News

Have you ever seen a three year old child, whose body is blue, because she was beaten by parents? Have you ever heard from a 5 year old girl- “When will I finally die?” It is terrible….

And this is… a reality. This story has happened in Makeevka, Ukraine. From one hand when you look at what has had happened, you feel anger and strong willing to turn this cruel world upside down, from the other hand, you feel yourself so helpless against people’s cruelty and evil. And you are hugging this little girl and telling her that everything will be alright and she will get better soon and she believes you, smiles at you and continues to live and finds reasons to be delighted despite of everything.

Aren’t most of our problems not problems after all, compared with pain of this little girl beaten by her foster mother? Isn’t it true that you are the happiest person in the world, because you can put your arms around your child when at the same time, the five year old girl died alone, because she couldn’t bear the beating?

Lord, thank you for all of your mercy in our lives and help us to see those, who need our help and protection, give us strength to help and protect…

The school year begins

1st of September, 25 of our children started studying again. Nastya U. is a first grader this year. She felt herself very special this day. Life is so interesting, only yesterday you were a little child and now you are a schoolchild with a backpack and books, you have got your first homework and you feel the responsibility and independence. We pray that our Lord will bless our children in studying, and give them wisdom, diligence and patience.

English Intensive

In August we had an English Intensive at the Good Shepherd Shelter. During 10 days, all of our children were having English classes. We learned English grammar and vocabulary. It was time for studying and at the same time we were playing, singing and doing crafts. Many of our children have “white spots” in knowledge that is why it is very difficult for them to keep up with studying English now. English Intensive was our attempt to help children and tell them that everyone, who has a goal and does the best – will rather achieve it. After the final test we had a banquette and every child received the certificate. We chose three children who put the most energy in learning and presented them an opportunity to spend time in Kiev (the capital of Ukraine) for three days. We hope to have another English Intensive in the future, because we understand the importance of English nowadays and hope it will help our children one day.

Baptizing

22nd of June, Andrei Leshenko (19 years old) -one of our eldest children got baptized. It was such an event in our lives. He became a member of a local church. We thank our Lord that Andrei decided to follow and serve Him. He is praying to find out God’s will and the way he can serve Him in the church. Andrei does the spiritual work with two boys, who live with him in the room.

Psychologist

The psychologist, Svetlana Kotliar started to work with children of the Good Shepherd Shelter. Her work is to have private talks with all the children (small and teens). Many of our children have already seen grief, evil and cruelty and it left a mark upon their hearts, character, and their relations to others. They need a specialist to help a child to see a problem and help them to find a way to solve this problem. Also many children from 3 to 6 years old never gained any skills as their parents didn’t pay attention to them.

We visit the local churches.

Our younger children visited some local evangelic churches for Harvest celebration. They had a special program for this event. Christians were happy, watching and listening to the program and children were delighted because they got so much attention. We thanked churches for their hospitality, for their help in purchasing coal and for tinned vegetables people brought from home for us.

Visiting a fire station

We have had a week of fire safety at the Good Shepherd Shelter. We taught children how to behave in case of fire emergency and carried out training evacuation. On the final day of this week, they went to the fire station. They had a unique opportunity to meet real fire fighters, sit in their truck, see the fire station from the inside and even try on a fire fighter’s uniform. Children understood how difficult and dangerous this profession is. And what the amazing and heroic personalities are of all fire fighters. They are ready to sacrifice their lives to save others.

Here are some children’s impressions:

Sergei P., 12 years old – We went to the excursion to the fire station. The fire fighters told us what causes the fire. I liked fire truck most of all. Their work is very dangerous; you have to be very strong and must not have fear of height to be a fire fighter. I would like to be a fire fighter, when I grow up.

Pasha B., 10 years old – We went to fire department, where we were told about fires. We saw the real fire truck. And I even wore the fire fighter’s uniform. It is a tough thing to do. You must do it for 30 seconds! The fireman has to be very strong. I don’t want to be a fire fighter.

Teacher’s day

The first Friday of October, the children of the Good Shepherd Shelter prepared a special program to people that work with them. It was very pleasant; they tried to do their best.

The atmosphere was very warm and family like. Eugenia K., the 16 years old girl said- “Thank you that you believe in us, like nobody else does.” This day, we prayed to our Lord, who is the Greatest Teacher in the world. We thanked Him for our Home, our family, friends that help us and asked Lord to give us wisdom to build strong relationships with Him and those, who are around us.

Prayer needs

Material needs