December 2009 MUCH Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

It is the happiest season of the year. Around the world, people pause to celebrate Christmas. Some celebrate for a whole season, some for a day, and some, only for a few hours. There are many different faiths and beliefs about God, but there seems to be a common season of joy around the season some call Christmas. Children, most of all, look forward to this time. There is such mystery and anticipation of what Christmas morning will bring.

Here in Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated twice, on December 25th and then again on January 7th, the traditional Ukrainian Christmas. At Marganets, we have been giving small bags of candy to the children for Christmas. When I visit, some of the children, carrying their treasured bag of candy with them everywhere they go, always want to share a piece or two with me. They certainly have the Christmas spirit deep within their hearts. In the midst of all of the problems of their everyday lives, they still have an innocence that has not been crushed by the troubles of this world.

Earlier this year, I visited little Sasha, 7 years old, at the massage clinic. As I think of Christmas for her, I think of the wish for her scoliosis to be corrected and for her legs to be straightened and untwisted. For her, Christmas is a time of hope. When I visited Vladik, age 2, he was already seeing the results from the massage clinic. His once bowed legs are now straight and he is walking very well. For him, Christmas is a time for rejoicing. Seven of the children who received services from the massage clinic are attending regular school for the first time, because they can walk. For them, Christmas is a time of great joy.

Every group of children that has been helped by MUCH is entering the Christmas season with a little more hope than they did in the past. I see smiling faces on the children that I visit in the three cities where we serve. God is doing great things through MUCH with your gifts throughout the year, and there is still time to give to our Christmas Fund Raiser. Not only the children are being helped, but here is the story of how one of our own, Anatoliy, has been helped. For seven years, this Ukrainian man in retirement has served the children through MUCH. Ira tells the story of his rejoicing this Christmas season.

We wish each of you a very blessed Christmas season. May it continue with you throughout the year. May God bless you as you in turn bless others. From Ira and me, and all of the MUCH team on two continents, may God be with you, protect, and guide you throughout 2010.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insights (December 2009)

From the first lines of my article I would like to congratulate you with the coming wonderful Christmas season and the New Year, 2010. May it be a time when you can reach out to many around you, and also personally experience the presence of our wonderful Savior and Lord.

Usually, December is the month when I begin to dream about the New Year and review the year that almost has passed. It brings to my mind how many good things I have done, and how many I haven’t but could… It gives me a strong desire to work better in the next year. Because of my work I have to read, speak and listen very much. I am always encouraged by good examples of other people.

I would like to tell you about one person who is not a child, but he helps children in need. His name is Anatoly Vlasov. If I am not mistaken he was the first person through whom God attracted Mark’s attention to the children of the Marganets orphanage. Since that time God has done a lot through the MUCH organization. Anatoly is one of the vessels of God. God does His work through this person there. Anatoly’s house is always open for strangers and his family is very hospitable. He is that person who knocks on the hearts of people of his small town where he lives.

Recently, it happened that this person needed help greatly. He needed to have an operation on one of his eyes. It was obvious that one of his eyes couldn’t see. When he wrote emails his letters were of a big size. The operation cost very much and he couldn’t raise enough money for it with his little pension.

I am very thankful to people who made it possible, who donated the required sum for his operation. You are a blessing for him. Today Anatoly can see with both eyes. On the day when he came back from the hospital he wrote to Mark and me to thank and to tell that he can see with that eye.

I know that God makes wonderful things and I am so praiseful to God that He has helped Anatoly to see a wonder.

Sometimes it is very difficult for me to see needs of others. Such help as this one always inspires me to do something for people in need. Today life is difficult and many people have locked their hearts and don’t want to see the needs of others. They need to have operations too, operations on their hearts. My prayer is for us to be able always to see needs of others and to be blessings for them…

Until next time,
Ira

November 2009 MUCH Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

As I write this newsletter, we are in the middle of grandmother’s summer. We had about two weeks of freezing temperatures, and now it has warmed up considerably. On Tuesday the 17th, I will travel to Poland to buy a new Ukrainian visa. I will stop on my way back to visit the children at the Dobromel orphanage.

Our Christmas Fundraiser is in full swing as December approaches!

Eastern Ukraine
In addition to our regular monthly support for clothing, shoes, jackets, boots, etc., four annual programs at Marganets Orphanage/School are changing the lives of our children. They are the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program, the computer class, the massage program, and the music and dance program. These programs began as pilot projects, but they have shown such great results that MUCH started the Christmas Fund Raiser to maintain them.

The Transition Home in Marganets is a small project, but it builds self-image and dignity in a most fragile period in the lives of these children as they pass from difficult homes to the orphanage system. The children come having such basic needs as underclothing, socks and shoes.

Western Ukraine
At the Dobromel Orphanage, MUCH supports a great program for special children that is eight years old. With our help to buy clothing, shoes and food, Pastor Volodya can continue to brighten the lives of the children and change their futures in a spiritual, psychological and practical way.

Southwestern Ukraine
In Illichevsk, our massage therapy program has been underway for a number of years with outstanding results. Yet, many children with disabilities are still not receiving services. We hope to raise enough money to add a few more children to our program this year.

The total amount of the MUCH Christmas Fundraiser for 2009 is $5,270. If everyone who reads this newsletter were to contribute $20, less than dinner for two, about 300 of the 400 plus children that MUCH serves will be able to continue to receive the services provided through our 2008 Christmas Fundraiser.

I have given my life, my future, to help these children. Even so, I need help. Please look to God this Christmas Season and ask Him his desire for your gift giving. Imagine the joy that it is when God blesses through you!

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insights (November 2009)

Expecting a Miracle

In our life there are some seasons or Holydays that bring us the sweetest memories and warm feelings. Christmas is one of those Holydays. When I turn my memories back to my childhood I smell oranges and tangerines that my father brought. And the smell of tropical fruits is still associated with Christmas season in my subconscious. And of course the memories about this season bring me some kind of feeling that I call expecting a miracle. I liked that Holyday because it bound the members of family. I am sure that every reader can tell something wonderful about this miraculous Holyday. It can happen simply because we are from the same country called “Childhood”.

My childhood was during the Soviet Union and at that time Christmas was as a background. The biggest accent was on the New Year. People were preparing for this event very thoroughly. Everybody was in hurry to get a Fur tree by the 31st of December, to buy presents for their family and friends and they were waiting for coming of the Old Man, Frost. People said: The way you meet the New Year the same way you will live the year. And of course people were trying to do their best to meet it as they wanted to live the New Year.

During the Soviet Union period people didn’t speak much about Christmas. In my memories this Holyday was candies and cakes that had been bought for children who came to the door and sang Carols. Those songs were not as Christian songs that tell you about the birth of Christ but as Folklore songs. Also during that time some children visited their grandparents and Godparents to bring them kalatch (kind of fancy loaf of bread) and to get presents. Christmas was celebrated according to the Old Calendar - on the 7th of January.

I am very glad that many things have changed in my Country and today you can go to the church without any fearing to be thrown to the prison. And the attitudes of many people have changed toward the Holydays too. Now many people know that according to the New Calendar Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December and they know what this event means. Christmas has become more important for many people of my Country than meeting the New Year. We live in some kind of transitional period. Today many Christians in Ukraine celebrate this Holyday twice – in December and in January. Do you know who are the happiest ones – children! Now they can get more gifts on this wonderful Holyday. It is great for me to realize that this double Holyday can help more people, especially disadvantaged children– from orphanages, homeless children and special ones. And of course it can help us to become kinder and more soft-hearted.

Today God opens many doors for us, and the name of one of them is virtue. That calls us to help those who are not able to reward you for your kind heart. In our lives we meet many those who are not able to do this, those who are in despair and need a piece of hope. Believe me, even your little help can change the attitude of such a child toward life, can bring real delight to his little world, and can fill him with feeling called “expecting a miracle”… .

Until next time,
Ira

Survival for the Elderly

In Ukraine, the pension does not provide much money, so many of the elderly create some type of work that may help with their income. Some sell flowers that they grow at home; others sell sunflower seeds and nuts. Many will collect the things in their home that they no long use and try to sell them. They will choose a well travelled path, put a sheet down on the ground, and lay out their goods to sell.

I have been living in the same apartment here in Illichevsk, Ukraine for six years. Some people in my building have died, other have sold their apartment and moved away. There are a number of older women that I see as I go in and out of my building who are pleasant in conversation with me. Not a lot of words, but we have communication.

There is one woman on a pension who lives on the fifth floor that I interact with from time to time. It is difficult to know the ages of people here; many look much older than they are. This particular woman caught my attention one day when she was returning from her work. She had a small hand truck with three nylon bags stacked and strapped to it that she was dragging up the stairs, one backbreaking step at a time. Immediately, I grabbed hold of the bottom of the truck and helped her carry it all of the way to the fifth floor.

Over the years, I have helped her up the steps numerous times. Each time, as I hear her wheezing with every breath that she takes, I realize the reality of the cost of freedom for the people of this country. This woman, like many others, gets up early in the morning, takes her goods to a place in the city, and sits and waits. She may sit in that same spot all day. I have seen her with her item set out and clothes hung from a line between two trees.

I don’t know much about this woman, but I see that she has a life, she has purpose, and she moves forward every day. I have seen her apartment that she shares with another woman, or maybe one of them owns only one room. It is dismal, dark, and very depressing for me to experience, but I wonder what it looks like through her eyes. I wonder how she sees her life. Most of all, I wonder what her life was like prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Sharing the Word

When I moved to Ukraine in 2002, I had the love of Jesus deep in my heart. My vision was not about sharing the plan of salvation, the common desire of most missionaries. Sure, I would if the opportunity presented itself, but that was not the main focus of my work, as I saw it. My goal was to meet their most immediate physical needs.

I have done that for seven years. Every now and then, I am asked if my work is evangelical. Do I tell the children about Jesus? As I shared in The Harvest is Plentiful, it is against the law to talk about God in the orphanages. Even so, my work expresses the love of Jesus through actions rather than only words.

In my travels, I have been invited to speak to churches. I’m not a preacher, but I think that I have plenty of stories to tell about the Living God. So, I take each opportunity to share how God has taken a simple person such as me, and love his children. The best stories are those that tell about all of the natural preparation that I went through. How God built character in me through my difficulties, and the different ways that I grew as a Christian over the past 34 years. The children are coming to the different churches where I speak, and they are hearing about Jesus through my life. They are hearing about a living experience with Jesus, one that is alive today, not only a story that happened 2000 years ago.

It is true that I have spoken in twelve churches in Ukraine during the past 7 years. And I have spoken to the children in a formal setting two or three times. As God opens the doors, this un-preacher will walk through. I will step up to the plate and wait upon my God. As He gives me the words to say, I will gladly share about the love of the Living Jesus in my life; not only the good things, but all of the struggles that it takes to get to the good things.

So now, when people ask me if I am sharing about Jesus, I will answer this way. As God provides the opportunity, I will speak as He gives me the words. If I get ahead of Him and His plan for me, my mission will stumble. So, I wait for His perfect timing to speak to the ears that He has prepared to hear His words through my mouth.

To God Be The Glory!

First Snow

This morning brought the first snow to my city of Illichevsk, Ukraine. The first snow is always welcomed with a great joy. I had to go to the market this morning to get some parts for a project that I’m doing. As I walked across the park, I saw that everyone had been anticipating this first snow.

City workers were out with their branch brooms (brooms made of tree branches), shovels, and scrapers, cleaning the sidewalks and walkways through the park. Although the children were all in school as I made my early morning trek, I will bet that their minds are on snow ball fights and sled riding rather than what their teacher is saying. My most endearing memory of today was the mother pulling her preschool child on a sled. The child was all bundled up with a blanket over her legs, as they did in the traditional sleigh ride in old Russia. I absolutely had to laugh out-loud when I saw a boy hit his mother with a snowball while she walked ahead of him, talking on her phone.

Life goes on as normal here. People put little coats on their dogs and take them out; when nature calls … you know. Laundry day is laundry day here. The wash gets hung out to drip dry or freeze, but it gets hung out. People know how to dress here. They are survivors of the deep freeze. The one woman whose picture I want most; will not allow it. She sits by the street selling sunflower seeds and nuts, year around. It amazes me that she has such patience.

So true winter has come to Illichevsk for a short season of three months. At times it may seem longer, but it is this challenge in life that keeps us sharp, alive, and invigorated.

October 2009 MUCH Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

Many leaves color the ground, yet many remain green upon the trees. People from all around await that autumn freeze. October 15th is the annual day when the city turns the heat on in Ukraine. This fall has been mild thus far, so we have no heat as of October 16th. I think the first frost will come soon.

First, the frost is on the pumpkin, next the turkey and fixin’s, then chestnuts are roasting on an open fire. Soon, the Christmas season will be upon us. Our Christmas Fundraiser will focus on the futures of our children. At the Marganets Orphanage in south central Ukraine, we have four programs that have been supported, not by our annual budget, but by the Christmas Fundraisers in the past several years. I want to share with you some of the results that we are seeing:

The computer class that we support has come a long way in one year. For the low cost of $180 per school year, children are learning to use Word, the Microsoft word processor for writing text; they are using Microsoft Paint to create graphic art design, and Microsoft PowerPoint to create professional presentations. These children who have learning disabilities now have more skills to compete in the work world in the future. Andre, the teacher, is passionate about teaching the children computer skills.

Unfortunately, physical rehabilitation for the children is not a part of the orphanage budget. The massage program that MUCH supports here costs $360 per school year, providing two children each day with massage treatment. Eight children will receive massage treatment this school year. The results provide children with that personal attention, neurological and physical stimulation, and emotional encouragement. The doctor tells me that she is seeing changes in the children because of each of these activities.

The music and dance program is producing big surprises. Leonid, the music master, is creating new challenges for the children. Two of them, see the pictures below, have started to attend the local music school, an after school program. Children from this orphanage have never been considered for music school. To everyone’s surprise, they have been given free tuition. Music has always been a big part of their program at the orphanage, but with the MUCH contribution of $180 per school year, they are making leaps and bounds in their resourcefulness and learning opportunities. Leonid even composed music for a song that I wrote for the children, and taught these two children to sing it. It is very beautiful.











Olga is connecting with the children through her introduction of morality, self image, maintaining control of self, and the understanding of addictive practices. She is influencing the children most, I think, with her love and compassion toward them. If you were to see her work with the children, you would see that special light in her eye. Olga is not on staff at the orphanage. MUCH supports her work with the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program at the cost of $450 per school year. The big result that I see is that the children are attending church. His Spirit is at work!

Also in Marganets, we support the Transition Home, where children stay for ninety days, sometimes more, as they are being transitioned from difficult homes to an orphanage. For the cost of $500 per year, MUCH provides the basic underwear, socks and shoes that are needed as these children are removed from their families. This is a very fragile time for the children. MUCH helps them to maintain dignity and self-image during this time.

At the Dobromel Orphanage in western Ukraine, close to the border of Poland, we support the work that Pastor Volodya has been doing for eight years. MUCH provides funds for the purchase of clothing, shoes, some food, and fruit juices. As he provides a spiritual program to build Christian character, MUCH provides $1800 a year to clothe and nourish the children. I see the great relationship that he has with the children! His work is changing their lives. MUCH is helping Volodya continue this great mission.

So many children with disabilities are in need where I live in Illichevsk, south western Ukraine. MUCH wants to provide two more hours of massage. This will cost $1800 per year. We have a proven track record with our massage program at the Clinic. Children, who could not walk, are walking. Some of our children are entering the regular school system. Most of all, our Early Intervention program is showing great and permanent results.

The total amount of the MUCH Christmas Fundraiser for 2009 is $5270. If everyone who reads this newsletter were to contribute $20, less than dinner for two, about 300 of the 400 plus children that MUCH serves will be able to continue to receive the services provided through our 2009 Christmas Fundraiser.

Seven years ago, I answered the call to live the remainder of my life in Ukraine, serving the children of lesser provision and ability. I had a lot of questions, but I stepped out in faith. God has provided for all of my needs, but more importantly, He has provided for the needs of the children. He has provided through your giving hearts. This is not about me asking you, but it is about you responding to the gifts that God has given you to share with those less fortunate. So, I will ask you to read this letter again, and ask God what He wants you to do for His children. The children and I are so grateful for all that you have shared with us these past seven years. We thank you for being a part of our lives.

Blessing of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insights (October 2009)

Each time when I get encouraging emails about “Ira’s insight” it gives me only one thought – I am very thankful to my God, for He inspires me to write, to put my thoughts on paper.

I do know that some miraculous things happen in the life. Especially when you think that this or that couldn’t be because of these or those circumstances, but when something wonderful happens in our lives we usually say – “Oh, it’s a miracle!”

I hope that very soon one of such “miracles” will become a reality for mothers and their children from the organizations for the disabled in Illichevsk. This miracle is called “hippo therapy” (equine therapy, or horse therapy). This type of therapy for the disabled is widely used in many countries. Mark, himself, brought to Ukraine some videos about this therapy after his visit to America. He also brought an idea to have this therapy in Illichevsk. In the middle of my story with my question I want to remind you one incredible thing: -- Do you know how God work in our lives? -Yes, right. - He gives the same idea to different people.

And I am a real witness of it. About two weeks ago, a group of mothers and their children had a meeting with Mark where they asked to fulfill one dream – to have “hippo therapy” in Illichevsk. Then when Mark had a meeting with one of the city officials, she told us the same – her dream is to have a trained horse that could be brought in the yard of the rehabilitation centre twice a week for our children to ride. Isn’t it a miracle? God is doing what He wants through different people, but He gives them the same idea!

And recently Mark spoke to one of the members of Odessa Rotary Club who lives in Illichevsk. When Mark asked that person to help with this new idea, he told that it’s possible and what we need to do is to present the project to the Rotary Club.

This story has happened in a short period of time. For me it is a real miracle that God wants it to become a reality for many disabled children of Illichevsk. My hope is that very soon in “Ira’s insights” I will write about the success of “hippo therapy”.

Until next time,
Ira

Doing the Wash

When I first arrived in Ukraine, I had a mindset of how things would be. The first four weeks fit my expectations according to the correspondences that I had before I moved to Ukraine. The modern conveniences were not available everywhere that I visited. It was common to see a wash basin perched on wooden rack on the back of the bathtub. This was for washing the clothes.

Weeks five and six presented a very different situation. I stayed in an apartment with a family who had a very modern looking atmosphere. I the kitchen, under the counter, was a roll-out wash machine. I was treated to this modern convenience, but it seemed strange.

During my three months in missionary school in Ternopol, Ukraine, there was a washing machine. There were eleven students and eight children. I decided to embrace the earlier culture that I had experienced, and do my wash by hand. As I watched the other students rejoicing in their freedom from the doldrums of washing by hand, I wanted to understand their lives better. So I continued to wash my clothes by hand.

When the time arrived for our Outreach practical experience, my team was once more in a more normal Ukrainian situation. This time, not only was there no washing machine, but water was only available at certain times during the day.

In April of the following year, I set up house in an apartment in Illichevsk, Ukraine. I have been living her for six and a half years. After starting a massage clinic for children with Cerebral Palsy, I looked at my own need for exercising my left hand. My bathroom is ready for a washing machine, but I have decided to wait. When I find that special woman, then I will buy a washing machine. Until then, I will do wash by hand, getting the exercise that I need, but have to force myself to do.

The Harvest is Plentiful

In all of my experiences, one theme has stuck in my head, has burned within my heart, and made more sense to me than any other. It is the theme that Young Life, a Christian outreach for youth, stands upon. It simply states that you must win the right to be heard before you should begin to share with others what is most meaningful to you.

I have been told that talking about God in the government orphanages in Ukraine is against the law. The children may go to church in the city, but preaching on the property is not allowed by law. For the past seven years, my organization, MUCH, has been meeting the humanitarian needs of these children. We have won the right to be heard. But how can we capture the attention of the children on the orphanage grounds, to get them to join us at church, off the orphanage grounds.

Last September, MUCH started a Drug and Alcohol Prevention program at the orphanage. Olga, from the charismatic church in Marganets, meets with the children once a week during the school year with this program. This summer, the youth from the Baptist church in Marganets began to visit the children, starting with a concert. These two representatives are building relationships with the children. They are living examples of Christian character for the children to follow.

In the Ukrainian orphanage system, the children are all lost souls, broken hearts and minds, waiting for true direction, for someone to reach out to them and care. It is unfortunate that so many are reached out to by the wrong people, people of crime, prostitution, drugs, and control. In Matthew chapter nine, Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”

It is a long process, but we are seeing the children respond to our love for them. I have personally seen eight children from the orphanage system attend church during my visits. They are hungry for answers. They are young minds wanting to be filled with good thing. They are the plentiful harvest, waiting...

Simferopol

After a pleasant conversation with an Odessa sailor and his girl, I had a pleasant night sleep on the train. Arriving in Simferopol around noon, I had some time to explore the city. The independent type that I am, I headed straight away from the front of the train station. I wanted to find the center of the city where all of the beauty is, but, unfortunately, that was to the right of the front of the train station. Full backpack on my back, I headed out.

After walking about a half of a kilometer, I decided to ask for directions. After a few minutes of discussion about the pronunciation of the word “center,” the woman told me that I would have to go back to the train station and turn left. I thanked her and determined if I should waste all of that time to back track my steps.
I saw a bridge about twenty meters in the direction that I had been heading. I figured that, if I took two rights from where I was, that would put me at the center. A third right would put me back at the train station. My good friend, logic.

I walked on: to the bridge, and over the bridge, and then right, across the street. I found that there was a very nice sidewalk that paralleled the meandering little stream that was about fifteen meters wide. I set my feet in motion, as I began my adventure. To my surprise, I found that a park continued the length of the stream. There were weeping willow trees and other greenery, but my biggest surprises were all of the foot bridges that crossed the stream as I walked on. At one point, I realized that the stream was turning to the left. It was time for me to start thinking about turning to the right.

I crossed the next bridge, and proceeded along the steam until I saw a bridge that would take me back up to the street. I didn’t want to leave this little wonderland of bridges, but I needed to continue my journey to the center and back to the train station where I would meet my friends.

I crossed the street and turned right, heading for what I hoped to be the center. As I approached a T in the road, I saw a sign with the word Voksal, Russian for train station, pointing to the right. A bit disappointed, I abandoned my search for the center and headed to the train station. At least I had not gotten lost.

My final surprise, as I walked on, was that I found another park. This one was narrow and long, between two streets. I saw the most unique use of trees to be removed in this park. Instead of cutting the trees to the ground and removing the roots, they cut the tree, leaving about two meters in height. Then, they carved, I think with a chainsaw, a statue of a person, maybe a historical or fictional character. This was the nicest gift for me to encounter at the end of this particular adventure!

Foster Children

During my fourteen days with thirteen children, I learned many things about the value of life. Seven children, ages 5, 10, 12, and 15, as natural as could be, lived out each day in front of me. With so many children, I expected more conflict. There was very little crying, no fighting, and a lot of cooperation.

At the church service, I saw a lot of little children. I learned that they were all adopted or foster children also. Where does all of this love come from? As parents with very strong Christian values, these people all received a spirit fed upbringing. The brothers and sisters from the same family learned from their father, who has recently passed on to his final reward. They learned from their mother about love being the main focus in life. They learned it as children, during the soviet times. Now, they live it, with powerful hearts for the God whom they serve

This man who lived as a Christian during soviet times was a leader in planting churches is his area of Crimea. The final church that he started was in his own home. His eight children all have children of their own and many are fostering children in need. This family church continues to exist as five families gather to strengthen the Spirit in their lives as they walk the walk that they talk.

There are so many children existing in dangerous environments in this country. I heard a story about a mother filling the baby bottle with wine instead of milk. This child is now in a loving home, but his past has scared him in many long lasting ways. This country has struggled through nineteen years of change, paying dearly for their freedom. The children suffer the most.

The foster child program is new in Ukraine. In Christian homes, I am seeing great results. Parents who have already raise a family of their own are reaching out to help the children most in need. Ukraine is moving forward, slowly but surely. The children who are being taken into Christian homes will become strong citizens of the future. There is hope.

September 2009 MUCH Newsletter

At the end of August, I spent fourteen days in the village of Froonza, Crimea with a family with thirteen children, two of whom have physical disabilities. I had met fifteen-year-old Vanya six years ago. He has been in a wheelchair for the past five years and has had little or no therapy since that time. With massage and the use of a muscle stimulator that we provided, his leg swelling was reduced and he felt his leg muscles were responding to the stimulator. I'll visit this winter to check on his progress.

Seven years have come and gone since I moved to Ukraine, most unaware what plans God had for me. He opened three doors to minister to children in two cities in the first two years. During the past five years, two of those doors have opened wider, and additional doors have opened. Marganets orphanage, our first outreach mission, has four additional ministries that we are supporting: computer, massage, music and dance, and the drug and alcohol prevention program. In the same city, we began a program to cloth children in the Transition Home. A door opened in northwestern Ukraine at the Dobromel orphanage. We began to support this program that Pastor Volodya has been operating for eight years. This year we would like to add two more hours of massage to the program in Illichevsk. The city of Illichevsk, population 62,000, has much bigger needs than we can handle, but we want to do our best to help the children.

Two years ago, we began a Christmas fund raiser to provide money for these six additional programs, to be supported on a yearly basis, instead of adding them to our regular budget. So far, we have been successful in raising the money needed to operate the programs. They touch the lives of four hundred children in some direct or indirect way.

The October newsletter will launch the 2009 Christmas fundraiser. I will detail each ministry and share some of the results from each. These children are growing beyond a maintenance level of existence. It is because of your support that we can supply what the children and staff need to enhance rehabilitation, learning and social development. We have brought them all a long way in these seven years. Let’s not drop the ball. Let’s continue to love these children through these programs of clothing, education, and rehabilitation.

There is so much need in the world, particularly for children. But how do you know what children to help? I know the children that I am to help because God shows me. If you want to help children anywhere, ask God to show you; ask Him to give you peace about what He shows you. Our children and staff are thankful to God for all that He has provided. They wait, believing that God will continue what He started seven years ago.

Blessing of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insights (September 2009)

Early intervention is a very new word combination in my native Ukrainian/Russian language. For many mothers whose children suffer from different disabilities, it is still unknown.

I thank God that in Illichevsk at the Massage Clinic many people know these words and understand how it works.

In the May Newsletter in “Ira’s Insights ” I wrote about one little girl named Eve D., who has became a patient of the Massage clinic this year. God has put a desire in my heart to share some progress that she has for now. I want you to see “with my eyes” the result that children have at the clinic.

When Eve was born, she had some neurological problems and as a result she couldn’t do what children her age usually do. The neurologist saw the problem and very soon she had her first massage treatment at the Massage Clinic. Even after the first massage treatment the girl had great results. The mother followed the masseuse’s directions and did special exercises for her child between the massage treatments.

Today this girl has wonderful results. In spite she was born with some neurological problems and one of her legs is shorter, she can walk by herself today. She began to walk by herself just recently. It was a great surprise for her parents and the masseuse who works with her. The neurologist says that without early intervention this child would have had some serious problems in her physical development and could have received status of a disabled child, but thanks to the clinic she has avoid it.

The mother of Eve is sincerely very thankful to God for the opportunity for her daughter to have massage at the clinic. Today Eve is still the patient of MUCH. She has to continue to have massage treatment and exercises to improve the results that she has.

I hope you like the story that I have told you. It shows the real work and the real results of the Massage Clinic in the aspect of early intervention for children with disabilities. May God bless each person who has given his input in the progress of Eve and many other little patients.

Until next time,
Ira

My New Little Friend

The end of August found me in a small village of Crimea, living with a family of thirteen children. Among them was a twelve year old who had been born with Cerebral Palsy. My task was to evaluate his muscle imbalance and introduce two forms of treatment for him. Both massage therapy and electrical muscle stimulation were well known in the post soviet medical community. EMS was stopped because of the expense of cleaning and replacing the electrodes, and the lack of immediate results that surgery could provide.

This little fellow, Kolya, has a great enthusiasm to participate in the little world of his village. His mother told me how sullen he looked, and his eyes even became crossed due to lack of stimulation. As he became part of the family, he was encouraged to walk around in the house. He needed crutches to do this, but he was up for the challenge. Realizing the results of this need, I decided that we would take a walk every day. It turned into a two hour adventure.

On the first day I asked Kolya, “Where do you want to go?” He looked up at me with a big smile and said, “The stadium!” Not knowing where it was, I was given Lyosha as my ten year old guide. The three of us started out on our journey to the stadium, about four city blocks away. It was a slow procedure, but I was delighted to hear Lyosha and Kolya deep in conversation as we ambled along.

Each day, we would walk; one day to the stadium, the next day to the school. We spent more days at the school. Kolya had teachers from the school who would teach him at home, so many of the teachers would come out and chat with him. Some of the students would chat with him, some who knew English would chat with me. This was a big social event for Kolya.

During the walks, Kolya needed considerable room to manipulate his crutches, so we walked on the street. As people would pass by us I would greet them in Russian, “Good morning; Good day; How are you today?” People were clearly interested in this young spectacle of determination. Some would stop to chat. This was great! They had to talk with him because I didn’t speak enough Russian to carry on a conversation. But Kolya did very well conversing with the people.

Others were uncomfortable with what they saw, and looked straight ahead. Kolya followed my example and broke the ice with, “Hello, this is my American friend!” It was quite something to see. This went on for about ten days. Kolya was in his own little paradise. It ended up that I was evaluating more than his walking, but rather the large picture of him as an evolving little person.

Fourteen Days with Thirteen Children

After a most interesting train ride and conversation with a sailor and his girl, I arrived in Simferopol, Crimea. I had three hours to explore before my friends from Froonza would arrive. I had slept ok on the train, so I had some energy to explore. I swung my backpack over my shoulder and headed down the street to see the sites.

Finally, it was time to be looking for my friends. We had not met in person, so it would be interesting to see if we could find each other. Andre spotted me first. Anya walked up to me and asked if I was Mark. My visit had begun. On the way to Froonza, twenty kilometers beyond Saki. I asked Anya how many children they had. When she said thirteen, my eyes became very big.

We arrived at the house an hour later. As I passed through the gate in front of the house, Anya began to introduce me to the children. As she called some of them, they appeared, springing up out of the garden, three five year olds and a ten year old. Once in the house, I was introduced to others as they appeared from different places in this ten room house. I learned that five of the children, ages 20, 18, 16, 15, and 5, were their own. The rest of the children were either adopted or were foster children.

In the process, I was reintroduced to Vanya, now fifteen. For the past five or so years he has been in a wheelchair. It hasn’t stopped his active live, though. He wheels himself three kilometers to the sea to swim, and is active in wheelchair sports. His situation has changed, but I think in a positive way. He has very little muscle tone in his foot and lower leg, so it is no longer a turned ankle that needs to change. In my understanding of the situation, massage therapy and electric muscle stimulation will help to strengthen his legs and feet. I will be checking on him.

One of three foster children, taken from the same family, has Cerebral Palsy. He has been with Anya and Andre for four years. He struggles to walk on forearm crutches, but has such dominant hamstring muscles that he cannot straighten his legs to walk. Another common problem is that his dominant adductor muscles pull his legs together. His therapy will also include massage and electric muscle stimulation. Watching him walk is truly heartbreaking. We walked to the school and stadium each day as part of his new therapy. Some people gawked at him, and some stopped to talk, but it was painfully obvious that most of the community is unaware of the disabled in their village.

During my fourteen days there, I interacted with each of the children on a different level, spoke to an English class at the school, spoke at two church services, and developed some very interesting visions for the needs of the village. As I look back on my story, Waiting for a Miracle, I continue to wonder how big of a miracle it will turn out to be, and how many lives will be touched.

August 2009 MUCH Newsletter

August continues to be an interesting month. In the beginning of the month, I was in the Carpathian Mountains. The children of the Dobromel orphanage were in different camps throughout the region. Most were in the village of Yacinya, 3050 feet above sea level. They were located in a beautiful setting, surrounded by scenic foothills. We drove four hours to be with them for a couple of hours. It was the highlight of their camp. We did an AWANA program (children’s ministry) for them.

Volodya has been ministering to the children at Dobromel orphanage for eight years. When I visit the children, I stay with his family in Borislav. This visit, I learned more about the economy of this area. They haven’t had hot water in their city for fifteen years.

Back in Illichevsk, I was having adventures of my own with the dentist. She is a very good and gentle dentist. But just in case, I always tell her a joke to put her in a good mood. I guess that the economy has been such a challenge, it was not always affordable to pay for a pain killer. This was a big surprise for me. While you are there, be sure read The Seashell Girl. I’m sorry for those of you who don’t use computers. Maybe a friend could print it out for you. Or, maybe I’ll put my blog stories in a book in the future.

I think that it was in the fall of 2003 that I was in Saki Crimea for the first time. During that visit I met Vanya. I wrote an article about him entitled, “Waiting for a Miracle.” During an operation soon after his birth, a nerve was accidently cut. This nerve controlled the muscles that allowed him to turn, or evert, his foot to the side. This left him with what is commonly known as club foot. He has been on my mind all of these years. He is 12-years-old now, and on August 25 I will visit him and his family. I will share what I know and have learned these past six years. I’m not sure what kind of miracle will happen, but I think this will be the time that God will bless this child in a special way. I’ll let you know the results next month.

Through the hearts of those who support MUCH, we know that God is moving through our efforts. Through the results of our efforts, we know that God wants us to continue. My wish is that you could see the faces and hear more of the stories from the mouths of the people whose lives are being changed by MUCH.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insight (August 2009)

"Thank you very much. I am very appreciative to your help. You can’t even imagine how great your help is for us," said a mother whose child is a patient of the clinic.

Mark and I met this woman at the clinic when she brought her child for massage. Her son, Vladik, is a lovely boy of 3-years-old. When he was 1-year-old, doctors diagnosed him with bowed legs and pigeon- toed feet. For his mother “a new life” began: she visited different doctors and different clinics. Every advice was a new hope for her, but she didn’t see any progress. Her child couldn’t walk well. When he walked he often fell down. Some of the doctors told her to legalize her child’s disability for future financial help.

A year ago, she was advised to go to Kharkov, in north eastern Ukrainian, to see the doctor who specialized in this diagnosis. The doctor prescribed for Vladik to wear high orthopedic shoes for three years, receive massage, and some other treatments. The mother followed the doctor’s direction. She found a private masseuse, but it was difficult financially for her family budget to pay for private massages. Besides massages, she has to bring her child to Kharkov several times a year to see the doctor. To do it several times a year is very difficult financially for her family. Recently the doctor prescribed Vladik to wear other high orthopedic shoes for sleeping time. That pair of shoes cost 1000grevnya, (about $120).

Once when she and her child visited the local doctor, he advised her to address to the social department where she could get some help. At the department, she was told about the MUCH clinic, where experienced masseuses work and where her child could be helped.

Today her child is one of the children who get benefit from the MUCH clinic. His mother is sincerely happy because she sees the real help for the physical condition of her child and her family budget. The doctor whom they visit has a hope that Vladik will wear special orthopedic shoes less than 3 years, because of positive results.

The desire of my heart is to join Vladik’s mother and say, "Thank you," to those who support MUCH and help dreams become a reality!

Until next time,
Ira

Waiting for a Miracle (cont.)

In September of 2003 I visited Saki, Crimea. At the time, I was still green as a missionary, but hungry to open new doors. I thought that God would open a door in Saki. He did, but not the door that I had assumed, and not in the time period that I wanted. I was thinking that I would become involved in some type of ministry there, as a third outreach.

While I was there, I met an eight year old little boy who was walking on his ankle. I recently learned that it was due to an error in surgery when he was an infant. A nerve had been cut, leaving the related muscles without control, causing the opposing muscles to pull his foot to one side.

Now, after six years of growing in my mission, I will return with some possible solutions for this little fellow. I had originally envisioned that Jesus would heal his foot in a miraculous situation. I still look for that to happen, but I have learned that Jesus heals in many different ways, with many different formats. Jesus created everything, so all forms of medical treatment are a part of His creation. How He will choose to heal, and how long the process will take, can be different in every case.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been thinking about all of the possibilities that could develop during my visit. When I begin to think of all of the negative possibilities, I tend to become discouraged. My mission, all of it, is bigger than me. I have to always remember that. With all that is going on in this world, it is easy to lose my focus. I think the song that says it all is titled, Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus. So that is what I have to do.

I dream for the big miracle for this little fellow, but it isn’t up to me. When I get back to Illichevsk, I’ll post the results. I’ll be tweetin’ all about it probably in the middle of September, so stay tuned.

The Seashell Girl

Sunday evening I decided to go to the sea and collect some sea shells for my future visits to the orphanages in Marganets and Dobromel. I like to take the different little shells for the children to experience in art projects or science class.

The last time that I went hunting for the baby Whelk and Conch shells, I found that they were in abundance in the seaweed clusters of Mussel and other shells that are freshly washed upon the beach. They are hard to see at first, but once you train your eyes to search for the particular colors and shapes, they seem to pop out at you.

This time, I found a spot by the water’s edge and sat down. As I began my search, it was difficult not to keep every pretty shell that I saw. Collecting them, sometimes a few at a time, I would put them in my little bag. I must have stayed in that one spot for almost an hour. One man came to me and asked what I was doing? Of course, I had to guess what his question was. Then I had to ask him, using my Russian words, if I understood his question. He seemed satisfied with my answer and continued on, looking for larger shells a meter or so further out in the sea.

When I decided that it was time to go, I got up and brushed my pants off. I looked around, checking the shoreline for the August evening beach lovers, and slowly walked away from the sea. In the process, I saw a little girl about five years old, standing perfectly still, holding a little red container about two or three inches deep and maybe five inches in diameter. The expression on her face was not sad or happy, but maybe one asking a question. In the exact center of her red container, there was a half of a clam shell. It was a Norman Rockwell picture for sure.

As I walked past her, I remembered my childhood days. I stopped and looked through my bag. Earlier, I had found one larger spiral shell that was the best find of my evening. I pulled it out and walked back to her, still standing motionless. I carefully put my prize shell into her little red container. She looked at me as I began to walk away and whispered in Russian, “Thank you,” without changing the expression on her face the littlest bit. As I waved goodbye to her, it was as if she couldn’t believe that someone, a stranger, gave her a nice shell. I hope that it made her day. I know that it made mine.

Water???

How we take water for granted. When I first came to Ukraine in 2002, I was introduced to the water problems of Ukraine. My first experience took place in Patriky, Ternopol region, while I was in the lecture phase of missionary school. The village where the school was held had turned off the water for three to five days. This was not so unusual for the local people. What was funny, although not at the time, was my not knowing what to do. An announcement was made that there was an outhouse in the back yard. For some reason, that announcement was not translated for me.

In the second phase, outreach, my team lived in a city in western Ukraine for two months. We lived in a flat on the sixth floor, about a twenty minute walk from the center of the city. Our water situation was an eye opener for me. Hot and cold water were available for two hours in the morning, two hours at mid day, and four hours in the evening. What a challenge it was for me to coordinate all of the team water needs with our other activities. I learned a lot about living with other people during those two months.

Seven years have come and gone, and I have had a lot of water stories to tell. As I write this story, I am once again in Western Ukraine. This time I am in the city of Borislav, in the L’vov region. This is my fourth visit, and I am only beginning to learn about their water problems. For instance, during the last eighteen years, they have not had hot water.

In 2008, MUCH started to support the ministry that Volodya has. He works with orphaned children in the city of Dobromel. In his home in Borislav where I stayed the first three visits, I learned that he is an engineering genius. In his home on the fourth floor, they receive water twice a day for two hours. It is common for people in this city to fill the bathtub in the morning, using that water for the toilet, cooking and cleaning needs throughout the day. Instead of accepting this as normal, Volodya has installed a gravity fed holding tank and a gravity fed hot water tank. They still must be careful with their water use, but it is available all day.

This time, I stayed at Volodya’s son-in-law and daughter’s home on the first floor in a separate section of the city. A third problem in Borislav is that household gas is turned off two days a week. House heating is controlled by the city in the winter. Volodya created a new system to meet all of the need of this home throughout the year. He installed a hot water heater that heats water for the sinks and bathtub. It has a separate line that heats water for the house. In the basement area of the building, he installed a five hundred liter holding tank that fills when the water comes on. A pump moves the water up when it is called for. There are three filter systems to clean the water. I am continually amazed to see how the people of Ukraine meet their daily challenges!

Adventures With the Dentist

When I was a child, I seldom if ever went to the dentist. I guess that in those days, if you had no pain, why bother the dentist. I was blessed with healthy teeth, so I didn’t develop good dental habits beyond regular brushing.

Before moving to Ukraine, I had visited the dentist only a few years before. He was so kind as to give me a root canal and crown for the cost equivalent to three mortgage payments. Prior to that, I hadn’t seen the dentist for twenty five years. My first year in Ukraine was filled with uncertainties about their health care system. Along with that, I had a tooth that needed some attention. I put off doing anything about it for the whole year.

Finally, I had my translator, Ira, set me up an appointment with the dentist at her church. They had a certified dentist who did her work as an evangelical outreach. Free dental care if you listen to the Gospel message and receive a Bible. She did some good work on my tooth, but because I had waited so long, a large filling was needed. It lasted only six months.

By that time, she was working in the village. Getting to the village was a challenge. Ira took me to the village via two separate public transports. Once we arrived, we had to find the building, somewhere within one hundred meters from our drop off point. Seeing the outhouse to the distant right of the entrance, the building showed no resemblance to a medical facility. I felt as if I was walking into yet another world. This was quite an eye opener, esthetically speaking. There were three offices, each a different form of medical practice. I saw the true, heartland people of Ukraine and their children being served. The poverty was heartbreaking, but I was in Ukraine to help people, so I did understand.

Another six months went by and I had to revisit the village dentist. This time I received two pieces of information. First, my dentist was expecting a child and would not be working for the next two years. Second, she said that I would need to see a dentist who had the equipment to do a root canal and crown. She suggested a good one.

A while later, we went to this new dentist. He was in a new facility with new equipment and new everything. I was impressed, but was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It turned out that everything was very good. He had to pull the tooth, but ordered a bridge that connected to two other teeth. One actually needed a root canal. It worked out very well.

That was four years ago. In that time, I had to go back for work on another tooth. He was busy, so I was asked if I would see another dentist in the same practice. This turned out to be a blessing. This woman is very pleasant and gentle. She enjoys a good sense of humor, and I have one. The challenge is having it translate into Russian so that it remains funny. Ira, now my assistant, has been working with me for six years. She catches the meaning of most of my humor and is able to translate it well.

Previous to my current visits, I had gone to this dentist for a root canal and filing. This required two or three visits. During that time I tried out my humor on her and she always responded with a big smile. I would start off the visit with a joke, wanting her to be in a good mood before she started working on me. This visit, number three of three for this filling, I didn’t have a joke for her.

Her task was to remove the temporary filling installed on Thursday, and replace it with a permanent one. In the process, after the filling was in place, she needed to smooth off and match the surface of this tooth with the bottom tooth. I knew what she was doing, but my humor surfaced. The material that she used, asking me to bite down on it to check the surface of the tooth, came on a roll, like tape. When she finished everything, I looked at her seriously and said, “I have been very impressed with the quality of your work. But when I saw you reaching for the scotch tape, I began to have second thoughts."

July 2009 MUCH Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

July is a hot one in Illichevsk, 90 F in the shade with high humidity. But then, everything is relative, isn’t it. I got some good exercise walking around Marganets when I visited the orphanage during the first week of July. And have I got some stories about that week! See International Riot in Marganets and Promise, Provision, and Progress. For those who don’t have access to a computer or the internet, the problems in Marganets began in a bar and were not politically related. It was all contained prior to my arrival. The other story refers to the concert that the youth of the Marganets Baptist Church gave to the children at the orphanage and the Transition Home.

While in America, I was given three sets of items to bring back to Ukraine to give to our children. I had a great time watching the enthusiasm of the children at the Transition Home. First, I gave them the stuffed animals that Jenny Renner, National Champion in synchronized trampoline competition, provided for them. Next, the picture story books written in English and Russian, from Jessie Bullock and Kate Bullock Price, captured the imagination of the children. Finally, the children from Lighthouse Christian School in Pompano Beach, Florida made bookmarks for our children. The bookmarks were filled with colorful designs and messages of love. My Marganets translator and I took pictures and videos of this great event.

My big surprise happened one evening as I was out taking a walk. There were so many militia patrolling the city, I felt quite safe. All of the sudden, a young man walked up to me and said, “Prevyet!” That means “Hi” in Russian. I replied the same. Then he said, “It’s me, Bogdan!” I made the connection, and we began to chat as we walked. Bogdan was my first translator in Marganets seven years ago. He was twelve years old at the time. We met up with his wife and his second child, six months old, and walked across town to his parents’ flat. What a wonderful evening. After a short visit, his mother, his wife, and he walked me back to my street. What an interesting evening.

Progress can be seen in different ways. MUCH has accomplished many things in the past seven years. The big building blocks have been relationships. These are the keys to progress. In Marganets, we have built relationships with the orphanage administrators, and the children. Recently, we have been reaching out to the churches to help us. The youth group concert for the children at the orphanage is what I see as GREAT PROGRESS.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insight (July 2009)

I wish that every reader of the Newsletter had experienced what I did at the Christian camp. It was a great time for many children, especially for children from difficult homes (from the Christian club “Emmaus”) and for the children from the orphanages.

Every year, the Illichevsk Baptist Church holds a Christian camp for children. The goal of such a camp is to tell children about Christ. Most participants of the camp are children from difficult homes and children from orphanages of the Odessa region. And it is very important for these kids to know that there is One who loves them very much, and He is ready to listen to them and understand them.

Each year the subjects of the camps are different. Last year it was “Egypt”. There was even an Egyptian Pharaoh who made the people of Israel (children and their leaders) make bricks and other works for him. During that camp the children not only found out the history of Israel in Egypt, but also learned to trust God.

This year the subject was “The early evangelical church”. Together with Saul who later becomes Paul children experience how to live in an ancient city where they are trade makers. Also they experience persecutions and God’s love toward them. The camp lets children feel the real life in the beginning of the first century. For me it was a real blessing to see how children responded to the improvisation of the early church. I visited the camp for children from 10 till 12 years old. I enjoyed watching them while they were making different things with their hands to sell for their emperor (local mayor), or how they were participating at the worship services on the beach during the time of persecution. They took everything very seriously.

It has become a tradition for MUCH to help financially to hold the camp. Thanks to its money, children have more fresh fruits and vegetables during the camp. Personally I want to thank those who support this ministry. Your financial gift helps not only children to have good nutrition, but also to be at the camp and enjoy it. From my own experience, I know that many children who have been at the camp one time, live the whole year with the hope that they will go to camp the next summer.

I think today many people realize how important it is to help such projects to be available. Children are our future. And it depends on us what future we will live tomorrow...

Until next time,
Ira

Promise, Provision, & Progress

Seven years ago, I moved to Ukraine to work with children in need. The first group of children that I was introduced to was in the city of Marganets, south central Ukraine, at the Orphanage for Children with Mental and Physical Disabilities. At the time, most of the 156 children had learning disabilities, but some had minor physical disabilities.

Leaving my new-found manager to buy clothes, shoes, and winter boots for the children, I moved to missionary school in western Ukraine for five months. When I returned in December, I was introduced to more of the children with their new winter boots. They were all smiles. I saw a glimmer of promise in whom they were and who they could become!

The following 4 year were filled with provision. Clothing and shoes were the main items provided, but we had a number of projects, big and small. MUCH was changing the physical and visual atmosphere, but more importantly, the self images of the children. God’s provision had been meeting the physical needs of the children, but their spiritual needs were still untouched.

Two summers ago, Ukraine Challenge sent a team of short term missionaries to provide a Vacation Bible School at the Baptist church in Marganets. While there, they visited our children at the orphanage, bringing the Good News to them, possibly for the first time. In the process, I was introduced to the youth group of that church. Each time that I would visit Marganets, I would talk with the youth group and encourage them in some way.

During my last visit, I asked if they would like to put on a concert for our children during my July visit. They said yes and it was arranged. They had lost no enthusiasm between my January and July visits. When they arrived to perform the concert, they asked for some boundaries. I told them that the more involved they could be individually with the children, the better. As they began, I took videos and photos, recording the progress of seven years of loving our children. As I realized what God was doing, tears filled my eyes. A new door had opened; a new team had begun a wonderful work!

International Riot in Marganets

For three days before I arrived, the city of Marganets was closed to all traffic going in or out. At least six buses of militia were guarding the city. I knew nothing about this until I had been in Marganets four hours.

This is the story that I pieced together from two reliable sources. Two men, a Ukrainian and an Armenian were at a bar drinking. After a time and a few drinks, their conversation became a disagreement. The disagreement became violent. The violence spread to the onlookers. They began to take sides. Ukrainians were damaging cars known to belong to Armenians.

Finally, the police arrived. By this time, the fighting had escalated into a riot. In the process of taking control of the situation, one policeman was killed with a knife. A second officer was hospitalized. By the time that I arrived, the only evidence that something had happened was the presence of the militia, walking the streets in teams of four and five, patrolling the city.

June 2009 MUCH Newsletter

I’ve been back in Ukraine for 17 days. My body and mind have adjusted; my twice-a-week cook has returned from her vacation in the village, visiting her grandmother; and I still have hot water. What more could I ask for? It is good to be back to the sights and sounds that I call home. See my post Home Sweet Home. Natasha and Vika took good care of my flat while I was away.

What’s happening this summer? Summer is an organizational time for me. Even so, I will visit the children in Marganets in July. I hope to visit the children in Dobromel, too. I want to have the neurologist from Borislav come to Illichevsk to share his specialties with our massage clinic team. Ira tells me that her church will provide camp for the disabled in September, but that is not a final date.

I met a friend while I was out walking the other day. He is now working with a realtor, specializing in summer rentals. He said the cost for a small flat is about $60 a day. I’m not sure if that is with a view of the Black Sea or if it is anywhere in Illichevsk. How things have changed in the past seven years!

As Ukraine develops as a country and as an economy, the problems of the children remain. The biggest need for most of our children is to have regular activities that they can participate in during the summer. This is nothing new, of course, but finding a solution would be something new for our children. At the Marganets orphanage, the problem was solved last summer by purchasing some sports equipment for summer use. Here in Illichevsk, church camp is offered to the Emmaus children and a special camp for the children with disabilities. Pastor Volodya provides a camp for the children at Dobromel Orphanage. Summer is a long time. The camp activities last about a week, so what else can we do?

Ira has some news about one group of our children who are dear to her heart.

The minds of our children are fertile soil waiting to be planted. The big question is, who will be the first to plant in this soil, and will it be good seed, or not? I am here to set the example, as God leads me. It is a big job. Our team continues to grow as time goes on. I say thank you to all of the team who reach out, each in their own special way. To others, I want to encourage you to see things through Ira’s eyes. Don’t hesitate, step up to the plate, get involved, and change the world of tomorrow by changing the children of today!

Blessing of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insight (June 2009)

This time I’d like to tell you about children from the Christian Club Emmaus. This club is for special children, children from underprivileged families.

In our church the first priority is children. Many people understand this simple truth: “The future depends on today.” Children who attend the club are the future of our church, our city, our country. They are the adults of tomorrow. That’s why there is a club in our city called Emmaus. The main goal of the program is to give them as much love as we can and to show them good examples of life. We want them to understand how much God loves them. I know that many who read my stories support this program financially. And you want to know what is happening in the club and how God changes our children’s minds.

Several weeks ago our church held a contest “Brain Ring” for the children who attend Sunday schools in the Illichevsk church and Illichevsk region. The contest was about the Bible characters and events. Most of the questions were about Old Testament. The contest consisted of two tournaments.
And do you know who the winners of the contest were? Children from Emmaus Club! They said it was a real surprise for many people! The prize for winners was a trip to Odessa and to visit the zoo.

I pray to God about these children and hope that the knowledge about the Bible will help them to change their futures.

I know that the desire of each person who works with these children or cooks for them, or supports them financially is to change their lives. May God help us to understand that it is one of the most important ministries in our lives – to give our own input into the future through the lives of our children.

Until next time,
Ira

Timing

After being in the US for two and a half months, I have returned with some new ideas, new projects, and new program possibilities. I guess that the ways things are done in America are faster because of the hunger for something new. This mentality is becoming a part of the younger people here in Ukraine. The generation born during years of freedom is not as patient as the previous generation.

Not being a business man, I am not in tune with the process of progress. It takes time. Here in Illichevsk, the people are ready for new opportunities that I might share, but it takes a lot of time to make something happen. A number of years ago, I read an article on the internet that suggested that it required a year of communication for an international business deal to come to reality. So, I am taking all of this into consideration.

My big desire is to start an equine therapy program for our children at the massage clinic. I had a great experience in Reidsville, NC at Rolling Ridge Riding . I saw what I want to do here in Illichevsk. It will take a lot of volunteers to make it happen, but that is a possibility. Their program is multi-therapeutic. They include Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy, and Teaching. It all takes place in a riding ring on top of a horse.

I see the vision, I can imagine how to make it possible, but timing is the biggest part of this new program becoming a reality. God must put all of the players in place and touch their hearts. Everyone has to be ready and willing to move forward. So, equine therapy will be my focus for this year. Everyone is busy with the process of living their daily life her in Ukraine, so things tend to take a little longer. It is a hard life for most, but is particularly difficult for the parents who have children with disabilities.

Connecting with the World

About twenty three years ago the personal computer was having its debut in my life, and much of the world. For me, word processing was the big thing. No more typewriter errors requiring whiteout or a total rewrite. I never would have guessed that I would be able to add data by voice, or hear data being read by my computer, rather than reading it.

And then there was internet dial up. What a new world of information. Next was email, then Skype, then video Skype, all with faster internet speed and cable access. The world was at my fingertips. My first computer had a whoppin’ forty megabyte hard drive. My current computer has a two hundred and thirty gigabyte hard drive.

In my current situation, I live in Ukraine as a humanitarian aid missionary. Email makes it so easy to communication with sponsors, family and friends. But how can I increase the number of people who are reading my newsletters, blog, and website? That is a question that my brothers and sister put before me. The answer they gave was Twitter.

Within a week, thirty three people, businesses, or groups are following my tweets (what I write). I follow about one hundred and sixty of the same. That means that I can read the latest news around the world, whether it will be from musicians, politicians, TV personalities, scientists, or my niece reporting on her lunch break. I’m in touch with the world, live, as it happens. And they are in touch with me.

What this will mean for MUCH will soon be seen. My main goal is to have the stories of my children read around the world. What we are doing with the children of disadvantage and disability is changing their lives. I want the world to know what is happening in our children’s lives. I believe that will change the world as they follow the progress of our children. My new job is to use twitter to bring our children to the world, and the world to our children.