FALL GRADUATE CAMP 2011
Last month we had our first ever Fall Grad retreat. It had been on all of our hearts to have this retreat at the start of the school year in order to support the most recent graduates as they transition into life at their trade schools. We ended up having 26 kids at camp which is our biggest group yet. We were joined by the recent grads as well as some of the older kids. The theme for camp was Freedom in Christ. Our days were full of morning and night meetings, worship, small group discussions, games, skits, crafts, American football, a bonfire and s’mores night, and fellowship.
When I think of Sasha, joyful is the first word that comes to mind. He is always smiling with a smile that takes up his entire face. He loves to joke, is constantly trying to make others laugh or playing a joke on friends. He is one of 9 children. His mother lives here in Sumy but unfortunately he has been in the orphanage since he was very little. He has a little brother that is still in the orphanage. Sasha is little for his age but makes up for it with his huge personality. Since graduating and moving to Sumy in September, we have been able to have a lot more fellowship with Sasha. He was very interested in attending church with us and comes every Sunday he can. Some of our other graduate boys play floorball and Sasha looks forward to joining them every week. He often comes back from floorball and just hangs out for a couple of hours. We are so happy to have him here in Sumy and continue to minister to him.
We’ve shared in the past about our love for the Shevchenko family and some of their needs and ministry opportunities. This past month they asked us for help with paying to finish up the installation of heaters in their home. We were so blessed to be able to help cover the remaining costs for the heating thanks to the donations given in response. We were just at their house this past week are happy to report that it was not only warm, but even hot! Dusya says baby Andre sleeps better and loves to be able to just lay on the bed in his diaper and smile at her now that it’s so much warmer inside. They were very blessed to receive the help and we were also blessed to be the ones to hand it to them. Thank you so much to those of you who donated!
Sasha Pevniv – we know him as SP – many of you know him as the Sasha you spent years praying for as he struggled through the juvenile detention system in Ukraine. At the end of November, Sasha will reach his 6 month mark of freedom and he has been flourishing! It was through his time in prison that Sasha came into a personal relationship with the Lord. During a particular visit, Sasha was busy reading through the Bible and sharing about what he was learning. When asked, “what do you believe about what you are reading?” Sasha quickly replied, “How could I not believe it all to be true after all God has done for me!” This was the response of a kid in prison who had been abandoned by his mother, beaten by his teachers, and neglected by all those who were supposed to care for him. Sasha’s perspective had drastically changed as he found his Heavenly Father. The joy brought on by his release was contagious as he quickly became involved in church and within the Open Arms family. Sasha has a deep desire to know God more and follow His commands. With this desire, SP was baptized just last month and as he put, “the old SP is dead!” He also quit smoking this a month ago in a desire to get healthy and enjoy life. Sasha’s compassion, grace, and love seemingly grow daily and we are blessed to have him as a part of the Open Arms Family. Please keep SP in your prayers through these winter months as he continues to seek the Lord and live as a man.
More information on these cards will be coming to the blog soon! To donate, click the "DONATE" button on the right-hand side of the webpage. In the Paypal notes, please include which ministry you'd like your $25 to go to (Dental, Birthdays, or Warm Clothes) as well as your mailing address. Each card will come to your door tied with a ribbon and will include a full explanation of how your gift will be used. We so appreciate your support in these three crucial areas of our minisry!
Through the various teachings on Freedom in Christ, the kids were able to start thinking and applying it to their own lives. On one of the nights we focused on forgiveness and encouraged the kids to think of a sin in their own lives that they wanted freedom from. They wrote it down on a slip of paper and later had the opportunity to burn it in a bonfire. It was amazing to see God working in their hearts and to hear some of the questions that it was stirring up within them. We are praying that God continues to reveal to them the freedom He has in store.
Overall, we had an amazing time at camp and were so thankful for all that God did. Thank you to everyone who helped us with this camp through sponsorships and prayer. We could not have done it without your support!
A FACE OF OPEN ARMS - SASHA ZAKORKO
When I think of Sasha, joyful is the first word that comes to mind. He is always smiling with a smile that takes up his entire face. He loves to joke, is constantly trying to make others laugh or playing a joke on friends. He is one of 9 children. His mother lives here in Sumy but unfortunately he has been in the orphanage since he was very little. He has a little brother that is still in the orphanage. Sasha is little for his age but makes up for it with his huge personality. Since graduating and moving to Sumy in September, we have been able to have a lot more fellowship with Sasha. He was very interested in attending church with us and comes every Sunday he can. Some of our other graduate boys play floorball and Sasha looks forward to joining them every week. He often comes back from floorball and just hangs out for a couple of hours. We are so happy to have him here in Sumy and continue to minister to him.
THE SHEVCHENKO FAMILY PROJECT
We’ve shared in the past about our love for the Shevchenko family and some of their needs and ministry opportunities. This past month they asked us for help with paying to finish up the installation of heaters in their home. We were so blessed to be able to help cover the remaining costs for the heating thanks to the donations given in response. We were just at their house this past week are happy to report that it was not only warm, but even hot! Dusya says baby Andre sleeps better and loves to be able to just lay on the bed in his diaper and smile at her now that it’s so much warmer inside. They were very blessed to receive the help and we were also blessed to be the ones to hand it to them. Thank you so much to those of you who donated!
UPDATE – SASHA PEVNIV
Sasha Pevniv – we know him as SP – many of you know him as the Sasha you spent years praying for as he struggled through the juvenile detention system in Ukraine. At the end of November, Sasha will reach his 6 month mark of freedom and he has been flourishing! It was through his time in prison that Sasha came into a personal relationship with the Lord. During a particular visit, Sasha was busy reading through the Bible and sharing about what he was learning. When asked, “what do you believe about what you are reading?” Sasha quickly replied, “How could I not believe it all to be true after all God has done for me!” This was the response of a kid in prison who had been abandoned by his mother, beaten by his teachers, and neglected by all those who were supposed to care for him. Sasha’s perspective had drastically changed as he found his Heavenly Father. The joy brought on by his release was contagious as he quickly became involved in church and within the Open Arms family. Sasha has a deep desire to know God more and follow His commands. With this desire, SP was baptized just last month and as he put, “the old SP is dead!” He also quit smoking this a month ago in a desire to get healthy and enjoy life. Sasha’s compassion, grace, and love seemingly grow daily and we are blessed to have him as a part of the Open Arms Family. Please keep SP in your prayers through these winter months as he continues to seek the Lord and live as a man.
THE PERFECT GIFT
This Christmas, we’d like to help you with your Christmas shopping! We’ve created three beautiful cards that would look smashing in anyone’s stocking or under your tree. The best part? When you buy one of these cards, you’ll be bringing light to an orphan’s life. A donation of $25 to the area of your choice will provide: Dental Care, Birthday Celebrations, and/or Warm Winter Clothes to the orphans we care for. When we receive your donation (through our website: openarmsukraine.blogspot. com or through the mail), we’ll send you your card(s), wrapped in a bow and ready to go. Much easier than hitting the mall, right? This is a great way to tell your friends and family about the ministry of Open Arms, to give a meaningful Christmas gift, and, most of all, to share Christ’s abundant love with a child in need.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please Pray:
-For our American team as they deal with acquiring new visas as a result of new laws passed in Ukraine - for finances and efficiency in the process.
-For the Open Arms apartment through the winter months – that all logistics would be taken care of and for Ukrainians to run the program while our American team is home.
-For a new Open Arms apartment – we are seeking a smaller apartment to house weekend visitors and act as an office in the meantime – pray that an apartment would be found within a decent price range and that it would help our ministry grow.
-For all the children studying in Sumy; that ministry opportunities would be seized and the children would grow closer to the Lord through it all.
-For our upcoming Christmas fundraiser – that the children would be blessed in the year ahead as a result.
-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!
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