SUMMER CAMP SPONSORSHIP

Open Arms is excited to announce that we are just 2½ weeks from our 3^rd Annual Orphanage Graduate Summer Camp (“Grad Camp” as we like to call it). The theme this summer is Everlasting Life, based on John 3:16. Our team is in the midst of preparing games, Bible lessons, crafts, and all the other goodness that will fill our four days in the woods.

The summer months can prove to be a difficult time for these kids as they are used to structure and schedules. Suddenly, they are on their own with too much time on their hands. Our hope is to connect them more deeply with our team at the beginning of the summer while bringing them into the Word of God so that these summer months can prove transformational in their lives.

As we prepare, we are asking that you join us in prayer:       

• For wisdom in planning 
• For the children to come and their hearts be open
• For our team here in Ukraine and those who will be joining us from the states
• For camp to fully funded and God to receive the glory

This year God has blessed us tremendously in being able to provide a spring retreat for our graduates and we look forward to sharing how God continues to move in their lives through this upcoming camp. If you are interested in sponsoring a child for camp, the cost is $80 which includes transportation, food, games, crafts… the whole deal. This camp is absolutely free for the kids, but we need your help in order to make that happen. 

UPDATE: THANKS TO YOU, ALL OF OUR KIDS HAVE BEEN SPONSORED TO COME TO CAMP! WE COULDN'T BE MORE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SUPPORT. 

FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO GIVE TOWARD MAKING CAMP A SUCCESS, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to sponsor a child you can donate online by clicking “donate” below or you can send a check to PO Box 277, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 with “camp sponsorship” in the memo line. We would love to send you more information about the child you sponsor so you can pray specifically! Regardless of your ability to give financially, we covet your prayers and appreciate you all so much as we enjoy the blessing of sunshine and these beautiful children.

The goal is simple: get 25 kids sponsored at $80 each in the next 2 weeks. But this is where we need your help!! Tell your friends and let’s make this summer camp absolutely amazing!!

Help us share God’s love and light in the lives of these broken children.

With gratitude,

The Open Arms Team

Orphanage Graduation

Yesterday our team had the extreme privilege of watching 13 9th graders "graduate" from the Pravinska Orphanage. The day was filled with dancing, eating and celebrating (just as it should have been). But, sitting in the audience it isn't hard to realize that this is not your typical graduation. The auditorium is filled with the kids of the orphanage, teachers, the orphanage sponsors, and our team. A few family members made their way to celebrate the graduation of these children, but when I say a few, I mean: a few. This is an orphanage. These children have no families. It makes the honor of being in that audience so much deeper and more meaningful.

Each child graduating is a life that is intended to be treasured and celebrated, but our broken world has taken that privilege away from them. This is where being a part of Open Arms is such a gift! We get to celebrate these beautiful lives. We get to take pictures of them until their cheeks hurt and cry as we realize they have grown up so much before our very eyes.

September 1st will mark a new era of our ministry with these 13 children as 12 will make their way to study at a trade school here in Sumy - the very trade school with which Open Arms has its closest relationship. We couldn't be more excited to have these faces as a part of our camps and programming here in the city. It is clear that God is paving the way for us to invest further in their lives, but as these kids face a huge transition, we ask that you would be joining us in prayer: for wisdom as we prepare ministry for this transition, for their hearts to protected as they undergo so many life changes, and that our team here in Sumy would make deep, meaningful, and transformational connections with each of these children.

 

Vitalik, in 2005 (left) and at his graduation yesterday.

As for now, we celebrate with this beautiful class! It has been amazing watching them grow over the past 7 years and we can't wait to share all that God does in their lives in the years to come!

A Day at Pravda

The Pravdinska Orphanage is the very place Open Arms Ukraine began. Seven years ago on a missions trip, the children who filled the orphanage stole our hearts and every time we step back into that orphanage it is a reminder of where we all began and why we do what we do.

The costumes we helped purchase for the dance competition

Our day started with the donation of skirts for the children's dance competition coming up. Pravdinska takes great pride in their dance programs and the competition is stiff among the orphanages of the region; being able to help them prepare is such a gift for us as ministry. Thanks to many of you, we also provided prom dresses for graduation once again. For the girls who remained dress-less from the 9th grade class, these prom dresses give them the chance to feel beautiful and special. It is always amazing to watch their faces light up as they find "the dress" among all that were donated - THANK YOU!!!

Veka had just found her perfect dress for graduation

Dima got in on the birthday celebrations

Birthdays were celebrated, hugs were endless, and this day was a beautiful reminder of where we started in ministry those years ago. For those who have stood by us through these years, we are utterly grateful!!!! Thankful for another beautiful day in the village ministering to these amazing kids!