Arrived to Ukraine to be baptized?

 Have you ever had to be a witness? Have you ever seen it? Have you ever heard, when American or from other country born-again Christian came in another country to be baptized? Well. It happened with us and in our local baptist church in Ukraine at first time. :)

We had not many baptized souls this year, only two. Yana, a precious and very sweet young lady, who is a Christian and wanted to obey of God`s commandment, to be baptized. "The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1Peter 3:21)KJV

She is a treasure, who was abandoned by parents in early childhood, spent all her life in baby house and orphanages. Today she is child of God and she has a Heavenly Father, who loves her so much!Yana was so happy and  thrilled at this special day of her life.We are SO happy for her!!!Praise God for this wonderful blessing!!!!

And other very special blessing for us. Andrew, who supports BOM, came here from USA for 6 weeks and wished to be baptised in Ukraine. What?! When brother Misha, our pastor announced it, everyone was pleasantly surprised. Everyone could not believed for a some time. :) But we were so happy and it blown away our mind.Wow!

This young guy had no possibility to do it in his country. Our pastor Misha was happy to baptize him. :)

God miraculously blessed this special day for all of us. He blessed with a nice and sunshine weather, as we have rainy days here during several weeks already.So, we had a wonderful church ministry near beautiful river.

Everyone enjoyed and especially these two in white clothes.

Then congratulated them with flowers

Don't they look happy? I love their beautiful smiles!

Then everyone wanted make pictures with baptized souls.

Stella`s family

Kozak family and others....

Yesterday Andrew went home. It was so hard to say goodbye to him... Everybody hardly kept tears. We had sooooo many blessed days visiting orphans, lonely souls and beautiful places of Ukraine. We enjoyed fellowship and had lots of fun. God amazingly blessed his presence in Ukraine!Spent time with this young guy was awesome!

Andrew said, when he visited last summer he was a guest and a new friend, now he feels like a close friend and that we all (with church)are family to him. It was hard to hear in prayer when he prayed, "God please, help me come back my home in Ukraine". But. He is gonna come back in the end of this year, in winter!Yay! If the Lord will allow, we will meet in 6 months again! Yes, his heart is here, in fairytale country as he says :) So excited of his coming again.

We all love how he looks in Ukrainian traditional vyshyvanka :) 

By the way many people ask about poppies. These are wild poppies in the field. We have lots of fields like this one. No one planted them :) God is a great gardener.The best we found is here, where I blogged before.

If you still hesitate or come to Ukraine...and spend time with members of BOM visiting orphans and lonely souls, graduating orphans, beautiful places of Ukraine. You are welcome! You never will be the same and come back home with another heart. Yes, it is absolutely safe now to be in center and west of Ukraine, despite terrible war we have now, except east of Ukraine. At least for today... Just let us know and we will be just happy to help you! :)

THANK YOU Jesus for ALL blessings! You are SO good as always!!!! ♥

More graduates

It was the last orphanage where we gave precious gifts to graduates. Last orphanage, where we said goodbye to the teens.As I told you before we have been invited to Last Bell ceremony. Children leaving the orphanage looked sad and happy.It was very emotional day as orphaned kids cried and we were ready to cry also. It always hard to say goodbye to someone special to your heart...

Brother Misha was able to give the last instruction from the Bible to graduates during the ceremony.Then in the end of Last Bell, all precious souls, who start independent life, received these beautiful gifts.

We would love to thank you heartly, for taking part in this awesome project. :) Through your care and love many orphans received these wonderful blessings, Bibles, blankets and kitchen utensils. All kids were super excited and warmly thanked.Thank you!THANK YOU so very much on behalf of Ukrainian orphaned children!!!!Without your support and prayers many things would not happened. Thank you from bottom of our hearts!!!♥

Please, help save Elijah from baby house!

Do we have more babies? :) Oh, yes! We have more young mothers and families, who need the help.

So, if you have possibility send clothes, diapers, all kinds toys, rattles, pacifiers, feeding bottles, all needed items for babies age 0-4 years old. The mommies would be very and very grateful!Thanks.

But here I would love to speak about one very poor family, who loves dearly their son.This is very sad and heartbreaking story, dear friends. A very little and adorable Elijah( Ilya or Ilyusha as we say) can be in baby house, for a very simple reason...His parents have no enough funds to raise their little angel... :(

Let me, first introduce you this precious family. His sweet mom Stella was abandoned in 11 months old in baby house. Then she was transferred to a baby house, then to an orphanage. She graduated orphanage some years ago.  Stella knows she has a sister but never saw her...She said that always felt alone and dreamed to be with her mom. But it never happened...

Her husband Vadim, got to an orphanage, when he was a small 9 years old boy. Since this time he never saw his parents. He says very often, "I always wanted to have a family. Now I have my own". 

One day we had a haircut at church. Every quarter we have free haircut for orphans.

 Ilyusha in 4,5 months had a long hair. Stella was encouraged cut hair for her babe. She was so glad and she had a little haircut as well. Sweet baby behaved so quiet!

Then we have found that very often Stella does not have possibility to buy diapers for her son. BOM blessed her by a big package of diapers. Stella was amazed and could not believe that this all package was for her angel. This sweet mommy is so gentle and humble. "I will take only few diapers. I can not take all package" she said feeling uncomfortable. :)

Then we fed her as all day long she was hungry.

Stella was SO excited, overwhelmed and SO happy!!!! She said to husband. Do you know what? They helped by free haircut for our Ilyusha and for me, gave diapers, fed me and gave money for food! :)

Young mother thanked BOM many times, hugged and kissed.It seemed her joy had no end!
Even when we skyped with some of our friends and families in US. This sweet girl was with us always and said. Please, tell them how you helped me. Funny girl. :)

We have found when Stella was at hospital for delivery of baby, she had nothing for her son. Vadim works very hard. All money they have, they give to owner for a housing they rent. They both do not know how long they can stay there. Very often this family does not have food at home at all and all necessary things for their adorable son. Stella  breastfeeding her baby. But often she is not able because she is hungry often. Oh, my! Not one child deserve to be hungry! 

Their family lives in such desparate poorness...that Stella cries often and with tears asked her husband to leave their baby in baby house. Because they have no money to grow him. She knows it is NOT the best place...But out of desperation she does not see other way...

Stella says "I DO NOT wish my baby was there. Because I was there all my life and I know what kids feel. I want give him all my love that I had not in my childhood. I want to be always with my son, as I always wanted to be with my mother. I love him so very much!" Oh, my.I hardly kept my tears listening this poor girl.

 They live on the 6th floor. When Vadim works, Stella can not carry down the stroller and take a walk with her son on the street, go to the store, etc. They live in such poverty and need, they do not have money even for an elevator. It costs around $2-4.00 per month.

Andrew and Vova helped to carry down the stroller from 6th floor. 

These are real people, real lives, real needs. They need our help. This family lives in such powerty and desparate need... They both are orphans, young couple who need support and help. Since that  time with a very little help this family received, Stella does not stop to visit church services and she likes to hear about the Lord. They both like very much to be with us and spend time in fellowship. Vadim and Stella love very much their adorable Elijah. And this sweetheart already became one of our favorite babies!  Stella has no enough milk(as she is malnourished) they can not buy baby formula. It is about $25.00 for 2-3 weeks. They say it is too expensive for them. Would you, please help this family to save their baby and will no leave in baby house? Would you, please, prayerfully consider to support this sweet family? Can we together show the love of Christ for them? ANY amount for diapers or food would be very and very helpful for these poor souls. They will appreciate it VERY MUCH! If God moves your heart, sending any amount, please, leave a note, for Stella`s family. The gift of love can be send through PayPal  thebibleorphanministry@gmail.com

 If you have opportunity send any clothes for infants or any babies items, toys, you are very welcome! Can be used, only clean and in good condition. Most of the clothes Elijah has too small for him.

Look at this sweet baby. Isn`t he darling? How we can leave him and not help?

We pray this family will see more light in their life, light of Jesus Christ. We pray they will give thanks and glory to God, who takes care of orphans. 

Thank you very much for taking time and read this story. Feel free to share and pray with us God will be merciful to little Elijah and his parents. Feel free to ask any questions.Thanks a lot. Your prayers mean a lot for us!

I never ate shashlik(barbecue)!

"I never ate shashlik(barbecue)!!!Mmm. It's delicious and yummy!!!"often said exciting Olechka Kozak, enjoying barbecue. :)

Not only she but many our graduating orphans, young adults NEVER in their life ate barbecue!

Few days ago we had an awesome picnic with some of them and some members of church. Sadly that not all our young adults were able to come. :( But the day was wonderful and we all had an amazing fellowship!

So, for many of them it was FIRST experience in their lives, picnic, shashlik(as we say), games and much more.

Beautiful young ladies ♥

While the ladies were cooking fish broth or "uha" as we say :)

with catfish

cooking uha :)

There were preparing shashliks also

At this time another souls could enjoy games and fellowship :)

When all ate

everything was so delicious mmm! Wish you were with us :)

Then everybody could enjoy all kinds of games. We had lots of fun and joy!The day was amazing!!!!

 Precious little Andrew Kozak ♥

 We had lots of different games. But most liked this one.

A balloon filled with water. And the two teams play throwing the balloon to each other using blankets. The essence of the game to catch it. But it is very funny, when the team can not catch the balloon and someone stays wet.

Here are a few videos

This one I like most :)

                                  

The nature is so beautiful!

 We had picnic till late and saw this wonderful sunset.

God blessed by the wonderful weather. All were fed and happy with fellowship. For many young people, this day was especially joyful. First picnic in life, the first "uha", the first barbecue. Awesome! I am especially happy and thankful God for these young precious souls.♥ It is such a great blessing to bring joy to someone and make happy! :)

Thank you for stopping by and reading the post!

Beauty in aches

I have so many to tell you here! I`m rejoice and glorify God but in same time feeling heartbreaking during last few days.

 Several days ago we visited one more orphanage and had an AMAZING last meeting with graduating orphans! God has been so good! 

They asked so many biblical questions. We gave reply what Bible says. Ah! We would spend whole days with these sweet teens to answer for all their questions! It was such a wonderful time.

In the end of meeting 3 young men accepted Jesus Christ!It's so great and such an astonishing blessing!!!Praise God!!!!

Then we gave Bibles.

 Oh! We did not give them the rest of gifts as the director of the orphanage officially invited BOM and asked us to do this on the Last Bell. Ok. No problem :) So, 31 May we will meet these kids again on the Last Bell.

Next day we went to other orphanage.

When we only arrived, one of the employees of the administration, said. They will not  come to the meeting and will not listen you. They need anything, they nothing interesting, they are interested only do evil, destroy everything etc.I remember how administration of the trade school told us how 'bad' are students, who came from orphanages. And what an incredible meeting we had!We knew it is not truth and went to invite personally for the meeting.

It's absolutely breaks heart to listen about bad behaviour of the teens. What they do, how often get in troubles,  police often comes to orphanage and much more. But we know the truth! They are not SO terribly how staff of the orphanage says! If staff humiliates them in front of all, calls them bad names, deride, can beat, say they have no future, their future only jail or life on the street . How these kids will behave??? What do you think they feel and think? They are abandoned by their parents, lonely, feeling depressed, unloved, uncared. They think that all world hates them! Their hearts scream about justice. They often ask, why? Why me? Why all hate me and ignore? 

Than more we come, more we hear and see. More we understand we must pray for staff of orphanages! Because they have huge influence on orphans. That is not surprise why so many orphans get in jail, kill, steal, commit suicide...

Recently teenagers from this orphanage visited a prison. Police and orphanage administration  hoped it might inspire fear and stop some from lawlessness. After returning to orphanage these kids said. "In prison better than in an institution and we'll be back there". Imagine, what these poor souls are going through and feel, if they think that the prison is better! I believe they do not want get there. But their hearts ache and are broken... They do not see the meaning of life and feel depressed...They as all kids want that someone just UNDERSTAND and LOVE them!

Oh, how I wish hug them all and cry together. To cry about their feelings and hurts, about  aches and sorrows...It is SO hurtful, friends. That society does not accept them but ignores...

Do you know what? The two of graduating orphans are already in jail!Many of them have run away from the orphanage and do not wish come back any more!The police catches them and brings back. But in 1-2 weeks they run away again...

Oh, my!What we can do?!My eyes filled with tears. I can not describe and convey the pain that I feel about them...So, so heartbreaking...My heart is heavy with sorrow.

But through these sorrows and sad moments God shows us His beauty...His grace is amazing and love astonishing!!!

Do you know what? All teens, who were present at the orphanage at that moment. They came! And we had AMAZING meeting!All these sweet kids listened attentively testimony Andrew about how he turned to Christ.They all are so precious and so smart! They all took part during the meeting and had such a wonderful fellowship!!!

 Throughout the meeting, watching them, which are a lovely, beautiful and smart guys. It boggles the mind. Why are they so "bad" in the eyes of orphanage workers? :(

At the end of the meeting a few guys have expressed their desire to receive Christ, but ashamed ... or their classmates or the teacher, who sat at the meeting ... or for any other reason. But we felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and that they wanted to do it ... But God knows their hearts and minds. Brother Misha said that they can do it at any other place or time ...as Bible says.

After the meeting, one of the administrative workers was greatly surprised that the teens sat and behaved so quiet. She said, "I do not know what you did with them, but I am impressed by their behavior! Please come more often!"
But we know that Holy Spirit was present there :)

Then we were given the beautiful blessings. They were more inspired, when they heard that the people in America and other countries sent money to bless them with these gifts of love. :)

About 10 gifts were left as the teens ran from the orphanage ... :(  We will leave them for graduates next year.

As we drove away from the orphanage to the van ran these precious kiddies waving their hands. They ran up and excitedly asked. "When you come to us? Please! Come to us!"
Awww! Aren't they sweetheart? Look at these cute faces! Aren`t they treasure?! Melts my heart...♥

One of the graduates asked to pick him up to a certain place that then would go home.

On the way we visited a small private zoo. Everyone can come and feed animals there.

Lyosha, a graduator, liked to feed animals and had fun.

 So beautiful.

How amazing colors and creation of God!

Then on the way home, close to the orphanage, these children saw our van and started waving arms and shouting for joy.

That day was a very strong hurricane, threw a lot of trees, were cut off electric wires. There was no electricity, even in orphanage. The chefs had to cook to eat outside, on the special equipment stove.

These days go by torrential rains and water is very rose in rivers. In the West of Ukraine, the rivers flooded homes. Thousands of people stayed on the street.

The water is still very cold. But do kids like to wait? :) So orphans bathed in a small rivulet that could go before forded. Seeing us, wet, shivering, some already with blue lips, they joyfully ran that would greet us. And as always ask. "When you come to us? Please! We are asking you! Come to us!"

Oh, how beautiful and lovely are these souls! Tell me, HOW these sweet faces can be "bad" kids? They are TREASURE and SO beautiful! ♥

Leave these sweetheart children is so hard!

Then we had a little picnic in this amazingly beautiful place.

Lyosha all this time was still with us and kept saying how sorry we were not on the way with him, but we need go in the other direction.He is so nice and communicative guy.

Heaven rejoiced in this day and the angels sang because Lyosha accepted Christ! How is great joy and a wonderful blessing!!!!

We do not know but we hope that we will see him...He looked so happy but it was sad to leave him.We dropped him off to the place he needed and then he was gone...

On the way we saw this beauty of God`s creation.

Would you, please, pray God heal all these broken hearts of orphans? That they will find love, understanding and justice in Jesus Christ. That they will see beauty of His love in their lives and Father of fatherless protect them and saved them.Thank you!Your prayers mean a lot!