Friday, March 27, 2015

MAKE YOUR PLANS - AND TRUST THAT HE WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS

LAMb/ildc
Going forward
THE PLAN

2015-2020

We have spent the last two weeks with our team working through our next five years - planning for our impact on vulnerable, exploited and orphaned children.  We have visited partners, families and then sat together as a team to discuss the past, the present and the future.  Today  - we are revealing our five year plan in simplified form.  There are many details that our staff each have in their work plan.  But here is the plan.  We pray this excited you as much as it excites us - and we pray you will join us in the journey to make a difference.  

The plan has five pages - and we have added one additional page that celebrates 16 of our youth in their journey through Jeremiah House or Dayspring Family Home.  Please give us feedback.






and the exciting results of 16....


THANK YOU - SPONSORS!




DAYSPRING - A FUTURE AND A HOPE....ANOTHER ADOPTION HOPE!

THEY SAID SHE COULD NEVER GO TO SCHOOL

“but look at her now!”

JEREMIAH 29:11
a future and a hope....
Dayspring Blessings 
Her name is Dashsa, she is beautiful and a wonderful treasure.  She is in grade 3….should be in grade five.  She started school only after she was able to have surgery on her heart…a gift from a person who sponsored the surgery.   Then there were her eyes that did not work together – in fact she saw three of everything.  Another surgery and donors who wanted the best for her future.

Today, we are ready for her to go to an adoptive home.  We have a potential GREAT match.  What a miracle.  This beautiful little treasure is happy, talented, gentle and ready for her new family to embrace her forever.


Today, our request from you is to pray for this journey to be the one that brings her into the loving arms of a family that is WAITING JUST FOR HER!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

DON'T JUDGE - YOU DON'T KNOW MY STORY


“Please don't be mad, you don’t know my story.”

 
He was a teacher, is a believer and had a very soft spot for vulnerable children.  One day when a young boy showed up at school without his homework, he was about to issue the consequences, when the boy turned to him and said words that would change his course in life forever!

“Please Mr. Yashin, I am sorry.  I wanted to get the homework done, but my mother and I had to hide last night because my father was chasing us with an ax.”

He walked away, went into a room and wept.  The realities of children who come from a hard place hit him square between the eyes.  History was being made that day.

Mr. Yashin – now Pastor Yashin and his wife Natasha care for 25 vulnerable, exploited and orphaned children.  He is now our leader in the Kyrgyzstan Without Orphans Movement and he carries the message of hope everywhere – the message of adoption and the message of permanence for children. 

You see every child – has a story.  We can be quick to judge behavior and define a child – but have we taken the time to know their story?

Our work here is to hear the stories, to calm the hearts and love each child through the brokenness.  Today, we were reminded of our years in this journey:

Seeing our Dayspring Yulia in her adopted home.


Visiting with Isulu and Kumashai (former Jeremiah and Dayspring youth) in their home – where they were reunited along with their two (Jeremiah) brothers – visiting with mom and dad and hearing stories of hope and promise.  Being served tea and monte prepared just for us.






And yes – just knowing that each day there is opportunity to make a difference.  Today we celebrated the reason we are here!  Bringing orphans home.  

Thank you Father!



Tuesday, March 24, 2015

"Please just say you came for ME!" THE CRY OF A TEENAGER IN AN ORPHANAGE


WHAT EVERY CHILD WANTS – TO BE IMPORTANT – TO SOMEONE - AND THERE IS NO BETTER WAY – THAN FOR SOMEONE TO BE COMING JUST FOR YOU

THAT IS WHAT FAMILY DOES - LOVE AND CHERISH YOU – LETS YOU KNOW THEY CAME JUST FOR YOU.

Today, we focused on the challenges of poverty – when children want to live with their family and the barriers all have to do with poverty.  Yes, there are issues, like alcoholism, refusing to work, etc.  Yet, not every family member has the above mentioned issues, but when one does,  it does impacts all the family members.

Today we visited Anya’s (former Dayspring child) family – where she lives in a little tiny place with her 6 brothers, mother and father.  We helped move her home almost two years ago, along with her two brothers from another orphanage.  The father and  mother were both there today, house was tidy and children were smiles from ear to ear – with joy and orneriness which is so common among young siblings.  The needs abound everywhere.  Clothing, space, food, resources and encouragement.  So, we continue to help, give psychological support and even physical support when possible.



We are planning to bring in a fence for them – one that was being torn down in another area from an NGO replacing and putting in a new and better one.  This project in partnership with Strong Tower here in Tokmok and together this will help to secure their property, upgrade some of the dangerous surroundings.   

We brought water into the house two years ago and have been active with the family for these years. When we visited today, they told us their heating system is not working.  They need a new furnace and the father can build it – he just needs the resources to purchase the parts.   

Then we visited another family – the sister and male cousin of one of our Dayspring girls, Snejhanna.  Our plan is one of permanency and stability for Snejhanna and to move her into the home with her sister.  The sister has been working toward this for over a year.  We are nearing success, but there are still barriers, space to sleep two females and one male .  They have two rooms; a kitchen and a room where they all sleep.  However there is another room that could be used easily with heat and would then be a private space for the sisters. 

THE PRESENT FURNACE - DOES NOT HAVE PIPES
INTO THE HOUSE - RADIENT HEAT ONLY
THE ONE ROOM FOR EVERYTHING
SISTERS - THEY LOVE EACH OTHER
SHE JUST SAID, "IT IS MY HOME"
Here is another furnace situation and the cost has been estimated – 45,000 coms – which comes to about $790. And she needs a little electrical work – which will cost about 4,000 coms or about $70.  For $860, Snejhannna could be home with here sister for good!  Family – who cares for her – that tells her she is special! 

YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL – OUR DEAR SUPPORTERS – AND THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE THINGS WE SEE EACH DAY – PERMANENCY BEING HINDERED BY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE!

We want Annya, her brothers and Snejhanna to know they are special – they are loved, and safely living with family.  Can you see the picture?


LET US KNOW!

Sunday, March 22, 2015

"WHAT I COULD ONCE DO, I AM SO SORRY BECAUSE I NOW NEED HELP. CAN YOU HELP ME?"

BEING A SENIOR
ALONE
YET STILL WITH HOPES

Only one year ago my mother was here to help orphan children in our Jeremiah and Dayspring home learn to sew.  She was 85 years old.  

During her time here she met Valentina and they hit it off as good new friends.  They would sit and talk for hours outside our apartment  - sitting on the bench enjoying the beautiful Tien Shan mountains, the sunshine and the love of life.  One spoke English and NO Russian.  The other spoke Russian and NO English.  Yet, they conversed with passion, laughter and lots of gestures.  

Mom would come in and tell me stories of what they talked about.  I don't know - but she certainly seemed to have a sense of some real conversation.  Mom love Valentina and I do believe Valentina loved mom.  Mom went to be with the Lord in January of this year.  There was sadness in Kyrgyzstan when they heard of her death.  

Mom had planned to be with us again in Kyrgyzstan - in fact, here right now - once again helping the orphans, loving on Valentina and just leaving her mark.
Mother and Valentina
Valentina lost her husband and son - is now alone.  She has a sister in another city, but here in Tokmok, she is alone on the very bench where she sat with my mother - just one year ago.  She stopped my yesterday and asked, "Can you help me get someone to rake my garden?  I want it to be beautiful and I once could do this easy, but it is very hard this year."

To bring joy - to serve - to love on a senior - and to know the gift of giving, we asked our Dayspring children if they wanted to help?  We had five who were there at home at the time and they eagerly said YES!.  While other neighbourhood children were laughing and playing on the nearby swings and playground (that mother helped put in) our little Dayspring children laughed and enjoyed serving this very dear senior - in her winter years - VALENTINA IS STILL WITH HOPES - HOPE FOR BEAUTY IN HER GARDEN - ONE SHE WILL ALONE BE PLANTING, WATERING AND SEEING THE BEAUTY OF HER PRECIOUS FLOWERS UNFOLD.

And our Dayspring Children?  Growing with hope and dreams because of YOU!




Thank you all who help to support our Dayspring Family!  They are growing and unfolding in a beautiful way as well.

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