Still Striving for the Goal:
Ukraine Update
January 2008
By Stephanie Boardman
Ukraine here I come! It seems almost unreal that I am going to be leaving the United States in just a few days (Monday, January 14 is the day I fly out). I’m really excited! A bit nervous too!
I’ve known for a couple months now that I would be hopefully going soon (even though I wasn’t quite at my target budget yet). I had no clue what these past couple of months would hold for me! Lots of trusting in God!
It was coming down to the last minute to receive my Visa and order tickets, but the Lord provided! I received my Visa today and my tickets will arrive tomorrow! Just 4 days before I leave! Isn’t God good?
The holidays were very good for me. Many Christmas events started in the beginning of December at church. I have always loved these activities, but two of my favorites are the Walk-in Communion and the candle light service we have around New Years. These services are such a neat time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. These holidays have been a lot different for me in the past because there are many more unknowns than there have ever been. But I know that God will always be the constant and I’m so excited for this next year and what he has for me!
We also got the chance to spend the week of Christmas with my aunt and cousins in Missouri. We had a lot of laughs and tears as we were also remembering my uncle that passed last year. I’m so thankful that we got the chance to be with them for the holidays!
I have heard it said several times that even if God never gave us another blessing and never did anything else for us, He would still be worthy of all our praise. God still gave us the best gift ever and sacrificed His only Son! I hope that you remember to praise God with all that you are this new year. He deserves all of us and more! Make 2008 a year that you sacrifice your life for God!
“Your sacrifices will never outweigh God’s promises” quote by Barlowgirl
What’s going on in Odessa?
Information taken from Kerry & Carole Allison’s updates from Dec 17, 2007:
To those of you who have sent or brought hats, mittens and scarves, thank you on behalf of our kids who are warmer tonight because of you. And to those of you who brought vitamins, the kid's thank you again because they will be healthier this winter. Also to those of you who sent gifts or money to buy Christmas presents for the HH kids and the Shepherd's Home girls, blessings on you as well. For some of these children, this will be the first Christmas where they will feel safe and loved and again, YOU will be responsible for the smiles on their faces.
We ARE in need of some winter coats for our street kids so if any of you want a Christmas project, let the WHC office know that you are sending in a donation to help (we need 30 jackets). Unfortunately, there are no teams coming in to BRING new/used jackets so this year we are going to have to purchase them. (Tonight it is 28F /-3C but no matter how you say it, it is a COLD night here in Odessa). Jackets cost about $30 - $35 each.
Sixteen year old Jenya Morin has been coming to First Step for years and it seems that whenever we try to help him he "tries" for a while to get off the drugs, alcohol and sniffing glue but eventually loses the battle and returns to the streets. This time Jenya is not going to get off so easy. Jenya is a very sick boy. He has TB, Hepatitis A and C and is in hospital getting intensive treatment. Our staff has been making daily visits to bring him food and bring him books to color, puzzles to do, etc. If Jenya is going to live he MUST stay until his course of treatment is over which is going to go on for months. Please pray for Jenya.
Sometimes it "seems" that we have so many "hopeless" cases like Jenya but God gives HOPE to the hopeless. He brings love to the "unlovable" and He is using YOU to bring about miraculous changes in the lives of MANY of our kids. It seems every week I am telling you that we are getting new kids at our First Step Center and this week is no exception. TEN new children this week have discovered that World Hope cares. They have been able to find warmth, food, clean and dry clothes and people who love them just the way they are. What better way to help a child understand about the love of our Heavenly Father than to meet them where they are.
Prayer Requests
• Pray for safe travels as I head to Odessa on January 14!
• Pray that I am able to adjust to the new culture and dive right into the ministry!
• Pray for me as I learn to speak Russian! Communication will be very important for effective ministry!
• Pray for the kids living on the streets during this cold wintertime.
Life Verses
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
