Prayer for Ukraine

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The last two days have been very busy. We have organized, moved, reorganized, moved, prayed and played. This camp is beautiful and provides so much for their community, the Polish people as well as the Ukrainian refugees. This is truly a safe place for people to feel comfortable in a very scary situation. Some have been here for weeks while others stay for only a short time. Many have very strong hopes to return home (Ukraine). 

Yesterday we were able to pack up all of the clothing donations so that they can be taken to other camps and churches. Over the next few weeks the camp will be having a church camp for children. This ministry happens every summer and the only difference this year is that there will be a week that will be for Ukrainian refugee children as well. This children's camp will also have therapists available to work with the children to help them better understand and express their feelings and grief during this difficult time. I cannot express how amazing this camp is! There are so many people here that give so much, it is a way of life for them. It is a very humbling experience. 

Here is a video of the work that we have done over the last few days:

And, yes, we did a lot of work today! But we also had a ton of very happy experiences! We were able to play with the kids! We had 3 legged races, egg races, water balloon fights and I even got to show off my drawing skills! We all had a blast! We also were able to experience three baptisms, and a Ukrainian worship night. It was a wonderful way to end the day! There are so many people here who have been such a blessing, and because they are blessed, they bless others. It is so amazing to see how much people give - time, money, talents, etc. 

Here are some pics from today:

There are so many people here that I ask you to pray for. To maintain their anonymity, I will use just an initial:

D, A, M, D - These leaders have so much love for this place and work so hard to provide for so many people. Please pray that they continue to receive the resources that they need to continue to be an amazing place for refugees as well as those in their community.

M, M and kids - These women have been here at the camp while their husbands had to stay behind in Ukraine. They will be going to the US to stay with friends for the next few months. Please pray for their safe travels and for them to be reunited as a family. 

Groups of volunteers - There are many here that come from various areas around the US - Michigan, Indiana, Kansas and so many more. Please pray for their safety, love, generosity and support as they continue to go beyond their borders to help those in need. 

I end tonight with a beautiful song. We heard it tonight at the Ukrainian Prayer Service. It is a recording from the actual service, two young Ukrainian women singing the song Prayer for Ukraine. 

Witamy w Polsce - Welcome to Poland!

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Well, after a very long day, I have arrived. I left NW Indiana at 4:00 pm on Saturday night and arrived at the hotel one hour outside of Warsaw, Poland at 7:00sh pm Sunday night, granted, I am 7 hours ahead of home. We brought over 19 pieces of luggage (humanitarian aid). It took over one hour to get everyone checked in and by the time we made it to the gate, we were just 1 hour or so from boarding. Unfortunately, we were delayed quite a bit. But we finally boarded and made it to Warsaw! But... somehow one piece of luggage has been lost or stolen. We are praying that it is found and gets to who needs it as it is EXTREMELY important. 

I met Oksana, a young woman who has been fighting right on the front, going back and forth between Poland and Ukraine. However, this is not the first time that I have actually met her. She was the one that travelled with N and Y this past Christmas. She has been doing so much and fighting so hard. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. 

We also met Daniel, who is one of the directors of the camp where I will be serving. It is a beautiful camp, very peaceful. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to help these people. Their lives have been turned upside down. They are far from home, some without members of their family, their personal belongings, but, they are safe. 

The war/conflict with Russia seems so far away when I am home. For many in the US, it may not affect their day to day operations so they do not think about it. However, here, it is everywhere. There are Ukrainian flags. There are pictures. There are numerous groups bringing aid. Even when we arrived at the airport, there was a small kiosk with someone readily available to help Ukrainian refugees. It was amazing to see the outpouring of support and aid for the Ukrainian people. 

As I get ready to get some sleep tonight, I want to say thank you. So many of you have helped support me over the last few months. There are too many people to personally thank (and so many who don't want to be named), but please know that your support means the world to me and my family. Without it, we would not have met N and Y, we would not have opened our hearts and homes to them, their lives, their culture and, now, their conflict. Their fight is our fight. And I am blessed to help in any way that I can. 

 

Mother's day - so different now with N and Y not here

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There has been so much going on. I am leaving for Poland in less than one week. I will be representing Force For Hope and taking humanitarian aid over to Poland. We will be helping refugees at a camp there. We will be organizing and loading supplies (so they can be taken to Ukraine), making meals, entertaining kids, and pretty much whatever they need. I am so blessed and fortunate to be able to help. Many are nervous that I am going; however, I am not. Yes, we are close to Ukraine, which is in conflict with Russia. But, God will be watching over us. This is also the 4th trip to Poland for our organization. Please make sure to follow this blog for updates!

Today is Mother's Day. It was a good day. I spent the day with my boys and my mom at our campground in Sheridan, IL. We enjoyed the outdoors, relaxed, saw friends and got excited for some upcoming NICE weather. However, we were missing some. N, Y, their sister and brother were not with us. But we were thinking of them. They are still in Ukraine. I get pictures from time to time. They seem to be doing ok. I can't say great because they are in a war-torn country. To my knowledge they are living in a school. They still go to basements when they hear the sirens. That is no way to live for anyone, let alone children. I want to do everything in my power to help them. There is just so much red tape. It really is an impossible situation. 

Y also turned 11 this past week. We recorded/sang Happy birthday to him. I got some pictures of him. It looks like he received a soccer ball and goalie gloves. He looks happy... but, again, it makes me think of so much. He has so little. He received so little.

So... that's where we are at: regularly thinking and praying for N, Y and their siblings, missing them, loving them from afar. It's hard to believe that they were brought here less than 6 months ago and the impact they had on us, in such a short amount of time. They have been such a blessing. 

And... I'm presented with another opportunity!

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BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! I can't believe it! The same organization that has brought me N and Y has asked me to lead a group to Poland! I will be working with a wonderful group of people, and we will be taking Humanitarian Aid to Poland. While there we will be helping Ukrainian refugees as well as packing boxes of supplies. The boxes of medical supplies will then be transported by another group to Ukraine. There is no guarantee that I will be able to see N, Y or their sister. They are currently still in Ukraine, and I will NOT be going into Ukraine. I am hopeful that they will leave Ukraine and head to safety in another country. 

My organization, Force For Christ/Force For Hope (FFC/FFH) has organized a variety of these trips since the invasion has started. We have sent groups to Poland, Romania and Italy and we continue sending more groups in May. We are extremely fortunate to be in a position where we can help. 

I am so thankful to a number of people that are helping me make this possible:

• Liz - Director of FFC/FFH for having the faith and confidence in me to lead a trip
• My mom's boss - to support our cause and give my mom the ability to come and take care of my kids
• My mom - to support ME 100% and is coming to watch the kids while I travel
• YOU - so many of you have supported me financially, emotionally, physically throughout all of this

I will be posting updates really soon giving any additional ideas to support us on our trip! Thank you again! Here are some ways to support us now:

Order support Ukraine shirts/sweatshirts: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/force-4-hope-missions?utm_campaign=desktop-campaign-page-share-v3&utm_content=force-4-hope-missions&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link&fbclid=IwAR071Z0vy6Ai2WJjelTPhMvhi45Ki-A4PKpQ_dQtbrbJcn-nbS2QZRzoaik

Handmade bracelets by refugees in Poland:

FFC Fundraiser to help purchase needed supplies for refugees and soldiers!

$12 for smaller, $30 for 3

$15 for large, $35 for 3

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/forceforchristoo?fbclid=IwAR3XJf2PsTSpaiwn8Drcfa_M1sZgW6glWnfaBeWYFDWphWX4sLTa7uXDurY

It's been quiet lately...

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I have not posted in awhile. Unfortunately there has not been a lot of change going on. My kiddos are still in Lviv (which was just recently bombed two days ago and prior to the bombing, there was a sense of safety). Hosting is still hopeful for part of the summer. But we are in a state of limbo. And, as much as the Ukrainian ministry (those responsible for the orphans) want to be hopeful, some decisions will need to be made. My kiddos and countless others have missed almost half of the school year this year. They can't start out the next school year in limbo. But what does this mean? I really don't know. Russia seems to be hell bent on taking control over at least the Eastern parts of Ukraine while making sure that all Ukrainians are on age, no matter the location. 

In the meantime, I have received some updates from my kiddos' director of the orphanage. I am happy that they are safe. I am happy to know that they are receiving the essentials to survive. But as I write that, a pain shoots through me. How horrible is that? Enough to survive? These are kids. My son Hudson just asked if he could have chocolate for breakfast and my kiddos in Ukraine just need to worry about getting enough food to get by, to survive. It is so hard to love someone so much and to do so little to help. 

                    

But now... here is some news! As I said, I have been quiet lately. But this does not mean that there is not a lot going on behind the scenes. While we are still in the early stages, there is a plan in the works where I will lead a group to take Humanitarian Aid to Poland which will then be transported to Ukraine. I will not be taking the aid into Ukraine, only to Poland. While in Poland, I will be spending time with some of the Ukrainian orphans that have made their way to Poland. I am very excited to be a part of this amazing journey. Be on the look out for more updates! And, please, keep all of us in your prayers as we navigate the next few weeks. 💗

For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about one and a half million men, women, and children, mainly Jews, from various countries of Europe. Auschwitz-Birkenau 1940-1945

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In 1999 I was fortunate to travel abroad for the first time in my life. With approximately 15 other students, we travelled with two professors from UNI (University of Northern Iowa) to Poland for 8 weeks in the summer. During that time we studied the humanities as well as the Holocaust. We visited various cities throughout Poland, Austria and Germany as well as 3 concentration camps. I was 20 years old visiting some of the most traumatizing areas in the world. I could not fully comprehend the magnitude of these concentration camps and the atrocities that many Germans committed. 

These pictures show me at the entrance to Auschwitz as well as within one of the gas chambers. 

23 years later I am seeing a similar event, repeating itself. Many compare Russia's and Putin's actions in Ukraine to that of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Reports are showing the senseless killings of men, women and children by the Russian army, calling for Putin to be charged with war crimes. 

My kids are still in Ukraine. They are still in harm's way. You ask Why are they still there? Believe me, I wish I knew the answer. I ask myself this daily, to the point that I get angry. Why haven't they left? Again, I do not know. The Ministry in Ukraine has advised all orphanages that they are able to leave Ukraine (they must stay within a certain area within Europe). I wish I could ask the director. I wish I understood why she is staying. But, I must also remember that I am not in her shoes. She has multiple children that she is responsible for. Human trafficking has increased. Thousands of Ukrainian children are unaccounted for (https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/human-trafficking-experts-states-must-urgently-protect-refugees-fleeing-ukraine). She is scared, overwhelmed, tired, and so many other emotions that I can't even imagine. 

I am still hopeful for hosting, whether for the summer, shorter term or longer term. Whatever my kiddos need. I was recently asked to travel to Poland to help with the humanitarian efforts. While I was not able to go this month, I am still working to try to go next month. 

I have not had a lot of contact with N and Y. However, by the grace of God, I have met another family who have hosted kids in the same orphanage as mine. I am able to communicate with my kids through them. The host mom sent this to me - joy filled me and I cried tears of happiness, sadness, fear and love. Please continue to pray for these kids. Your thoughts, prayers, love, support have gotten us this far and will continue to give me the strength to keep going, for them. 

It´s been so long...

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 It has been almost 2 weeks since I last post. I can´t believe how much time has passed. I can´t believe how long this has been going on. Russia invaded Ukraine February 24 I believe. This means that my kiddos, along with countless other orphans, have been living basically on the run. They have been surviving on funds we send to them. The Ukrainian government stopped sending monetary funds to the orphanages a few weeks ago. This may be normal (as all available funds are going to the war); however, this makes it even more difficult. These orphans are children. They are not attending school. They are living in make shift shelters. They are running to the basements almost daily due to being bombed. Here are a few of the texts that I have received from our director over the last two weeks (from contacts in Ukraine):

• We were bombed. The missile just flew over our house and hit across the road.
• 10,000 Ukrainian orphans unaccounted for.

The longer it goes on, the more people are likely to forget. We have started sending people over to help with the relief efforts. I have been asked and I want to help. However, I recently tested positive for COVID and Strep (yep, at the same time). I need to make sure my health is at its best before making any final decisions.

On a good note, I did hear back from my kid's orphanage director. She sent me some pictures of N, Y and S. These kids are so amazing. They have been dealt such a horrible hand in life. None of the choices that they have made have caused them to be where they are at right now. With each passing day, I wonder Will I see them again? Will I hug them again? Do they know how much they are loved and missed?