Thursday, May 29, 2014

CAPACITY BUILDING TO HELP THOSE WORKING WITH FAMILIES AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

NEXT IMMEDIATE STOP FOR LAMb

We will be meeting up with Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) and World Without Orphans (WWO) leadership in Pretoria, South Africa.

To further the cause, work and mobilized churches for working with families and vulnerable children - most specifically - ORPHANS

Training, consulting, speaking, meeting, planning - activating those who are ready for mobilization!

http://www.saos2014.org/

Check out the conference details.  Pray for those coming from many different regions in Africa.  Remember, it is all about:

ONE CHILD, ONE FAMILY, ONE CHURCH, ONE COUNTRY AT A TIME

WORLD WTHOUT ORPHANS IS A REALITY

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

OUR UKRAINE FAMILY WILL BE HEADING HOME FOR A VISIT


TIME FOR A SABBATICAL 
Costa and Olga have been serving in Kyrgyzstan with their two children for two years. It is time for them to visit their homeland - Ukraine.  Please read their letter below and consider helping them make this trip.

It’s been almost two years since our family moved to Kyrgyzstan. These two years have past by quickly.
We have been serving children and families, and God was teaching us a lot. These two years have been an incredible blessing for us, and we hope that we were a blessing to all those who we served, and will be serving…
Last summer our parents visited us in Kyrgyzstan and this year we felt the need to visit our families and friends in Ukraine. All of you who were fallowing the news and my posts, noticed what was happening in Ukraine.  This was deep into our hearts.  We have been praying and waiting for God’s answer for the right time for us to visit Ukraine, and both of us felt that now is the time. 

We are going home for one month.  We need some time of restoration, want our birth children to see their grandparents and familiar places (very important for Mark, all these months he was talking about flying to Ukraine, to our “little home” as he is saying…).  We want to spend time with our friends, our church, we want to share our hearts about what we do in Kyrgyzstan, with those persons dear to us in Ukraine.
We believe that it is right time for us.  So our plan is to fly to Ukraine in the middle of July, and come back to Kyrgyzstan in the middle of August.
I thank all of you, who supported us all this time, for your prayers and support.  You can continue praying for our trip, for financial provision, for safety, and for an opportunity to be a blessing for those who we are going to visit back home. 
We are raising funds right now, for our tickets, so if someone will have a desire to help with that, you can donate through the blog or contact us.
We are grateful for having so many friends, grateful for your support, grateful for being a part of such a great heavenly family, grateful for an opportunity to serve those who need it the most.
Olga and Constantine

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

THE LIFE OF A MISSIONARY IS TO FOLLOW THE CALLING

A WEEK TO STOP
FOCUS 
REFLECT
CELEBRATE


We have been blessed to have this time to be at the cottage as we returned back from Kyrgyzstan -  and to then move on to the memorial service in Arizona of our dear niece - to celebrate her life - the life that stayed positive to the end - as cancer took her away from her family and friends.  We will miss her talent and desire to help others know they too could beat the entanglement of alcohol.  We said good-bye to Heidi this past Saturday.

Now, we must say hello and yes to what is next in our own journey.  God has shown us his plan to keep us sharing, teaching, and training others - equipping and encouraging those in ministry, service of helping families and vulnerable children or just plain life to keep going - focus on what you CAN do not on what you CANNOT do.  

Our calling is to follow the call of Ephesians 4:12...."to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...."  We are an equipping, training, teaching ministry!

So, we are ready to move forward and are making our plans - knowing He will direct our steps.

Ruby leaves on Thursday for South Africa to join up with leaders from Christian Alliance for Orphans and World Without Orphans - as all will be presenting at the leadership forum and conference for South Africa.  Encouraging and challenging leaders from across Africa to step into the current that is flowing hard and strong - for a WORLD WITHOUT ORPHANS.  We are excited to partner with these leaders to plan strategic activities, capacity building and next steps for developing a global orphan movement.

One CHILD - one FAMILY - one CHURCH - one COUNTRY at a time.  

Yes, we can - you can - make a difference - how about jumping into the stream with us!  Pray, support, join us in travels or just give us a call and encourage us!

TEAM SCHEDULED VENUES COMING UP:
David and Jayne Schooler heading to Romania, Armenia, Haiti, and Ukraine
Pastor Glen Pitts and Jenna Dollin heading to Nicaragua
Johanna Buchman heading to Mexico
Lynn and Ruby Johnston heading to South Africa, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine 

CHILDREN ARE WAITING


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

RESTING - RESTORING AND RETURNING SOON - ALL WITHOUT THE FRIEND WATCHING

YOU NEVER KNOW

Getting the Dock in Was Never so Interesting!

We decided to put the docks in ourself this year - it is a big job and requires lots of muscle and energy.  We had no idea it also meant we would be watched with great interest!  Just what is that back there watching Lynn?
"Lynn, Anna is alive!  (ANNA - aka Anaconada!)  Turn around you have a visitor!"  To which Lynn says, "yes, she has been there for quite some time sunning herself and watching me." mmmmmm
So  he continues leveling the docks and I stay on shore taking pictures!

Finlly Anna got quite bored as Lynn got too close and away she went into the water and into the rocks on our rock wall.  We do enjoy her presence each year.  A harmless water snake, now about four feet long.

ANYONE WANT TO VISIT US THIS SUMMER AT THE COTTAGE?

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

HONORED, HUMBLED AND BLESSED - TOKMOK MAYOR'S OFFICE GIVES RECOGNITION

AWESOME TEAM IN KYRGYZSTAN
Award Given

Tokmok Mayor's Office 
and 
Social Service

Gave a very special award to our Country Director and ILDC - Kyrgyzstan team.    Costa was presented with an acknowledgement of all the help ILDC - Kyrgyzstan has given over the past months and year.  We are so proud of our team!
Country Director:  Costa
Residential Director:  Olga
Assistant to the Director:  Zuhra
Child Advocate:  Lubov
Child Advocate:  Gulnara
Life Skills and Transition Worker:  Katya
Costa accepts award from Tokmok Mayors Office and Social Service
Outstanding work in the community - way to go Costa and team!

LOOK WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN KYRGYZSTAN

JEREMIAH KIDS ARE ON A ROLL
LIFE SKILLS IN ACTION!

We just got word from our team in Kyrgyzstan and here are the pictures from the hobby room and sewing group at Jeremiah House since we left.  And they are doing this by themselves at this time.  Mom gave the lessons and now they are the creative ones!





Monday, May 12, 2014

MAGNIFICENT MONDAY MILESTONES

SO MANY THINGS BEFORE WE LEAVE
BLESSINGS ABOUND
PLANS SET FORTH
GOOD-BYES 

Well, we are winding down and will be leaving in the middle of the night tomorrow, heading for Canada - at least for a short time.  Today was full of milestones:

  1. Delivered the assessment of the agency for Tearfund - that was done in Tajikistan.
  2. Went with our conference team to find a venue for the fall conference  - DONE and it is a fabulous conference site - gearing up for a great time with others who are serious about children being in families.
  3. Checked out a hotel for our international guests for the conference - GREAT find - DONE.
  4. Purchased a safe for Dayspring and Jeremiah Documents - DONE.
  5. Picked up items made by orphans from Swetie Put - DONE.
  6. Send final documents to for our Jeremiah apartments and Jeremiah house to be done for us - NOT DONE, LITTLE GLITCH TO BE WORKED OUT TOMORROW.
  7. Mom completing final sewing projects with kids from Jeremiah House  - almost done.
  8. Pick up blankets to take home - made by Aigula.
  9. EVENING WITH JEREMIAH KIDS, DAYSPRING KIDS AND OUR TEAM - SHAHLEKE.  GREAT EVENING!
Clowning around at Sashleke!
One little one that loves here picture taken - and she is so cute!
Slavik is a dear one! 
Jonabek is an amazing kind and sweet boy.   
Vika is so smart - learning Chinese, how to cook and even do nails! 
Altanye is quiet - yet  kind and ever so helpful!
Dasha is such a calm child - has traveled many miles to come to a smile like this!
Healing her little heart  - one day at a time. 
Well, the Sashleke pose by mom!  Just gotta do this and get this picture. 
Then Slavik did the pose! 
Jonabek has been moms most frequent companion for sewing - seems
he has really taken to mom - and he says clearly - this is MY GRANDMA!
Costa spends lots of wonderful moments with the boys. Here Aziz, Omerbeck and Costa
are in serious conversation.
Vika and Zukrah - love that our kids have such a good relationship with all
the team.
SHARON, this one is yours  - made especially for you by Jonabeck!
These were all made by Omerbeck and are for sale.  He has made four.
They are pillow covers with a zipper side!
Tomorrow:

  1. Get the paperwork done on the Jeremiah properties.
  2. Take 40 sets of sheets and pillow cases out to Kemin Senior home - gifts from the Jeremiah kids.
  3. Pick up lots more fabric to leave with the kids.
  4. Set up kids accounts for their sewing hobby.
  5. Mom shops for fabric for kids.
  6. Last staff/team meeting before leaving.
  7. Make rounds and say good byes. 
  8. Pack up.
  9. Head to airport - with all the emotions of leaving - yet knowing we will return in a couple of months.
A FEW MORE PICS FROM TONIGHT
22 OF US IN TOTAL
LOVELY EVENING










Sunday, May 11, 2014

WATCHING A COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER - AROUND A SIMPLE PLAYGROUND

PLAYGROUND FINISHED
COMMUNITY SPIRIT SOARING

It all started a few weeks earlier when we could see the children were just playing in the driveway outside of our apartment.  Yet, mom would come out and "squat" to watch the children play.  So little to play with.  We watched as one couple planted two little trees close to where the children were playing and then the idea struck.  Let's make a playground for our neighbour kids - no more dirt only and driveway only play.

Call Vlady!  Okay, how about a sandbox and a swing.  We had an old unused frame for a swing just down the parking lot.  We talked to a few of the neighbourhood moms and "got permission" and then went to work.  Vlady called our boys from Jeremiah House and offered them a job and a chance to learn some new Life Skills.

1.  Get tires and line the sand box.
2.  Order sand.
3.  Paint tires
4.  Dig up old swing frame and move to new location.  Make new bar for across the top, make swings and set swing in cement.
5.  Paint swing set.
6.  Watch children play.

Well, we used to have about four or five kids play - now we have up towards 20 - 19 has been the norm lately.  And
7.  Mom gets a picture made for he - see the Thank You Very Much picture.  Two little boys came knocking at our door and handed this to mom!
8.  We see dads bringing their little children to play.  YES! This is something we don't often see here.
9.  We now have lots of moms sitting around on the tires watching their children - and talking to each other.  Community building!
10. Babushkas remind children to take turns on the swing.  Sit on the benches and watch the children play.  Oh gotta add some more numbers.
11.  Fix benches as requested by babushkas.
12.  Paint benches.

The card the children brought.
The Playground - next?  A slide and benches for the moms and dads?
Just pure joy - look at the swing!

And this was made on one corner of the playground...Cement in the tire and the stones
cemented in to make this lovely large cement turtle!
Jonabeck painting a bench as requested by a babushka.

Vlady replaced bench boards and the boys painted - as requested by a babushka!

Vlady did play as well!

Maybe we could put in a slide for the kids - and benches for the moms and dads who come and watch their children.  They are talking to one another too!

Maybe we will even see a "block party" some day.

Community, relationships and good neighbours.
Sharing the Love of Jesus
even without language!

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."


Thursday, May 1, 2014

JEREMIAH KIDS LEARNING AMAZING THINGS - CHECK THIS OUT

One project at a time – one youth at a time – one skill at a time – 
One Hope!

Sometimes your heart just jumps to see the outcome of just one teams' effort, one another prayers and one active time of planning.  The Jeremiah Project does this for me, and I hope you too see this.

Our Jeremiah Youth are very busy and very into learning!  In just the last few months we have seen the following come to their lives:
  •      Learning to sew – and serve – working with mom
  •   Working as apprentices at a car machine shop – learning to do repairs – working with Ildar
  •   Learning how to make a garden sprinkling system – working with Costa
  •  Learning to make a playground, build a swing set – working with Vlady

Our guys are doing great – working and learning!  They are thrilled to learn and work hard to serve. 

JEREMIAH TEAM SUPPORTERS – THIS IS AWESOME!  CHECK OUT THE PICS

Preparing to make a sandbox for local children.

Form in - lots of hard work by our boys!


Painting for fun and beauty!  Children will love this!


Ready to add the sand - then to build the swing set.
Boys are digging the foundation for the swing set!

LIFE SKILLS?  AND SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY!

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