Blog submitted by Hank Stroup

Kristina (11), Igor (11), and Denis (9) are siblings that have been at the Ark since my first mission trip visit in 2006. They have no parents and few accessible relatives. Over last year I have been writing to each of them, sending them cards and pictures, and just letting them know that someone outside Ukraine is interested in the their welfare. Of course I do not speak Russian nor Ukrainian, and they know little English. The pictures and cards have been our method of communications.

On the last night of our team’s visit, I treated the children to supper at McDonalds. Barbara drove us to the restaurant, helped me order, and served as interpreter. Boy! Were they excited! There was nonstop chatter and question after question directed at Barbara as we loaded the car and negotiated the traffic. Igor offered the blessing. Each child ordered a “Happy Meal” (just like the ones in the USA) for starters, and I continued to order side dishes and desserts until each had their fill.

For the first time since I met these children, I was able to truly converse with them. Barbara translated all of the questions and responses. We talked about the usual things: favorite movies, activities, colors, sports, classes, etc. I know they like Ice Age, basketball, and math, and that Kristina likes computer games. I told them about snow skiing and hiking and white water sports in America.

All too soon it was time to return to the Ark for the VBS finale. I presented each with gifts I had brought from Raleigh: clothing, toy planes, and ball caps (and several necklaces for Kristina). They were incredibly excited and grateful. Igor and Denis could not wait to try out the planes on our return.

Children are what the Ark is all about. Kristina, Igor, and Denis and the other children are growing up in an incredible loving environment with firm discipline based on Christian principles. I have watched them grow physically, mentally, and spiritually each year. That is why I go back to the Ark each year to help out in some small way to the furthering of this ministry.

Happy Meals are the same worldwide!

Kristina with necklaces from the Stroups and the Holmes

Igor with Mt. Ranier ballhat

Denis and his new toy

Blog submitted by Jane Hyatt

Well, he didn’t get a shave, but he did get a haircut! When JC Edwards was at the Ark he casually mentioned to me that he didn’t have time to get a haircut before leaving Raleigh. We happen to have a team member, Anya, who is quite good at hair styling. So I, Jane, proposed to JC that Anya would be more than happy to cut his hair. JC very quickly accepted and said Anya was “much prettier than his regular barber.“

Needless to say, JC was very pleased with his hair cut! He asked Anya if he could give her a grandfatherly kiss. Now when I translated this to Anya, she wasn’t quite sure exactly what kind of kiss he meant. But given JC’s age she assumed it was fine and said OK. JC gently held Anya’s head and placed a very gentle kiss on her forehead.

Immediately Anya started to cry as she was touched deeply by JC’s lovingkindness. When I asked Anya why she was crying, she explained that she had two grandfathers – one she never really knew at all and the other died some years ago, but she never had the opportunity to experience his ‘grandfatherly’ love as he was very unloving and distant. The kiss from JC was very healing for Anya and touched her heart very deeply.

We never really know the depths or even how our actions will touch another person’s heart. Praise God JC reached out in his own special ‘grandfatherly’ way and for that Anya is very grateful. God used JC to bring about healing in her heart.

JC after his haircut. Nice...

New entries will continue to be posted as they are received from team members. The following was submitted by Jason Payne. 

Meet Natasha. Her behind-the-scenes role at the Ark is to hem, mend, patch, stitch, and wash all the laundry that keeps the ministry running clean and fresh. Children receive donated clothing, and most of the fabric is hand stitched, and mended on site. We were working in the opposite end of Natasha’s laundry building, and daily she quietly worked, diligently managing laundry needs. We often saw her hanging clothing out on lines.

Entrance to old laundry building

Old laundry hallway

Curiosity drew me into the rooms near Nastasha where clothing was stored, hung up to dry, and even where Natasha steadily sewed through her day’s work – sometimes in darkness, or only meager light that crept through half covered windows. What a dedicated woman! I could not get over her diligence and resilience in working in such dark, lonely, and even dirty conditions!

Natasha - always hard at work

Sometimes circumstances can be deplorable and that is when the Spirit of the Lord living shines to carry us through. Jesus Christ died and rose again to give us new life and relationship with God, a Light that can never be darkened no matter the surroundings. Have you accepted Jesus Christ into the room of your heart and soul?

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” ^{For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-12}

Thankfully, one of the priority projects for these two weeks was to renovate the building next door to Natasha’s with designer tile floor and bright new cheery paint. God will provide! Just walking into the new unfinished building fills one with hope and happiness. The rooms are bright, airy, and the new tile floor is a world apart from the old broken-down cement and wood floor of the old laundry building next door. Praise God that He provided strength, wisdom, and patience for those who served tirelessly to haul, scrape, level, tile, and truly revive a happy place for Natasha, who’s work continues to bring clothing and a sense of stability to the many children, present and future, who are to find a new home… and hope at Father’s Care children’s Rehabilitation Center!

Floor tile being laid in new laundry building

We finally got to take a picture of Team 2. Unfortunately, Pat and Asad Hashemi left at 6:30 a.m. and were not available for the photo. Jason Payne left at 9:30. Pray that all three have safe flights home. Alyona was with the children.

Team 2 minus Alyona Eakes and Asad and Pat Hashemi

Unfortunately, the Ark has been without electrical power for the last day and a half. Thus, there have been no blog entries. We are now back up and running with lots of new stories and pictures to come.

Blog submitted by Marcia Kirtley

Last night I lost myself in the warmth of a campfire and I watched the flames roast marshmallows held on sticks by many happy children. I gazed into the night and wondered how many children were outside our gates, hungry and neglected. I felt the longing in my soul to be able to do more and I remembered how much you (FHBC) have already done.

Singing and getting ready for the marshmellows

S'mores ...

A song stirred in my head and I brought the words to my lips today as I cut grass around the children’s playground. I was rather astonished that the flood of lyrics came so easily since I had stored them away long ago. I was emotionally touched and moved to extend them to you:

From “To God Be the Glory” by Andre Crouch: “How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me—-”

Last Fall, I prayed for new directions for my life and for two things, the first of which was a way to give back to God. Several months later, I ran into a friend from years past who suggested I might like to go to Kiev with FHBC. Without much information and with limited insight, I called Rogers Farr and asked to participate. You, FHBC, embraced me and accepted me for what I could contribute, not knowing if I would be an asset or a liability. For this acceptance, I am eternally grateful. This has been one of the deeply meaningful experiences of my life and an answer to my prayer. The second part of my petition to God was to find a church family. I believe I have an answer to this also.

Continuing the song in closing:

—-Just let me live my life
And let it be pleasing, Lord to thee
And should I gain any praise
Let it go to Calvary.

Thank you FHBC!

On this Father’s Day 2009, the team celebrated the occasion with three generations of the Edwards family: JC, Faith, and Eddie.

Three generations of Edwards on Father's Day 2009

Blog submitted by Frances Overby

Saturday, June 20th is a very special day at the Ark. Ivanna is celebrating her 12th birthday today. It is always a fun day when one of the children celebrates their birthday. Celebrating a birthday is an important part of life: celebrating life, celebrating the fact that one is growing up, and celebrating all the hopes, dreams, and wishes that always seem to happen around a birthday.

To prepare for the special lunch, the requested chocolate cake with nuts and chocolate icing with nuts on top was prepared early this morning. Brother Maksim and best friend Kristina and Frances helped to decorate the dining hall. Ivanna got to run through a welcoming tunnel made by the children and team members to enter into the dining hall to finally see the suprise decorations (peeking is NOT allowed!). Ivanna was very pleased.

After enjoying a delicious meal of potatoes and ground meat, Barbara brought out the lighted cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to her. For me, the most special time is listening to all of the people sitting around the tables say a blessing over Ivanna. I could not understand much of what was said, but I didn’t need to understand words. I could tell by the love in the tone of their voices and the smiles on their faces, they were happily praying God’s blessings over Ivanna’s life.

Please take a moment today to pray for Ivanna – asking God to bless her life and keep her close to Him. Also take a moment to pray for all of the children at the Ark. They are such precious children; all so open to giving love and receiving love.

Team 2 arrived safely this afternoon. Beth and Alyona Eakes arrive on Sunday afternoon. Pray for them as they recover from jet lag.

The children enjoyed a cooking class this afternoon. They made dough, grated cheese, pulled cooked chicken off the bone, and finally put pizzas together for dinner. We all enjoyed that treat!

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (Eph 3:20) Thanks be to God for His greatness and His tender mercies.

Children forming birthday tunnel for Ivanna

Frances, Ivanna, and brother Maxim

Cutting Ivanna's birthday cake

Children making pizza

Blog submitted by Frances Overby

What a blessing it is to be back with the children. It is so great to see how they have grown over the past year. Just seeing their smiling and happy faces makes this trip worth while!

On Wednesday morning, we began to offer craft time and recreation for the children. Crafts and recreation is a great way to spend time with the children and get to know them as you interact with them while they are being creative. It is a time when they can just have fun and be themselves; and a time when they can be encouraged in what they are doing.

Wednesday morning, the children painted beautiful, large, sun catchers. Lots of beautiful pastel and vibrant colors and some with glitter hi-lights to create a stained glass effect for a mix of flowers and butterflies. Each of the sun catchers turned out differently… just like each of the precious boys and girls here are unique and special. Each child is like a flower that is in the process of blossoming and blooming. I wish you could hear the happy chatter and see the smiles on their faces as they are working. It thrills my soul to be able to tell them “great job” or “I love your work” and simply giving hugs and saying “I love you” knowing that this is serving my Lord and sharing His love. I plan to decorate the dining hall windows with the sun catchers later today.

Today (Friday morning) we made shrinky dinks. The children could trace and color with permanent markers various things such as flowers, hot dogs, radios, and even a snowboard. Even though Barbara explained what they needed to do and what would happen, it was neat to hear the “oohhhs” and “wows” from the children after the first batch went into the oven. It didn’t take but 30 seconds or so for the 2×2″ plastic to shrink 60%. After the first batch, they wanted to make several. Some traced and some just let the creative juices flow. Nadia made one that said “love Kiev”, Nastia made one where she drew a bike and wrote (in English) “I can ride a bike.” Denis drew a sailboat, Maksim made a rose, and Vova drew Bart Simpson! Those are only a few that I can remember now.

During craft time, I have been playing the music I will use during VBS next week. It blesses my heart to hear the children that were here before just naturally joining in singing in English while they are working. It is especially neat if they know the song in Ukrainian and they sing in their native language.

Recreation has also been fun. When I first arrived, Denis ran to me and put his hands together and said “beep beep”. He was referring to the song, “My God is So Big” sung baby-style. So on Monday, we gathered for recreation outside and had fun singing “My God is So Big”…regular, sumo wrestler style, and baby style. You should have seen the smile on Denis’ face!! The children also enjoyed playing with bubbles and drawing with sidewalk chalk. Some were quite artistic in their drawings. We’ve also had fun playing volleyball. We’ve had the net up several times. I’m always impressed with how the children show genuine love and care for each other as they play together. If someone misses a shot or gets frustrated, they usually seem to jump in to tell the other person “it’s ok, try again”.  

Well… it’s time to get back outside to play with the children.. More later.

In Christ’s love,

Frances 

Igor and Kristina making sun catchers

Ivanna chalking the side walk

Girls making bubbles

Natasha and her sun catcher

Making sun catchers

Marcia Kirtley is tireless. She has single-handedly painted the finish coat on the laundry building If she is not painting, she is using the weed eater. Her energy is boundless. She is a valuable member of the team. Go Marcia!

Don’t miss all the additional pictures stored on Flickr. Just double-click on the pictures in the lower right corner of the opening blog page.

Who says painting is hard?

Die, weeds, die!