International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Carrying out the International day of invalids is directed on December, 3rd to attention attraction to problems of invalids, protection of their advantage, the rights and well-being, on attraction of attention of a society on advantages which it receives from participation of invalids in political, social, economic and cultural life.

The purposes for the sake of which this day has been proclaimed, — full both equal observance of human rights and participation of invalids in society life. These purposes have been put in the World program of actions concerning the invalids, the accepted General Assembly in 1982.

 Children and adults with the limited possibilities, suffering an epilepsy, cripples, with cerebral palsy, with Down syndrome, autistic, blind, deaf, physically and mentally disabilities etc. are considered as invalids in Ukraine or Persons with Disabilities.

We were so blessed have been officially invited to visit an orphanage for girls with special needs which we visit regularly at this unusual day!

We didn't have a program or Bible lesson as usual. As other visitors who government officials regional (oblast`), local and regional have been invited also. But we had a wonderful day to see all girls, to hug, kiss, to communicate a little.

As the older girls very much like to embroider in this orphanage during a nap while small kids sleep at day. In the beginning the orphanage has shown to visitors of their embroidery that is one of advantages of the Ukrainian people and art. We even have a saying that each Ukrainian girl necessarily should to embroider.Hundred years ago a girl which wasn't able to embroider, couldn't marry. But today it doesn't work and remains in the past. But nevertheless some sisters from our team can embroider also. :) It brings pleasure and employment.Those who was already in Ukraine, could see hundreds and thousand embroidered products or goods anywhere and everywhere. But in this orphanage of embroidery help girls to be occupied and it helps them to calm down mentally.

Here some pictures of  embroidered products by girls. Years earlier they even could sell their products at special fairs.Aren't they wonderful?

One employee woman of this orphanage is very creative and talented and she has thought up here such a small museum of the Ukrainian life of hundred years ago.From old things and fantasy they made such very interesting museum.
 It shows how there lived people in the Ukrainian houses earlier.

The old metal iron

Wooden distaff on which did a cloth of flax. And then from these cloths sewed clothes.

 It is traditional Ukrainian drawing where necessarily there should be a girl, the river, the house, and trees a willow or a arrow-wood etc.

When we have entered into a class to see children and to communicate they were so surprised and so rejoiced!Oh, how they were happy!!! They huged and kissed us! It was so lovely!

 They were amazed and excited

 This girl showed on me and spoke all time "mammy, mammy". I was surprised and it was pleasant to me.What a wonderful blessing!

 Tanya didn't want to let go Lyuba very long and pressed to herself very strongly.She deaf but very lovely and sweet girl.

Also we could to bless orphanage by educating books and necessary writing-books.We were so blessed to deliver it to them!Teachers were excited very much by that!
We thought to give only to two groups when we will have enough money, to buy more books and writing-books and for other groups and to bring later.

But as there absolutely there are no textbooks so they have divided that into several groups.Few textbooks to each group. Teachers have been very glad and excited. All of them thanked often.

We would love to thank those who blessed us recently by huge blessing for school supplies!Thank you to bless this orphanage in their needs!Thank you from bottom and deepness of our hearts!Thank you to be such kindness and to be Jesus light in this world!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!God bless you!

After there was a meeting where government officials and the director of orphanage spoke about this especial day etc.

We were soooo much blessed to see girls and have fellowship with them!We were blessed to deliver educating books and writing-books to orphans thanks all of you!We praise God for all his blessings and mercy to us!We are so blessed to serve to children with disabilities!!! Each of them are very special and are precious gift of God!We love them and praise God for each opportunity to be with them! :) Isn`t it a blessing?

The story of love

The next day Friday as I said before, we could to visit next orphanage.And we had with orphans as usual Bible lesson.

When we just have arrived to the orphanage, kids who have saw us through windows started to knock on window that we have seen them and they waved hands.Ah!It was such sweet moment.They so were excited when they noticed that we have seen them!

When we came into a class to other kids with whom we have regular lessons, they all of them as birds have started to fly to us.They have been surprised and so happy to see us!They huged us and have been excited!It was sooo sweet! :)

At this time we told them a story of love, about Ruth.How she loved her mother in law that she left her motherland and went unto the land of Judah together with her.Also we learned character of Ruth about her love to Naomi, her loyalty to mother in law, that she was hardworking, kind, coy and lowly. Ruth was a woman of wholehearted devotion.Also this story teaches us great lesson of selflessness, and strength in times of hardship.And I love this story much! :)

After prayer as well we have thought back last Bible lesson we had.After that we were going to have object lesson before Bible story with vegetable oil, salt and water.But we have found that all vegetable oil had spilled out in a bag.Oops! :) It has turned over itself somewhere on a way. So we did not have object lesson.

After Bible story of Ruth, we could play game " Gleaning  Wheat". Each student answered a question from the lesson.  If they gave the answer correct they have taken basket and gleaned in the "Field of Boaz." They had right to pick up only 3 spikelets.We had enough.Our classroom floor served as Boaz's field. The kiddos loved playing this game. They love getting out of their chairs and learning  by playing.

The next we have learned Bible verse and learning it by playing.We named this game, "Help Ruth pick up spikelets". We took 6 kids who did not play yet and had divided them by two groups.

We have placed downwards spikelets in a floor for 2 commands. They should find words of a verse of the Bible between many spikelets.

After that they should to place it in hands of Ruth.

 They did it real fast!As everyone wanted to win!

Kids liked this game!It was real fun to find words of verse between different spikelets!

We learned verse  "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 1John 3:18

Ruth showed her loyalty and love to her mother in law.We think it is good verse to memorise for kiddies.That we will love not only words but deed too.

Also we memorised words of Ruth by song with children she told to Naomi, several times.
Wherever you go, I will go.
Wherever you dwell, I will dwell.
Your people, my people, 
Your God, my God!     I LOVE soooo much words of Ruth!!!

Children amazed us! When we asked them before what Ruth told to her mother in law when she said to her daughters in law return to their mother`s house.They said correct words!It was such blessing to hear it and we were impressed!

Ok.This sweet boy had Birthday, yes, we had only one birthday child at this time.And we congratulated him.He  loved so much his kitten that Taras told us, he will be asleep with his toy.He liked his small gift!

In the end as well they made craft, paper doll of Ruth.They love very much to color something.So, they excited by doing this craft! The arm of Ruth is attached with a brad so that it can move.They loved it soooo much!

 

 We had nice and great time with kiddies!We were so blessed to be with them!We praise the Lord the each moment to be with them and bring Gospel!We enjoyed to tell them a great story of love!Hope these seeds of God`s word will bring  yield fruit of Holy Spirit in some time.

Are not beautiful these two little nice girls?

They have put on Ukrainian tradition costume and headwear.They could not be with us on Bible lesson because they had practise at this time of some songs etc.They could resort only some times on several minutes to see that occurs and came back back.

At this day in a city where is this orphanage was purty or social gathering, the same as Ukrainian people have made this hundreds year ago.This day is elaborate and can be  humorous and poetic.Also folks like to sing different Ukrainian folk songs a lot.
Ukrainian culture has a highly developed tradition of oral literature. Folktales, folk songs, folk drama, proverbs, riddles, and numerous other genres. Ukrainian people have liked to do all these things during purty or social gathering, which has named as "vechornici". Vechornici has name because of word vechir, what means by -evening.Because in the evenings when all work have finished, people liked to gather in the evenings and to spend time.But this is only culture and tradition which was in past :)

Working Monday in an orphanage

The team of Bible Orphan Ministry not only conduct Bible lessons to orphans, have special time with them and helps in physical needs, as the Lord provide. The team helps orphanages to repair something or do any kind of work to help and do not only by words but acts too, as much as it is possible.

Yesterday we were able to help a one orphanage. We helped to renew a stadium of orphanage. We filled up holes that children will not get in a trouble, raked a dry grass, dyed old wheels, mowed a grass, pulled weeds etc. We rejoice of that and it was real fun!

Yes, we tired much!But most of all we tired because of hot weather. It is real hard to work in hot weather, when  is 32`C (90`F) moist air and it is hard to breath. :) But we were glad and rejoiced!

                                                enjoy a short video :)

                            

                                                   wheels before

                                                                   after

Next to the orphanage is very nice nature! We love Ukraine for beautiful nature created by God!It is so beautiful and brings a pleasure for us!

We need much your prayers and support to help other orphanages in their needs! Will you help us, please?Thank you!

Our website

Finally we could to fix and did reinstating services of our main website. www.bibleorphanministry.com  Praise the Lord! Hope it will not happen again. So sorry  it brought  inconvenience to you and took us several weeks!

Last bell- ceremony

God is soooo good to us we could to visit 3 orphanages for one day!We were going to visit 2 orphanages but we have learned kids in third orphanage are going to home and we will not see them. It was special day to graduates and all other kids. It was special day, ceremony we call it Last bell.

The last bell - is a traditional ceremony in the schools of Ukraine and some other post-Soviet countries. The celebration is carried out just after all the studies were finished but before the final exams. The date usually falls on 25 May. But this year was on 27 May.  The pupils that are about to leave the school don the classic school uniform or formal dress; for the girls it has become customary since the 1990s to attire in the Soviet-style school uniform with white aprons and white bows in the hair. 

Every school or orphanage has their own tradition how to celebrate and conduct this ceremony.Some traditions are similar, some is different. Some traditions are still since post-Soviet time.

Here are some pictures and videos first orphanage we visited.

In the beginning of ceremony two 9 classes(grades)  came out and came along  to their place where they had to stay during all Last bell.

After that several pupils carried Ukrainian flag before all school.

Usually pupils receive a certificate of merit successful learning, helping workers in orphanage and many different merits during the ceremony.

                                            It is big privilege and honor for a pupil.

Also was a big blessing for our mission,  Director Misha could to speak to all pupils and all workers of orphanage about God, has read on the Bible. He gave them exhortation that all they  learned about God during all year,( what we trained them) children will carry it out in their life.

It was such BIG blessing, honor and privilege to us hear God`s Word in this time! Because many schools and orphanages have system since Soviet time and you will not hears God`s word on Last bell. It depends from the Director of orphanage. We were so glad Director of this orphanage,  let our Director Misha do it!

When Misha finished his exhortation our team presented gifts to graduates. They were surprised and happy to receive such gift!

                                Sasha presented to graduates little New Testaments.

Graduates made a present of flowers to sisters.How is sweet!

During the ceremony Last bell pupils also sing songs.

 Most of all is important a symbolic last school bell is rung, usually by a first-grader who learned successful during the year. It is big honor for him.

Graduates who leave orphanage.They were exciting in this day! Some of them were sure, they think they already "adult" and able to start own adult life. They are only 15-16 years old. Some of them were crying, because do not want to leave orphanage.They afraid and do not know what wait them in future...When you look at them, they are still children not prepared for a life, for future, not ready for many trials what they can meet. They are not protected in this life. Who knows what will happen with them soon...

They all visited Bible study and Bible lessons during many years. Many of them received Jesus Christ as their Saviour, some still no.But we hope the knowledge of God`s Word what they received until were in orphanage, they will remember and some day they will come to Jesus and give Him all their heart....That these God`s knowledge will help them in their life, will protect them from evil and inequity, will help do not make big  mistakes in their life, help them trust to Jesus and remember He loves them and cares about them.

Director of orphanage and workers told us, "you adorned our holiday." They were really thankful for gifts to graduates, as they receive nothing after leaving orphanage.But we know it would not be happened without you dear friends! Thank you to make Special Day in life of orphans to helping them! Thank you, you adorned their life!


We had bid farewell with kids and graduates, jumped into the van and were hurried up to another orphanage, where was beginning ceremony Last bell too.

                                                               Graduates

Many of them were crying...We have spoken with director of this orphanage.He let us know.It was very emotional day for graduates because many of them do not have place where to live, many of them have parents who do not care about them and did not see their children during many years. Children do not know where to go where to live, who will help them start them new "adult" life, who will help them get to their feet???

Graduates told their last thankful words to workers, director and teachers of orphanages. Many were crying...

In this orphanage we took all graduates to special place and Misha Director could to spoken with them and gave exhortation to them. He reminded them all they did hear during the year about God. It was a blessing several parents of graduates could to hear God`s Word too!

   After our communing our team presented to them gifts.All of them were exciting!

On picture is traditional Ukrainian bread on embroidered towel for big holiday. The tradition is in the end of any ceremony or any big holiday everyone break and eat this bread.We call it coroway.

It remind a time when Jesus had last supper with His disciples. He took bread, brake it and gave to His disciples. Who knows, maybe this ukrainian tradition is taken from the Bible too? :)

Director wanted much we stay for graduation. It is time last fellowship with orphans. Orphanage serve on table different kind of food for graduates. But we hurried to another orphanage.It was sad we could not stay but we did not have other way, because other orphans waited for us.

In third orphanage we were in small room. This day was beautiful and sunny so was very hot in this room.But we were happy we could to see all graduates!

Misha reminded them about God, Bible etc. Also we did let them know if they will have any troubles, they can call to us or come we will try to help as we can. We let them know that they are not alone in this world.

 

                                                    Exciting of gifts! :)

                                                Reading the Gospel tract

                                                 Picture for memory

In this orphanages are kids with special needs, age 3-8 years old. They live  separately from orphans of this orphanage. When we came back they saw us and start to wave their hands.They came to us closer and asked, will come we tomorrow? Oh dear, how they sweet! We answered to them, soon. We hope God will bless and we will visit these precious and sweet kids soon!We want to bring a joy to them, see their smiles and happy faces!

 We have talked  with director of this orphanage and have learned they have many and many needs. Director asked us to help with clothes, shoes or sandals for kids, diapies for small kids, school supplies (exercise books, pencils, pens etc), chemical things( soap, powdered laundry soap etc), sanitariness( tooth brush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap etc).

Also big need they have, they need paint to dye a floor in buildings of orphanage. It is one of the biggest orphanage where we minister. There are a lot of children. They need about 600 kilo paints. It is about $1000! It is big sum! We have to pray much God will help us we can help orphanage! Please, remember these needs in your prayers!

Also we have a blessing! Children of this orphanage go to summer camp for all summer time. Director let us visit them often there. We hope and pray God will help us visit these kids with special Bible program, how we do all time, will bring to them sweets and have wonderful time! Please, pray God will provide everything we need for it!Thank you!

We were so blessed to give gifts to orphans!But in same time we were upset. Because we saw only few parents who came to children... If you would see ceremony of Last bell in usually school, you would see many and many parents and relatives who came to rejoice with their child. But it was a big difference in orphanages, only several parents came to ceremony Last bell and will take to home their children.It heartbreaking to see and know it.It is heavy to see how abandoned these kids, they unwanted, they nobody do not need...

Also in one of orphanages which we visited in this day, a one girl was crying.When we asked her what happened, we have learned she did not want go to home because her father was drunk and he did not come to orphanage will take her to home. Also her mom left her and Nastya saw her when she was a small. Now Nastya is 13 years old.Oh how it terrible and painful!  It is heavy to write it, the lump is in my throat and tears began to act but we could to console and prayed with her about her trouble.We could to cry together with her. When we prayed, she cuddled much to me like birdling and did not want to let me go.
She is very sweet girl, she is faithful coming to Bible lessons when we come.Each orphans has their own heavy story... We can not help in many ways but we can pray and tell them about Jesus Who can give you comfort and piece in your heart.We trying to do everything we able to make sunny and happy life of orphans... Please, remember these orphans in your prayers.Thank you!

Dear Friends, we so appreciate your help with raising the Fundraising!  Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus to the orphans. Thank you to answer on God`s recall to help orphans and to being blessings for them! Thank you each one who helped us in our Special Project to graduates, and for your such big heart and kindness! Thank you for helping to bring a joy to kids and thank you to being a part of this wonderful ministry! We cherish your support and prayers! May the Lord bless each of you!

P.S. In a week we are going to graduates in one more orphanage.