Hello??? Can ya hear us now? Our signal is back…finally! It’s hard to imagine our trip is coming to a close. The last few days have been very busy but so rewarding. We’ve been blessed to see the face of Jesus in every orphan child.
Friday we visted 2 orphanages in Sevastopol. Our experiences at both were incredible. The first was mostly teens that were very receptive to our message. We added another rockstar to our tour, Austin Madge. Him and the backup singers: Alicia, Taylor, Katy,Casey, Deb, and Olivia sang “Can’t Bring A Good Man Down”. The kids loved it and so did we.
Our second was a special needs orphanage that afternoon. Our beloved Rick stepped up to the plate to play Lucifer (aka Troy)…we all knew he had a little devil in him. Kudos to Rick!
As the face painting team (Kim A., Linda, Olivia, Brittany, Bailey, Katy, Toye, Leslie, Taylor, Kim J., and Georgia) left their mark on those angelic faces, one chose to leave a little more. A girl whose feet were bleeding because her shoes were to small brought out the compassion of that team. Candace felt led to give her the shoes on her feet…but they were too small. Georgia tried as well…too big. Linda’s were a perfect fit!
Dinner that night was extremely special. We shared the night with 5 HopeHouse Families and were entertained by through singing, poems, and a lot of love. It’s beautful to see the hand of God work within these families.
Saturday was another busy day! We traveled 2 hours to Simferopol to visit a large orphanage. Many of the returning team members were very happy to see some children they had connected with in the past. Several of the children were graduating that day and wore special red sashes. We felt very blessed to share that day with them. The second orphanage was the one that the building teams ususally visit in Sevastopol. It was awesome to hang out with familiar faces.
Seriousness has not been part of this group too much this week, however a miraculous thing occured last night.As you know, Troy had hurt his back earlier this week and had been laid up in his cabin for the past few days. After our worship Chad, Marty, and Gene went to his cabin and prayed over him. He got up immediatley after and felt healed. He walked around the ship to find Rhonda and the rest of us so we’re could all see the miracle God performed. God is amazing.
Deneen, just wanted you to know, after 15 plus years of never being rained out today we were in hail. Our last orphanage of our mission was full of hail and rain, but it was still a special time for all. We had to cut out all our music and skits, but we were still able to share God’s love and found out that many teachers and children there were Christians… an added bonus to say the least!
There are so many individual stories to share and we will all be talking your ears off as soon as we return…
Please continue to pray for us as we start our 7 hour bus ride back to Kiev tomorrow morning.
We miss you all,
33 Amigos, Yuri, Ira, and Yuri no. 2
June 1st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dear Chad, Katie and the rest of the team,
So good to hear that all is well! Andrei is anxious to know if the gifts made it to the right people in Sevastopol. If you can, let us know. We all love and miss you both so much! We can’t wait to see you and hear all about how God has worked in and through you!
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful witness to God’s miracles and grace in seeing Troy healed. God is so good!!!
I saw several from the team last year at church this AM and it is bittersweet for all of us to read these blogs. We love hearing about all that God is doing, but we are sad we aren’t a part of it again.
Sweet Jill, did you see your friend? I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Britt, are you feeling better?
Deb, How are you holding up? It’s overwhelming, I rememeber!
Candace, Georgia, and Linda, I don’t know you, but am so proud of you for giving your shoes, or at least having the heart to. That is so huge! It has moved me to tears.
I hope someone has a video of Austin the Rocker and his band. I want to see it at the after party!
Bye for now, see you on Tuesday!!!! Enjoy Amsterdam and take lots of pics!
Love to all,
Wendy/Mama and the Webb clan
June 1st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
K.C. Leung at the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington asked the adult S.S. class to continue in prayer for the HopeHouse ministry. Pastor Sun preached a message about being ready for the return of Christ— and your work in the Ukraine will help prepare the hearts of these kids for Christ’s return for them. He is their loving Father and their family can be one that lasts for eternity! You bring an amazing message of hope and love. I was so touched by the fact that someone gave their own sole for the soul of another. I will be praying that this little girl will understand that Christ gave so much more! I’m sure the trip is flying by and that you’re all weary, but God will continue the work that He began with you. Lives are being transformed by the power of Christ!
Praising God with you!…Love, Ingrid, Paige and Julia.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Yes, you moved me to tears again. Finding a pair of shoes for the girl to wear just got me.
I pray that the 7 hour bus ride will go quickly and will be easy on the sore backs and the tired bodies. The Lord is so pleased in all that He has done through you all.
Casey, can’t wait to see you and get a hug.
love you all, Jeanene
June 1st, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Hey,
I hope all of you are doing well! Casey I can’t wait for you to get home. Today at church I brought the e-mail and so I knew what to pray for you and your team. Hope you have a safe trip back! I will keep on praying for you. I can’t wait to see all of you!
Love,
Ally Vaughn
June 1st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
hello!!
GA, just got your e-mail!! I miss you so much but the work you are doing is so important! you all are just regular mother theresas, giving your shoes to those orphans… i cried a little reading that. GA it is so good to hear from you, i miss you so much!! everyone misses you so much, all i hear at work is “when is georgia coming back??” well, have fun over there, stay safe, you and everyone over there are in my thoughts and prayers, can’t wait to see you soon!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
June 1st, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Leslie, It sounds like you and the team have had a very wonderful and successful trip. We are excited that you will be home soon.
We love you.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Oh, Thank the Lord — what wonderful news about Troy and the miracle that the Lord performed for him and for all of us to witness!!!! Troy — please know that all of us and our HH Prayer Team will be praying for you in Africa as you go to serve there.
What a wonderful report to hear of the last two days. I also can imagine how special it was to meet 5 of our precious HH Families. I trust that you all better understand the change in these children from where they came to from to where they are now with a loving, Christian family. That is our mission and i thank you all for being a part of it in this very special mission outreach to those who are not in HH families.
We will pray for your safety as you travel home! I hope you get good rest in Amsterdam.
Love to all,
Deneen
June 1st, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Andrea,
We’re all counting the hours for your return. Last night Carson marked off Saturday and said, “only two more days!”
Today, we’re sure was a great day for you. According to the itinerary, you were with the babies and toddlers today and we’re sure they took your heart. What a blessing you and the others are passing to the children.
Our prayers are with you. We anxiously wait for your safe return and to hear about your trip.
May all, have a sfe trip home.
We love you.
Mom and Dad
June 1st, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Leslie,
It is so good to hear from you and your group. It sounds like it has been an awesome trip. We look forward to seeing you and hearing all about the wonderful things that you have been doing. We will be praying for you all to have a safe trip home.
We love you,
Mom and Dad
June 1st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Trip is ending already? We have enjoyed very much your blog. It is so wonderful to read about how the kids fondly remember former team members whom they met on previous trips. As Jesus said,”when you do this for the least of these, you do that for me.” Well done.
We pray that everyone on the team will have a safe trip home with long lasting memories.
Well, Pastor Gene and Dan Dan the Karate Man, your vacation is over and we at church have already have a big pile of work for you two to come back to! (just kidding.) Looking forward to seeing you guys very soon.
June 1st, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Leslie, I can’t believe it is June already. I look forward to hearing from you in person about your experiences. I am praying for your safety and easy return to Franklin. Love, Reba
June 1st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Casey, It is awesome reading the blogs and getting your e-mails. As you describe your interactions with the kids in the orphanages, it brings tears to my eyes as I remember the mission trip I took to the Ukraine…as well as the eager hearts of the kids who watched the skits, sang the songs, and danced the dances. You and the team are doing amazing, everlasting, life-changing service for Christ on this trip. You, nor those you encounter will ever be the same. I can really identify with the feelings you have as you leave your new friends. As my translator, Uri, told me when I left from my mission trip over there, “We’re not “leaving” each other…we’re just going…for now”. That was a good way to describe it…once you’ve had that deep relationship in common through Christ, you’re never leaving entirely, because a part of you, your testimony of Love, will remain with them, and their friendship, with you, forever. I’ll be praying for all of you to have a safe return home, and that God will give you peace, restore health, and provide rest as you recoup. I can’t wait to hear more!
Love,
Uncle Tony
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 am
hey britt and katie,
so ya i’m uber excited that you guys are owning so much face in Ukriane. God is just showing up and it sounds awesome. i just want you to know i love both of you guys and am praying daily for you and the rest of the team…
everyone sends there love
peace-
love, your bro-
Bryan
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 am
Toye, It sounds like you all have had many wonderful, exciting experiences. I can’t wait to hear about all the life changing encounters you have had these past several days. Stay uplifted and strong. We love you and can’t wait to see you.
Love, Momma and Grammy
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Safe Travels home my friends….
Praise God for Troy’s back and those faithful to believe in miracles!
Can’t wait to hear about all the stories – especially from the “first timers” (hi Kim and Linda!)
Love to all-
Nancy
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Taylor! WOWOWOW! sounds like you guys are doing great work ova there! When I read of all the things you are doing each day, i try to picture you in each activity. Like you playfully smiling and laughing during your short lived career as a backup singer for your brother (way to gooo autin by the way! one word for ya: babe. …heh) I imagined you delicately painting the kid’s beautiful faces, making your creations the ultimate masterpeices of course; little rainbows and smiling sunshines temporarily tatooed. And that’s absolutely incredible about your dad’s back. WOW.
I cannot wait to hear about ALL your experiences from the trip, all the lives you changed and who all changed yours. Mama T you and your family are constantly in my prayers and everyone. you know guurhl. you got me. i got you. God has us.
BOY-O-BOY do i have so much to tell you. About everything. LOADS OF THINGS! oh yeah…did i tell you i have been in the virgin islands since friday? But whateva.
AY! i am so excited for you to do beautiful and wonderful things in africa. totally toughin it out MAN STYLE. ((like we don’t already act like men regularly)) But. My gorgeous and amazing Taylor Rae Madge, i love you till the ends of the earth and the stars and the sky, and forever. i know. you know. he knows. I LOVE YOU. So have fun! In da jungle. heh. the mighty jungle. heh. the lion sleeps tonight. WAHOOOOO! a-wimb-a-wut. you know guh. you know! Casey! i send my love. Austin, Mr. Troy, Mrs. Rhonda, i send loads of love as well. As to everyone single one of you i have yet to meet. SNL SNL SNL SNL da gang.
love your b.f.f.a.e.n.m.w.t.t.e.o.t.c.y.h.c. (best friend forever and ever no matter what till the end of time cause your hard core!
Caroline schlemp
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
GA!!!!
I miss you so much! I’m so excited dre told me about this because I haven’t checked my email once since school has been out ha. You are doing wonderful things for these children and I’m sure you’ve been spreading plenty of smiles.I can’t wait for your return but im not going to be selfish because youre making a difference in these kids life and you’ve already brighten mine! Youre in my thoughts and prayers.
I love you soulmate!
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
Hi Jill,
Sounds like you’ve had another amazing experience. Can’t wait to hear more when you’re back. We’ll pray for safe travels back and for all the lives the team has touched. I’ve been thinking about you. Sounds like our husbands and boys have survived (barely) our absences : ) See you soon!
Love,
Angela