This is WHY!

   How would you feel while living in this house? What would you think when you sleep on a dirty and broken bed? What would you do, if you are often hungry? 

  When we arrived and entered this terrible house, it was a HUGE shock! Dirt, the smell of cigarettes and alcohol, the stench, the dark and old house that is about to fall... All this terrifies and the question arises. Do people live here???

  We knew that Sveta was living in terrible conditions, but we had no idea that they were so terrible. Huge shock and silence! I began to understand the young lady much better, why there are some difficulties in everyday life and behavior. Our hearts were absolutely broken when we saw where she grew up or sometimes she came to visit her parents and smaller siblings. I stood silently for a long time and was ready to cry.

  Children seemed to be ok with this... Because they are used to this life and have not seen anything better in life... :( I`m typing and my eyes are full of tears. My heart is heavy... I do not find words to explain this whole nightmare...

Yes, they sleep on this bed

 

  Do you see a small sandwich and a half orange on the table? Natasha, who is 14 and graduated orphanage this year. She brought the food from the orphanage. The poor girl knew that there was no food at home ...

Here is sleeping 13 year old Vova. Yes, on this terrible and dirty couch, without a bedding,without a warm blanket and a soft pillow and probably full of lice and bedbugs.Can you imagine how cold it is in winter?

There is no electricity in the house

These leaky and horrible doors lead to the street.

The support inside the house so that the ceiling does not fall down on head

A rotting ceiling that can collapse at any time...

Seeing all this nightmare and danger in which children live, we simply could not leave them there!!!

  Parents drink for a long time and absolutely do not care about these beautiful kids...By court decision, they should be deprived of parental rights in several months.

 Children will live until the end of the summer with us. When they officially become orphans (on paper), the state will decide their further fate.

  Kids were so excited to be out of home! You would see how Sveta laughed and was so joyful her younger sister and brother are with her!

Brother Misha taught Vova how to use a fork...

And what kids don`t like icecream? :)

  When we started to wash all their clothes that they took with them. It broke my heart that the clothes were in the same condition as the house. Everything looked like trash and there wasn’t anything to be washed because the clothes were very worn out. Therefore, we are forced to buy these lovely souls ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!

  This is the reason WHY children get to orphanages! Poverty, hunger, hopelessness, alcoholism, abandoned, violence and much more... They survive! This is the reason WHY we attend orphanages. This is the reason WHY we support graduates. This is the reason why BOM supports poor families. And this WHY your support and prayers are so cherished!

  Today, these lovely children are safe, sleeping on clean beds, taking a shower every day, their bellies are full, they spend time together, laugh, play. We study the Bible daily. It was funny when one of the girls began to eat and Natasha said. "Wait! We did not pray yet!" And they live only a few days with us! They quickly learn new things and are so sweet! :)

  But most importantly, they are surrounded by love and care. We are so blessed to take care of them! We do not know what will happen to these kids. We ask you to support us in prayers, please. Pray God to give us wisdom, strength and patience. Pray God to change their minds and precious hearts. They are absolutely  immature and such children! Pray for God to take care of their needs. They have some health problems and we will need time and funds to help these sweet souls. We need take them to a dentist. Also Natasha is 14, but she is so very tiny as a 9-year-old girl! We need to help her body to grow. And many other worries. We need the mercy of God... Thank you so much for your care and love! Your prayers mean a lot for us!!! ♥♥♥ God is so good as always! We love you all!!! :)

God sets the lonely in families (part 2)

  Last year, when we first took teenagers to the Carpathian mountains. We were very worried, there were a lot of difficulties and experiences. But God blessed in an incredible way! And it was one of the best trips!!! During the week while we were living with the children together, God began to work with my heart. Knowing the horrible stories from the life of children, it overwhelmed my heart even more knowing what awaits them outside the orphanage... The more I prayed, the more and more God gave me the desire to take several girls into my family to help, protect, teach them life skills and surround them with care and love. I knew it would not be easy... Perhaps even harder than I could imagine. I knew that I would spend more than one night in tears and that more than once my heart would be broken. But the heart pain for these abandoned and defenseless girls was stronger. Stronger than me. Love and incredible desire was beyond my strength. 

 My greatest fear was. Can girls get along with a special girl? Will I not be a witness to insults and strife? Can I handle it? How will Masha feel? and so on...

 I forgot many details of life in the orphanage. But when the girls started living with us and doing some things. My brain turned on in a moment and I remembered that we did the same thing at the orphanage! Wow! At some point, it became shocking to me and scared a little! I was even confused for a moment by suddenness. That I do not remember much, but my brain remembers! I thank Jesus that He set me free and healed my heart!What a mighty God we serve!

The girls are sweet and very different ...

 Luba, brave and confident in herself, at first glance, was very worried and afraid to live in a students dorm ... When she heard that she could live with us, the girl burst into tears...

For one of the girls we were told that she was a difficult teenager. I decided to try and prayed that the Lord would give me the opportunity to try to help this beautiful young lady, to do everything in my power. "Even if she lives several months and go, I will be grateful to You my Lord", I prayed. My heart was broken.We know her from 4 years old, when she was in the Children`s House, which BOM also supports.

Lyuba at Children`s House

Lyuba at the orphaange

On the first day of trade school, it turned out that the administration had "forgotten" Luba to add to the list of students who had to live in dorm and there was no place there. Coincidence? I do not think so! God already knew and prepared a place for her! If people forget, but not God! God has a place for orphaned child!

  Sveta had a similar situation, problems with the settlement in the domitory. She was very frightened, confused and defenseless ... Again an random event? God has no random events! He had already prepared a place for her also! When she officially (according to the documents of the trade school) came to our home. You would see her! She became so happy, joyful and even more talkative!We could not believe our eyes!

"God sets the lonely in families..." (Psalm 68:5)

 Girls live for almost a year with us.This is what Lyuba says:

•  During these years you have replaced my parents.

• You support me very much, both emotionally and physically. I learned a lot from you.

• I changed a lot for the better while living with you. Everyone noticed and is talking about it. I became softer, generous and grateful. You taught me a lot to appreciate what I have. In spite of some difficulty, you need to love what you have, that I live, I have my arms, legs and so on ...

•   During this year, when I live with you, I do not remember when I was crying. I was more pleased and more joyful!

• I saw a lot, and learned a lot about what I did not know before. I also learned a lot about God. Since our guests at the orphanage told only about the creation of the earth and nothing else.

• I learned that God is not only there in the Heaven, but always near. He represents Himself through someone when trouble comes. When it's hard for me, I always turn to God and He helps me. I used to think that God created everything and just watched us. Now I know more about Him. I did not even imagine that He would act so fast in my life!

• Without you, I would not find a job and get into trouble. Thank you for the help!(Lyuba is going to work soon during summer time).

•   If I lived in a dorm, then I do not know what would happened with me... I have no idea. But I see how girls survive in the dorm.

•   I have no one to share my worries as mom and dad are constantly drinking alcohol. And you are always near me and constantly support me! You are always with me when something is wrong.You became like mom for me.

Love heals broken hearts!!! ♥♥♥

The other girl was very reserved, rarely spoke, only briefly answering questions. She always looked sad and with her head down. Sveta has very low self-esteem, uncertainty...At the boarding school, she had little contact with anyone and rarely was friends with someone. Sveta did not know what she wants from life, did not know what she liked or what she loved, there were no desires or dreams. :( She looked like a small cute snail that hid and was afraid to lean out.

Children who grow up in secluded places and are isolated from the world cannot see anything. When they finish an orphanage, it is difficult for them to adapt and face various difficulties. Very often graduates of orphanages are 5-10 years behind their peers and often immature. Sveta is such a sweet girl. God gave the desire to take her into our family, teach life skills and protect against all dangers. Once, when we gave her money for her needs (for a bus ticket to school and other needs). She burst into tears ... and revealed her precious heart about her personal experiences at her family...

Over time, Sveta began to unfold more. Talk more and even laugh! Today, every day you can hear this children's light-hearted laugh in our house! She found friends and became much more confident in herself. She began to defend for herself and to assert her rights. The girl began to study better in school and in her free time to practice her favorite needlework. When she hears words of encouragement, you would see her shining eyes!Sweet girl...

Looking at her, I see myself in childhood, with low self-esteem and many other problems. She still has a lot of problems. But we see huge changes in her life and behavior! This gives us tremendous hope! We pray that Jesus saved her and healed her broken heart!♥

Sveta is studying for cooker in a trade school

  Both girls became wonderful friends. Once Lyuba said: "I never thought that we would be friends with Sveta! After all, in the orphanage, we were not friends at all!" :) When she hugs, she keeps you for a few minutes without letting go. ♥

The girls learned to cook pizza

   Children came from very difficult families, where they were deprived of childhood. :( The girls had to go through and see a lot of things ... Orphanage, a shelter for children and a lot of terrible moments both in the families and in the boarding school. Insult, humiliation, ridicule, indifference, loneliness, abandonment, helplessness, drunkenness of parents, tears, fear, hunger and many, many other things.

 And you know what? God turned my greatest fear into a blessing!They became best friends with Masha! :) They protect her when necessary, help, have fun and more. And they even fight together against me and Oksana! Haha

Yes, we have difficulties ... Big and small. It is not easy to be a mom of teenagers with a broken heart and soul. I realized that I, as a mother, need to learn a lot more, very, very much! Every day I learn something new... Every day I learn to depend on Christ, needing His wisdom, patience, and strength. We need a lot of prayer, love and patience ...

Lyuba often remembers and is delighted that we remember and support her from the very childhood.Once a few months later living with us, she asked:" Maybe you adopt me?" And Sveta. "Yes! Yes! And me too!" This is impossible by the law of Ukraine. And I always tell girls that I adopted them in my heart. ♥♥♥We are very attached to each other and love them dearly! We are feeling blessed to support and love them! They stole my heart...

 So, our small family is growing ♥ :) God is doing AMAZING things!

Please, pray for the hearts of these beautiful young ladies! God cover their needs.So that they entrust their lives to Jesus Christ! That He changed their minds and healed broken hearts. So that in Him they find salvation, comfort and peace in hearts. Thank you so much! ♥

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..."

The Last Bell

Yesterday was a Last Bell in the orphanages. This means that the children went home to relatives or summer camps. It was painful to watch graduates... because they are still children... Where will they go? What awaits them? Where will they be in a few years?.. That`s sad and our hearts are broken for them...

And at the same time it was joyful. We again had the opportunity to see each other and show that they are not alone. Give one more hug and to show and tell that they are loved by God, their Heavenly Father.

Brother Misha had the opportunity to say a valedictory speech.Many tears were shed...

We came not only to say goodbye to graduates but also brought small wonderful gifts.

We collected all the photos of their childhood and made photo albums. Children were delighted!!!

Look, how small I was! This was often heard. :) It was so great to see their joy and delight! ♥

Sounds the last bell for graduates ...

This year we managed to attend the ceremony of the Last Bell in two orphanages. Because they were at different times.That was great!

These little ones were so cute! ♥

One more valedictory speech of bro.Misha in other orphanage

I think that picture is a small gift but dear to the heart. :)

It was so sweet to see the joy of the children ♥♥♥

We hope that these pictures will remind them of the wonderful moments in their life and will remain in their precious hearts forever.

Even, if the children are on summer vacation, our ministry does not stop. There is a lot of work and many other orphanages, where many precious souls are waiting for us :)

Summer camp for kids!

These beautiful graduates are from very poor families where many of them live on hunger. Parents of some abuse alcohol or drugs. Some children witnessed violence or murder. Therefore, the children are left to themselves and forced to beg on the street in order to somehow survive. Teenagers try to mimic the older to look better and wear the clothes of their friends or relatives of their age. Often these children are deprived of personal belongings. But most importantly, they feel lonely and needless to no one... Many of them have to endure of humiliation and insult in families. Their hearts are full of fear, uncertainty, emptiness, loneliness and without hope. They are defenseless and often in danger. As we call them "social" orphans. They can`t be adopted and parents don`t take care of them also...

Once we talked with a tutor of this class about the problems in the families of precious kids and what awaits them in the future. Then she burst into tears and said that she loves very much these children and that they had not left the orphanage for many years. Can you imagine how these teenagers feel in their hearts? Many of them are afraid to leave the walls of the orphanage knowing that they have at least something and they are safe. They are afraid of something new and afraid that no one will help them after they will leave. What is there beyond the walls of the boarding school? What awaits them in the future?

We really love this orphanage and this class of graduates! It is especially dear to us. ♥ I do not know why... Perhaps this was my orphanage in the past and the same teacher was also my teacher??? She remembers me as a little girl :) I really do not know. But my heart cries out to God about these sweet children every day... 

God gave the idea to make a small camp for these young souls to somehow ease their troubles before leaving the orphanage. To bring joy, delight and show that they are not alone, that they are loved and dear. And especially dear and precious to Christ! For several days we will live together, sing, eat, pray, read the Word of God, play games, have fellowship, enjoy the creation of God and just have a great time! We would really love to show how beautiful the world and the creation of God are! After all, these children have never seen a mountain, a sea! They've never been to McDonald's! The orphanage is located in a very small village, where there is nothing and interesting to see and to go out. 

I believe with all my heart that God will send all that is necessary for this! In some moments He has already begun to show His hand and bless. :) 

When I asked the teacher, she started crying and said, "You do not even know what it means for them ..."

I'm sure that these few days together will change the world outlook of children! I'm sure that it will help them to see how beautiful the world is and how great it is to be together with those who love you! Our desire is to become a big loving family for these few days.♥ They have never been in a camp and especially a Christian camp! It will bring a lot of pleasure and great joy to these young people! It will also help them to see and feel that they are not alone, not abandoned and loved by Christ! That many people not only in Ukraine but also abroad love and care for them!

Would you like to touch the hearts of these lovely children? :) In a previous blog post I wrote about how several weeks living together touched the hearts of two young precious teens. And I'm sure that it will be unforgettable and amazing time and will stay in the hearts of these lovely children forever! ♥♥♥

To bless these teenagers, it is need $2,320. 17 children and the BOM team along with their teacher, together 22 people. It is $21.00 per person for a day. It includes absolutely everything! The money will be spent on food (5 days), accommodation, bus rental, gas and much more. We have only 3 weeks to raise funds!!!

Would you like to be a part of emotional healing and bring joy and delight in lives of these precious teens? Would give a chance to live these sweet souls like one big family with BOM staff, please? :)

The gift of love you can send using the button Chip-in on the right side of the blog.

Also you send through PayPal to save fee.
tingministries@comcast.net
Please, leave a message  "summer camp for orphans"

You can send a check to:

Stephanie and Brian Carpenter
Ting Ministries

29 East Poplar Street
Lebanon Pa 17042USA

Thank you very much in advance! You can make a huge difference in lives of many! :) May God greatly bless you!!!

P.S. We would be so thankful if you share the need, please! ;)

Bikes and Shish kebab

We had a terrific day with the children of the whole orphanage a week ago!!! Having collected all the necessary things, we came to kids. Several young adults and BOM staff rode bicycles with the children. Nature, fresh air, beautiful weather. Everything was amazingly beautiful! While part of the team went with children on bicycles, another part of the team cooked shish kebab, pilaf and everything else. One of the graduates learned to cook shish kebab.So wonderful! Everything was very tasty! Mmm! So delicious!!! 

Do you remember the Biblical story of how Jesus fed 5000 people with 2 fishes and 5 loaves? Something similar happened to us. :) We were going to feed about 30 people but not more. But it turned out that more than 70 people were fed!Wow!!! This is the whole orphanage! Amazing!!!

Then we played different games with children. Children were delighted! Everything was just great! All the employees of the orphanage and especially the children were so happy! One of the employees came up and said. "I'm very ashamed to admit. But today was the most delicious shish kebab in my life." ♥ So, if you want to try the best shish kebab, welcome to Ukraine! Ha ha! ;)

But really, God blessed in many ways and we were surprised and so thankful to the Lord! Many warmly thanked with  kind words. It was so awesome to see everyone happy at one big table! Big and lovely family. ♥ 

We thank God for such wonderful opportunity to have a great time with children and employees! We are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for the opportunity to touch the precious hearts of kids and even adults!It is such a wonderful blessing to bring joy and delight to many souls!!! God is so good!!!We praise and thank Him!!!

Another wonderful project is done!

We are so excited that weeks ago we have done one more wonderful project!Yay!

What an incredible meetings we have with all graduates that days! Wow!

 It was so beautiful, sweet, heartwarming and sad at same time. We shared parting words in God's word, presented Bibles and photos.

We have many photos in archive when we together spent time during Bible lessons. So, it was nice surprise for them  :) Oh, how they were excited!!! It was so sweet to observe how they were thrilled to see themselve so small years ago. ♥

The young people laughted and pointed at their pictures showing to each other. Love their expressions! We hope it will help them to see how they are special and beautiful. We also hope it will help them to remember great and sweet moments and stay in their hearts forever.

Now they became beautiful young man and woman and it is sad they growing up so fast...😔 In the end we presented kitchen utensils and blankets.

They were so happy and thankful! Praise God!!!

But how everyone was delighted when they saw the little Yaroslav, Nadya's son! Everyone carried him in their arms, they played. Each of the girls wanted to drive him in the stroller. In general, Yaroslav had many beautiful nannies that days. 👶 All these children are so beautiful and they so lack a simple communication, a kind word, a strong embrace and a loving gaze. They are hunger of fellowship! All the children in every orphanage asked us, "When we will be graduates, will you bring us such gifts as well?" Lovely and so very precious children... ♥

These are all children from very poor and disadvantaged families.They all return for the summer holidays to families where alcohol, hunger, violence, murder and much more...

Sweet young people... 

Praying God will give us chance and oportunity to keep in touch with these young souls. We will miss them a lot!

The Last Bell ceremony :)

                             

We are so thankful who blessed many beautiful young people with such wonderful gifts! 👍♥

Thank you for not only cover their needs but bring so much joy and happiness!

Thank you very much on behalf of these lovely boys and girls!Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity!!! ♥

Enjoy a short video from one of the orphanages :)

                             

Many graduates afraid to leave orphanage... Please, remember them in your daily prayers!👏