back home safe

Sorry for the lack of updates -- we traveled a long way on very poor and bumpy roads and did not get to bed before 2 or 3 am the last three nights! Had some wonderful opportunities -- saw orphanages at Berizka, Vorzel, and Level Four at Znamenka in Khirovograd region! Lots of improvements! Lots of old friends! Friday night we spoke at a conference on helping work with children with Down Syndrome for a group of volunteers getting ready to work at Vorzel -- they want us back this winter to speak at a conference for 150 preople! God is Awesome! Debbie was a blast with her sharp wit and great attitiude! Kate was marvelous working with the orphans -- even the ones with severe disabilities! Next year we plan a late June trip with three teams -- therapy team, youth team (to pair up with Ukrainian youth from Almaz church), and construction crew! More to follow, but so good to have: Hot Shower, soft bed, and Sweet Tea! Not necessarily in that order! And fo course to be back home with our children! Thanks for all your prayers and support! We poured cement for a playground and flushed out the heating system at Vorzel! Thank you Orphans' Promise! Blessings and Love from Ukraine!

Thursday am

Very busy last two days, and limited internet access! Went to Chernigiv region Tuesday -- five hours each way, saw many orphans and Almaz is working on the summer camps up there. Spent Wednesday in Kiev, met with CBN Ukraine and had a wonderful meeting and fellowship -- we will work with them on a regular basis, I think. We are going to Berizka today, then back to Vorzel -- a team from the UK is arriving there today to work on projects as well. Everything is more complicated in Ukraine, but we are all doing well! Kate and Debbie are doing fine -- especially for their first time out of country! We might finish some projects here by Friday, and may take a half day of rest at the local spa as well. Kate's luggage is supposed to arrive from the airport today! Poor girl, she has been a real trooper with borrowed clothes!

Monday June 7

We made it to Ukraine with all the wheelchairs and therapy equipment, praise God! We drove up to JFK -- interesting drive! -- and got in line at Aerosvit where the lady in charge told ue we could not put the wheelchairs on the plane unless they were in crates! The guy who gave us permission previously was away on vacation and this lady said she knew nothing about it! We found two guys who worked at the airport wrapping suitcases in clear wrap, and they agreed to wrap all the wheelchairs and therapy equipment for us! You should have seen these guys work! So our loast team member, Kate, was delayed coming in from Norfolk, and they had to hold the plane for us, but we arrived safely and exhausted!

Today we slept well and went to the directors at Vorzel orphanage and gave them the therapy equipment and met many of our old friends there. We broke ground on the playground site, and also started work on the plumbing and heating system in one of the cottages at the orphanage. Tomorrow we go to another orphanage, then back here to continue our work. It is beautiful here, 70 degrees and very peaceful in the country, although a little primitive in amenities! More later, dave and janie

leaving tomorrow

What to pack, what to leave? Had a great prayer time last night with our small group from church! Emily's birth mom and aunt from Ethiopia are coming to see us today! We are still trying to clear the check for a surprise donation which we received Wednesday for $8000! Please pray we can work it out with the bank! Stay tuned, it is bound to get crazier! :~)

Two days until departure

Still trying to get everything organized -- took the wheelchairs and therapy equipment to the local dog groomers to weigh them! Four of us going on Saturday for a week to work with the orphans at Vorzel --mostly children with special needs. Haven't been over in two years, and I miss it! Lots of friends over there still, and we hope to make new friends as well! Please pray for us! I believe it will also be a time to draw closer to God and hear from him about the direction He has for our lives! dave