Camp for Graduates!

An one 15-year-old girl shared with me once.

  "My parents drink. There is often no food at home. My father often has delirium tremens, he shouts, is aggressive, he grabs everything that comes under his hands to hurt someone. More than once he beat my mother before my eyes. Once he left home and was searched for several days. He was in the forest all this time. I am afraid to live in a house with my parents. When I'm home, I shake with fear and can't sleep. I do not know what awaits for me tomorrow..."

  We know this sweet girl from the Baby House, when she was 3-4 years old. Often she looks sad and depressed. Today she graduates the orphanage...

There are a lot of such and similar stories...It is terrible, heartbreaking  and painful for these precious kids...

Every child has experienced terrible moments in life... God repeatedly in His Word says to care for the needs of orphans.

 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27)

 One of the parts of our ministry is to help in the emotional needs of orphaned children. They live daily in poverty, fear, uncertainty about the future, defenseless, lonely, homeless, abandoned by their parents, seeing violence and mockery in families and so so much more...

  We are starting a HUGE and VERY joyful summer project! Our hearts are thrilled!
Our big desire and prayer to our mighty God to take 50 orphans to the summer Christian camp!Wow! For us, this is a huge amount! But we do not wish to leave anyone aside!

  Thanks to such camps, we make friends with children even more! We get to know each other more, children make new friends, learn about God, get answers to their questions, get hope and much more!
Thanks to THIS incredible trip we have become a huge family! Very often, children come for the Weekend to BOM staff, and we spend time together! It is AMAZING what the Lord does! Even today, when I write a blog post, there are 7 girls in our house. ;)

 Sveta S. "I wanted for a very long time go to the Carpathian mountains very much. I saw mountains on TV, what a beauty there is! And when BOM told us that we were going to the Carpathians, it was a big shock for me and so one of my dreams came true! When we only drived there, everyone was so very happy and thrilled! Most of all, I liked it when we went up on the lifts and you could see all the beauty of the mountains. And of course the mountain Goverla! This is an unforgettable experience, joy, pride in ourselves and our class, when everyone climbed the highest mountain in Ukraine. Thank you very much for giving us such an unforgettable trip to summer camp in mountains! 😍 ❤"

 Their teacher was very surprised and said, "I do not recognize them and can not believe my eyes! What's going on? For the first time in 9 years of work, I see them new!"  The love heals wounds! :) 

This amazing gift not only gives them hope and confidence, but also shows that they are not forgotten, that they are not alone and the Lord loves them! It will bring great joy and delight! Awesome adventures! Enjoying the magnificent creation of the Creator Himself! 

Throughout the year, teenagers often ask us. "Will we go to the mountains this summer again?" :)))

Many of the children live outside of poverty and can only dream of such a trip! For many 14 years old teens, this trip will be the FIRST time in their lives!

For 50 souls it is need $ 6,650. This is $133 for a week. About $20.00 per day for a person. This includes absolutely everything! The travel, rental vehicles, accommodation, food and much more. For us, this is a HUGE amount, but not for God!

Would you like to become part of the great joy and delight for orphans? Would you like to touch the heart of a child and present this amazing and wonderful gift?
To bless orphans and become part of emotional healing and enable them to live with a loving BOM family.

You can send your gift of love through Ting Ministries. Please, leave a note "Camp for graduates". Thanks!

PayPal tingministries@comcast.net

Send a check:
Stephanie and Brian Carpenter
Ting Ministries
29 East Poplar Street
Lebanon Pa 17042
USA

We will divide all young people for 2 groups. The first trip will take place June, 14-20
$133 will remain FOREVER in their precious hearts thanks to your love and care!!!♥♥♥

PLEASE, share the need with your church, family, neighbour, friend etc!And most of all we ask you. PLEASE, pray with us for a MIRACLE!!! God will provide all needed funds and this trip will bring amazing blessings in the orphans hearts in the most incredible way!!! ♥♥♥Thank you so much!!! May God bless you!!! ♥♥♥

God sets the lonely in families

   "I felt like a homeless, and now I'm a human..." These words were uttered by a young lady after we bought her several new things. She was so happy and so excited  that she called her friends and talked on the phone, ran to work to show employees her new clothes, took pictures and put up them in the social networks. It seemed the whole city knew that the girl had new clothes! Her joy was not the end!!! :) ♥

   So, what happened? More than a year ago, someone phoned me and said that Masha was going to take money on credit. I instantly rushed to the bank to stop her from this idea and from the consequences of what a girl might expect. Orphans often do not return loans and they often have problems with the law. 

  We met Masha on the street. We know the young lady for a long time and were happy to meet. She was very hungry! We fed her and had fellowship. When I asked the girl, where do you live? She burst into tears... It turned out she had nowhere to live! Oh, my! How?!

  After she graduated orphanage and then a trade school, she lived with her friend in a dormitory for several months. Then her friend moved out, and Masha was forced to look for another housing. For several weeks she lived in a strange family. She came only for a night. In the morning she left and wandered around the city not knowing what to do... Then she was placed in the center for the homeless. She was frightened and ran away from there.

   I understood that I had to do something so do not to leave the orphan on the street... I understood that I could not help everyone, but I can to help an one. The Lord gave me the decision to take Masha to live with me. I was scared. Since there were serious reasons for this.I knew that this would affect our ministry, the privacy of my sister Oksana and my personal life. I didn’t know if a 20 year old girl could change. I had NO IDEA what to do with her and that it was God's plan ...

  I prayed and asked for the help of God, I asked all our friends to pray. I did not know what to do with her. She was so helpless as a small child... She was terrified, unable to help herself and defenseless. I saw that she had a lot of difficulties in all areas of life. I felt helpless because I didn’t know where to start... Because it’s a huge list of things to teach this poor soul. Trust me, huge! 

  We started to learn the elementary things. How to take care of yourself, make the bed every morning, say gentle words. We taught her how to hug. At first she did not perceive it. But today, when she goes to bed, she asks. "Alla, will you hug me?" :)))

 We were surprised that Masha kept all the documents. Orphans usually lose them. Once studying her documents, we discovered that Masha had another sister whom she did not know about... And that her father died some time ago... :( The poor girl was shocked and  overwhelmed. "Why didn't anyone tell me about it at the orphanage?" the sweetheart asked with tears in her eyes...

  Honestly, every day I waited for her to leave... It is difficult for orphans to obey the rules. I waited that one day she would not return home. I was scared and at the same time heartbroken for her. That she is so helpless. That she will again be on the street. Absolutely not mature and not ready for independent life. This poor girl has a lot of issues...

  Orphans have a lot of difficulties after they leave orphanages. They do not understand that because of their behavior, they can easily be killed, that some situations are very dangerous and their actions can completely destroy their life.
  Masha is kind, very trusting and people manipulate her life, using for their own purposes.

About a month later, we began to see results... It was clear that she tried and it gave us a great hope. Masha very quickly found a job and started earning her first money.

  The young lady could not and did not know how to make tea. She was terrified to turn on the electric kettle. I decided to start teaching her to cook with elementary things. When the young lady learned to fry scrambled eggs. She was  so super excited that she cooked it every day for several weeks!!! :)))
Masha learned to use different household appliances, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, microwave and others. She likes to help to cook in the kitchen.

   Once I asked her. If you like to cook so much. Why don't you go to school to learn for a chef? We helped the girl arrange all the necessary documents. During this, we faced many difficulties and realized that the poor soul would never do it herself in her life! If you know Ukrainian system for paperwork :( God loves her and has a special plan for her life! The Lord himself arranged this meeting 1,5 years ago to help this sweetheart!

  Do you know what?! Today Masha is one of the best students in her group! The precious soul not only cooks well, but is very active in the life of the trade school! She gladly performs the important task assigned to her. Also she won second place in the game of chess between adults with special needs and first place among the women! There was no end to our joy!!! Masha exulted!!!That is huge victory for this sweet girl!!! ♥

   If a year and a half ago, the girl did not have dreams and did not know what she wanted from life. Today she has a dream to work in the kitchen as an assistant chef. We pray that her dream will come true some day!

  Masha loves to be in the fellowship of the church! She loves when we read the word of God together daily. "I feel that something is happening in my heart and it becomes easy and calm there, when we read the Bible". The girl shared her thoughts once. ♥

 It humbles and warms my heart... The main reason is show her the love of Christ!!! That is most AMAZING blessing when a soul feels the presense of God! The precious girl often asks to pray for her salvation. Will you pray for her, please? :)

  It is not always easy... There were many tears and many prayers. Sometimes it was very difficult and unbearably painful... There were moments when I wanted to leave home for a few days and weeks and be alone in the distance...There were moments when I survived the depression. But thank God for many years of serving the orphans, I learned how to overcome this crisis.

   The trauma of childhood is the worst thing that can be... Today I understand very well families with children with FASD(Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder). I know very well what a child with a childhood trauma is. I know  what is tantrums. I understand families with children with special needs. I have to learn soooo much yet!

  When I was thinking. Where will this girl go? What does she feel? What will happen to her tomorrow? She will be on the street again, in danger, alone, in fear... I was even scared to think about it. I realized that she was in pain. That is the spiritual struggle of my spirit and flesh. What the farther I am from Christ, the more I hope for my own strength, the more it hurts me. But the closer to Christ, the more I trust Him, the more you feel His presence and the easier it is to endure all issues. When I have no strength, I begin to give up. God shows his powerful hand. ♥♥♥

And we have seen not once incredible miracles in Masha's life! That was something! We were in awe! A real miracle! 

Masha first time in mountains. She was thrilled and thanked million times!:)

   During these 1,5 years, I realized that I needed to change myself ... I realized how weak I was and I can do NOTHING without Christ! I am totally dependent on Him! Totally! God taught me a lot! I am learning daily and happy to be in the school of Christ! It is not easy to live with a teenage girl with a broken heart and soul. But believe me, it's worth it! When God comes first, when you daily understand why you are doing this. It's worth it! It is worth experiencing all the pain and tears when you see the first small glimpses that give hope. It is worth worrying when you see how the suffering soul needs your help and depends on you. It is worth suffering when you see these small or huge changes in the life of a precious person.

Birthday with BOM family :)

  We do not and cannot know what will happen tomorrow. We don't know God's plans for Masha's life. But we thank God for giving the opportunity to help this poor girl and become part of her huge changes in her life. Over the past year and a half she has changed a lot! Everyone in the church community sees these changes and is undoubtedly happy for her. She began to bloom! She began to live a full life and flourish! God taught me soooo much personally and the whole BOM team as well!

   The Lord accepted us into His huge and loving family. He called us His children and surrounded us with his overflowing love. We praying that the Lord help us to recognize and see those around us, who He wants to put in our family. He sets the lonely in families. We are praying that our hearts be open to Him and to others.♥♥♥

And this is only the beginning of the story. The rest of the story to be continued soon…  ;)

P.S.I just finished this blog post and one beautiful young lady sent me a message. "Call me urgently!" I called her back. And she was crying so much in the phone saying that today her mother died from alcohol ..

Incredible 5 days!

  During this educating year, we became very good friends with graduates of the 9th grade one of the orphanages. Every week we came and held Life Lessons. Teaching how to solve conflicts, how to behave in society, why it is important to take care of your body, what the Bible says about this and much more. Children leave from orphanages are absolutely not ready for independent life and meet with very many difficulties. With each meeting, we noticed how children change. They began to open up more, to share their experiences and problems, asking for advice. With each meeting we became closer with each other more and more.

  Young souls from very poor families, where parents abuse alcohol and do not care about their children. They meet with hunger, violence, loneliness, humiliation, neglect, fear and much more. Many have not seen their parents since early childhood and do not know where they are... Some live with a grandmother who is very sick, barely walks and needs help herself. Some live with other relatives because they are afraid to go home. These sweet teens age of 14-15 years, leave the orphanage in a month. They are in fear, confused, afraid to start something new, there is no future, there is no hope... :(
We decided to invite them to live as a loving family and bring at least some joy and give them hope showing the care and love of Christ. ♥

   The BOM staff lived with teenagers for 5 days. We ate, sang, prayed, spent time, had fun, taught the girls how to wash dishes, use the washing machine and much more! One of the girls said. "I am so glad to have a great time with you. At least I will learn how to wash dishes properly!" :)

  When 15 souls live together, this is crazy! Ha ha!. "Alla, I did not take a towel with me." "And me and me." Four girls in one voice. "Alla, I do not have pajamas," the other girl. "Alla, I need a pillow." "Alla, I need a blanket." "Alla, how to turn on hot water?" "Alla, I have a headache." "Alla, I want to drink." Now I understand families with more than 10 children! :)))

  On the first night I was sweating! Really. I felt very tired physically waiting for 5 hours until late at night, when the washing machine finished washing for 15 people. Sometimes I waited until 2 AM and barely alive got up at night to change clothes and shoes for drying so that the children would have what to wear the next day. 

  This time we saw a REAL need. We need another washing machine! If the Lord has promted your heart to bless in this, we will be VERY grateful! :) ♥ Donate HEREThank you so much!

  Often, children come to us for the weekend and one washing machine does not cope. :)

This time there were many children. Only 10 girls in my house. One bathroom and shower. And you wait for two hours for your turn. That`s a problem. Lol. But I`m okay to wait as the girls enjoyed the bathtub at least a little bit. Since there are no bathtub in orphanages.

We have only two beds to sleep. The girls slept on three in one bed. Someone slept on the floor, someone in sleeping bags due to lack of bed. One girl N. is so tiny that she slept on the armchair, having put several chairs. It was very uncomfortable to sleep, but the sweet one was glad that she is not at the orphanage. And in this inconvenience she found joy.

Several, children came in terrible shoes and it fell apart from the rain. Thank God we found shoes! Brother Misha gave his shoes to one boy. How great that size fited! The kids were so excited!

One day we rode bikes. It was supposed to be raining, overcast and cloudy. We prayed and went to the beautiful waterfall with faith. We were lucky to see how the fish goes to spawn! It was so fun and another experience in the life of teenagers! It was getting hot. And instead of rain, we returned home with sunburn! Lol!

Although teenagers have returned tired, but happy and full of wonderful emotions!

For many years the children did not leave the orphanage and everything was for the first time for them! The orphanage is far away in the village, where there is nothing for entertainment. Kids often roam the grounds of the orphanage in wistfulness, not knowing what to do. This leads to depression even more. :(

  The other day teenagers had the chance to go on a picnic. We sang psalms, heard the Word of God and ate the most delicious kebabs! We have cold and rainy days now. Again we prayed for a nice weather. And God was so good to us !!! For several hours the rain stopped, and we were even able to play different games and launch a kite! It was a real miracle! Praise God!!! All the children were delighted! For many teenagers everything was for the first time !!! For the first time in communion with the church, the first kebabs, for the first time in their lives, launched a kite, and so many Christian friends showed love and care.

  We had an amazing and such a beautiful day! At the end of the day we had an adventure. The van would not start. But everyone was very happy and thrilled!!! Many thanks to all who blessed, brought so much joy to orphans and helped to make this day so special !!! 😍

                                     

  Being in a zoo, you would see the joy and delight of precious souls when they petted and fed the animals !!! One girl said excitedly: “Oh, I’m ready to hug and kiss you!” The children NEVER been in the zoo! Can you imagine their delight and joy?!

 We took them to McDonalds. Oh, how much joy it was! But since there was no place because of the crowd. We took food with us. The kids were so excited !!! "Wow! McDonalds. I've never been there!" Teenagers often repeated. We had to explain to the kids how and what to eat.

 To watch video HERE :)

  We became wonderful friends! They are so sweet and soooo precious! Oh my! These beautiful souls have taken a special place in our hearts! I can not express all my feelings now! 😭 These INCREDIBLE days will remain forever in our hearts! None of the children wanted to return to the orphanage and asked to stay for a few more days ... It was hard to say goodbye ... 😢 

   The next day, one girl wrote. “When I returned home, I learned that my father was drunk and I had to go to the orphanage. I so want to get back to you! I love you very much! ” Tears. It is so heartbreaking ... 💔 They are abandoned, alone and unprotected...They are so very young to start independent life so soon...

 Many thanks to all, who bless these sweet children! Many thanks to those, who give hope and future to these young souls! And thank you very much for the opportunity to not only tell, but also show the love of Christ !!! ♥ Although we are very tired physically these days! But trust me! It's worth it! Worth to see happy abandoned children! It is worth to bring incredible joy and delight in the life of young hearts! It is worth giving hope and showing the love of Christ! ♥♥♥

P.S.While I am typing this blog post. Two more girls asked about coming to us. One young lady asked: "Can I come to you for a few weeks? We have no water in the trade school for a week already. I can not wash and do everything necessary and it is very boring here, I do not know what to do..."