THIS FALL HAS ALREADY BEEN A FRUITFUL TIME FOR MINISTRY.
WE’VE BEEN THROWING BIRTHDAY PARTIES, VISITING THE ORPHANAGE, RUNNING A FULL HOUSEHOLD, HOSTING GRADUATE MEETINGS, AND PLANNING FOR EXCITING THINGS TO COME. READ ON TO SEE SOME OF WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO!
GRADUATE MEETINGS
With over 20 orphanage graduates attending various trade schools here in the city of Sumy, we thought it would be a great opportunity to start up weekly meetings with them. At the same time this was laid on our hearts, our Ukrainian volunteers also approached us about their desire to start consistent meetings with these graduates. It is always so exciting to see how God brings things together in His time!
Connecting with the kids in this stage of life is so crucial. For thirteen of these graduates, this is the beginning of their 10th grade year as well as their first time experiencing life outside of the orphanage walls. They are experiencing a newfound freedom and with new freedom comes challenges and countless choices that can have such lasting impact on their lives.
We are now three weeks into these meetings; focusing on the latest graduates of the Pravdinska orphanage. Each meeting has been a great time of fellowship, games, laughter and sharing. These Wednesday night gatherings are structured similarly to an American youth group meeting and take place at our church. It is a great environment for these kids to belong, connect, and hear more about their Heavenly Father. We hope this will act as a great catalyst to get these kids involved in church as soon as possible and with our amazing group of Ukrainian volunteers in mentorship and friendship. We are so thankful to have the chance to continue to pour into the lives of these beautiful kids each week; to share more of Christ’s love for them, and to invest in their lives as they make the difficult transition from orphanage to trade school.
GRADUATE SPOTLIGHTS
ANYA
We have known Anya for over 7 years now and have been privileged to watch her grow and transform into a wonderful young lady. It is hard to believe that she will soon be 16, since we can remember her as just a little girl running around the orphanage years ago. She loves to dance and will always be caught singing if music is on. She loves to cook and has no problem just taking over the kitchen and making enough for our big household. She and her brother Sasha are very close and they are both very protective of one another.
We have witnessed a beautiful transformation in Anya in the past year. Anya is very strong willed and knows what she wants. She can be quite a “diva” at times, but she has softened so much and become incredibly open with our team and towards God. Last week we had a get-together for new orphanage graduates at our church. Last minute, we called Anya because we thought she would be a comfort to the new kids. She not only came and comforted, but rounded up all the kids and made sure they made it to the meeting as well. This amazed us because, not too long ago, we could barely get Anya to come to anything Open Arms-related. Her kindness and great leadership abilities shone brightly during our time together. It is truly a blessing that God has allowed us to be apart of Anya’s life and transformation.
Photo: The Open Arms Team & Anya (center) go bowling in Sumy.
SASHA
Sasha Pevniv (SP - as we like to call him) has always been a special kid. At the orphanage, he was a respected leader, an inventive creator, and charismatic charmer among kids, teachers, and our team. Even though it has been years since he graduated, Sasha remains somewhat of a legend to the younger children who still live at Pravdinska Orphanage. He’s always been influential among the kids, but the transformation that has taken place in Sasha’s heart has led him to a deep desire to use that influence to bring others to Christ.
SP became a Christian while serving time in a juvenile detention center. It was during that dark time that Sasha experienced true grace and decided he wanted to follow Jesus with his life. Our team has been honored to walk alongside Sasha in this process and are so excited for the future that awaits him. He has expressed his hope to come alongside kids in the way Open Arms does, saying, “I don’t just want to help people, I want to help them to know God, because that is the most important thing in life.” SP gets it; he gets what this life is meant to be about as a believer and is living out his faith in action each day. On a bus ride, he spent the entire drive sharing with the driver about Jesus and he couldn’t have been more excited!
Photo: Sasha (right) with his floorball coach & mentor, Bogdon.
Just a few weeks back, Sasha became reunited with his 12-year-old sister, Lena, only to learn she had been living in an orphanage for the past 2 years. Sasha was heartbroken over this reality and wasted no time reaching out to her and becoming the best brother to her he could possibly be.
We can’t wait to see all that God does in Sasha’s life. His heart to serve others is admirable, his joy is contagious, and his desire to know God more is beautiful to see. Please join us in prayer for this amazing young man as he seeks to “know more about God so that it just comes out of [him] when talking to people.” And, to all who have joined us in prayer and support for SP over the years: we hope this brings encouragement and celebration to your own heart!
FALL GRADUATE CAMP
Fall is upon us, a new class of kids has graduated, and that means one thing: it’s camp time! Camps and retreats are a huge part of Open Arms’ outreach program with orphanage graduates. We gather as many grads as we can and take them out to an awesome camp in the woods for a time of retreat, support, laughter, and the opportunity to hear more about God’s Word.
This camp’s theme is “Leaving a Legacy” and we are hoping to encourage the kids to think beyond the present and into eternity; asking themselves what kind of legacy they want to leave on this earth. Most children in orphanages grow up believing there is only one path they can ever choose - they have been told what occupation they will have and that they will turn out just like their parents. We want to break them of those thoughts and find the freedom that God offers us in life.
Each day will be filled with good food, plenty of games, Bible lessons, and connection time with their friends and our team. There are still many details to come together for this camp and kids are scattered throughout the region, but each camp seems to always come together in an amazing way as God moves. We can’t wait to share the outcome with you all!
As with each camp, we are looking for those of you who desire to sponsor a child to attend. Our team works hard to provide transportation, food, crafts, and all supplies necessary for all 5 days of camp so that the kids need only bring themselves. In order to do so, we need your help. You can sponsor a child for $85 and we will gladly send you a profile of the child in return! If you aren’t able to sponsor a child fully, partial sponsorships or general gifts for camp funds are also greatly appreciated!
Checks should be mailed to: Open Arms Ukraine, PO Box 277, San Lorenzo, CA 94580. You can donate online at www.openarmsukraine.blogspot.com.We are so thankful to each of you who have helped each camp take place and look forward to sharing this one with you all as well!
Photo: One of our Graduate groups from a previous Fall Camp.
PRAYER REQUESTS
FOR WEEKLY GRADUATE MEETINGS: pray that the meetings would continue to grow and act an encouragement to these amazing children in our city.
FOR ANYA & SP: as they make decisions about their individual futures (job, schooling, and more).
FOR FALL GRADUATE CAMP: pray that permission from the department be received, that the children would come, and that lives would be touched.
UKRAINIAN WORKERS: Our heart’s desire is to hire Ukrainians who have a passion for the Lord and for orphans as a part of Open Arms Staff here in Ukraine. Please join us in prayer that God would lead us together to who He desires to use on this team.
FOR APARTMENT RENOVATIONS: many of you gave financially to help us fix the bathroom in the Open Arms apartment, now we need people who are available and capable to do the renovations.
FOR THE OPEN ARMS APARTMENT ROOF: we are currently struggling with a massive leak from the roof, but the necessary department seems unconcerned with the issue and we have found no one to help in the city, with rain/snow season upon this is a huge need - pray that the people be found and the problem fixed!
THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INTEGRAL PART OF OPEN ARMS UKRAINE.
WE COULD NOT DO MINISTRY WITHOUT YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
- FROM THE OPEN ARMS TEAM -
ANIKA BACHLE
ANNIE CARBONARO
MELISSA KEANE
CHELSEA ROLLINS
If you would like to have our quarterly newsletters sent directly to your email inbox, please let us know at openarmsministry (@) gmail (dot) com
Open Arms Ukraine - PO Box 277 - San Lorenzo, CA 94580
OPEN ARMS UKRAINE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Loving in action & in truth. -1 John 3:18
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