We just delivered the Christmas boxes for the kids at Hope Orphanage. It was so much fun to watch them open their packages and see the joy on their faces! It was a great Christmas present for us to share the love of Jesus with the kids at Hope Orphanage. Thanks for all the generous donors who make our ministry with these kids possible.
Today we were at Hope Orphanage to restock the Sparrow's Hope store. Since Dima and Leanna are out of school for Christmas break they went with me to help out. The kids at the orphanage were still at school (Christmas in Ukraine is January 7th.) so we had to haul all the supplies up to the 4th floor ourselves - Dima called it his workout! It is always a joy to restock the store for the kids - they are so grateful for the opportunity to shop. Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to help these kids.
We have 21 children who have not yet been sponsored at Hope Orphanage and we decided that they really needed to receive Christmas boxes like the sponsored kids. So we shared our desire with our church family in Gorlovka and invited them to help. Wow, they really came through and today we packed 21 boxes to deliver to the kids tomorrow.
The older boys received a fleece blanket with their names embroidered on them, an MP3 player with extra batteries, a toiletry kit with deodorant, a brush, shower supplies, socks and a big bag of M&M's!
The older girls received a fleece blanket with their names embroidered on them, an MP3 player with extra batteries, socks, shower gel with a scrubby, shampoo and conditioner kit, deodorant, an umbrella and a box of candy.
The younger girls received a sweater, tights, craft projects, a stuffed animal, a Barbie doll, Barbie dresses and accessories, a plastic carrying case for all the Barbie items and candy.
If you would like to sponsor one of these kids, or know someone who would, please get in touch with us and we will set you up as a sponsor.
We took more of the kids from Hope Orphanage shopping for winter goods last weekend. It was very cold and snowing, so we were in more of a hurry than when the weather is warm. Once again we had a few vendors who gave good discounts or free items to the children. Gloves, hats and new coats were the most popular items purchased this trip. Although Lora, Dasha and I spent about four hours in the cold, it was worth it to see the joy in the kids eyes and in their smiles as they made their purchases. Thanks to all our sponsors who make it possible to provide for these precious children.
Yesterday we took 21 kids from Hope Orphanage to the local clothes market for a shopping trip. The kids were so excited about getting to pick out the things they needed and wanted. It is always humbling and encouraging to see these kids shop for themselves and share with each other.
Since we take the kids to the same market repeatedly, the word gets around rather quickly that the kids from Hope Orphanage are shopping. Yesterday one vendor gave us a huge bag of hats and scarfs. Another vendor gave two boys in my group free jeans. Most vendors give a small discount for the kids. One girl in Lora's group asked a vendor if she would give a discount, she replied that she would not, and the girl said, "Well, why not?" Lora was so proud. It is encouraging to see Ukrainians taking interest in helping these kids.
Thanks to all our sponsors for providing funds to help these kids with the necessities of life. Your generosity is changing their lives.
Recently Hope Orphanage received two flat panel televisions and a surround sound system from a generous donor, but their maintenance personnel were unwilling to install them. They asked if we could help so my friend, Igor, a great electrician, and I installed the televisions and the sound system. Last week Leanna and I visited the orphanage for me to install plastic casings to hide the wires. While working several of the boys were eagerly watching and wanting to help. I love working with and around these kids!
Leanna and I also stocked the Sparrow's Hope Store with more products - personal hygiene items, craft and art supplies, and school supplies. The kids are all excited about the restocked store and have been working hard to increase their accounts for shopping. Thanks to all our donors who make our work with Hope Orphanage possible.
Lora and Dasha recently took bags of clothes for the children under age twelve who did not get to go on the shopping trips. The kids were so excited to get their bag of clothes and goodies. The boys got jeans, shirts, underwear, pajamas, socks, Spider Man comic books with collectors cards. The girls got jeans, shirts, underwear, PJ's, socks, and Hello Kitty trinkets. Thanks to our sponsors for making it possible to bless these kids in this way.
We spent the past four days shopping for items, pricing and packaging them and then stocking them in the Sparrow's Hope Store at the Hope Orphanage in Gorlovka. After a couple of months of inactivity with the kids at the orphanage (while they were away at summer camp) we have been busy with them and working for them for the past week. It has been a family affair as Lora and I did the shopping, Lexi and Leanna got involved with the pricing, and Dima got to help haul stuff to the house then back to the car. It is all a labor of love and it is so exciting to see the faces of the kids who benefit from all the work. Thanks to all the sponsors who make it all possible.
On Sunday we took the younger children (11-13) shopping at the market. They were fun to shop with although they were quite excited and full of energy!
Last weekend we took three groups of kids from Hope Orphanage shopping at the Andrevski Market in Gorlovka. We divided them into groups and spent a couple of hours per group shopping for the things they needed and wanted. It was my first time going with the kids and I have to admit it was an amazing experience. The kids were so thankful for the opportunity to shop for themselves, and they were amazingly patient and generous with each other. It was fun to be with them and see their excitement about their purchases. Thanks to all our sponsors for making it possible for these kids to have this experience and the things they need.
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