Friday, January 29, 2010

WHEN A DESPERATE NEED IS IDENTIFIED

TOO OFTEN WE TAKE OUR COMFORTS FOR GRANTED
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WE RECEIVED FROM OUR STAFF IN KYRGYZSTAN!

But first - we want to tell you that within 6 hours one of our partners wrote to us and said, "Hey guys, we will cover this one." Thanks John and Possibilities International!

I am writing you on behalf of L... from Iskra. They have an urgent need at Invalid Home. By the way, they have a new director there........ The new director is a very good guy.
All the men in Invalid Home have head and body lice they are suffering from that a great deal . Lice are everywhere – in their beds, clothes etc. all the men have sores on their bodies and heads. They can’t sleep at nights because lice bite them. L.. says they need about $250 to buy medicine for lice and disinfect all the building. If you can share this need with all your friend and help them with money for medicine.


That is right - for just $250 they can treat this home of 250 men! We are so thankful for all the support we get from you, our partners, friends and family. May we all take a moment and just consider our blessings, friends and family!

CANADIAN TEAM - The team we are taking on March 26th will be working in this home - bringing hope and dignity to the men. When you spend time with these men, your lives change. Althought in Kyrgyzstan, there are next to no services for the disabled, we are blessed to have teams who are willing and eager to go to these men and serve them! Keep posted to hear the great things this team will be doing.

SOMETHING NEW TO OUR BLOG...YOU CAN BECOME A FOLLOWER - SEE THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS POSTING... THANKS..

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

TOKMOK NEWS

KYRGYZSTAN
We just received word that we were named in this weeks Tokmok Newspaper as one of the persons/groups who "help Tokmok." Both our names and the name of our organization were noted as "helpers of Tokmok." We are humbled to be mentioned. We do what we can, when we can and we have a fabulous team of workers, doing some fabulous work:
* David - creating new curricula for the Christian Schools of Mercy Foundation
* Jayne - developing the first foster care system in Kemim
* Don and Johanna - reworking the Life Skills to be published in Kyrgyzstan
* Lynn - working to develop the leadership skills of the staff at Mercy Foundation
* Natasha - working with me to develop a foster care, adoption and reunification program
* Chris - implementing a full specialization for the Humanatarian University to strengthen families
* Dr. Greenbaum - coming to deliver lectures for a week to professionals working with children
* Canadian Team - preparing to renovate, serve and build hope and dignity with children, seniors and the disabled
* YOU - OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE!

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON...

Go Team,
Ruby

Monday, January 25, 2010

ACTIVATING AND EQUIPPING LEADERS

UKRAINE 2010

Monday begins the big week of training for the leadership trainers in Ukraine...getting in touch with the needs of children and families. The project - "Let's keep children out of the orphanages and keep them with their families - safe and loved." "Let's be sure children are placed into families who will keep them safe if they cannot live with their own family!"

We call this GATEKEEPING!

LAMb is committed to helping the orphans of Ukraine - following the James 1:27 challenge. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

The more trainers we train - the more orphans have family! And stay tuned as we move on over to Kyrgyzstan for four months....serving by activating and equipping!For 17 years he was an orphan and now back home with his birth parents...a miracle of James 1:27 in action

Thursday, January 21, 2010

UKRAINE AND ON TO KYRGYZSTAN

JOIN US!
We cannot begin to express the gratitude that comes from the children, grandmothers, grandfathers and the disabled when someone comes to them to spend time with them. We have a super team going to Kyrgyzstan with LAMb in March...we will already be there and will be waiting....watch for the results!!!! We are so excited. AND there is still time for you to join the team.

Watch for the results:
1. Medical lectures by a team member from Atlanta.
2. Rennovation of the Senior home in Kemin
3. Food Drops by the team
4. Cell groups for our local churches
5. Working with the orphans in a large Tokmok orphanage
6. New training courses for our partner Christian schools in Kyrgyzstan
7. A new year specialization for the Humanatarian University in Bishkek
8. A soccer club for the orphans in both Bishkek and in Tokmok orphanages
9. Finding connections/help for an adoptive parent and her child in Bishked
10. Teaching and serving at the local church in Tokmok
11. Teaching and serving at the University of Central Asia - founded by our partners Mercy Foundation.
12. Delivering medical supplies to the local hospitals in Tokmok
13. Developing and supporting two major foster care programs in Kyrgyzstan
14. Teaching and training in Kiev, Ukriane
15. Implementing a full leadership program for the leaders of our partners Father's House in Ukraine.
16. Implementing a full leadership development program for the leaders of our partners in Kyrgyzstan, Mercy Foundation.
17. Training trainers to deliver critical Life Skills to orphans in Kyrgyzstan

AND THIS IS THE SHORT LIST........

Want to help? check out our NEW BUTTON ABOVE LEFT....

We are more than excited about our new journey - 2010 and ..LAMb is on the MOVE.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

PREPARING FOR UKRAINE

UKRAINE THEN KYRGYZSTAN

Time is running out for us to be on the ground here in North America. We will soon be traveling once again out of the country. Ruby leaves on the 29th of January for Ukraine and we both leave on the 22nd of February for Kyrgyzstan. Our team members will join us in Kyrgyzstan in March. And the team will be in Central Asia until May. We have much work to do:

  • Implementing a curriculum into the Christian Schools that meets the new Religious Law. This will help children learn to develop Christian Character, teach them Life SKills and help them to understand and compare different religions fo the world.

  • Implementing a full foster care program in two regions: Kemin and Tokmok. As well, developing trainers, government workers, church leaders to carry this out in the future once again our goal to create sustainable progams which help children and families become strong, safe and effective.

  • Implementing a training program for two different Christian organizations - one in Ukraine and one in Kyrgyzstan which will be to develop their leadership staff in the areas of leadership, management and supervision.

  • Providing spititual guidance to several Christian Schools, a University and the organization that started them.

  • Conducting cell groups in our apartment for many different people who would want to join us.

  • Implementing a full specialization course on children and families for Social Workers who are studying at the University in Bishkek.

  • Completing two projects with the seniors at the Kemin Senior Home - called The Gift of God Friendship Center.

And this is just the beginning...as our motto is to "Just show up and stop for the one in front of you!" STAY TUNED FOR MORE.

Please see the blog of our team members: Pastor David and Jayne Schooler

http://www.dandjschooler.blogspot.com/

Friday, January 15, 2010

HELP FOR HAITI











PLEASE READ THIS - DIRECT FROM HAITI - BILL MANASSERO

1/14/09 6:50pm

It has been a trying time but our Rock of Salvation sustains us. Seeing such suffering, death and devastation is definately wearing on all of us. Many of our employees have lost family members and homes. We also heard the terrible news that one of our former workers at the boys home, Daniel Jean, has passed away. This young man was like a son to Susette and I. Please keep his mother Matilla and their family in your prayers.

Earlier today, we wer overwhelmed with patients at our makeshift clinic. Unfortunately we wer also out of meds and doctors. The few nurses we have wer fading quickly.

We are reading that ther are all these relief suplies arriving in Haiti but don't know how to access them. Roads are bad. Ports and customs are even worse.

We closed the clinic and said we were unable to help any new people. Someone told my the CNN wanted an interview. We thought if we could get the word out, maybe one of the relief organiations here might hear about or dilemma and find a way to get us supplies. I waited on hold for about 30-45 minutes with CNN and they ended up postponing the interview. By the time I made it back to the clinic our doors were open and they were receiving new patients. When I asked what happened, they said an SUV full of Haitian doctors and nurses arrived with supplies. I guess God want us to stay open - at least for another day or two, which is how long the supplies may last.

One of the toughest new patients we received was a little 12-18 month old baby that had crawled out from the rubble of its house where both his mother and father had died. They lady that found the baby crawling on the street in front of his home said the baby was just crying hysterically. He was dehydrated and pretty scratched up. He is doing much better not but he is very fragile.

We have had a number of amputations, many cuts and bruises, broken bones and multiple head injuries. Al lot of the people we are seeing now are those who have been rescued from collapsed buildings.

We don't know how people are finding us but the word is definately out. If only the relief organizations could find out.

We also don't know how long we can continue. At this point, it looks like we will be operating the clinic for some time to come..

Please help if you can....go to the following blogs to donate:


or


Thanks so much from

the LAMb Team!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

PLEASE HELP OUR FRIENDS


HAITI

We must respond to the call. Haiti is in dire need. Our friends from Possibilities International are there. They can use ALL the help we can send. Please see the following blogs to respond, DONATE and help them while they are there on the ground in Haiti doing what they can.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Monday, January 11, 2010

JUST SHOW UP AND STOP FOR THE ONE IN FRONT OF YOU

KYRGYZSTAN - SHOWING UP SOON! Our motto for the past couple of years has been to "just show up and stop for the one in front of you." This might seem strange for some people, but the work on the mission field is full of needs and challenges. We often are burdened not being able to meet all the needs we see. However, some time ago, our team member Jayne read a book about "stopping for the one in front of you" and that spoke to all of us immediately. Today we have been asked to "stop" several different places: a request to deliver several seminars to the Humanitarian University for social work students who want to know more about child abuse and neglect. Our plan has been to host a doctor from Atlanta, Georgia in February and March. We are scheduling her to lecture to many different groups: orphanage staff, medical staff from the hospitals in Tokmok and in Bishkek, to police, teachers and other professional social workers. She is an expert in child abuse and neglect and will be a great help to our work in Kyrgyzstan.

Children are hurting everywhere and education is one tool to protect them. We praise God for the generous heart of this doctor - willing to "show up and stop for the one in front of her!"

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

JUST ASK FOR MORE


When in Iskra - our last trip, we had an amazing suggestion from one of the residents from the Home for Disabled Men. We were all talking to them about the work that had been done by Possibilities International. When it was noted that we were thankful for God's provision for the funds to do the work and we all would do more work when funds arrived. One resident down on his knees because he "walks" this way, said. "Thank you so much - but please just ASK GOD FOR MORE." And he was serious! Take a look at the picture as this took place!!!!


Well, our team returns next month. Lynn and Ruby leave in February and Pastor David and Jayne leave in March - we will all be there until May. The needs are waiting. Might you be the answer to their requests? We can tell you how to help. Just contact us. Thanks SO MUCH!!!!

John 14:14 "If you ask anything in my name, I will do it."

Monday, January 4, 2010

FIRST FOSTER HOME IN TOKMOK

We are excited to report the FIRST FOSTER HOME IN TOKMOK is in place. The story is incredible. Here are a few facts first:


  • Our partner, Jayne Schooler has been working in Kemin to develop our first pilot foster care program. She has been training leadership, and prospective foster parents.

  • Natasha our staff in Kyrgyzstan has been working with Jayne and has been interpreting/translating all the foster care project work for the Kemin project.

  • Ruby initiated the first training program for prospective adoptive parents in Tokmok and they have now asked for a foster care pilot program as well.

  • Natasha has been instrumental in this project - translating and learning the training material from LAMb team members.

  • Natasha then conducted additional tranining herself (with the prospective adoptive parents) after we left Kyrgyzstan to return home. It was after this training ended that the prospective parent said they all wanted to tell their adoptive children the truth about their adoption. After this training, the local authorities asked for LAMb help to start a foster care program in the Tokmok area as well.

Now the story - As most of you know we did the assessment that started the closing of the Tokmok orphanage. Children were reunited with families or transferred to another facility. We had placed in our recommendations that we work with the orphanage and help them find foster homes for the children. This did not happen - but the plan is still in place.




However, Natasha is not hindered with barriers. A few months back she noticed that one of the boys at the orphange looked very much like one of the children at the baby orphanage. She did the "digging" and found out indeed they were brothers. She asked the young boy at the orphanage about his brother and he became very sad saying that he had not seen his baby brother for a long time and did not know where he was. (THEY WERE WITHIN 1/2 MILE FROM EACH OTHER!)



Natasha reuinited the brothers and regular visits began between the orphanage and the baby orphanage. However, with the moving of the children from the orphanage to another facility - the brothers would once again be separated - now by over 3 hours away. NOT TO BE - Natasha and her family are now the foster home for Tolik! And his brother Artum at the baby orphanage see his brother often!

Although we could not reunite all 18 children with family members - this is the beginning. The local government worker, Janel wants our help to find foster homes for other children. We are so excited to be returning to Kyrgyzstan next month to begin the work. Our team members, Pastor David and Jayne will join us in March. We will all be in Kyrgyzstan until May, 2010.

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU JUST SHOW UP!!!

BTW - We need $5,000 to run a full foster family program for one full year. This is training of the families, and supporting the children who will be placed into their homes. We expect to have 10 families this first year and double that for next year. We are offering $35 per month support for each child we place into their homes.....might you help? Let us know.

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