A Very Quick Update From A Very Slow Internet Connection

September 14, 2008

Being back in Vapnyarka brings back the old familiar feeling of coming home from college for a break. I unpack my things and try to settle into my room, remembering that I left this or that back in Chernovtsy. I dig through the bags I left behind, to see what I can find. The kids welcome me back home as my family did. I am caught up on the latest happenings and shown pictures of the first day of school and Russlana’s 15th birthday party, which I sadly missed. It is the warm feeling of being home but knowing I will soon return to Chernovtsy to be part of something that is equally as wonderful. I feel very blessed that God has given me the opportunity to work with two ministries; both working with children shunned by their society- those with special needs and social orphans affected by HIV.

I am happy to report that my Russian skills greatly improved over the summer. Enough so, that I am now able to help the children with their English homework. It is a role that I find very rewarding. I am not the only one who grew over the summer. The children have too. The littlest, Mila has started first grade. Russlana has turned 15. In Ukrainian culture it is sweet 15 not 16. When I left the Uno cards were wearing away. I have returned to find that many of them have been laminated in packing tape to make them stronger. The weather also has decided to turn cold. Cloudy and rainy days have ushered in winter’s first cold winds and I am not enjoying them.

Please continue to pray for the children and for the continued renovations of the new children’s center. Much work has been completed through the help of donations and work and witness teams who were willing to get their hands dirty. The kids have also pitched in to help construct their new home. God is doing great things with World Light Foundation’s ministry both here at the children’s center and in Odessa where they have started building relationships with street children. I hope to soon give more complete and detailed information on the progress of both ministries.

While I am here getting reacquainted and reorganized, Vera is back in Chernovtsy battling the bugs. Please pray that this problem would soon be resolved. Before I left, we also unpacked a huge shipment of flood relief from Germany. It is the shipment that contained the wheel chairs that would be given away in one of the local villages. Customs paperwork was to be done this week, in order to release and distribute the clothes, furniture, and wheel chairs. There was a problem, though. The wheel chairs were not able to clear customs without further paperwork, not just from the regular officials but from the ministry of health. These documents could take up to three additional months to obtain. Nothing from the shipment can be released until everything is approved. Vera called everyone she knew to find a local connection to help get things done more quickly. (That is the way things are done here. It is all about who you know. And if you can, start at the top, go to the President first.) Vera went to the local Ministry of Health to see what she must do and try to work with them to get the shipment released as soon as possible. When she arrived, the lady already knew about the shipment. Someone, from parliament had called to see why the shipment was being held up. It was a miracle. Vera does not know anyone in parliament. She is not even sure who called but we know for sure that it was God who released the shipment. Please pray that the items will be distributed, where they are most needed. Pray for the people who will be receiving them. Pray for victims as they rebuild their lives. Prayer is also needed for the club. Please pray for the families and children involved. The club space is also very crowded. Also pray that God would provide a large club space for the winter.

Prayer is powerful. I have seen the power many times over my lifetime. I have asked you to pray for many things and now I ask you to pray with me for a little girl named Kotia. She is an 18 year old girl in Chernovtsy. She is in bed all the time. Her father died about four years ago. Her loving mother puts all her energy into taking care of her. Because she is unable to move, her joints are aching. Her spinal cord is twisted. She cannot lie on her side. Her health condition is getting worse. She is currently in great pain. Please pray for Kotia. Pray that her pain would go away. Pray for her mother to have strength to take care of her. There is a medical bed and orthopedic for people in Kotia’s condition. Unfortunately, the funds are not currently available for the special bed. It costs approximately $3,000.00. Please pray with Kotia, her family, Vera and the Aquilla family and me. Pray that God will provide the bed or the funds for the bed that will help Kotia and her mother. If you are interested in donating money toward the cost of Kotia’s bed please contact Vera or me.

Thank you for your time. May God bless you, Tiffany