Last Bell Blog

Dear Friends,

We are so excited about our FIRST SUMMER CAMP.  It is taking place this week at the orphanage.  It has been incredible to see how God has unfolded his plan to minister to these children.

The American team joined Liz and her staff on May 31^st.  Liz had decided the first of May that instead of having 2 weeks of camp, we would try something different.  And has it been a blessing.  But let me back up.  The first day there, everyone attended the Last Bell Ceremony at the orphanage.  This ceremony signifies the end of the school year.  Most children are excited and overjoyed to be out of school but for the graduates it is an anxious time knowing that they will have to leave everything they have know and face a future of unknowns and uncertainty. (I have reread this sentence as I have proofed this blog.  I realized that to say unknowns and uncertainty is a great injustice.  For many of them it is a future of blackness filled with hopelessness and despair leading many of them into alcohol and drug abuse, crime and prostitution and for some death by suicide and neglect.)

The next evening was the graduate reunion hosted by LBM.  One of the board members stated what a joy it was to see so many of the kids that we have been praying for over the years.  It was a great time of fellowship.  Many of these kids have been hurt by Christians and the speaker that night was able to get them to open up about their hurts and hopefully start some healing in their lives.

Back to doing things different.  Instead of having camp for two weeks, Liz planned the first week to lay a spiritual, emotional and physical foundation for the week of camp.  She and her staff excitedly prepared a prayer room where for 24 hours a day that first week someone would be praying.  Then each morning, a team went to the orphanage to help with painting, maintenance projects and remodeling.  In the late afternoon and evening, the whole team returned to the orphanage to spend time with the children, talking, playing games, and just getting acquainted.  By the time camp started this week, the children were ready and eager.  On Saturday, they had a carnival day and a bonfire.  It was a great time but also a sad reminder of what orphanage life is like as they observed kids fist fighting and older kids bullying younger kids.

Camp started this Monday.  There are sports activities, crafts and bible lessons in the morning and a group time in the evening with concerts and skits and more Bible time.  One of the exciting things that has happened with camp is the participation of so many different ministries.  This week a team from YWAM in Kiev came to help as counselors, Ukrainians from 2 different churches have participated in drama and music.

One of the most exciting has been the afternoon sessions with the 8^th and 9^th form kids.  These have been lead by staff from Mission to Ukraine, an outreach program in Zhytomir that specializes in abortion prevention counseling and Christian sex education.  Many of the girls already have had abortions and have been sexually involved with boys in the orphanage or have prostituted outside the orphanage.  Monday, the group was small but they listened carefully to what was said.  The orphanage Activity Director heard what was being talked about and instead of reacting adversely, she went to many kids the next day to talk them into coming!  The group has grown steadily every day.

After time with the kids in the evening another sister ministry prepares supper at their foster home for the entire team.  Then it’s back to the house and apartment for meetings and fellowship.

Prayer Requests: