission trip! We cannot express our love enough! The trip was so unbelievably successful! Please take a few minutes to see some of the children that you helped impact for God!!
Login to say something...
Jan 23
2009 Summer Update!August 2009
The trip in July was a HUGE success!! The team of twelve was amazing, encouraging, helpful, and worked magnificently together!! There were no major hurdles with this trip and everyone made it back safely, which is always good! But more importantly, the time that we got to spend with the children was priceless! We were able to visit six orphanages, some of them we even got to visit twice. We taught them stories from the Bible, did fun crafts, and played games with them. I pray that we were the arms of Christ, loving and holding those children who are desperately searching for love, affection, acceptance, and belonging. We also were able to buy sports equipment for two of the biggest orphanages for the upcoming school year. With at least two hundred children apiece, these orphanages are in need of so many supplies.
In addition to working with the orphanages, we were invited to three different schools where we helped purchase much-needed equipment. We even helped paint recreational equipment, school floors, and purchased and assembled a playground for a Kindergarten. The directors were so pleased with our gifts that they invited us back to speak to the children within the schools sometime in the near future! What an amazing opportunity to share Christ within the school system! We had such a great time and are thankful for all of the opportunities that God gave us to share His love and truth!!!
Login to say something...
Jan 23
God IS making a difference!!October 29, 2008
I made it back safely...although I left my heart behind. Its amazing how deep the roots of your heart can grow around people. It seems that the more I trust God and let go of my fears to be more involved there, the more I love the people of Ukraine. I wasn't ready to come home. There are so many children that I can love on while I'm there. There is a loving church that supports my ministry (although I can't understand them :) As I was packing my bags to come home, I was thinking...why do I need to go back? Yes I miss my family and friends but there is something very different about living as you were created to live, doing what you were created to do. So, the only answer I can find to my question is this....I need to come home to encourage more people to step up and help these children.
If I stay in Ukraine, you may read my updates, but you probably won't get personally involved. If I come home with stories, pictures, videos, songs and proof that these are very real children with very real needs for families, then maybe just maybe someone might listen and adopt them. If I'm here, I can raise money to help them, clothes to cover them, and provide opportunities to take you with me. I'm working on the figures right now but soon, I will have monetary amounts and goals posted so that you can help these kids personally.
We saw probably 100 children and adults pray to receive Christ. PLEASE pray that someone comes behind and follows up and that these children were sincerely changed. Please pray that God increases a desire within them to know Him personally. Thank you for your love and support!!! God IS making a difference in these little lives!!
If I stay in Ukraine, you may read my updates, but you probably won't get personally involved. If I come home with stories, pictures, videos, songs and proof that these are very real children with very real needs for families, then maybe just maybe someone might listen and adopt them. If I'm here, I can raise money to help them, clothes to cover them, and provide opportunities to take you with me. I'm working on the figures right now but soon, I will have monetary amounts and goals posted so that you can help these kids personally.
We saw probably 100 children and adults pray to receive Christ. PLEASE pray that someone comes behind and follows up and that these children were sincerely changed. Please pray that God increases a desire within them to know Him personally. Thank you for your love and support!!! God IS making a difference in these little lives!!
Login to say something...
Jan 23
The Happy Feet JourneyOctober 21, 2008
Our first day in the orphanges with the Happy Feet team was yesterday and over 50 children and adults prayed to receive Christ!!! The children come into the room and they are seated in front of one of the team members. The child receives candy and hugs while the team member puts lotion on their little feet and puts new shoes on them. The goal is to wash their feet before this step but the directors have refused at all 3 orphanages so far. The next step is that the child receives a salvation bracelet and the story of Christ is explained to them, with the help of an interpreter.
It is an amazing ministry & I am blessed to be a part of it! The teachers were all called into the room and the leader, Bill Conlee, shared his testimony with them. He invited anyone who wanted to give their lives to Christ to kneel and pray with them and EVERY single one of them did!!! There were around 12 or 13 adults. They are all really responsive, along with most of the children. My concerns are that the chlidren fully understand what they are hearing and more than that....that they will continue to learn about Christ and have a real relationship with Him. In a foreign country, follow up is not guaranteed. PLEASE pray that these children know that God is changing them & that He continues to work out their salvation until it is complete.
We are having to overcome many obstacles...sometimes no water, no power, and orphanage directors blowing us off, and upset stomachs due to the crazy food. I haven't been able to schedule to following day's work until the very last minute and its stressing me out :) Good thing God knows what is going to happen. Please pray that things will continue to unfold as He has it planned, not me. Also, we are rapidly running out of shoes. We had planned to visit 3 more orphanages but I fear there is only enough shoes for 1 and a half. Please pray that God somehow multiplies these shoes or gives us another avenue of ministry in the case that we run out a day early. Thank you for your prayers!!!
It is an amazing ministry & I am blessed to be a part of it! The teachers were all called into the room and the leader, Bill Conlee, shared his testimony with them. He invited anyone who wanted to give their lives to Christ to kneel and pray with them and EVERY single one of them did!!! There were around 12 or 13 adults. They are all really responsive, along with most of the children. My concerns are that the chlidren fully understand what they are hearing and more than that....that they will continue to learn about Christ and have a real relationship with Him. In a foreign country, follow up is not guaranteed. PLEASE pray that these children know that God is changing them & that He continues to work out their salvation until it is complete.
We are having to overcome many obstacles...sometimes no water, no power, and orphanage directors blowing us off, and upset stomachs due to the crazy food. I haven't been able to schedule to following day's work until the very last minute and its stressing me out :) Good thing God knows what is going to happen. Please pray that things will continue to unfold as He has it planned, not me. Also, we are rapidly running out of shoes. We had planned to visit 3 more orphanages but I fear there is only enough shoes for 1 and a half. Please pray that God somehow multiplies these shoes or gives us another avenue of ministry in the case that we run out a day early. Thank you for your prayers!!!
Login to say something...
Jan 23
The best part is about to beginOctober 18, 2008
Early tomorrow morning, I'm going to meet the Happy Feet team at the airport in Kyiv and bring them back to Zhytomyr. The next 10 days are going to be extremely, intense, emotional & focused. This team of 10 is bringing as many as 800 pair of brand new shoes and we will, through the help of an interpreter, be washing each child's feet, sharing the story of Christ with them, and placing the new shoes on their feet. Every child will have the chance to accept Jesus as their Savior.
The leader of this ministry just got back from Ecaudor where 900 people prayed to receive Christ!!! This is a very real opportunity for these children to receive the hope that I know they desire deep down in their hearts. My prayer is that they will not only accept Him but will continue to grow after we leave. That God will begin the great work that He wants to do in their lives!!! Please pray with me! This is the most important part of all. I will keep you updated as much as I can.
In His great love,
Jennifer
The leader of this ministry just got back from Ecaudor where 900 people prayed to receive Christ!!! This is a very real opportunity for these children to receive the hope that I know they desire deep down in their hearts. My prayer is that they will not only accept Him but will continue to grow after we leave. That God will begin the great work that He wants to do in their lives!!! Please pray with me! This is the most important part of all. I will keep you updated as much as I can.
In His great love,
Jennifer
Login to say something...
Jan 23
Days with my little darlings...October 15, 2008
I'm back in Zhytomyr now & finally getting decent sleep. I will DEFINITELY appreciate my bed when I get back home! :) But its a tiny sacrifice to make for the amazing work that God is allowing me to do. Candace & I had to finally bust out a Red Bull though to get ourselves into the right time zone. haha.
Anyway, we spent the afternoon yesterday at the baby orphanage!! Oh my goodness how that place grabs my heart. Every time I'm here I feel like I could stay forever because nothing else seems to matter except pouring unending love and affection into those children. But I know that if I stay here I am only one person making a difference. And if I come home and share this with everyone, then other people will join me and hopefully come back and our efforts will multiply.
We've taken clothes to another orphanage today and two more tomorrow. This afternoon I am going to make contact with a brand new orphange and extend our realm of influence. Please pray that this one and the new one tomorrow will receive us and will agree to partner up with me and allow their children to come to America.
I love you all!!! Thank you SO much for your prayers, letters of encouragement & love. You are all so precious to me!!! Muah!!
Jenn
Anyway, we spent the afternoon yesterday at the baby orphanage!! Oh my goodness how that place grabs my heart. Every time I'm here I feel like I could stay forever because nothing else seems to matter except pouring unending love and affection into those children. But I know that if I stay here I am only one person making a difference. And if I come home and share this with everyone, then other people will join me and hopefully come back and our efforts will multiply.
We've taken clothes to another orphanage today and two more tomorrow. This afternoon I am going to make contact with a brand new orphange and extend our realm of influence. Please pray that this one and the new one tomorrow will receive us and will agree to partner up with me and allow their children to come to America.
I love you all!!! Thank you SO much for your prayers, letters of encouragement & love. You are all so precious to me!!! Muah!!
Jenn
Login to say something...
Jan 23
A wonderful day...a wonderful familyOctober 10, 2008
Words can't describe how great the past 2 days have been!!! I am so grateful to have the chance to spend a few days with what I am convinced is the greatest saint alive. Miss Lela is 83 years old and she loves more than anyone I have ever met in my life. She has been such an inspiration!!! She raised money by herself to build House of Hope, a place for older orphans who are kicked out of the house. It will hold up to 16 children at a time. She has chosen one orphanage to work with and the difference she has made is truly visible. She has given money to replace windows, purchase clothing, shoes, jackets, etc. I have learned so much from her already!! Odessa is beautiful!! Rolling hills into the Black Sea with many cedar trees along the cliffs.
After a night of card tricks with Miss Lela and a missionary family from Ocala, Florida, we piled 9 people into a tiny 5 seater car and went to a pizza place!!! It was so much fun!! We had a Bible study last night and we spent the afternoon today at Orphanage #4 in Odessa. Tomorrow we will ride the train to Zhytomyr and Sunday we're heading to Kyiv to go to the Hillsong church!!!! I'm SO excited!!!
As far as ministry goes, I have a new clear vision and I need your prayers!!! I will meet with a few different orphanage directors this upcoming week to talk about joining up with them for an exchange program where Americans will host a child for 3 months. I believe that so many adoptions will come out of this and it will truly honor God!!! Please pray that these directors will agree and that they will not be greedy and ask for money. After I meet with the directors, I have to go meet with the government officials to get permission to attempt something like this. Its a big task but I haven't been as excited about anything in a LONG time!!! Thank you for your prayers!! I'm not sure when I will have internet again but will write soon!!
I love you all with all my heart!!! In the words of Miss Lela, "God, please enlarge my heart and then fill it up with you so that everyone will know the love I have for You!!"
After a night of card tricks with Miss Lela and a missionary family from Ocala, Florida, we piled 9 people into a tiny 5 seater car and went to a pizza place!!! It was so much fun!! We had a Bible study last night and we spent the afternoon today at Orphanage #4 in Odessa. Tomorrow we will ride the train to Zhytomyr and Sunday we're heading to Kyiv to go to the Hillsong church!!!! I'm SO excited!!!
As far as ministry goes, I have a new clear vision and I need your prayers!!! I will meet with a few different orphanage directors this upcoming week to talk about joining up with them for an exchange program where Americans will host a child for 3 months. I believe that so many adoptions will come out of this and it will truly honor God!!! Please pray that these directors will agree and that they will not be greedy and ask for money. After I meet with the directors, I have to go meet with the government officials to get permission to attempt something like this. Its a big task but I haven't been as excited about anything in a LONG time!!! Thank you for your prayers!! I'm not sure when I will have internet again but will write soon!!
I love you all with all my heart!!! In the words of Miss Lela, "God, please enlarge my heart and then fill it up with you so that everyone will know the love I have for You!!"
Login to say something...
Jan 23
Back Again-October Adventures In Ukraine
October 9, 2008
Hello Everybody!!!
Candace & I made it safely to Kyiv with no flight problems. I've learned one thing already...I pack too much to carry around such heavy luggage. I traveled by train for the first time!! It was so much fun!!! So after an 8 hour train ride, we arrived in Odessa to find out that the 83 year old missionary we were staying with didn't remember who I was! Our interpreter knew someone in the city and we stayed the night there, thank the Lord!
Candace & I made it safely to Kyiv with no flight problems. I've learned one thing already...I pack too much to carry around such heavy luggage. I traveled by train for the first time!! It was so much fun!!! So after an 8 hour train ride, we arrived in Odessa to find out that the 83 year old missionary we were staying with didn't remember who I was! Our interpreter knew someone in the city and we stayed the night there, thank the Lord!
Today we finally got adjusted to the time change & we rode a bus for an hour to Miss Lela's house, where I am now. She is SUCH a blessing!! I'm pretty sure she is the personification of love. Ten minutes goes by and every person in the room has been told they they are loved and beautiful and wonderful. She moved here 14 years ago when her husband passed away. He told her to go and share Christ with people that have never heard and so here she is...Babushka Lela. The sweetest woman with the brightest smile and biggest heart I have ever been blessed to meet. Not sure where we will sleep tonight or tomorrow but so much lies ahead in the next couple weeks. What I do know is that God ALWAYS provides and He has allowed me to meet so many wonderful new friends!!!
I will write again as soon as I get a chance!!
Jenn
Login to say something...
Jan 23
Back at the Homefront
July 22, 2008
So after many delays & long layovers....we are finally home after over 35 hours of travel. As exhausted as everyone was, attitudes were outstanding & I heard no complaints. I honestly couldn't have had a better team!!!
The last day of camp, we were able to develop closer relationships with some of the older children and hear their stories. I had a talk with some of the teenage girls and told them personal stories of why its dangerous to dress provocatively. Hopefully they will listen for their own safety. We had one last time to share the gospel with the kids & praise God, there were some new kids that came the last day!!! Over 10 more children prayed to receive Christ on Friday!! We left a long list for the local pastor to go visit these children and do a follow up with them!!
Overall, this year was amazing! Great team, great kids, hard work, results, and there is still so much more to be done. I've only been home for 2 days and I'm already planning the next trip back!! Thank you for all of your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it if you would continue to pray!!
God is amazing!!!
The last day of camp, we were able to develop closer relationships with some of the older children and hear their stories. I had a talk with some of the teenage girls and told them personal stories of why its dangerous to dress provocatively. Hopefully they will listen for their own safety. We had one last time to share the gospel with the kids & praise God, there were some new kids that came the last day!!! Over 10 more children prayed to receive Christ on Friday!! We left a long list for the local pastor to go visit these children and do a follow up with them!!
Overall, this year was amazing! Great team, great kids, hard work, results, and there is still so much more to be done. I've only been home for 2 days and I'm already planning the next trip back!! Thank you for all of your prayers, I would greatly appreciate it if you would continue to pray!!
God is amazing!!!
Login to say something...
Jan 23
SUCCESS!! Orphanage Camp Update
July 15, 2008
Today was a huge success!!! Because of the constant changing of plans, we decided to show up with none...just ourselves and our stories. We started the morning with Jeremy & his guitar. The children are captivated by his music. Then I taught them a song in Ukrainian that simply says, "Read your Bible, pray every day and you’ll grow, grow, grow." But added hand motions and the fact that I was actually trying to sing a song in their language was a hit!! Then Jenny shared her story with the children so they would understand that not everyone in America has it made. We understand hard lives too. David shared his story next about his life before Christ, the accident that left him paralyzed, and now how thankful he is for God despite all he’s been through. We opened up the floor to the children, young and old, to ask whatever questions they had. It was an open forum type atmosphere & the first question was shocking but refreshing that they were finally ready to get real with us. The girl asked, "If God is so kind, then why does He allow all of these wonderful children to be neglected and to go without food so often?" I answered, explaining that God created the first family perfectly and they chose to sin. Now all families have sin in them & the world has many problems as a consequence of that decision. I also explained that God IS love and that He can’t be unkind. I asked the children, "If God was unkind, would He give his only child to die for you?" They said they understood. There were many other challenging questions, "Who made God?", "Does God have a birthday?"
It was GREAT to see the children responding and sincerely interested. We explained how to have a relationship with God and how to know if you will go to heaven and over 30 children prayed to commit their lives to Christ!!!!!! There was one specific boy that was extremely mischevious but he loves to help David & Kirk. They sat down with him today at lunch and asked him about his story. His mother used to beat him and make him work to earn money for her. He was badly mistreated and he ran away from home and now lives in the orphanage. Its sad when an orphanage is the better option. He said he related to Jenny’s story and he has big dreams of going to college to study computers and then raise a normal family of his own. Kirk and David presented the facts of salvation to him & he prayed to receive Christ. The change in him was instant. He started sharing his candy, smiling, and was so friendly. To think that just a few hours ago, he was the one beating the smaller children with sticks and now he has the chance to show extreme love. PLEASE continue to pray for these children!!! We have 2 more days with them at camp and I pray that more will understand and learn to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.
Login to say something...
Jan 23
2008 Orphanage Camp
July 11, 2008
Its much different this year at camp. There are 250 children with absolutely NO adult supervision or discipline. In the words of Kirk, "The monkeys are running the zoo." Its difficult to explain the reality of the situation but I want to try:
The older children run around punching the smaller ones and beat them with sticks or anything they can find. No one disciplines them so they don't listen to us when we try to stop them. I can't tell you how many crying children I have held and kissed until they stopped hurting. When we try to teach them about God, they say, "Ya ni hoicho" = I don't want God, I don't need Him. The smaller ones are interested and a few of the older ones have started asking questions. David & Ruthie shared their testimonies today & it was so much more effective than teaching stories they are somewhat familiar with. We handed out booklets in Ukrainian that explains how they can have a relationship with God and praise God, they were reading them all day!!
The teenagers don't want anything to do with us. They keep their distance. The director said he is personally in charge of keeping up with 45 of them. Its impossible, but they are trying their best to pull the children out of the woods, although some sneak out anyway. The ones that have made it out & back in have shown up with alcohol & huge knives. They don't show any respect for girls, pulling up their skirts in front of everyone, etc. We've seen extreme public affection from very young teenagers.
Point blank, these children need us. I wish there was more than 8 of us so that we could personally share with more kids. We all literally have about 6 children holding our hands and hanging on us wherever we go, and are following by crowds of children. They're seeking our attention and love. They want happiness and joy like we have. PLEASE pray that they will accept Jesus as their Savior. That they can trust Him no matter how hard their lives get. Please pray that the older children will soften towards us & will desire to listen. Please pray for our safety. Thank you for your prayers & I will continue to update you as I have time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
The older children run around punching the smaller ones and beat them with sticks or anything they can find. No one disciplines them so they don't listen to us when we try to stop them. I can't tell you how many crying children I have held and kissed until they stopped hurting. When we try to teach them about God, they say, "Ya ni hoicho" = I don't want God, I don't need Him. The smaller ones are interested and a few of the older ones have started asking questions. David & Ruthie shared their testimonies today & it was so much more effective than teaching stories they are somewhat familiar with. We handed out booklets in Ukrainian that explains how they can have a relationship with God and praise God, they were reading them all day!!
The teenagers don't want anything to do with us. They keep their distance. The director said he is personally in charge of keeping up with 45 of them. Its impossible, but they are trying their best to pull the children out of the woods, although some sneak out anyway. The ones that have made it out & back in have shown up with alcohol & huge knives. They don't show any respect for girls, pulling up their skirts in front of everyone, etc. We've seen extreme public affection from very young teenagers.
Point blank, these children need us. I wish there was more than 8 of us so that we could personally share with more kids. We all literally have about 6 children holding our hands and hanging on us wherever we go, and are following by crowds of children. They're seeking our attention and love. They want happiness and joy like we have. PLEASE pray that they will accept Jesus as their Savior. That they can trust Him no matter how hard their lives get. Please pray that the older children will soften towards us & will desire to listen. Please pray for our safety. Thank you for your prayers & I will continue to update you as I have time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Login to say something...
