September News - Camp, New Projects & Upcoming Ministry

SUMMER CAMP 2011
This year’s theme for summer camp was “transformation” and it fit every aspect of our five amazing days in the woods. New location, new schedule, and many new faces were only the beginnings of the transformations that took place. Through games, skits, worship, lessons, small groups, swimming and many more activities we witnessed life transformation happening all around us; not just with the children, but within ourselves as well. Here’s a glimpse into the amazing experiences God blessed us with from the phenomenal American team who joined us to love these beautiful kids.

“Camp this year was full of so many amazing memories… what impacted me the most through our week at camp were the relationships I built with the grad students. Through our time at camp I connected with the kids and was overwhelmed with love for them. We would play games together and laugh and attempt to talk to each other. It was in those moments of not being able to communicate that we somehow bonded. It was through the smiles, hugs, laughing, and time together that I felt like the Lord was really present. This experience taught me that it is not always about what I can say but about what God can do through me. I have truly learned that there is so much power in the things unspoken if we look to the Lord and humbly ask Him to use us.” – Chelsea Rollins

“This being my 3rd year of going to Ukraine, I feel like a seasoned veteran. Camp though never ceases to amaze me and blow me away and this year particularly so. I think for some of these kids, the message we've been trying to relay to them has started to "click". I'm excited to see God grow the seed's that have been sown during camp.” – Anthony Ruiz

“One of my favorite times at camp was when the kids would teach me new words. Because they would say them so fast, my version of them would be kind of hilarious! For example, one kid tried to teach me how to say “sorry” which for the longest time I thought was "robot" (though it is actually pronounced “probach”). So, of course I got laughed at a lot, but through that God showed me that it was ok to be goofy and to just be yourself. I came to the realization that by letting myself truly open up I was also allowing God to use me better which was the reason why I was there.” – Kiki Bachle

From kids to the Open Arms staff, transformation took place all around during camp and this would never have happened without all of your help! To everyone who gave, supported, encouraged, and participated in this year’s camp: Thank you!

A FACE OF OPEN ARMS – LUBA
Luba is much like any other 16 year old girl: she is boy crazy, into fashion, and takes extra time to always look her best. What separates her from most girls her age is the fact that she has been living in an orphanage for the past 5 years. She has come a long way since we first met her those years ago; from closed off and separated, she is now loving and open to our team. It has been a privilege to watch her grow and mature while walking alongside her in the process. Luba is a strong leader among her group of friends as well as one of the most respected girls of the oldest class. Her potential for positive influence is undeniable! She loves to laugh and just sit on her bed and share all the things that have happened in her day. You will often find her bobbing her head, singing and dancing to the music that is currently playing on the radio. Luba finished the 9 th grade this past June and on the st of September she will be leaving the orphanage to begin study at a trade school. We couldn’t be happier that she will be going to school in Sumy and we will be able to see her on a regular basis. Transitioning from the orphanage to life on their own is extremely challenging for these kids. It is often in these transitions that they make choices that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Our desire is to be a support system for Luba and to help her build relationships with people who truly love her and want to help her achieve what God has planned for her.
Please join us in prayer for Luba’s transition into this new chapter of life!

UPCOMING – HEALTHCARE PROJECT
All one has to do to understand the desperate physical needs of the “graduate” children we work with is to look at their smiles. Though they are absolutely beautiful in honesty, the years of inadequate nutrition and improper hygiene are clearly evident. Teeth are rotting, gums are decaying, and some children have to squint so hard to read it is a miracle they see at all. Some children were diagnosed with liver problems and received medicine while at the orphanage, but with no one looking after these needs and no money to cover expenses, these physical necessities are left by the wayside. Our heart’s desire as a ministry is to change this reality. This is nothing out of our grasp with some help from home and if it is laid on your heart to give, we will see to it that every child possible is provided with dental work, health check-ups, and vision aids if necessary. Donate online at www.openarmsukraine.blogspot.com or send a check to PO Box 277, San Lorenzo, CA 94580. Looking forward to being His hands and feet in these children’s lives in such a tangible way.

GRADUATE RETREAT – OCTOBER 2011
This October we're looking forward to kicking off the new school year for our grad kids with a weekend retreat! One of our main goals with this retreat will be to plug the new kids that have just recently left the orphanage into ministry with our Sumy team. In the weeks prior to camp we'll be making day trips to the different schools, reconnecting with kids, inviting them to join the retreat, and hopefully establishing some relationships with the trade schools' staff for future ministry as well. For many of these kids, in their post-orphanage transition, trouble starts within the first few months of their new freedom. Planning this for the beginning of their school year will allow us to help guide them from the beginning to make good decisions in their independence. Please keep the planning of the retreat in your prayers as we work on location, lesson plans, games, crafts and more!

COMING HOME

On May 24 , Sasha Pevniv finally made his way home to Sumy. Many of you have walked alongside us, through prayer, support and encouragement, as Sasha completed his 3 years at a Juvenile Colony. Thank you!! When he began his time at trade school after finishing his 9th grade education, he made a decision within the first 2 months with a group of new friends that would change his life forever. God used Sasha’s time in the Sambir Juvenile Colony to change his life for eternity. For Sasha, the Open Arms Home in Sumy is his first chance at family and he plans on making the most of his time. He is studying, playing on a floorball team with church, learning English, playing guitar and doing amazingly well in his transition. For more updates check out the blog at www.openarmsukraine.blogspot.com!


PRAYER REQUESTS
Please Pray:
- For the 25 children from the Pravdinska orphanage who will leaving on September 1st for their trade schools.
- For the Ukrainian couple, Bogdan and Natasha, staying in the team apartment with grad kids while our American team is home in the states.
- For the lessons, themes, and all the activities being prepared for the October grad retreat.
- For provisions to help with and financially cover the health, dental, and vision needs of the graduate kids in our ministry.
- For our general ministry budget to be replenished and that God would continue providing vision, opportunity, and the means to care for these broken children.

Open Arms Ukraine would like to thank everyone who helped support our graduate camp, graduation dress project, and our transitional living program these past months! Without your prayers, support, and encouragement the lives of these children would remain unreached. We are excited to share all that God has in store for this ministry and these precious children in the months ahead!