Importance

I think we are all looking for affirmation that we matter - having people who love and support is the greatest gift... to know we belong! For these kids, they are constantly yearning for that place where they belong. There is this show from the states that I absolutely love for the fact that I see so much of our kids in the characters; it's called Life Unexpected and recently one episode echoes in my mind. The main character grew up in foster care and group homes, much like these beautiful faces I see each day. While reliving some of her past she said, "what about a few years after that, when I was three and stuck in a hospital where no one visited?" I've always thought and wondered about how our kids make it through those kinds of moments...

Melissa and Yaroslav at the hospital

Getting to visit children from Pravdinska staying in Sumy for various ailments has been such a gift. One, for the purpose of connecting, but even more so, for the fact that we get to be those people who visit when no one else would. So that one day, they don't have to look back and wonder. What a gift it is to be those people in these beautiful children's lives?

Anika and Sasha in the hospital after surgery

Not only were we able to visit Yaroslav and Sasha this past week in hospitals here in Sumy (as well as Yaroslav, Vova, Marina, and Sergei), but we are currently getting ready to head out to Western Ukraine to visit a very special kid I like to call my little brother although most people simply know him as Sasha. On Monday we will receive our regular monthly visit as his "family" and then we will be able to return on Sunday October 3rd for Parent's Day! Who gets to do this? I seriously ask myself that question from time to time... because I get the utter privilege to be a family to these amazing kids - can't wait to get back and share all the answers to prayers!