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!