Saturday, June 9, 2012

Boarding the last plane!


The comforters we bought for Camp Viktoria

Touring Odessa

The whole group in front of the Opera House

playing games amd making friends at Viktoria

We just finished a great devotion after a very FULL day!  Started out shopping where we had the chance to buy some souvenirs and gifts for the orphanages.  Then we enjoyed a little of the USA at McDonalds for lunch.  We saw some of the sights of Odessa after lunch like the famous steps, the promenade, statues and the beautiful Opera House.  It was a beautiful day and we saw at least 15 wedding couples posing for photos around town as we toured the city.  Then our favorite part of the day was visiting Camp Viktoria!  We played games, made balloon animals and paper airplanes, and shared Jesus' love to the kids!  Everyone was surprised at how fast they made friends and how open the kids were to our visit.  Can't wait to go back in a week!  Thanks for your prayers!  
Tomorrow its church and then bus trip to the village of Nikolaevka. 

3 comments:

Pam DeFrees said...

To All: This is the first time I've had to write with all the tasks involved in leading this year's TEAM to the Ukraine. But, parents (and spouses and other family members, you can rest your hearts in God. He has done some awesome things in and for the TEAM. One interesting thing happened while we were shopping today at the Market. The group I was with was large (9 of us). One of the group was purchasing an item, and as we left, the sales lady spoke to our translator. As we walked away, the translator relayed to me what the sales lady had said: "Your American children are so well-behaved." Kudos to you parents!!!
One last comment, and I'll close. You need to know that your students' hearts were broken today; well, not today, but they will experience their heart breaking on the days we leave these children. Today, they gave their hearts away, and the seeds were planted for the later breaking. And, that is OK; in fact, that is what God means when He tells us to walk in His footsteps. For those of us who have been here, it was a joy to see your students so totally to give of themselves to these children. Continue to pray for all of us to respond to God's leadership. God's blessings to you. Ronald L. Bracy, SACS Ukraine Mission TEAM Leader.

marcia said...

What a wonderful report! Thank you for the pictures!! Praying! : )

Pam DeFrees said...

Awesome update! I think Carol wrote the update (not Pam, me, like it says). I heard from Trent on facebook and he said they are having an awesome time. They loved being with the kids and they can't wait to go to the village to minister to the kids there. Life is a little more difficult at the village. It's not the Holiday Inn, if ya know what I mean. But our kids will pour themselves into these kids at the orphanage and the village just as they did at Camp Viktoria. They will love unconditionally as they become the hands and feet of Jesus.