TEARS and BROKEN HEARTS

When we opened our e-mail this morning, we found the following message had been forwarded to us:

"I have some sad news the orphan girl aged 8 months we were helping from Tokmok died today! My assistant was crying as she told me today that the doctor said they were too late meaning they should have done that operation when she was 3 months. It is very sad and I don’t have any words to describe how I feel about this right now."

How difficult this has been to hear. We had spent several different times with her, played with here slightly - as she was not able to be moved due to her spinal leakage. We are at a loss and our hearts are breaking. When we met her - when the team from Canada went to the baby orphanage - we just melted to her little smile. When we found out she needed the two surgeries and the only barrier was paying for transportation and a caregiver - our team stepped right up to the plate and she was off to the hospital. Second barrier was no shunt - could we find one. And praise God - Kyle had the shunt we needed from the ones we has sent from Med Wish. We got word just last week that she would need to be in the hospital longer than originally expected and sent along another funding for another 10 days in hospital. Today to learn of her death is devastating. Yet with our tears comes the joy of having known her. She was precious. When softly touching her little cheek with our finger, she would give us the smile that would pierce your heart. She gave us so much more than we ever gave her. Her short life is a representation of how hard it is here for people to live.

Upstairs in the apartment above us is a man dying of TB; Jessica's family suffered without medication until we found out about the problem; and these are just two small examples of people suffering and experiencing the harsh realities of life in Kyrgyzstan - when you are poor and forgotten.

From the baby home - alone in the last few weeks we have sent 5 babies to the hospital in Bishkek, have provided caregivers three times for babies who needed surgery. Can you imagine - surgeries are free for these little ones, yet they suffer and wait - WHY? Because they cannot find the funds (about $20) to send them to the hospital in Bishkek or the funds to provide the food, medication and caregiver that is needed for their stay in the hospital(about $100 for ten days). This is just not okay. We need to sponsor this orphanage and ensure that EVERY baby that needs surgery is received immediately into the capital hospital and gets the needed surgery. This is just one baby home - but it is the one in front of us...we CANNOT BE HERE AND ACT IN BLINDNESS. Let's make a difference by making a plan.

With breaking hearts.

E R A

Earthquakes, Revolution/Riots, Ash and now we are looking at the final week of this trip. We left Canada for Krygyzstan on Feb. 22nd. and will be returning May 8th. Aside from two short trips to Ukraine , one for training and the other for the Adoption Conference, we have been active here with the seniors, the hospitals, the baby orphanage and other orphanages, the House of Invalids for Adult men, Jessica's family's make over, Leadership training and consultation for Mercy Foundation as well as planning for future projects. Projects involving the implementation of a Child Welfare curriculum into the university program for social workers. The establishment of the first ever foster family group home.

This week we have two more days of training as well as a number of meetings. One day, likley Wednesday, we will make the rounds and visit each of the projects. Our visit is not to say good-bye, but to let them know we will be out of the country for a period of time but if they have special needs they can contact Natasha. Natasha stays in constant communication with us and is able to address needs as they surface. The ministry continues.

So often, we are asked, are you coming back? We understand many come but never return. The fact is LAMb does return, in fact with Natasha - we never leave. Even though some of the faces that come and visit under the umbrella of LAMb are different, folks have come to understand and appreciate the love and care you demonstrate.

Thank you. We so appreciate your prayers and the sharing of your resources as this journey continues.

PETIHOTKIE CHURCH

This blog may be of particular interest to the mission team that went with us to Ukraine a copula years ago. Remember - you bought a church!

When we were in Ukraine last week, Vika delivered a disk to us of pictures of this village congregation. Wow! They are alive and doing well. I have included just four of the sixty or so pictures they sent.

Guess what? They are expanding and they want to buy the property next to the church for children's ministry. It has a price tag of one thousand dollars. If you want to be involved in a little or big way, let us know. You can use the Canada Helps button and simply designate village church. We will be travelling to Ukraine in June to do training in Kiev, but have scheduled a weekend in Krivey Rog. That would be the opportune time to connect with them once again.

We were blessed once to be part of this, in fact I have a church "brick" at home to show for it. Please share this with others from that team or with any others that might also want to get on board the 'blessing' train.

BACK HOME AGAIN

Well, it feels like home.  After an awesome week in Ukraine, we arrived at the airport in Bishkek early this morning. After a short line-up to get our visas, we gathered our luggage and headed toward Tokmok. The nintey minute drive is particularily spectacular, especially in the early morning as the sun rises.  About twenty minutes into the trip, the sun began breaking over the top of the snow capped mountains. Surrounded by these silent, majestic giants we made our way toward the apartment. Along the way my thoughts began to focus on much closer surroundings. The houses along the road, the people waiting along the side of the road for marsukas (van type buses). The long string of outhouses, each a reminder that the vast majority of these homes do not have running water. That memory takes me back to the late 1940s, a time when we first installed a toilet in the house (oh my) and tap water.  Up until then it was a trip outside to the back of the drivehouse and a cistern pump in the kitchen.
 
What a contrast!  The daily struggle of the vast majority of the population is to just survive. Few conveniences, fewer good paying jobs. Even if you get a job, say as a labourer in the fields, the pay is 200 soms for a ten hour day (less than five dollars).  A regular paying job in the market might yield seventy five dollars a month.  The pension for the grandma living in an apartment next to ours is $27 dollars a month.
 
So why is the world would we want to be here?  Why is it that we feel so at home here?   It's just not that the country is indeed beautiful, but the people are too.
 
In the song "Revival" by Robin Marks, you hear this verse:
'As sure as gold is precious and the honey sweet,
So you love this city and you love these streets.
Every child out playing by their own front door
Every baby laying on the bedroom floor.
Sometimes where words fail, music is able to convey the message. This song says it all.
 
Blessings to all of you who are supporting us in helping them. The needs are great.  In fact we cannot even dream of meeting the vast majority of the needs we see, however we can stop for the one that God places in front of us. And so we do. The home for disabled men, the seniors' home, the baby hospital, the critical care hospital, the baby orphanage, other orphanages, Jessica's family to name just a few.  As well as the food and clothing drops, the visits, the site renovations and sharing, we continue to provide training to those in leadership and those working with children. Training is the catalyst that will bring lasting change to this small country.
 
Thanks again. Your support is not just essential, but critical.

ILDC BOARD MEETING

Today we had our first board meeting at the new International Leadership and Development Center in downtown Kiev.

We received reports from our Executive Director, our Director of Training, our Director of Marketing and Development and our Project Manager for Adopt Ukraine. It was a very productive day. Our young team is enthusiastic, intelligent, motivated and hard working. As a board we were impressed with the progress that has been made and look forward to the achievement of the 2010 - 2011 goals as together we pursue "Healthy Families, Protected Children".

BBQ

After the conference was over, we headed back to Father's House for the evening. The team from Sweden, that had been here for a week was scheduled to leave Monday morning - it was time to celebrate with a BBQ. It was a little cool, but we were warmed by the campfire with songs and LOTS of children. Lots of language challenges with smatterings of Russina, English, Ukrainian and Swedish as we managed to communicate with each other. One couple from Sweden had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, one of the children at Father's House her sixteenth birdthay, one of the foster families had just received a new stove.
The hot dogs and chicken were plentiful - the cakes and other treats were yummie.
Included are just a few of the pictures.
Tomorrow will be back to work at the new ILDC [International Leadership and Development Center]office in downtown Kiev.
CHECK IT OUT: Our new website has just gone live. We still have a few details to smooth out, however we are VERY excited with the new look. Thanks James, your work is the best!
http://www.lambinternational.com/

FIRST EVER ADOPTION CONFERENCE IN UKRAINE

Our 'own' Jayne Schooler delivering A Key Note address. Jayne's book Telling the Truth" was part of the package each family received.... ABOUT 180 ADOPTIVE PARENTS ATTENDED

The conference was co-sponsord with CBN and Father's House here in Ukraine. This conference is a celebration of creating family throught adoption. We are excited to know that in the time where there is secrecy in adoption in Ukraine, these families see the importance of coming together to celebrate and make public their choice in adopting.

We have a great venue planned. And of course some changes due to the recent volcano issues. Originally we were to have Terry Meuwseen from CBN US joining us, but she is stranded in the UK. So, our venue and key note speakers have changed to bring more nationals to the stage.

Our MC is our favorite Ukraine connection - Mr. Ed Dickson. We met with him last night to go over final details for the conference and he already has his stories - not a surprize, right?

We will give a full report of the speakers, events and even some pictures in upcoming blogs. Jayne will be doing a key note and we will present her book to EVERY participant at the conference.

This is truly an important moment in the adoption program of Ukraine.

TRAINING - ACTIVATING AND EMPOWERING NATIONALS

Freshly arrived in Ukraine last night, training activities are in full swing today. Jayne Schooler has a full class at a training center across the river and Ruby is co-training here at the ILDC office. Tonight Pastor David is training a group at Father's House.

The new ILDC (International Leadership and Training Center) office is working out quite nicely. We have a reception area, three small working offices, a small kitchen, plus a training (conference room).

Each day of this week is packed with activities. This weekend we are part of cosponoring the first ever "Strengthening Families" Adoption Conference here in Ukraine. We are expecting 75 adoptive couples to register Friday afternoon. Opening ceremonies Friday night will feature keynote speaker Roman Korniko, founder and president of Father's House. The Saturday morning general session with speaker Nikolai Kuleba is entitled "Implementation of mentorship into the child welfare system". This session will be followed by a number of specialized workshops throughout the day. A special mid day feature will be "Telling the Truth" by the world famous author Jayne Schooler. The general session in the evening, featuring Tamara and Peter Dudnik, is titled "The one who overcomes will be rewarded". The conference will wrap up Sunday morning focused on the topic "The Lost Art of Fatherhood", presented by Steve Weber.

TRAVELLING AGAIN

For those of you following the progress with Jessica's family, we did a drop in visit this past Monday. We took baby clothes, some toys for the children and food for the family. Although mom and the baby both were sick with a cold/flu, we were extremely pleased with the condition of the apartment. This was our first visit since the team makeover. Everything was neat and clean, the beds were all made, shoes were neatly lined up by the doorway. The new carpet was spotless, the kitchen was clean etc. While we are in Kiev this week, Natasha is arranging for the older daughter to have a doctor's assessment for the eye operation she needs. We will keep you posted.

Amid all of the "ash" fallout, we made the trip from Kyrgyzstan to Kiev, via Moscow, with only a three hour delay. Our biggest challenge was the 3 hour wait in the transit line at the Moscow airport to get our boarding passes for the leg to Kiev. After that we tackled an airport restaurant for lunch - wow! Ruby and I each had a bottle of water, a small salad, a coffee and we split a hamburg. The bill was $81 US dollars plus tip! What a contrast to our home away from home in Tokmok where our next door babuska survives on a pension of $27 a month. An average monthly salary would be around 4200 soms per month. Right now $100 US dollars coverts to 4510 soms.

Thanks again for all of you who have provided prayers, praises and payments for those facing circumstances where hope has been lost. For many, as a result of your kindness, hope has been kindled. As we go, stopping for the one God places in front of us, know that yours is a critical role that allows us to serve them.

CURRENTLY

Unrest and uncertainies continue in Kyrgyzstan as the new government attempts to establish confidence. Daily we hear reports of violence amid a country that is mourning the loss of many lives. The current reports seem somewhat isolated and not related to the issue at hand. It seems that some are using the revolution as an opportunity (excuse) to pusue their own agenda. As the new government continues to establish its control and authority we anticipate a return to the 'new normal'.

NEWS UPDATE FROM KYRGYZSTAN

MORE UNREST IN BISHKEK... We just heard there is more rioting in the capital city, Bishkek.  We will know more later.  The news confirms this unrest.  Tonight we fly with Jayne and David to Ukraine.  We will be out of Kyrgyzstan for one week - David and Jayne for two, as they are going on to Poland to serve some fabulous people who are very anxious to hear Jayne and all her expertise in the area of adoption...but we are all - always glad to be here.

 

More later.

BLOGS ARE STILL BEING CENSORED IN KYRGYZSTAN

INFORMATION  - NEW NORMAL?

 

The blogs are still being censored in Kyrgyzstan.  We cannot get into them and can only blog through email.  Therefore we are very limited on what we can do.  We cannot identify pictures through this method, but can put them into the blog.  Please be patient, as this might just be our NEW NORMAL.

THE NEW NORMAL

SUNDAY - RAIN - AND WAITING FOR WHAT MIGHT BE NEXT...

 

We are moving forward with a number of things while we wait for the volcano ash to open the sky for our flight to Ukraine.  As we mentioned before we have co-sponsored the first ever adoption conference in Ukraine and we have a big part in the workshops, etc.  David and Jayne are presently still scheduled for leaving on Tuesday and we just got rebooked to leave on Thursday.  Our flight for today was cancelled since the airport in Kiev is still closed.

 

So..no grass will grow under our feet!  After church we got busy....

 

1.  We took food, clothing and toys over to "Jessica's" family today. We truly wondered how things would look since our renovation there.  Would they keep things nice, have sold everything?  What would it be like.  We gathered up lots of things, including some great fruit for the children and away we went - unannounced  We were greeted at the door with big hugs and kisses from the children.  Immediately they were into the apples and enjoying their sweet treat.  Upon entering the home we were shocked and amazed.  It was immaculate.  They had put some wonderul stickers we had left them on the wall in the living room, rearranged their kitchen a little and there was NOT a sign of clutter or a mess anywhere!  It was super organized.  Mom was in bed suffereing from a cold.  She got up and joined us but obviously had a deep chest cold.  The baby was sick too.  We did not have our interpreter with us , but we think she asked us if we could help with some medication - which we will follow up on.    Dad was there and was NOT drunk.  We have not seen him drunk at all this trip.  He just smiles and went to pick up the baby so we could see her and play with her for a little while. 

 

And some super news - the town brought a water spicket to outside of their apartment.  Now they do not need to walk two blocks to get water!  This was a very welcome sight.  Keep praying for this family - we know they are very special and God has a plan for them and for their little community!

 

2.  We gathered up materials to take to Iskra tomorrow.  We will talk with them about getting the project started for the Art Department - pictures to follow later. 

 

3.  Then we need to stop by Kemin to take some supplies out to them - requested items.  Art paper, pastels, eye glasses, some barber tools and of course food.

 

4.  Tonight we will have a meeting here with our team - to discuss the new Resource Home Project we are working on.  We have some exciting news to report there soon.  Imagine - an alternative to orphanages - 10 children in a family type foster home!  Lots to report soon on this project.  And we will have some great pictures of the new home - should this go forward!

 

5.  Training ended yesterday - taught 23 students to use the Life Skills.  They were school pricipals, teachers and orphanage leaders.  Five Christian Schools, four orphanages and one program from Bishkek that works with street children.  They were estatic and ready to begin delivering the tools to the schools, and youth.  Great to see their excitement.

 

Well, that is a little snipet.  But we hit the floor early each day and crash into bed late each night.  We are thrilled each day to be able to serve such an awesome God!

 

 

AN EARTHQUAKE, A REVOLUTION AND NOW A VOLCANO

WE ARE HERE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS....

What can we say? We are grounded. We were to fly to Ukraine tonight
to conduct training, have an ILDC board meeting and take part in the
Adoption Conference we are helping sponsor. At this time, the Kiev
airport is closed and if we would leave on our scheduled flight we
would be stranded in Moscow - and you have heard our stories about
that!

So, for now we sit. Jayne and David are scheduled to fly out on
Tuesday and then on to Poland - and the Poland airport is now closed
indefinately. So they will make a decision on Monday and we will try
to get a flight out with them or fly a day or two later. But for
now...we will have more time to love on our seniors, visit the men's
disabled home and spend time with "Jessica's" family. Wow, what a
gift...for such a a time as this!

--
<^)\\\\><

BABIES BOUND FOR BLESSINGS - ANOTHER BABY LEAVES FOR HOSPITAL AGAIN TODAY

NEW PROGRAM IN ACTION....BBB
Akiela is off to the hospital today.  She has a severe heart problem and needs about 10 days of treatment.  We went and said good-bye to her yesterday and will see her again after she returns.  We have now sent four babies in the last three days.  Two for surgeries, one for a check-up and not Akiela for treatment. 
 
We also just put the word out for more shunts - we want to keep a supply in Bishkek so that NO baby has to wait for the right size.  Shunts here are over $500.  And we can get them from medical supply recyclers for $0.  We just need to get them over here!  Anyone with connections on this issue and want to help - contact us please.

"COTTAGE INDUSTRY" FOR ISKRA - we picked up a huge amount of art supplies from Bishkek yesterday and cannot wait to get it out to the men's disabled home and get the project started for the cottage industry.  You will get a chance to purchase the paintings once they are done.  You will see them on the this blog and can let us know if you are interested - then just donate and we will send it to  you!  The donation will go back to purchase more supplies or to give the LAMb bucks to keep the men "working."  Bringing hope and dignity to them is our dream!
 
TAP SHOES NEEDED!!!!!ASAP.  One of the men at the Kemin Senior Home used to tap, play spoons.  He desperately wants a pair of tap shoes.  He showed us his steps (he is 82 years old) and can he ever dance.  Then he stopped and said, "Why should I do that, I cannot hear my feet!"  He has short feet - size 39.  Anyone have a pair of tap shoes in the closet for this man?  He also want a xylophone in the worst way.  Again - bringing hope and dignity to the seniors.  Right now - they eat and sleep.  We know they can do more - remember we had a 1 hour performance from them just a few days ago!  (The video is of Anatolie - playing the spoons, behind him is Dusenbeck who was our mc.  Anatolie wants the tap shoes!)
 
We are thankful that they are working in the craft room - the Gift of God Friendship Center.  We have stocked this with crafts and will continue to do more.  Next is to bring them a sewing machine.  They are anxious for this to arrive.
 
 

--
<^)\\\\><
Ruby M. Johnston
Director of International Field Operations
Institute for Human Services - Canada
and
<^)\\\\><
J. R. Lynn Johnston
President
LAMb International Canada
BN817007042RR0001
Lynn and Ruby Johnston
12 Gold Park Gate
Angus, ON  L0M 1B4
705-424-4455 or 705-727-8203

Primary Email Address:  lambinternational@gmail.com
www.lambinternational.blogspot.com
www.lambinternational.org
www.ildcua.org

LIFE SKILLS OFFERED TODAY

FIVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, THREE ORPHANAGES AND ONE NGO

 

We could not be more pleased to see the list of participants for the training which is starting today.  We will spend three days preparing these leaders to deliver the critical Life Skills course we developed with CBN in Ukraine.  This course is full of critical lessons for youth - life skills usually learned with families.  There are 50 lessons and each one is 90 minutes long.  Imagine, leaning about Job Scams, How to Get and Keep a Job, Hygiene, Identity, Homemaking Skills, on and on! 

 

We will train teachers/trainers. In Ukraine we personally prepared over 600 trainers and this is just the beginning here.  We are very excited to see the results.  We know results might not be in our future to see, but we can hope for good feedback and good reports from the teachers/trainers delivering these classes to the youth. 

 

By the Way - our new motto?  "As we go... stopping for the one in front of us."  Thanks to the recent team for this wonderful new focus and the idea to get these shirts (see picture) made for our work. 

 

 

ANOTHER DAY OF CONTRASTS

AGAIN AND AGAIN WE SEE THE POVERTY, THE BLESSINGS AND THE HURTS....ALWAYS CONTRASTS

 

Today we headed out in the morning for Bishkek - for two appointments.  One was with the Humanatarian University and the other was with the Agency for Defending Rights.  And of course we were now headed to the city where the major part of the revolution took place.  We were devastated by the sights, yet people were out in masses - attempting to find the new normal.  We had lunch at our favorite restaurant, Beta.  The porch area was not in use as it had all been destroyed.  You could not get into the upstairs area of the mall, as it was all smashed as well.  The Presidential Palace courtyard was crowded with people in prayer, flowers to commemorate those killed on the site, and just onlookers - people in disbelief of what they were seeing.  We found our art store and stocked up on a large quantity of art supplies for our men's disabled home - to start their art department.   This is the first step of the "cottage industry" we are going to help them start, and then on to our meetings.

 

The Humanatarian University - we told them we would have to start the project in the fall, as we did not feel we could ask people to come over until the government was settled.  The Agency for Defending Rights - we made plans for a lengthy meeting for May 3rd to discuss how we can work together to support strengthening families. 

 

Once back in Tokmok, we visited our little Akiela, the three year old we blogged about yesterday.  She is heading to the hospital tomorrow for a 10 day stay of treatments - BABIES BOUND FOR BLESSINGS in action again.  We tickled her little face and she did not laugh today, in fact seemed quite agitated with us touching her.  The nurse said she was quite pleasant and active in the morning, but seemed she was not feeling well this afternoon.  We paid for her caregiver for the next 10 days and left the hospital feeling very sad.  Little Akiela is beautiful, cannot walk is three years old, and has no one.  So  many have the same plight around the world - it just become overwhelming sometimes.  We called the hospital to see Melana Grace and our head doctor had already gone for the day and we were told we could not visit today.  It was sad.

 

Tomorrow we head in a different direction - another contrast - we will be starting a three day training - preparing the teachers, coordinator/pastors to deliver a new curriculum to the Christian Schools. We will also have individuals from Bishkek and seveal other orphanages for this training.   It will be the LIfe Skills project we helped develop for Ukraine.  We are greatful to be able to train them to deliver this curriculum.  It will be such a boost to the children/youth who go through the classes.  Perhaps - just perhaps it will be a little boost for them to make a difference in Kyrgystan in the future.  We can hope.

THREE BABIES TRANSPORTED TO BISHKEK HOSPITAL TODAY

HOW THANKFUL WE ARE FOR YOUR HELP...

 

Today, we sent three babies and their caregivers to the Bishkek hospital.  Each of these babies had serious problems and needed immediate help.

 

Baby #1 - we told you about her earlier in our blog.  She needs surgery for a serious spinal issue and she is also needing a second operation.  She is hydrocepholic.  The doctor at the baby home where she is from called to say they did not have a shunt and could we help.  Well, yes, in fact, we brought a suitcase of shunts over several months ago.  We called the person in charge of these shunts and yes he had the right one. 

 

Baby #2 - is three years old and needed tests for her heart condition.  She is such a beautiful little girl and has down syndrome.  She is so responsive and loves Lynn - just lights up when she sees him!  She is off to the hospital today for tests.  We pray they can do something for her serious heart condition.

 

Baby #3 - has a cleft palet and need surgery - today this baby is safe in the hospital for this operation. 

 

We have a great project started - it is called Babies Bound for Blessings (BBB).  Here is how it will work:

 

1.  We hire a taxi driver from Tokmok - he is on call at any time to transport our babies to Bishkek.  We have a standing/growing fund for this - managed by our on the ground person here in Kyrgyzstan.  This is $22 per round trip.

2.  We start a fund for the caregiver who will need to stay with the baby (the hospitals do not have caregiver/nurses to be with the children and help them).  This fund will cover the hospital caregiver day fee, food for the baby and medication ( which is not covered either.)  Cost for this will be about $150 for the caregiver and about $50 for the food and medication.  So a total of about $200 will cover each baby going to the hospsital and needing to stay for about 15 days!  This fund will grow and be available for these BABIES BOUND FOR BLESSINGS!\

 

It is in action NOW.  So far we have sent three babies!  Want to help?  You can be a BLESSING FOR A BABY!  Let's help this baby home do what they really want to do - help babies!

 

 

TWO SURGERIES NEEDED

TWO SURGERIES AND NO PARENTS, NO ONE TO LOVE HER

 

We are blessed to have a doctor in this orphanage that loves her children.  She brought this baby to our attention and asked for our help.  Please she said, this baby needs two surgeries.  We were taken to see her and she has a problem with her spinal cord leaking and she has a huge cyst or bump on her back - causing her no movement in her lower limbs.  She is also hyrdrocephalic.  She will have the spinal surgery first and then the hydrocephalic next. 

 

The doctor said she could not have the surgery without a hospital caregiver and the expenses for the baby food and medicine.  Surface our Canadian team - they donated the funds immediately - and off the the hospital she went.  We called our person who is the "guardian" of the shunts we brought over and got all into place. 

 

Now - let's get a fund set up for future needs.  No child should have to wait because they cannot pay for the $150 per child per hospital stay!  Let's see what we can do.  Natasha is ready to be the keeper of the funds and work with the doctors for IMMEDIATE response when these needs surface.  Want to help?  Hit the BLOG BUTTON!

WHEN WORDS FAIL

MELANA - GRACE

Today was unusual in many ways. We headed out early morning to Orlovka and Emma was dropped off to conduct an English lesson; we then went to Argula's so John could say good bye (he leaves Kyrgyzstan on Monday); then went on to the orphanage at Orlovka and gave "stuffies" (as my grand children in British Columbia call them) to the little girls and great little hot wheels to the little boys. We played in the yard with them for a while and then headed to Kemin Senior Home. We took over men's clothing which was left behind by our Canadian team for this purpose. We visited and shared with them and gave them our love.

They were wanting to talk about the crisis and Alexy was the most talkative about this. He was very sad of the happenings. Anatolie said he had prayed for the team, not knowing if we were staying in Bishkek or somewhere else. He was glad to see us arrive. They all asked about our team. Rya just laughed when I mentioned Corrie's name. And ALL wanted to know about Casaundra!

From there we headed toward Iskra to see the men at the home for disabled. We were stopped by Larissa and told not to go - the area was not safe for us and in addition there had been some bad scenes in the men's home. This broke our hearts, but we agreed to listen to her advice.

So we headed back to Tokmok and decided to go see the completed work at the baby hospital. The new floor was down and they called to tell us we could come to see the results. We went over with John, Emma, and Vlady. What a beautiful job. Now, there are two hospitals with new floors and we are so excited to see this progress with those hospitals. Then the day changed.

The doctor took us over to the new baby ward - to see a baby who was born five days ago. Her mother was 15 years old. She did not want her baby and had no family supports to help her or to take care of this little girl. The doctor picked her up and handed her to me. So tiny, so alone. In the next bed was another baby and he had a mother - his name is Allie. She sat lovingly with him. Then there was the little girl - alone, quiet, asleep. In my arms I could feel she was wet, there was no one to change her. She was swaddled and warm, beautiful brown skin, soft to touch. She responded to my cuddle with her - something she will not get much of. This little girl was nameless. Then the doctor said to me. YOU CAN NAME HER.

How does one respond to such an important responsibility? With tears and pain in my heart, I just looked into her face. She is beautiful. The doctor repeated her words, you can name her. I could not respond as this was much too important of a responsibility. Finally, I asked what the name in Russian was for Grace. It is Melana. I then gave her a name - she is Melana - for my prayer for her is Grace and Mercy dear Lord. April 5, 2010, Melana Grace was born. April 10, 2010, Melana Grace received a name. I just praise God He knew her name before she entered the world. We will follow Melana Grace, she is burned into our hearts.

TOMORROW WE MOVE ON TO SHARE HOPE

MEN'S HOME FOR THE DISABLED


You have heard much from us about this home - almost forgotten. When over 80 men died a year ago, you came to the rescue to help us build the emergency fund in the Cabbage Potato Club and we need to do some additional building of this to prepare for winter. However, now we want to share with you are next plans to bring hope and dignity to the men.

1. We are going to start a "cottage industry" with them. We will start with hiring two staff (residents) for credits or LAMb BUCKS! Each LAMb Buck will be worth $1. Our staff (residents) will be directors of specific areas; art department, wood working shop, electrical shop, music studio, spiritual department, shoe repair shop, barber shop, etc. We have persons identified for four of these department directors - remember ALL residents in the home.

2. Profits for the different items made will be used to purchase more supplies and eventually "hire" more staff for the area. Each person earns only LAMb Bucks. All funds will be managed by our on the ground staff. No money will exchange hands - to keep corruption down. When a resident gets LAMb Bucks, they can shop for what they want. For example, 500 com equals about 12 LAMb Bucks and can purchase a nice pair of tennis shoes and remember, most do not have shoes there - most just have slippers and bad ones to "boot!"

3. Project #1 - Art Director; Project #2 - Spiritual Director; Project #3 - Barber; Project #5 - Shoe Repair Shop (we are going to get a supply of broken shoes from local churches, they will repair and give to residents!); Project #6 - Music Director; Project #7 - To Be Announced.

4. We need sponsors. We will be paying 12 LAMb Bucks a month for each director. In addition, we need LAMb Bucks for the workers for their work by the hour.

5. We need sponsors to buy/sell their products. We will work on that here and bring much home each time to sell and the profits taken back to continue the project.

Sound good? Just think - right now the men are painting rooms, sweeping the floors, a new floor has gone down. We can use LAMb Bucks for hot water heaters - fixing their toilets, buying eating utensils, helping their cooks with some new equipment

But MOST OF ALL WE CAN BRING HOPE AND DIGNITY TO THE SOULS!