Midtown in Ukraine!

Recent blog post I wrote for our team's blog... :)

Russ has given some basic information about Ukraine and the issues facing orphans there. But what about our kids?

The orphaned children we visit live in (or in suburbs of) Kharkiv, Ukraine. Kharkiv is the second largest city in Ukraine with a population of around 1.75 million. It is in extreme Eastern Ukraine so it is much more Russian-influenced than Kiev, the country's capital. The children we visit primarily speak Russian as a first language rather than Ukrainian which is more widely spoken in central and Western Ukraine.

Our kids come from three different orphanages that are located around Kharkiv. They range in age from 8-19. In the summer of 2010, there were around 175 children at camp most of which were boys. Many of the children suffer from physical issues due to institutionalized rearing. Many are extremely small for their age and are shorter in stature. Some have mental or social delays that often go undiagnosed. But these children are also incredibly talented and gifted in many ways. So many of them are amazing artists. There are great singers, dancers, rappers, gymnasts. Many of the boys are incredible soccer players and can beat ANY of the Americans in ping-pong.

But one of the most important things to remember about these children is they each have a life story that is unique to them. Many of the children are at the orphanage because they were removed from their homes by the government due to abuse or neglect. Others are there because their parents were put in jail or died. Some of the children lived on the street for a period of time before coming to the orphanage. There are some children that appear to have been simply "given" to the orphanage by a parent that could not handle raising a child. This further reminds our team how important relationships with the kids become. It is so important to know each one of the kids and their specific story in order for us to build lasting bonds with them. Often, though, the kids are very reluctant to discuss the past and sometimes instead weave inconsistent stories instead of sharing the painful details.

After spending the past two summers with the same group of children, it is apparent to our team that these children simply want to be known. They want to be heard and loved and encouraged. It's often difficult for them to accept this affection, but it is obvious to our team and those that work with them that this is their true desire...as it is for all of us.

Thanks to those who are stepping into the journey of knowing these kids. A member of our team recently told me that our work with these kids is "eternal." Might be a hard concept to understand when there is a picture of an unfamiliar child on your fridge, but praise God He gives us the opportunity to show His Love to these kids. Thank you for your prayers!

-Heather