Minister to those Left Behind

Minister to Those Left Behind

On my first trip to Ukraine. I ran into this young man. He tried to take something out of my hand. He was speaking to us in Ukrainian and sense I don't speak it, I was intimidated by how close he was to me and that he actually was bold enough to just try to take my bottle. I think he was the dirtiest person I've ever seen. ( I feel really bad saying that, but he was) I'm not sure how old he is and it makes me so sad knowing that he lives on the street. The sadder part is that he may be handled by someone who is using him to make money begging outside of the old church buildings in the city. So there's no way to tell how bad his life really is. We can only begin to image it. This picture is only a glimpse into the life of people in Ukraine. I try to look past what he is doing and his appearance, because after all he is a young teenager. He might even be twelve. Unfortantely this life is a reality for many people his age. There are a lot of kids living on the streets and in orphanages in Ukraine.

The purpose of my blog is to share about the need for ministry in Ukraine. It's also a means to follow, pray for and cheer for families who are adopting. These familis have truly embraced the gospel by being obedient to what the Lord has led them to do, make a lifetime commitment to a child, to be a parent and love a child born an ocean away.

I've recently found out about a project that will be an ongoing ministry to people in Ukraine. Which very well may end up reaching someone just like this young man. And hopefully, this project will prevent other young people from being lured or forced into such a life.

Each year, 117,000 people in Ukraine, mostly women and children, become victims of human trafficking. This is just one fact shared through the video embedded above. It was created by the Ledford family, missionaries to Ukraine.

The Ledford family has also made a lifetime commitment to live in Lviv, Ukraine and share the gospel with people there. They have been involved in many types of ministries. They have taught english in clubs, building relationships and giving the opportunity for Bible study. They are involved in ministry through local churches and minister in orphanages.
Their new project is a community center. You can visit their website and read more about it here. Did you know that there is not even a word for community in Ukraine. It is really an unheard of concept there. After a lot of meetings with officials and explaining their plan and purpose, they were actually shown a place where they can establish the community center. This center will be not only be a place for safe entertainment (as opposed to very dangerous stuff), but a place where "they can experience Christian love and find their own relationship with Christ". You can read the newsletter article and see pictures of the building here.

I have installed a Chip In Widget that is a secure way to give to this community center. All you have to do is click the chip in button and create your own pay pal account. All the money raised will go to establishing the community center.

You Can Help A Child Join Their Forever Family

Red Thread Stitches is raffling a quilt with pillow and books.
The money raised will help bring a child home to their forever family. She also makes clothes which are adorable! Click here to go take a peek. I have reposted her original post below. If you click the title "Red Thread Stitches of Hope Quilt Raffle", it will take you to that specific post where you can donate through paypal or by credit card. Paypal is secure. I have used it several times. Don't forget we've all been adopted.
Ephesians 1:5
Monday, May 31, 2010
Red Thread Stitches of Hope Quilt Raffle
$3 - 1 entry
$5 - 2 entries
$10 - 5 entries
I will email your numbers to you.
***
Post about this on your blog for 1 free entry!
(please link back to your blog in the comment section
or email me to let me know you have posted)
redthreadstitches@yahoo.com
***
RAFFLE ENDS on FATHERS DAY - JUNE 20TH
using http://www.random.org/
***
Scroll down to take a look!
At the bottom you will find a drop down box
where you may purchase your entries.
As always, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!
***While we were in China bringing home Mia Hope... my sister-in-law, Gloria cared for our children. She loves to dig through my fabric scraps and is always happy to bring some back to California with her. Much to my surprise she created this beautiful quilt! It is stitched together with many of the prints used in the dresses I made to bring home our Mia Hope. I think she did an amazing job. Anyone that has every quilted knows that there are hours and hours of love poured into them. This quilt was truly a gift of love stitched together with pieces of hope.
***
44"x44" - 100 cotton - hand and machine quilted
Included in this set is a 12"x16" travel/story time pillow.
The pillowcase is made from the print that was used
for our most popular creation, the Kimberley dress.
On the back of the quilt you will find a beautiful Asian garden print! Also included are four, 11"x11" beautiful hardback story books! "10 little penguins are ready for some fun,but 1 of them has lost her waybefore the day's begun"*** "I love you so much that I think I may burst!"A reassuring story about unconditional love.***"Look inside to find out how Itsy Bitsy Spiderfinally gets back to his web!"*** "A delightful bedtime story about a small mouse who
dreams of the twinkling stars."
***
As always, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

A Dream Being Realized?

Over a year ago, I started this blog to be an outlet for all that was being revealed to me by my heavenly Father. I was just overwelmed at the mighty hand of God moving in my insignificant (not to Him, cause we're all special to Him) heart.
Last month, the first organizational meeting for Prism International was held.
It was exciting to have my family and few friends attending the meeting. There was some good points brought out and the attendees were sent off with the instructions to pray and seek God's will for their lives personally as to whether He was calling them to this ministry.

This month, we'll be discussing our mission statement and a permanent name.
I'm asking all followers of this blog to pray for us. I don't know anyone who has much experience developing the different elements of a non-profit. I don't want people to be afraid of following an unknown path. Many times in our walks as Christians we are required to chart a little unknown territory, but we must remember that there is nothing unknown to our Lord. He loves the orphan, the widow, and the stranger and He has commanded us to seek justice for them, provide for them, and to visit them. See Deut 24: 17-22

One of my favorite songs that has become a prayer of mine is by Britt Nicole
I wanna feed the hungry children and reach across the farther land
And tell the broken man there's healing and mercy in the Father's hands
I, I am small ,but you, you are Big enough
I, I am weak, but you, you are Strong enough
To Take My Dreams Come and Give them wings
LORD with you there's nothing I can't do

You can listen to it here.
We all know it's God who does the work and accomplishes His will. He allows us to join Him where He is working.

Shining the Light of Christ into the Heart of Orphans!

I recently read a very moving post by Matthew Nasekos at Story Grace.
I have reposted it here on my blog, because it illustrates what I hoped will be accomplished through the non-profit organization that I am working on. Matthew and his daughter are currently in Ukraine ministering to children in orphanages with another father-daughter team. The daughters, for those of you who don't know, were both adopted from one of the orphanages they visited. You can read their blogs here and here
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Deep Desire to be Loved and Adopted

The following is from a letter written by someone who visits orphans every day:
"Little boys shoveling snow in the freezing cold with no gloves... screaming teachers... older boys bullying younger ones... kids running wild around the orphanage... or lonely kids wandering the hallways alone... during the last few weeks I have seen all these things and more in the orphanage.

The reality of life in many orphanages is shocking.
It is not a pleasant reality to talk about.
For those of us looking in, it is much easier to pretend that it doesn’t exist.
For the children trapped in the middle, it is easier to think “I am okay, I can make it”.
But no matter how we all look at it, the harsh reality remains the same and it won’t go away until someone steps in to help. That someone is ultimately God because He is the one who loves the children most of all, and I also believe that God wants to use us to help these kids know and understand His love.
In many ways I feel helpless to do anything that will really make a difference for these kids.
I feel that all I have left now is my voice, my words to express to you what I have seen and heard in the orphanages, to speak out for these children, and to communicate their deep desire to be loved and adopted into a family.

In these last few months the urgency of their needs seem to fill my heart even more, I have been quick to share with you about the desperate situation these kids are in.
But as I long to share with you and show you the reality of life here, I have been reminded of an important lesson. . . .the lesson of what must come first, and that is crying out to God for these children. He is the one who can save them. He alone is the one who can work in hearts and lead His people to action on their behalf.
And so, today, I want to thank you for joining me in lifting these precious orphans up to the Father and ask you to continue. He wants them to be loved and protected, safe and cared for.
“The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” Psalm 146:9a
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,” Psalm 68:5-6a
And he calls us to be involved: “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Psalm 82:3"
If you are interested in receiving a prayer calendar for the orphans, contact me.

Some Pictures From October Mission Trip

James 1: 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.