Last full camp day

Last full day of camp...it is amazing how we and the kids have come so far in so short a time. Seeing the smiles around us, it is difficult to remember the suspicious stares many of them wore the first two days. These children are not simply "orphans", they are people like you and me who need love and hope for the future. The main thrust of the teaching this was accepting that God is your father and He will never leave you. I was encouraged by my group's response to this and also their previous knowledge of and faith in God.
We left this morning with many tears on both sides. I realize now that I have always thought of a mission trip as a good thing to do and something we as Christians should do. However, this week God taught me that it is SO much more than that. This is not a once in a lifetime experience, but the beginning of a new outlook on life and really viewing each day as a new opportunity for doing God's work.

Day 7

After another great day, the team is more united than ever before.
More and more, we're beginning to realize how hard it's going to be to
leave these kids.

The kids have seemed very receptive to Russ's talks during evening
program. We have great hopes that soon some of these kids might be in
a position to commit their lives to Jesus. There is much opennes here.
The ground is fertile and the seeds are being planted.

We are all so happy for all the support coming from home. The
encouragement, the prayer, the kind words, they are all greatly
appreciated. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers,
and more than us, keep the kids in your hearts. They need love so much.

Many thanks,
Ukraine Mission Trip

Message from Oleg

>
> Americans often break into tears here at the camp falling in love
> with children. The same is true about Radooga staff.
>
> This year God is allowing us to have much deeper conversations than
> last year.
>
> I find myself often thinking that one week of camp can't change 16
> years of humiliation, pain, attacks on their dignity. But coming
> here a year after year can make a difference.
>
> Showing salvation numbers among the orphans is not a very exciting
> statistics but each smile, each hug, each conversation we get is a
> huge step forward in winning their souls.
>
> Oleg
>
>
>
> 11 июля 2009, в 07:38, Valerie Hall <valerie@studentlife.com> написа
> л(а):
>
>> hey
>> I need to know how much money is needed to do orphan camps this
>> summer...
>> Exact breakdown of costs and where it would go...
>> I may have found some money to send your way for orphan camps!
>> Can you let me know asap?
>> thanks!!!!!!!!
>> Valerie
>>
>>
>> On Jul 9, 2009, at 3:06 PM, Oleg Vasilevsky wrote:
>>
>>> Val,
>>>
>>> I am real sorry. I can't call from here. What can I do for you?
>>>
>>> Oleg
>>>
>>> Отправлено с iPhone
>>

Saturday, Day 5

>
>

> Today, the American team rose to greet the campers at "morning
> stretch" as has become our routine over the past few days. However,
> apparently the weekend camp schedule is different, because instead
> of a couple hundred kids there were just a dozen or so of us,
> standing in the middle of the meeting area. Whoops! Well, we ended
> up with a little extra time for our morning devotional.
>
> The campers grow more dear to us every day as we continue to learn
> more about them and share our own stories. We are starting to run
> out of some of the many craft supplies we brought from home - even
> the older kids have really enjoyed the chance to make things with
> their hands.
>
> Thanks to all of you reading this for your support and prayers. God
> is so good to us in the midst of language barriers, unfamiliar food
> and non-luxurious accomodations! All of us on the team are so
> grateful to Him and to you.
>
> - Lynn

Day 4

Today seemed to be a positive day for our team. We (the Americans) were all on stage together for the first time today during "programma" and performed an amazing rendition of "Pharoh Pharoh" with choreography the children loved.

Some of the kids are beginning to open up which is a wonderful thing but it brings out dark pasts filled with suffering and pain. The grim reality for these children is beginning to hit us hard. We are definitely becoming more and more emotionally and physically drained as the days go on. It's a good thing God's power is made perfect through our weakness. Please pray that God fills us with the strength to keep pursuing the kids among the frustration of the language barriers.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

P. S. I love you mom and dad.

- Amy

Day 3 of Camp (Thursday)

Camp continued and we're feeling settled in to the camp routine. We're really enjoying getting to know kids; even the more reluctant children are starting to warm up to us. It is encouraging to see more and more children showing up to the morning and evening programs, our activities, rec, and evening bedtime stories. Many of the kids are even sharing their stories, asking about God, or contributing to prayers! We miss everybody, but we are safe, happy and learning - God is good!

Today was our first full day in Kharkiv! We got an early start and experienced our first camp breakfast. Afterwards we listened to some testimonies from team members and had a very basic Russian lesson. We spent a lot of time today learning more about Radooga, it's mission and what it does for these children. We are so blessed to be a part of this ministry! Tonight we will spend some time with the kids... We are looking forward to officially beginning the camp tomorrow! Continued prayers are appreciated!
Team 2

Fans of the midtown team... We have arrived safely in ukraine, did some sight seeing and are heading to bed early. 8 hours on a bus to Kharkiv tomorrow. Pray for us and these children!