I first came to Kiev, Ukraine in October of 2004 for what I thought would be an 8-month 'experience' abroad as I came to live with my relatives who have been ministering in Ukraine since the early 90's. But as the story often goes... here I am, 7 years later! God clearly had a different plan for me...one I never would have imagined for myself, but one I would never change.
In November of 2004 I visited a Ukrainian orphanage in Berdyansk, Ukraine. It was there that God burdened my heart for the orphans of this nation- specifically older kids that were beyond the age that most families consider for adoption.
As I sat in the dimly lit hallway one late evening with a group of 12-year-old girls (with whom I could hardly communicate), my heart was touched by their vibrancy and at the same time by their vulnerability in what lay ahead of them. That evening I began to understand God's heart for the orphan in a new way and also saw that He might have a longer term plan for me in Ukraine.
I have a passion to see children adopted into loving families where they can experience healing and also a passion to see the body of Christ mobilized and encouraged in the realm of orphan care and adoption.
Day to day I am working with Orphan's Promise, a project of CBN and oversee the many projects we have going on in Ukraine and in other former Soviet countries. Our main focuses here in Ukraine are life skills training and mentorship for older orphans, camp ministries, advocacy for national adoptions and providing resources for adoptive families in Ukraine. It has been amazing to see the various ways God has been expanding our work
and the precious lives that have been helped as a result.
I
began this hospitality ministry in February 2011 and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to open my home to adoptive families and encourage them along in their adoption journey-- which has many highs and lows!
My prayer is that my life and ministry in Ukraine would ultimately bring glory to my heavenly Father. Without His strength, without His compassion, without His love, I would have given up long ago.
Most of my blogging can be found on my personal site- Beauty from the Ashes
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3
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2004- Berdyansk, Ukraine
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