Fall Graduate Retreat
At the beginning of September a new class of Pravdinska graduates left the orphanage and entered into trade schools throughout the Sumy region. Twenty-five young kids out on their own for the first time. This is a time that has critical impact on their futures. Many kids after leaving the orphanage quickly find ways to use their new freedom to get into trouble. Statistically 70% of orphanage graduate boys end up in a life of crime. And 60% of the girls end up in prostituion. Adolescent alcoholism is worse in Ukraine than in almost all other European countries. And for many of these young adults, the first steps down that road are taken within the first few months of being on their own.
With that in mind, we are excited to be running a graduate fall retreat for some of these kids from October 21st through 24th. With all these freshly graduated kids, as well as the other grad kids we’ve worked with in the past, we are expecting a pretty big crowd. Our heart is to use the 4 days of camp to help set them on a course that will keep them from becoming just another sad statistic. And having known Luba, Lusya, Yaroslav and the 22 other new grad kids for years, it’s about much more than just numbers and statistics.
Melissa’s Heart
6 years ago, I came to Ukraine and spent a month with a group of kids who changed my life forever. They were ranging in age from 10-12. I instantly fell in love with them. Over the past 6 years I have been privileged to walk beside them and be a part of their lives. So many of these kids have become my family. In May, they graduated the ninth grade and left to trade school in September. We are doing a graduate camp at the end of the month and am so excited that 10 of the kids are at a trade school in Sumy. We are going to travel to the other trade schools and connect with the others. Transitioning out of the orphanage is a critical time for the kids. Choices are made that will affect the rest of their lives. Camp is such a great opportunity to plug in the kids to Ukrainian leaders here and just some good fellowship sharing how much God loves them. We will have topics about freedom in Christ. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in our time at camp.
Teaching Freedom
As we get ready for camp, visiting kids at their schools, planning lessons, organizing games, prepping crafts,please be in prayer for us! The focus of our camp is freedom in Christ. We’ll share about grace, being a new creation and the life God really has for us. Through small group discussions and a night splitting up boys and girls, our goal is make it personal for each one of these amazing kids.
Our team of 8 Americans and 5 Ukrainians will be leading up to 40 kids throughout the weekend. Please be in prayer for our American team as they arrive in Ukraine and for our Ukrainian team as they help invite kids and organize logistical details. We are so excited to see what God will do in their hearts and the freedom that He will bring! Be praying for the finances to do all that we’re working for. Pray that God would be preparing them now for what they will hear.
If you are interested in sponsoring to help cover the cost of one of our graduates to come to camp, please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com or give via PayPal. The cost for one camper is $65, which covers their transportation, food, games, crafts and other supplies. We are anticipating a large group of kids and are praying that God will provide for all our needs.
Thank you for your support and prayers as we serve the graduate orphans of Sumy! We are grateful for the part you play in our ministry.
With that in mind, we are excited to be running a graduate fall retreat for some of these kids from October 21st through 24th. With all these freshly graduated kids, as well as the other grad kids we’ve worked with in the past, we are expecting a pretty big crowd. Our heart is to use the 4 days of camp to help set them on a course that will keep them from becoming just another sad statistic. And having known Luba, Lusya, Yaroslav and the 22 other new grad kids for years, it’s about much more than just numbers and statistics. Melissa’s Heart
6 years ago, I came to Ukraine and spent a month with a group of kids who changed my life forever. They were ranging in age from 10-12. I instantly fell in love with them. Over the past 6 years I have been privileged to walk beside them and be a part of their lives. So many of these kids have become my family. In May, they graduated the ninth grade and left to trade school in September. We are doing a graduate camp at the end of the month and am so excited that 10 of the kids are at a trade school in Sumy. We are going to travel to the other trade schools and connect with the others. Transitioning out of the orphanage is a critical time for the kids. Choices are made that will affect the rest of their lives. Camp is such a great opportunity to plug in the kids to Ukrainian leaders here and just some good fellowship sharing how much God loves them. We will have topics about freedom in Christ. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in our time at camp.
As we get ready for camp, visiting kids at their schools, planning lessons, organizing games, prepping crafts,please be in prayer for us! The focus of our camp is freedom in Christ. We’ll share about grace, being a new creation and the life God really has for us. Through small group discussions and a night splitting up boys and girls, our goal is make it personal for each one of these amazing kids.
Our team of 8 Americans and 5 Ukrainians will be leading up to 40 kids throughout the weekend. Please be in prayer for our American team as they arrive in Ukraine and for our Ukrainian team as they help invite kids and organize logistical details. We are so excited to see what God will do in their hearts and the freedom that He will bring! Be praying for the finances to do all that we’re working for. Pray that God would be preparing them now for what they will hear.
If you are interested in sponsoring to help cover the cost of one of our graduates to come to camp, please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com or give via PayPal. The cost for one camper is $65, which covers their transportation, food, games, crafts and other supplies. We are anticipating a large group of kids and are praying that God will provide for all our needs.
Thank you for your support and prayers as we serve the graduate orphans of Sumy! We are grateful for the part you play in our ministry.
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