We are indeed headed home.  We only seem to be missing one, in the head count, and DO hope it’s not your loved one (just kidding).  We have a long six hour bus ride back to Kiev, and are looking forward to dinner in Amsterdam and to sleep in a real bed again.  Pastor Sam prayed before we left the ship’s parking lot and we wept again for our week’s work.  We must continue to pray for our children, and the harvest.  Pray for us as we ride and fly these next 24 hours.

P.S.  Please ask Teressa Boren to return her Room Key!!!

- Bob Crawford -

Grace, grace marvelous grace…grace, grace, and some more grace, etc. Without God’s grace, and tons of prayer from you, we would not have sustained the level of eneregy, good health conditions, and fresh minds, during the ups and downs of such a Mission Trip. It would take pages to tell you the stories, to share the victories, and even expose a couple of dark moments along the way. But just when we were down,or wondered just why God let the enemy slap us around a little, he sent the sunshine after the storm. And guess what? we had learned to lean harder on Him…and the children were the ones that still got blessed.

We’re here serving in a Society that does not accept organinzed Religion, and offers no such hope to it’s people. One person called it a Religionless Society. Our prayer has never changed, as we have sought to just touch one tender heart at a time, and trust that God will have a plan to us that young soul to reach others…and perhaps someday even change a Nation for Christ.

One more Orphanage to go. We’re gearing up for it to be the best. Sam has held a Football in his messages, this week. Perhaps this is Our last goal-line stance, so to speak. We’ll worship together one last time, this morning (after all it’s Sunday Morning here), then pack out bags and equipment, so that we can began the trip home, early Monday Morning.

- Bob Crawford -

We’re sailing again…back across the Black Sea…to our last stopin Odessa.  We arrive back to the Ship,once again, just in time to sail.  Wekre already out or Blogging range.  Please know that we,re all healthy, and ready to return and share some wonderful stories!!!  Morning will bring you lot’s of new photos.

God bless you for caring so much about us,
- Bob Crawford -

Last night we sailed across the Black Sea, and were out of Cell Phone range. We didn’t forget you!!!

We have had an incredible roller coaster day. Two totally different types of Orphanages…two totally different receptions from the children and Orphanage Staff. God gave us a beautiful day of weather, and some breathtaking scenery on our two hour bus ride each direction. We should be back to the Ship by 8:00pm (our time) and will be having Dinner with some of the Hope House families and kids. What a blessing that will be, to end a very long day!!!

We’ll send more News and photos soon,
- Bob Crawford -

Carolyn with Young Boy

It’s not hard “in this line of work” to realize when our efforts step aside, and God begins to work.  The Orphanage at Kherson, this morning, was another unique experience.  The children amaze us at how they “attatch” themselves to us.  Carolyn Boyd had more than one in her lap, Linda Crawford had a teenage girl not leave her side yet never tried to talk.  The clowns continue to be like magnets, and the two Drama segments mezmerize everyone in total silence.  We’ve seen a whole new side to Pastor Sam.  When the tall, handsome, figure takes center stage, his message to the youth all eyes and ears are locked onto him (maybe we should let him speak through and Interpretor some Sunday). The icing on the cake was seeing yet another older teenage boy, touched enough to want to pray with one of the Adults.

We’re headed to Sea.  The Back Sea is beautiful, and should make for good rocking to sleep by.  We’ll awake to dock in the beautiful seaside City of Sevastopal.  Enjoy some extra Photos, being sent tonight.  And THANK YOU for the wonderful Comments, we’re receiving daily.  They’re a real breath of fresh air, from home.

- Bob Crawford -