Two more days...

The last few days have been kinda slow for myself. I picked up a fever, I believe from playing with children non-stop for over a week. They sure know how to drain all your energy.Today I am feeling much better after a good nights sleep. Almost all of us have undertaken some type of sickness. Please pray for our health.

Yesterday we went to the orphanage outside of Borodyanka that we had gone to the previous year. This orphanage only houses about 12 kids total. We just brought some fruit and cookies for the kids, then played some games. Yesterday was also what they call in Ukraine the "Last Bell". Every school ends on this day and it is a big celebration. We went to one of the schools and got to partake in the festivities. After so much action today we have a day off. A day of rest much needed. Only a couple days until we return to the states. Thank you so much for all your support. GOD bless!

Borodyanka

With a long safe journey and pizza along the way, we have made it to our final destination Borodyanka. The Orphanage in Bila Tszerkov was time well spent. We had the opportunity to share Bible stories from creation all the way up to the death of Jesus on the Cross. We had differenet crafts everyday for the kids that they seemed to enjoy to do with us.These orphans have once again take a piece of my heart. If anyone has the thought of adopting let me know! I have encountered so many truly amazing children that have never been a part of a family.Keep these little ones in your prayers, that they may encounter the abounding love of Christ in their life, and that He surpasses all treasure here on this earth.

Today we are heading to the nearby school to talk to a 3rd and 5th grade class that are studying english. I am excited this is something we got to do last year and it was a blast. Then tonight we are going to church for a Bible study. I am looking forward to have a lot of relaxing time here in Borodyanka. Nearly 80 children sure know how to drain every ounce of energy from you. Thank you so much for your prayers! May GOD bless you all

Alive and Well

It is now our fourth day in Chernigov. We had to stay an extra day because one of Amanda's luggage was lost at the airport. The good news is we got it today and tomorrow morning we are leaving to the orphanage in Bila Tszerkov. The last couple days we spent at an orphanage and a mental hospital for young children. Our time here has been truly amazing. I am staying with an American family who is the pastor of a church plant here. There kids keep me going even with the jet lag which is slowly dissapating. I loved the town and culture so much, I hope to return to Chernigov sometime in the future. Thanks for your prayers and please continue as we travel to Bila Tszerkov. There I will not have access to internet, so this might be the last for a week. GOD bless

(Paul) Your shirts are well worn and many pictures were taken. Thank you!

Made It!

Made it through the Russian flight safe to our first destination in Chernigov. Getting ready to take off for our first day into the city on about four hours of sleep. Breakfast was delicious along with some wonderful portuguese coffee. It is so amazing, yet surreal to be back in Ukraine. I hope to blog as often as possible to keep everyone updated on my travels. It will be hard when I am at the orphanage with no internet though. Thanks for everyones prayer and support!

GOD bless
Пуст Бог Благославит Тебя

Daily Bread

It has been incredible to see my perspectives change after traveling to a foreign country seeing the daily lives of others through my own eyes. To catch a glimpse of how selfish I am about my own future. I have always dreamed of having the perfect family, a nice house, a nice car, money to support and make my family happy. These are all nice things to acquire, but who am I to assume this is what God has planned for me. A verse I keep returning to in Proverbs sums it up best, "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV) I never believed God would ever call me to the mission field, mostly it just wasn't appealing to me because of the living conditions it would bring. After spending 2 weeks with orphans in Ukraine a piece of my heart has been forever left in the eyes of every child I came in contact with. A Love so deep has been instilled within my heart for these fatherless children; I don't believe any words could explain. At the moment I feel God is calling me back to where the pieces of my heart have been scattered throughout the country of Ukraine. It doesn't matter what kind of living conditions I must pertain to as long as I am with those whom I love. For ultimately that these orphans will come to realize thier Father who loves so unconditionally awaiting for them to come running into his arms. A Father they can always count on being there when no one else is around to comfort them. For now I have no idea what God has planned for me in the next minute, day, and the rest of my life; I find beauty in that. I pray it is not my own selfish ambition, but to glorify the Father whatever my future brings in that only my daily bread may be provided.

Hume Lake

It is a beautiful sunny morning staring out into God's beautiful creation known as Hume Lake. For the first time since i have been up here it has been a pretty decently warm morning, which i am so thankful for. I am loving every moment of working with the Hume staff especially in the coffee shop "Hume n' Beans" where we have the most awesome staff. It has been such a blessing working with people who love Jesus and share my same joking sarcasm. I'm really enjoying the contact we get with the campers and the counselors with there daily routine of coffee or smoothies. Most of all God is working through my life in a way that has been more tangible than ever before. Through my morning devotions, prayer, and just listening to what God is trying to tell me in my everyday life. As much as I wish I could jump on a plane and head right back to Ukraine where I left a piece of my heart; God has brought me to realize he has put me right where I am for a reason. He has me in the palm of his hand guiding my every path. God-willing one day I hope to return to that place I grew to love "Ukraine" , but until then I need to focus on this moment in time where God has me and what He wants to do with me.

Ukraine thoughts...

Its been nearly a week since our return home from Ukraine. The kids stories and faces replay over and over again in my mind and run vivid through my dreams. All i can do being so far away is the memories and continued prayer for them. One story that broke my heart a boy named shasha told about his childhood. At the age of five his mother got so drunk he took his three month old brother to the police and convinced them his little brother should not be living at home. His little brother Dima, then was sent to an orphanage. A couple years ago his mother died in a fire while drunk, then about six months ago he lost his father. Shasha went to join his brother at the orphanage at the age of 16. He told our translator Yuri the reason he smoked was because he knew for every cigarette he smoked he was closer to death to be reunited with his mother. These kids are left with no one to love them and no one they can depend on, they are left alone. Even for the three weeks we had to love on the kids we still had to leave and once again they were left alone. If only they knew of how much our Heavenly Father loves them and desires them. A God who will not let them down and will be by there side every second of the day. I hope one day to return to the orphanages, maybe getting the chance to share that love God has for them. If only they could understand who this Creator of the Universe is that desires to hold them in the palm of his hand. Here is a song I have written for these orphans I cant get off my mind.

Another story, another tear streams right down your face
So much hurt , so much pain you try to hold it in
Your broken and dry trying to hide from this world

Theres a love that you can hold on to waiting with open arms
A father who seeks you for his own to restore your broken heart
Come and drink and you will never thirst again

Fatherless, where to go? filled with emptiness
Left alone in the darkness with a longing to be found
Your broken and dry trying to hide from this world

With his touch you will find peace
In his love you will find mercy and grace

Hope you enjoy GOD bless