37!!! SAY WHAT??!!? 37! It is a record
number of volunteers that headed to the Zhovten orphanage on January 24th.
There was not even one spot left for a volunteer who wanted to join the team.
What can we say….this team (mostly from Yuzhiny) loves to see the kids in
Zhovten. They are committed and have genuine relationships with the kids. They
arrived at the orphanage just before lunch and stayed til late in the evening.
The program was a Christmas play that was written and performed by the
volunteers and children. Yes…we are still celebrating Christmas here in
Ukraine! It’s a holiday that just keeps on going! Christmas is on January 8th
in Ukraine, so we aren’t so late in celebrating. First the volunteers started
by dressing in costumed scenes of Christmas. Next the kids divided in groups
and had the task of showing the Christmas story through the eyes of the animals
in the stable, through the eyes of the palace of Herod, through the eyes of the
angels, through the eyes of Joseph and Mary, and etc. Each team made their
presentation and the children, orphanage staff, and volunteers all enjoyed the
performances. It was a long day of performing, but in between their were plenty
of snacks and time for conversation.
Then came the gifts! The children got
exactly what they had ordered. The team asked them some time ago what they
would like and then they went on a hunt for those things. People from the
Yuzhniy chruch and even the city council of Yuzhniy got involved by donating
soccer uniforms.
Three special moments that they team leader
would like to share are these….One boy opened his gift of a big truck and
exclaimed, “It was the dream of my life!” Another child while listening to a
song/prayer for Ukraine closed his eyes, folded his hands, and prayed. The last
special moment was when a few volunteers brought the gift to a little girl that
was in the infirmary. She opened her doll with such joy. The orphanage staff
member said it was the first doll the girl had ever received. The girl begged
for pictures and asked that they were sent to her mother. Please pray for this
dear girl and that she will feel not only the love of volunteers, but the love
of God.
It took a long time to say goodbyes and to
get the team on the road! It was a great day and all were encouraged and
blessed. Please thank God with us for the team that visits the children in
Zhovten!
