Dear friends,
The girl about whom I am going to tell you this time is a well known to you. She is seven-year-old Sasha, and I have written about her in some of the previous newsletters of MUCH. Sasha has a rare disorder - arthrogryposis. This congenital disorder causes multiple joint contractures. Sasha has one of the most severe cases of this disorder. It impairs her cardiac and respiratory function and causes pain in her chest and back.
Sasha has become very close to my heart. Today Mark and Sasha are very good friends. It is funny to watch when Mark tries to speak to Sasha in Russian. Not understanding him, sometimes Sasha asks me, “Chto on skazal?” That is for “What has he said?” Every time when we visit Sasha, she demonstrates her new skills in Math, Russian and in English. Her eyes sparkle every time she shares her dreams with Mark about her future. This little girl has become very popular in many countries of the world thanks to activities of MUCH. Sasha’s days have changed a lot since MUCH touched her life. After my previous stories about Sasha, many people are waiting to hear about the decisions of the doctors. I hope my article will answer all of your questions.
It was in a hall of the policlinic where Mark and I met Sasha and her mother Natasha for the first time. They were waiting for the masseuse to give Sasha a massage. I was struck by Sasha’s disability because I had never met such a person. I was very sorry for this girl and especially her mother, who looked very sad. After Sasha’s massage, the masseuse told us about her disorder. She told us that there is hope for children with such rare genetic disorder – this hope is a set of operations on bone joints. The masseuse told us that the cost of the operations is very high. I remember that at that moment there was distress in my heart, “Why can’t the government help Sasha and other children with this disorder? There should be a solution for this situation.” These questions had been in my mind until we visited Sasha and her mother at their home, in the end of last summer. Looking at the girl, it was difficult emotionally for me to translate the conversation for Mark and Sasha’s mother. It was at this time that God moved my heart to ask Mark if MUCH could help Sasha beyond the massage program.
Some months later, in October 2010, Sasha and her mother flew to Israel where she was examined by specially qualified doctors. This examination happened only thanks to people who helped this family with finances. The total cost of tickets, boarding, and examination in the Israel clinic was $3000. It was a very important assessment for Sasha. This was the first time that doctors who specialize in arthrogryposis examined her. Sasha and her mother came back from Israel very encouraged. The doctors said that they had successfully operated on people with the same disorder as Sasha’s, and they promised to send the mother results of their decision about the time for Sasha to be operated on and the cost of the operation. Their results came a number of months later. It was a big task for the doctors to come to one decision about the scheduling of the first operation for Sasha. They say that the best time for Sasha to be operated on will be in two years because of her bone growth process. The first operation should be done on her chest because there is a danger for her life. The concave bones of her chest press on her lungs and heart. The cost of the operation is $65,000. Sasha’s mother is investigating the prices in other clinics in Germany and Russia where doctors perform this operation. Natasha is going to connect with these doctors using internet Skype communication system, E-mail, and the phone. She wants to get as much information as she can about the possibilities for her daughter’s treatment.
Thinking of Sasha’s life and of the changes that have happened to her in less than a year, I am sure that for this little girl our meeting in summer was the turning point. She is the same physically, with the same disorder, but her heart is different – it smiles because in it there is a big hope for physical changes through operations. Sasha seems not to be afraid of operations and all kind of difficulties that may be connected with the operations. She lives only with one dream, to be like other children who can walk to school by themselves. Everyone who sees Sasha wants to help her. You can meet Sasha at the MUCH website. Click on ‘Meet Sasha’ at the bottom of the home page to view the video clip. If God has put it on your heart to help Sasha, click on ‘Help Sasha,’ also at the bottom of the home page. MUCH has started an account in Sasha’s name for future expenses associated with her surgery.
Until next time,
Ira
Showing posts with label Newsletter: Ira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newsletter: Ira. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Ira's Insight
In every country there are big and small cities, big and little towns and of course villages. In each of these places, there are advantages and disadvantages of living there. If you live in a big city, you can choose: a school for your children to go to, work to earn money, a shop to buy food, a cinema and a club to have fun, a hospital and a doctor to be treated. Having such advantages are good. But, there are some disadvantages, and the biggest ones are pollution, smoggy streets and much traffic. Most people dislike it and enjoy going to the country on weekends to have rest. That is a story of living in a big city.
Small cities, towns and villages have a different life. Most people who live there know each other well; usually we say, “I know who and how they breathe”. There are a lot of advantages to living in such small places, such as fresh air, comfort about your children playing in the yard, etc. But – in a small community there is no big variety of food products in the shops. To get to a big city it is also a big problem – not everyone in a small place of post-Soviet countries has a car, so people have to use public transportation. If you are sick you can’t choose a hospital or a doctor to go to because in the place where you live there is only one small medical center where you can go to get help. Recently I read in the news that in one of the villages a young man died. He had been waiting for help, for an ambulance for a couple of hours! In the village where he lived, there is not any medical place for people to address for help. If their children are sick, not doctors, but their parents treat them. When I read that news I thought, “How do people with serious disabilities live there?”
In Illichevsk, the Massage Clinic is attended by many children who live, not in the city, but in little towns and villages that are near the city. In these places, there is not medical help for children with disabilities. From my own experience, I know how difficult it is to get to Illichevsk without my own transportation. I live in a town that is situated close to Illichevsk (approximately 15 minutes of driving); my house is not far from the bus stop but it took me about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to where I had to go using public transportation. And that was only one way. There are many small towns and villages throughout Ukraine that do not have easy access, if they have any access at all, to rehabilitation facilities. I think Illichevsk is one of the small cities that is blessed by God because there is a Massage Clinic and Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled children there. The same is true with the small town, Froonza, in Crimea, where there are about 15 special children. The Massage Clinic that is run with the help of MUCH gives hope, both to the children and their mothers.
I think that eight to ten years ago, parents of children with disabilities, either in or near Illichevsk or in Froonza, never thought that in the future they would have so many advantages for their children. I am sure that this is just the beginning of what will happen, thanks to the work of many people who have opened their hearts for the sake of special children in Ukraine.
Until next time,
Ira
Small cities, towns and villages have a different life. Most people who live there know each other well; usually we say, “I know who and how they breathe”. There are a lot of advantages to living in such small places, such as fresh air, comfort about your children playing in the yard, etc. But – in a small community there is no big variety of food products in the shops. To get to a big city it is also a big problem – not everyone in a small place of post-Soviet countries has a car, so people have to use public transportation. If you are sick you can’t choose a hospital or a doctor to go to because in the place where you live there is only one small medical center where you can go to get help. Recently I read in the news that in one of the villages a young man died. He had been waiting for help, for an ambulance for a couple of hours! In the village where he lived, there is not any medical place for people to address for help. If their children are sick, not doctors, but their parents treat them. When I read that news I thought, “How do people with serious disabilities live there?”
In Illichevsk, the Massage Clinic is attended by many children who live, not in the city, but in little towns and villages that are near the city. In these places, there is not medical help for children with disabilities. From my own experience, I know how difficult it is to get to Illichevsk without my own transportation. I live in a town that is situated close to Illichevsk (approximately 15 minutes of driving); my house is not far from the bus stop but it took me about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to where I had to go using public transportation. And that was only one way. There are many small towns and villages throughout Ukraine that do not have easy access, if they have any access at all, to rehabilitation facilities. I think Illichevsk is one of the small cities that is blessed by God because there is a Massage Clinic and Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled children there. The same is true with the small town, Froonza, in Crimea, where there are about 15 special children. The Massage Clinic that is run with the help of MUCH gives hope, both to the children and their mothers.
I think that eight to ten years ago, parents of children with disabilities, either in or near Illichevsk or in Froonza, never thought that in the future they would have so many advantages for their children. I am sure that this is just the beginning of what will happen, thanks to the work of many people who have opened their hearts for the sake of special children in Ukraine.
Until next time,
Ira
Monday, January 24, 2011
Ira's Insights
My best wishes to all in 2011! I am full of hope that God will bless each of us: our countries, our homes, and our ministries. The whole new 2011 year is ahead of us. It is like a clean sheet of paper in front of us. And each of us is an author. In the end of this year, I wish for everybody to see visible results of her or his work.
I pray God will bless MUCH ministries with His blessing in 2011 and I believe that God will bless you much more through these ministries. I heard a saying that in helping people in need we become more sympathetic, sensitive, God-fearing and morally upright.
One of the newest programs that MUCH has started is the Froonza Massage Clinic. This clinic is an unexpected realization of some mothers’ desire to have a local massage clinic for children with Cerebral Palsy. In spite of being situated close to the city of Saki, where there is a big rehabilitation center, not many mothers from Froonza could take their children to Saki for some professional massage help. The initiative of MUCH caused the Froonza Massage Clinic to begin. Of course, God was the designer of it. It was God Who opened hearts of many people: a masseur to work with special children, officials to share a room for massage and many other things.
For today, we have some good, visible results. Ann is the supervisor of the Froonza Massage Clinic. She lives in Froonza and very often communicates with parents whose children attend the clinic. The first result that was obvious for all mothers – children who were hyperactive before the massage became calmer and children who showed some indifference to the life around became more active. Ann says that the lives of all mothers and their children have changed. In the clinic, there is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy, Misha, who is suffering from Cerebral Palsy. He is a very active and lovely boy. Misha can walk but he doesn’t keep balance well when he walks. Massage at the clinic has helped him to have more stability when he walks. Misha’s results are so obvious and good that now his mother can work some hours a day leaving Misha with his grandmother. Misha’s mother hopes that, thanks to massage in Froonza, her child will have some even better results.
A new opportunity and a whole new future for the children in Froonza will help them to have a better self-image in their future, and it will give more comfort to their mothers’ hearts. I thank everybody who makes these children happier, who brings some stability to their families.
Until next time,
Ira
I pray God will bless MUCH ministries with His blessing in 2011 and I believe that God will bless you much more through these ministries. I heard a saying that in helping people in need we become more sympathetic, sensitive, God-fearing and morally upright.
One of the newest programs that MUCH has started is the Froonza Massage Clinic. This clinic is an unexpected realization of some mothers’ desire to have a local massage clinic for children with Cerebral Palsy. In spite of being situated close to the city of Saki, where there is a big rehabilitation center, not many mothers from Froonza could take their children to Saki for some professional massage help. The initiative of MUCH caused the Froonza Massage Clinic to begin. Of course, God was the designer of it. It was God Who opened hearts of many people: a masseur to work with special children, officials to share a room for massage and many other things.
For today, we have some good, visible results. Ann is the supervisor of the Froonza Massage Clinic. She lives in Froonza and very often communicates with parents whose children attend the clinic. The first result that was obvious for all mothers – children who were hyperactive before the massage became calmer and children who showed some indifference to the life around became more active. Ann says that the lives of all mothers and their children have changed. In the clinic, there is a three-and-a-half-year-old boy, Misha, who is suffering from Cerebral Palsy. He is a very active and lovely boy. Misha can walk but he doesn’t keep balance well when he walks. Massage at the clinic has helped him to have more stability when he walks. Misha’s results are so obvious and good that now his mother can work some hours a day leaving Misha with his grandmother. Misha’s mother hopes that, thanks to massage in Froonza, her child will have some even better results.
A new opportunity and a whole new future for the children in Froonza will help them to have a better self-image in their future, and it will give more comfort to their mothers’ hearts. I thank everybody who makes these children happier, who brings some stability to their families.
Until next time,
Ira
Friday, December 17, 2010
Ira's Insight
Before my story, I would like to tell you – Merry Christmas and Happy 2011 Year! May the New Year will be blessing for you and fruitful in what you are doing for God. What is Christmas for many people? Christmas season is always about good wishes, unexpected gifts, biscuits and special feeling of mystery that is reigning in the air. I like Christmas very much and what is connected with this, the most mystery holy day. It is special holy day when both children and adults want their wishes and dreams to come true. Sasha, the girl about whom I wrote in some of my previous Ira’s Insights, has a special dream.
Recently, Mark, Svetlana (Mark’s special friend), and I visited Sasha. In the cold flat, we met Sasha, her aunt and her cousin, a little girl with big blue eyes. Svetlana has a very pleasant personality. In her presence, you always feel comfortable. From the first minutes of our visit, Svetlana and Sasha became good friends. Svetlana brought for Sasha a picture book of biblical stories. There was a real mystery in the air when Sasha opened the book, and Svetlana told her about it. It seemed it was the first time when Sasha held such a wonderful book in her hands. Looking at her, I was overwhelmed. There was something that I couldn’t even describe with words. With a great attention and interest, she was looking through the book and was listening Svetlana’s stories.
Then we spoke about Sasha’s visit to Israel. What she remembered the most were palms in Israel streets and of course nice doctors at the clinic. In a serious way, not as a child, she told Svetlana what doctors said to her mother. She told us a story of her life – most of what was being in hospitals and taking different meds. For me it was touching to hear such a story from the girl who is just seven-years-old.
Suddenly Sasha changed the subject of our conversation – she wanted to speak about Santa Claus (in our culture, it is Grandfather Frost) and what presents he would bring her. Have you ever spoken with a child who wanted such Christmas gifts as pencils, a ruler, erasers and to be able to dance as all children? It is her dream. Sasha shared it with us, kept asking us whether her dream would come true. I am sure everyone who is reading these lines about Sasha wishes her dreams to be reality. I believe that once a miracle will happen in her life, and she will be able to dance as all children.
Until next time,
Ira
Recently, Mark, Svetlana (Mark’s special friend), and I visited Sasha. In the cold flat, we met Sasha, her aunt and her cousin, a little girl with big blue eyes. Svetlana has a very pleasant personality. In her presence, you always feel comfortable. From the first minutes of our visit, Svetlana and Sasha became good friends. Svetlana brought for Sasha a picture book of biblical stories. There was a real mystery in the air when Sasha opened the book, and Svetlana told her about it. It seemed it was the first time when Sasha held such a wonderful book in her hands. Looking at her, I was overwhelmed. There was something that I couldn’t even describe with words. With a great attention and interest, she was looking through the book and was listening Svetlana’s stories.
Then we spoke about Sasha’s visit to Israel. What she remembered the most were palms in Israel streets and of course nice doctors at the clinic. In a serious way, not as a child, she told Svetlana what doctors said to her mother. She told us a story of her life – most of what was being in hospitals and taking different meds. For me it was touching to hear such a story from the girl who is just seven-years-old.
Suddenly Sasha changed the subject of our conversation – she wanted to speak about Santa Claus (in our culture, it is Grandfather Frost) and what presents he would bring her. Have you ever spoken with a child who wanted such Christmas gifts as pencils, a ruler, erasers and to be able to dance as all children? It is her dream. Sasha shared it with us, kept asking us whether her dream would come true. I am sure everyone who is reading these lines about Sasha wishes her dreams to be reality. I believe that once a miracle will happen in her life, and she will be able to dance as all children.
Until next time,
Ira
Ira's Insights
In Ukraine, Harvest or Thanksgiving Day is celebrated only in the churches. Many people out of the church can’t tell you what it means. It’s very sad. God has given us so much to be thanked for and many people even don’t know about this! I have a great hope that those who love God will continue to proclaim His deeds among unbelievers. May this special day be a blessing for each of you, filled with a significant meaning!
For me this year, autumn was special. I am so appreciative to God for His help through MUCH to a 7-year-old Ukrainian girl, Sasha, who is suffering from a rare disorder characterized by multiple joint contractures. And I am very glad that I work for MUCH, helping with translating and could put my little input to this big project.
As you know, MUCH has helped with some finances for Sasha and her mother, Natasha, to go to Israel Clinic for Sasha to be examined. I was one of the first people whom Natasha called when they returned. She was so excited and so thankful to those who helped her daughter to visit the Israel Clinic. It was first clinic where her daughter was examined so attentively by professional and experienced doctors. She handed me a thankful letter and a card made by her daughter to give to those who helped them. She told that she can’t even express with words what she feels. As a mother, she wants to tell a simple motherly “thank you” to everyone for the help with the trip.
For now, many things are not clear for her. She is still corresponding with the doctor from the Israel Clinic about the operations for her daughter--operations on her chest, spinal cord, arms, feet. First operations should be done on her chest and her spinal cord. . Because of the disease, bones of Sasha’s chest and her spinal cord have deformities that cause problems for her breathing. Some doctors at the Israel Clinic think that it is better for Sasha to have operations on her chest and spinal cord when she is ten. But, mother has been told that it is very important for Sasha to have those operations as soon as possible because the situation with her breathing is getting worse. It is vital for her health. As a mother, she is a little nervous about the unclear situation. We spoke much about God’s time, patience and trust to God.
Sometimes it seems to us that our steps are very little in what we do. Too many “but” appears on our way. I think it is a real art to overcome those “but” both physically and mentally. Our prayers, dreams are like traffic lights. When our prayers are answered, it is green light. Sometimes we meet “yellow light.” It’s test for our patience. It is a test how we trust our Heavenly Father. God is sovereign. It happens that we meet “red light” in our life. For some reasons, God doesn’t answer our prayers. We have to trust Him. Only He knows what is good for us in this or that life situation.
I believe that for Sasha and her mother it is “yellow light.” God will answer her prayers in the right time in His wonderful way. She is waiting for answers from doctors very patiently. As a mother, she wants those operations to be done in the nearest future but at the same time, she realizes that it is God who controls this situation. I am thankful to God that now she has comfort in her heart about the operations and pray that God will continue to give her His wisdom.
Until next time,
Ira
For me this year, autumn was special. I am so appreciative to God for His help through MUCH to a 7-year-old Ukrainian girl, Sasha, who is suffering from a rare disorder characterized by multiple joint contractures. And I am very glad that I work for MUCH, helping with translating and could put my little input to this big project.
As you know, MUCH has helped with some finances for Sasha and her mother, Natasha, to go to Israel Clinic for Sasha to be examined. I was one of the first people whom Natasha called when they returned. She was so excited and so thankful to those who helped her daughter to visit the Israel Clinic. It was first clinic where her daughter was examined so attentively by professional and experienced doctors. She handed me a thankful letter and a card made by her daughter to give to those who helped them. She told that she can’t even express with words what she feels. As a mother, she wants to tell a simple motherly “thank you” to everyone for the help with the trip.
For now, many things are not clear for her. She is still corresponding with the doctor from the Israel Clinic about the operations for her daughter--operations on her chest, spinal cord, arms, feet. First operations should be done on her chest and her spinal cord. . Because of the disease, bones of Sasha’s chest and her spinal cord have deformities that cause problems for her breathing. Some doctors at the Israel Clinic think that it is better for Sasha to have operations on her chest and spinal cord when she is ten. But, mother has been told that it is very important for Sasha to have those operations as soon as possible because the situation with her breathing is getting worse. It is vital for her health. As a mother, she is a little nervous about the unclear situation. We spoke much about God’s time, patience and trust to God.
Sometimes it seems to us that our steps are very little in what we do. Too many “but” appears on our way. I think it is a real art to overcome those “but” both physically and mentally. Our prayers, dreams are like traffic lights. When our prayers are answered, it is green light. Sometimes we meet “yellow light.” It’s test for our patience. It is a test how we trust our Heavenly Father. God is sovereign. It happens that we meet “red light” in our life. For some reasons, God doesn’t answer our prayers. We have to trust Him. Only He knows what is good for us in this or that life situation.
I believe that for Sasha and her mother it is “yellow light.” God will answer her prayers in the right time in His wonderful way. She is waiting for answers from doctors very patiently. As a mother, she wants those operations to be done in the nearest future but at the same time, she realizes that it is God who controls this situation. I am thankful to God that now she has comfort in her heart about the operations and pray that God will continue to give her His wisdom.
Until next time,
Ira
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Ira's Insights
In my previous “Ira’s Insights” I wrote about a 7-year-old Ukrainian girl, Sasha, who is suffering from a rare disorder - arthrogryposis. (This congenital disorder is characterized by multiple joint contractures.) MUCH has helped with some money to buy plane tickets to Israel for Sasha’s examination.
Unfortunately, Sasha and her mother couldn’t go there on time because of “Ukrainian reality.” Sometimes it is hard for many people to understand it. I think people of Post-Soviet countries have a good “immune system” to digest our reality, but for others, this life is very unusual when they hear such stories.
Sasha’s mother, Natasha, is a person who tries to do her best for her daughter. Although Sasha receives some money as a disabled child, the government doesn’t provide enough money for her needs. Natasha works very hard to provide for her family. When she received the money for the tickets to Israel from MUCH, she started preparations for her trip. Working every day, she was collecting all information with the help of the Internet and the phone.
She called to the Israeli Embassy in Kiev to ask what documentation she had to bring with her to Kiev to get Israeli visas for her and her daughter. She called them several times to be sure that she would bring the right documents. She was assured that she would be able to finish all of the paper work in one day. Then she contacted with the clinic in Israel for them to give her the date when the doctors would have a council and would examine Sasha. Having gotten the date from the Israeli clinic, she bought tickets. She was happy because she could get the cheapest tickets in Odessa at that time. Natasha even asked them if something happened, could she change the date of her flight without any penalty. Again, she was assured that there were not any problems.
Everything was nice until she went to Kiev. There an unpleasant surprise was waiting for her. In the embassy, she was told that on some documents there were not enough seals. To put seals on the documents she had to return to Odessa again! She realized that she couldn’t finish all of the paper work in one day. Natasha was very upset because several times before she had been told what documents to bring. Nobody from the embassy had told her about those additional seals. She begged some officials in the embassy to understand her situation but they were merciless. It was her first unpleasant experience. When she returned to Odessa to finish the paper work, she called to the Israeli clinic and explained the situation. She was given a new date for her daughter to come to be examined. Natasha went to the airline booking office to change the dates for her flight to Israel. And she was shocked with another unpleasant surprise. This time she had to pay a penalty to change the date of her flight. The penalty for each ticket cost $150. Natasha tried to explain that she had been promised that she wouldn’t pay any penalty if she changed the dates, but again she saw a brick wall of hardheartedness. She was returned $300 less than she had paid. Natasha thought that she wouldn’t have enough money to get any tickets to Israel, but a woman at the airline booking office found two tickets at a much cheaper price than she had bought the first time. Mixed emotions filled the poor woman. She was upset about her failures and was happy to have new tickets.
Having finished my story, I would give a name for it, “A Loving Heart of the Mother”. Natasha has shown her dedication to Sasha, having broken through the red tape.
Finally, she had tickets and all her paper work completed. On October 26, she left for Israel where her daughter was examined the next day. I will tell you the story about her trip to the Israeli clinic in the November Newsletter.
Again, I want to thank everybody who has supported financially the trip to Israel for Sasha and her courageous mother. Your help has shown Natasha that in this world there is not only injustice and hardheartedness, but there are helpful hands ready to reach out with kindness and generosity.
Until next time,
Ira
Unfortunately, Sasha and her mother couldn’t go there on time because of “Ukrainian reality.” Sometimes it is hard for many people to understand it. I think people of Post-Soviet countries have a good “immune system” to digest our reality, but for others, this life is very unusual when they hear such stories.
Sasha’s mother, Natasha, is a person who tries to do her best for her daughter. Although Sasha receives some money as a disabled child, the government doesn’t provide enough money for her needs. Natasha works very hard to provide for her family. When she received the money for the tickets to Israel from MUCH, she started preparations for her trip. Working every day, she was collecting all information with the help of the Internet and the phone.
She called to the Israeli Embassy in Kiev to ask what documentation she had to bring with her to Kiev to get Israeli visas for her and her daughter. She called them several times to be sure that she would bring the right documents. She was assured that she would be able to finish all of the paper work in one day. Then she contacted with the clinic in Israel for them to give her the date when the doctors would have a council and would examine Sasha. Having gotten the date from the Israeli clinic, she bought tickets. She was happy because she could get the cheapest tickets in Odessa at that time. Natasha even asked them if something happened, could she change the date of her flight without any penalty. Again, she was assured that there were not any problems.
Everything was nice until she went to Kiev. There an unpleasant surprise was waiting for her. In the embassy, she was told that on some documents there were not enough seals. To put seals on the documents she had to return to Odessa again! She realized that she couldn’t finish all of the paper work in one day. Natasha was very upset because several times before she had been told what documents to bring. Nobody from the embassy had told her about those additional seals. She begged some officials in the embassy to understand her situation but they were merciless. It was her first unpleasant experience. When she returned to Odessa to finish the paper work, she called to the Israeli clinic and explained the situation. She was given a new date for her daughter to come to be examined. Natasha went to the airline booking office to change the dates for her flight to Israel. And she was shocked with another unpleasant surprise. This time she had to pay a penalty to change the date of her flight. The penalty for each ticket cost $150. Natasha tried to explain that she had been promised that she wouldn’t pay any penalty if she changed the dates, but again she saw a brick wall of hardheartedness. She was returned $300 less than she had paid. Natasha thought that she wouldn’t have enough money to get any tickets to Israel, but a woman at the airline booking office found two tickets at a much cheaper price than she had bought the first time. Mixed emotions filled the poor woman. She was upset about her failures and was happy to have new tickets.
Having finished my story, I would give a name for it, “A Loving Heart of the Mother”. Natasha has shown her dedication to Sasha, having broken through the red tape.
Finally, she had tickets and all her paper work completed. On October 26, she left for Israel where her daughter was examined the next day. I will tell you the story about her trip to the Israeli clinic in the November Newsletter.
Again, I want to thank everybody who has supported financially the trip to Israel for Sasha and her courageous mother. Your help has shown Natasha that in this world there is not only injustice and hardheartedness, but there are helpful hands ready to reach out with kindness and generosity.
Until next time,
Ira
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Ira's Insight
In our life, there are some moments which turn into stories that we collect, remember, and share with our friends. Such moments become very prominent for us and remind us how it is sometimes important to reach out your hand of help to another person in need. One of such stories has happened with me recently. It was a very important moment about which I will remember and would like to share with you.
This is a story about a Ukrainian 7-year-old girl, Sasha, who is suffering from a rare disorder - arthrogryposis. This congenital disorder is characterized by multiple joint contractures. Sasha has one of the most severe cases of this disorder. It impairs her cardiac and respiratory function and causes pain in her chest and back. Physically, Sasha can’t do many things as children of her age. She can’t walk, she can’t manipulate with her hands well, but this little girl can dream. She dreams to be a princess, a bat-woman, an astronaut, and the biggest dream of hers is to be able to go to school as all children of her age.
Sasha has been a patient of MUCH Massage Clinic for a long time. Massage treatment that she has regularly at the clinic helps her to maintain her physical condition but it can’t improve joint alignment. Sasha’s mother has done much investigation about the disorder of her daughter and found out that it is treatable. In our country, doctors are not so experienced in such operations and can’t give any guarantee that the operations on Sasha’s joints will be successful. But, in Israel, there is a special clinic where doctors can help Sasha. It is specialized on such kind of disorder as Sasha has.
The first step for Sasha to be operated on her joints is to go to Israel and have an examination by council of doctors who can determine how many operations she should have. It is enough very expensive for a mother who has a disabled child to save some money to buy tickets to Israel, to pay for the staying at the hotel and the examination of her daughter. Sasha’s mother could borrow only part of the whole sum.
Last week, late in the evening when I was ready to go home, Mark called me and said that MUCH had approved to help Sasha’s mother with the rest of the sum for the trip to Israel. I was really overwhelmed. At once, I made a call to Sasha’s mother and shared this piece of wonderful news. After my words, I didn’t hear anything, just silence and then the mother said: “I don’t have any words to express what I feel now. Your words are a miracle for me because, before your call, I was ready to give up on any hope to collect enough money for the examination of my daughter.”
I think it was Mother Teresa who said: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”
My heart is full of praise to God that He has sent the right people in the right moment to help this little child make a first step toward her better future, and for her mother to see how dreams can become miracles.
Until next time,
Ira
This is a story about a Ukrainian 7-year-old girl, Sasha, who is suffering from a rare disorder - arthrogryposis. This congenital disorder is characterized by multiple joint contractures. Sasha has one of the most severe cases of this disorder. It impairs her cardiac and respiratory function and causes pain in her chest and back. Physically, Sasha can’t do many things as children of her age. She can’t walk, she can’t manipulate with her hands well, but this little girl can dream. She dreams to be a princess, a bat-woman, an astronaut, and the biggest dream of hers is to be able to go to school as all children of her age.
Sasha has been a patient of MUCH Massage Clinic for a long time. Massage treatment that she has regularly at the clinic helps her to maintain her physical condition but it can’t improve joint alignment. Sasha’s mother has done much investigation about the disorder of her daughter and found out that it is treatable. In our country, doctors are not so experienced in such operations and can’t give any guarantee that the operations on Sasha’s joints will be successful. But, in Israel, there is a special clinic where doctors can help Sasha. It is specialized on such kind of disorder as Sasha has.
The first step for Sasha to be operated on her joints is to go to Israel and have an examination by council of doctors who can determine how many operations she should have. It is enough very expensive for a mother who has a disabled child to save some money to buy tickets to Israel, to pay for the staying at the hotel and the examination of her daughter. Sasha’s mother could borrow only part of the whole sum.
Last week, late in the evening when I was ready to go home, Mark called me and said that MUCH had approved to help Sasha’s mother with the rest of the sum for the trip to Israel. I was really overwhelmed. At once, I made a call to Sasha’s mother and shared this piece of wonderful news. After my words, I didn’t hear anything, just silence and then the mother said: “I don’t have any words to express what I feel now. Your words are a miracle for me because, before your call, I was ready to give up on any hope to collect enough money for the examination of my daughter.”
I think it was Mother Teresa who said: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”
My heart is full of praise to God that He has sent the right people in the right moment to help this little child make a first step toward her better future, and for her mother to see how dreams can become miracles.
Until next time,
Ira
Monday, September 6, 2010
Ira's Insight
What fills us with warm memories when we think about our early days? People can think about their warm houses with many toys, big trees in their yards and delicious pies that their mothers or grandmothers baked. And I even heard that in the world there are museums of childhood where both adults and children like to go. When I look back to my childhood I remember my favorite doll, books that I liked to look through and read and the time at my grandmother’s house. A hundred pleasant memories from our childhood can make us happy! We can remember them looking through old pictures or when we come across some things that are dearest to our hearts.
Recently Mark introduced me to something that is not common in our country. It is a colorful quilt that many children in America have from their birth. Mark told me that children carry their "banky" with them until it is in shreds.
That was new for me. I remember my first impression when I saw a stack of bright quilts brought by Mark from America. They were amazing! Bears, flowers and dolls of lively colors can make any person happy! The quilts were donated to Mark’s children in Ukraine by a quilting club in America.
The most pleasant time was when we brought the quilts to the rehabilitation center to give them to children. The director of the center invited the youngest children to her office. We spread some quilts on the floor for each child and let children sit on them. The children were numb, they could only say: "yes, I like it." I think they had never seen such beautiful quilts before. Next time when we came to the center with some quilts, two mothers were waiting for us. I saw how excited they were when they saw the quilts.
I can imagine how much joy those blankets have brought to the children and their parents. One of the mothers told me that her child likes to sit on the blanket and very often in the evening he falls asleep on it.
I am really glad that some children from the center now have bright quilts that can bring them peace and comfort. I am sure that they will remember them all of their lives.
Until next time,
Ira
Recently Mark introduced me to something that is not common in our country. It is a colorful quilt that many children in America have from their birth. Mark told me that children carry their "banky" with them until it is in shreds.
That was new for me. I remember my first impression when I saw a stack of bright quilts brought by Mark from America. They were amazing! Bears, flowers and dolls of lively colors can make any person happy! The quilts were donated to Mark’s children in Ukraine by a quilting club in America.
The most pleasant time was when we brought the quilts to the rehabilitation center to give them to children. The director of the center invited the youngest children to her office. We spread some quilts on the floor for each child and let children sit on them. The children were numb, they could only say: "yes, I like it." I think they had never seen such beautiful quilts before. Next time when we came to the center with some quilts, two mothers were waiting for us. I saw how excited they were when they saw the quilts.
I can imagine how much joy those blankets have brought to the children and their parents. One of the mothers told me that her child likes to sit on the blanket and very often in the evening he falls asleep on it.
I am really glad that some children from the center now have bright quilts that can bring them peace and comfort. I am sure that they will remember them all of their lives.
Until next time,
Ira
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Ira's Insight
This story started in spring of 2010 when a group of young adults from the Baptist Church distributed sports shoes among children from difficult and poor families. I was a driver of that team who were going to special families, meet with parents, tell them about God’s love and give a small present to their child or children – a pair of shoes.
In our trip, we met different families. All of them were big, poor or difficult ones. Each of the families met us also differently. Some mothers were glad to see us and get a present for their children, others – were trying to play games with us and wanted us to give them several pairs of shoes for one child. Of course, we couldn’t do this because, first of all, we didn’t have enough shoes, and the second, we understood that the parents might sell extra shoes to get some money for alcohol. Seeing the conditions of their houses, it was difficult for us to tell the parents “No,” but we had to do that.
In the end of our trip, we came to one of the last addresses that we had on our list. We were met by some children who were playing outside. There were two boys of 4 and 6 years old and two girls of 5 years old. The children were from two different families that lived close to each other. I was stricken when I saw how poorly the children were dressed. It was early spring and it was cold enough outside but some of the children were wearing worn slippers and light jackets. And when I looked at the houses where they lived, my heart was broken completely – it was obvious that their parents were alcoholics.
In one of the houses, there was one window without glass and there was not any heating system. The door was opened, and we could see only the darkness inside. The children met us very delightfully and chattered with us in their childish way. We asked about their parents, but it turned out that their parents were not at home at that time. We spent some time with the children and gave each of them a pair of shoes. It was time for us to leave when we saw a couple with two children walking towards us. One of the girls told us that they were her grandparents and her sisters of three and ten-years old who were coming back from their relative. We were happy to meet them. Both grandparents were drunk but spoke with us very pleasantly. We told them about the purpose of our visit and invited their grandchildren to the Emmaus Club and said that it is special club for children from difficult homes. We told the grandparents that their grandchildren would have a nice hot lunch, and they could learn about God there.
The grandparents promised that they would send their grandchildren to the club. I doubted in my heart because I knew that it would be difficult for the children to go by bus to Illichevsk where the club is, because they lived in the village nearby.
Sometime later, Mark and I visited the Emmaus Club and I saw some new children. Their faces were familiar to me, but I couldn’t remember where I had met them. I asked Zoya, the teacher of the club, about those children and she told me that they were from the village that we had visited with the shoe project. I was pleasantly surprised. Each following time when I visited the Emmaus club, I saw those children full of joy.
In the beginning of July, I had an opportunity to help at the Christian Camp that is run by my church. The oldest girl, Aliona, from that village was at that camp also. It seemed to me that each day of the camp was sunshine for her. There was not any other child who would smile as she did, who was as appreciative as she was. It was a new life for her, a new page of her life that was filled with a new sense. For all children from Emmaus Club, the time at the Christian Camp is always special. They find new friends, they spend a wonderful time there, they learn about God more. Their time at the camp they keep in their memories throughout the year. Aliona is one of these children. Now she knows that there is another life, different from what she sees at her house. In my heart, I have a great hope that this little girl will be a good evangelist at her house that is full of disorder and in their house there will be sunshine instead of darkness….
May God bless those who help such children as Aliona to experience another life. To be sure, you’re help touches their lives and change them for better. (MUCH provides financial support for the food program at Emmaus Club and at the Christian Camp.)
Until next time,
Ira
In our trip, we met different families. All of them were big, poor or difficult ones. Each of the families met us also differently. Some mothers were glad to see us and get a present for their children, others – were trying to play games with us and wanted us to give them several pairs of shoes for one child. Of course, we couldn’t do this because, first of all, we didn’t have enough shoes, and the second, we understood that the parents might sell extra shoes to get some money for alcohol. Seeing the conditions of their houses, it was difficult for us to tell the parents “No,” but we had to do that.
In the end of our trip, we came to one of the last addresses that we had on our list. We were met by some children who were playing outside. There were two boys of 4 and 6 years old and two girls of 5 years old. The children were from two different families that lived close to each other. I was stricken when I saw how poorly the children were dressed. It was early spring and it was cold enough outside but some of the children were wearing worn slippers and light jackets. And when I looked at the houses where they lived, my heart was broken completely – it was obvious that their parents were alcoholics.
In one of the houses, there was one window without glass and there was not any heating system. The door was opened, and we could see only the darkness inside. The children met us very delightfully and chattered with us in their childish way. We asked about their parents, but it turned out that their parents were not at home at that time. We spent some time with the children and gave each of them a pair of shoes. It was time for us to leave when we saw a couple with two children walking towards us. One of the girls told us that they were her grandparents and her sisters of three and ten-years old who were coming back from their relative. We were happy to meet them. Both grandparents were drunk but spoke with us very pleasantly. We told them about the purpose of our visit and invited their grandchildren to the Emmaus Club and said that it is special club for children from difficult homes. We told the grandparents that their grandchildren would have a nice hot lunch, and they could learn about God there.
The grandparents promised that they would send their grandchildren to the club. I doubted in my heart because I knew that it would be difficult for the children to go by bus to Illichevsk where the club is, because they lived in the village nearby.
Sometime later, Mark and I visited the Emmaus Club and I saw some new children. Their faces were familiar to me, but I couldn’t remember where I had met them. I asked Zoya, the teacher of the club, about those children and she told me that they were from the village that we had visited with the shoe project. I was pleasantly surprised. Each following time when I visited the Emmaus club, I saw those children full of joy.
In the beginning of July, I had an opportunity to help at the Christian Camp that is run by my church. The oldest girl, Aliona, from that village was at that camp also. It seemed to me that each day of the camp was sunshine for her. There was not any other child who would smile as she did, who was as appreciative as she was. It was a new life for her, a new page of her life that was filled with a new sense. For all children from Emmaus Club, the time at the Christian Camp is always special. They find new friends, they spend a wonderful time there, they learn about God more. Their time at the camp they keep in their memories throughout the year. Aliona is one of these children. Now she knows that there is another life, different from what she sees at her house. In my heart, I have a great hope that this little girl will be a good evangelist at her house that is full of disorder and in their house there will be sunshine instead of darkness….
May God bless those who help such children as Aliona to experience another life. To be sure, you’re help touches their lives and change them for better. (MUCH provides financial support for the food program at Emmaus Club and at the Christian Camp.)
Until next time,
Ira
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ira's Insight
This time I’d like to continue Mark’s story about the Marganets orphanage and the program that has been provided there for a couple of years. I think that it is one of the unique programs or ministries that MUCH has. This is the Drug and Alcohol program that was started with efforts of Mark Koehler. It was him who had seen the need of the children and invited a wonderful woman, Nadyezhda, from Illichevsk Charismatic Church to visit the children and to give them some lessons.
I had the privilege to translate for Mark when Nadyezhda visited the orphanage. She is a very spiritual Christian who can see needs of others, who can understand you and find the right words of comfort.
The lessons that she gave were a pilot program and had great success. The children listened to her very attentively and asked her different questions. After the lessons they followed her and wanted just to be around her.
Mark’s vision was to find a person in Marganets who would have a special heart for the children. He wanted to teach this person how to give these special lessons to the children.
Today this program is held with the help of local Charismatic Church. Each time when I call to Helen, the woman who gives these lessons to the children of the orphanage, I ask her about the progress that they have with the children. Helen says that the children like to spend time at her lessons. She tries to give them as much attention as she can even after the lesson. She says that the children are special; they need more motherly love, and they are looking for it. Helen says that many of the children whose behavior was awful have become more calm and disciplined. Each time before the lesson, she prays for her little students. She wants God to open their spiritual ears for them to change their lives in the future.
I also have a great hope that this program will give these children some knowledge about God and help them to live a full Christian life in the future. I think that everybody understands the importance of such lessons. It is obvious that this program is a real help for them. Some fruits of the program we can see today but the greatest progress we will see tomorrow. Today we sow seeds of love into the hearts of these poor children and later they will bring forth fruit in their lives. Our task today is to pray for these children to become serious about their lives. I am very appreciative to those who help with prayers and with finances to continue this ministry for these special ones.
Until next time,
Ira
I had the privilege to translate for Mark when Nadyezhda visited the orphanage. She is a very spiritual Christian who can see needs of others, who can understand you and find the right words of comfort.
The lessons that she gave were a pilot program and had great success. The children listened to her very attentively and asked her different questions. After the lessons they followed her and wanted just to be around her.
Mark’s vision was to find a person in Marganets who would have a special heart for the children. He wanted to teach this person how to give these special lessons to the children.
Today this program is held with the help of local Charismatic Church. Each time when I call to Helen, the woman who gives these lessons to the children of the orphanage, I ask her about the progress that they have with the children. Helen says that the children like to spend time at her lessons. She tries to give them as much attention as she can even after the lesson. She says that the children are special; they need more motherly love, and they are looking for it. Helen says that many of the children whose behavior was awful have become more calm and disciplined. Each time before the lesson, she prays for her little students. She wants God to open their spiritual ears for them to change their lives in the future.
I also have a great hope that this program will give these children some knowledge about God and help them to live a full Christian life in the future. I think that everybody understands the importance of such lessons. It is obvious that this program is a real help for them. Some fruits of the program we can see today but the greatest progress we will see tomorrow. Today we sow seeds of love into the hearts of these poor children and later they will bring forth fruit in their lives. Our task today is to pray for these children to become serious about their lives. I am very appreciative to those who help with prayers and with finances to continue this ministry for these special ones.
Until next time,
Ira
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Ira's Insight
Summer is coming and it means that soon we will enjoy another of God’s seasons – warm, sunny, with scents of fields’ flowers, fresh fruits, and many other pleasures. For children, I think, it is a very special time when they have their vacations and can spend much more time outside.
As you know, the mission of MUCH is to help children in need. They have many groups whom they serve. For 8 years this mission has been helping children from Emmaus Club with food, equipment, materials and other things. All help comes to these children from individuals through MUCH. I am very thankful to each who serves the children from difficult homes. It doesn’t matter how big your financial gift is, be sure that it will help the children to feel love and care. Even in summer these children can see God’s love for them. Each summer children from Emmaus Club spend their time in the Christian children’s camp that is run by the local Baptist church. For several years MUCH has sponsored the Emmaus children to attend the camp. It is a great assistance for the Baptist church because in the camp the biggest number of children is from orphanages and of course from the Emmaus Club.
These two categories are children who need not only to be fed, but also need love and friendship that they can find at that camp. For many of them the camp is a good shelter from different dangers that they are surrounded by in this cruel world. Usually from the camp, children return to their negative environment bringing positive emotions to their orphanages or to their families. I know some of these children who maintain these emotions and experiences throughout the whole year.
Looking at these children and knowing their lives, I am very appreciative to those who help MUCH support the children even during summer time. I can say that the generosity of MUCH is a great example for Ukrainian people. Because it is not important how rich you are financially but it is more important to be rich in humanity.
Please, be looking forward to hearing some stories about the July camp in the August Ira’s insights.
Until next time,
Ira
As you know, the mission of MUCH is to help children in need. They have many groups whom they serve. For 8 years this mission has been helping children from Emmaus Club with food, equipment, materials and other things. All help comes to these children from individuals through MUCH. I am very thankful to each who serves the children from difficult homes. It doesn’t matter how big your financial gift is, be sure that it will help the children to feel love and care. Even in summer these children can see God’s love for them. Each summer children from Emmaus Club spend their time in the Christian children’s camp that is run by the local Baptist church. For several years MUCH has sponsored the Emmaus children to attend the camp. It is a great assistance for the Baptist church because in the camp the biggest number of children is from orphanages and of course from the Emmaus Club.
These two categories are children who need not only to be fed, but also need love and friendship that they can find at that camp. For many of them the camp is a good shelter from different dangers that they are surrounded by in this cruel world. Usually from the camp, children return to their negative environment bringing positive emotions to their orphanages or to their families. I know some of these children who maintain these emotions and experiences throughout the whole year.
Looking at these children and knowing their lives, I am very appreciative to those who help MUCH support the children even during summer time. I can say that the generosity of MUCH is a great example for Ukrainian people. Because it is not important how rich you are financially but it is more important to be rich in humanity.
Please, be looking forward to hearing some stories about the July camp in the August Ira’s insights.
Until next time,
Ira
Ira’s Insight
Each little patient of MUCH has his or her unique story and each of them is special. I like to write about these children because your efforts produce great results in them. Praise God! The produced results can be different: it can be visual when we see a disabled child walking or invisible when parents and their children are encouraged by our care. The clinic, masseuses, our help to individuals, and the rehabilitation center in Illichevsk - these are life for children in need and their families! I am thankful to God for those who have been putting their input to “build this life for the children”. Personally I am proud to be a part of it. A bit of financial help or a prayer can change the life of a child, can give him hope.
I believe I have already written about Roman N. I don’t know why, but this time God has given me the desire to write about him and tell you what has changed in his life.
Let me remind you about his story. Roman is a child with cerebral palsy who was called a vegetable by doctors when he was born. He had several operations on his spinal cord and feet. None of the doctors could even think that this child would be more clever than other children of his age. When he was almost two years old, he could recite long poems by heart. Roman is growing up in a big family. He has two sisters and a younger brother. His mother has been taking all her efforts to help Roman to walk.
I remember Roman was several months old when I saw his mother at the church first time after Roman had been born. Before, she had been at the hospital with Roman where he had several operations. I came up to her to encourage her and tell her about the clinic of MUCH where the children with the similar problems had benefit from massage and exercises. I didn’t know how to start to speak to her because it was difficult to sow a seed of hope in the heart of the mother who didn’t see any future for her child as the doctors had told her. Since that time Roman has been a patient of the clinic. He is a very sociable. Today he walks with the help of his mother or holding on to a bench. No doctor can predict whether he will walk by himself or not. In spite of doctors’ prediction, Roman’s parents believe that the future of their child will be much better than doctors say. They believe that one day their child will be able to make steps.
Roman’s family is only one example of hope that MUCH gives. I know that there are many more families whom MUCH has helped, has encouraged. With what can we compare this great feeling of satisfaction, knowing that our little help can produce a great faith in the hearts of discouraged people for better future of their children? I pray that God continue to bless MUCH to give confidence to such families as Roman’s, to sow a little seed of hope for their future.
Until next time,
Ira
I believe I have already written about Roman N. I don’t know why, but this time God has given me the desire to write about him and tell you what has changed in his life.
Let me remind you about his story. Roman is a child with cerebral palsy who was called a vegetable by doctors when he was born. He had several operations on his spinal cord and feet. None of the doctors could even think that this child would be more clever than other children of his age. When he was almost two years old, he could recite long poems by heart. Roman is growing up in a big family. He has two sisters and a younger brother. His mother has been taking all her efforts to help Roman to walk.
I remember Roman was several months old when I saw his mother at the church first time after Roman had been born. Before, she had been at the hospital with Roman where he had several operations. I came up to her to encourage her and tell her about the clinic of MUCH where the children with the similar problems had benefit from massage and exercises. I didn’t know how to start to speak to her because it was difficult to sow a seed of hope in the heart of the mother who didn’t see any future for her child as the doctors had told her. Since that time Roman has been a patient of the clinic. He is a very sociable. Today he walks with the help of his mother or holding on to a bench. No doctor can predict whether he will walk by himself or not. In spite of doctors’ prediction, Roman’s parents believe that the future of their child will be much better than doctors say. They believe that one day their child will be able to make steps.
Roman’s family is only one example of hope that MUCH gives. I know that there are many more families whom MUCH has helped, has encouraged. With what can we compare this great feeling of satisfaction, knowing that our little help can produce a great faith in the hearts of discouraged people for better future of their children? I pray that God continue to bless MUCH to give confidence to such families as Roman’s, to sow a little seed of hope for their future.
Until next time,
Ira
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Ira’s Insight
What can touch people’s hearts? Sometimes, it is amazing or shocking pictures, news, or video that we see on TV. Our life is full of such things. I remember that once I was shocked by a picture of dying African girl. But the information about the photographer who took picture of it was more shocking. He didn’t care about that girl; he just took a picture of her and left that place. Later, that photographer committed suicide because he just couldn’t live with the fact that he hadn’t helped her. The picture of the girl and the end of the life of the photographer are still alive in my memory.
Since I saw the picture it has been reminding me about many people, especially children who are in need. Many people live in “a box”. Sometimes we don’t know what happens to our neighbors or people close to us. It happens that we say: “Oh, I am sorry to hear that, I would have helped him if I had known.” I could say that I had lived in such a box before I started to work with MUCH. I hadn’t been aware that in Illichevsk there were so many children in need. It had seemed to me that such people had been far from my city; they had lived somewhere, but not close to me. I am really happy that it has changed and now my heart is ready to do my best for those who need help.
The girl about who I would like to tell you could break your heart if you saw her. All her life she has been suffering from some kind of severe palsy. Her lower and upper extremities are deformed. The girl can’t walk. She can just crawl because of the deformation of her feet. Also she has problems with breathing (her lungs). Her chest is concave. She has been suffering all her life. She is just 7 years old. The relief that she gets is just massage treatment. It helps her to breathe better for some time.
She is one whose smile is in my memory. This girl is very intelligent and in spite of her severe disability, she has never been unsatisfied. I would like to help her with something. I have begun to pray for this small girl whose life can be changed. I hope this letter will reach hearts of those who are not indifferent to the life of Sasha. There is some good news for her – she can be operated on. It means that the deformation of her chest, problems with her hands, elbows, and feet can be corrected. But the problem is that it is a very expensive process. Please pray for Sasha.
Until next time,
Ira
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ira's Insights (February 2010)
More than three years ago Nastya G. became a patient of MUCH clinic. At that time she was three-and-a-half years old. Because of Cerebral palsy she couldn’t walk by herself. She walked on her tip-toes holding on her mother’s hand. She had much spasticity in her lower and upper extremities. The girl manipulated with her hands very badly. It was difficult for her to hold a ball or to hold a pencil to draw.
Time has passed and today she is a real beautiful young girl with big brown eyes and nice smile who can walk by herself. Nastya is a student of the first grade at the special school for children with mental and physical disabilities. She is a clever girl who studies well. She likes to draw; she likes to play with play-dough, a ball and the most of all she likes to walk.
Nastya’s mother wants her daughter to enter another school this year. That school is a regular secondary school that is situated very close to the place where they live. Nastya’s mother thinks that it will be easier for her daughter to go to the school that is close to her house. The current school is like a preparation for Nastya for the first grade of a secondary school.
Yes, the mother can choose a school for her daughter for one big reason – her daughter can walk by herself. To walk is a great privilege for any child with Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. A great input has been done by MUCH organization for Nastya to walk today. Nastya’s ability to play started with MUCH.
Nastya’s achievements are rewards for many people – her mother, masseuses and of course people who send their finances to help such as Nastya. For me Nastya is an obvious example of how God works through our hearts, how He changes not only lives of such children as Nastya but also changes hearts of adults.
Until next time,
Ira
Time has passed and today she is a real beautiful young girl with big brown eyes and nice smile who can walk by herself. Nastya is a student of the first grade at the special school for children with mental and physical disabilities. She is a clever girl who studies well. She likes to draw; she likes to play with play-dough, a ball and the most of all she likes to walk.
Nastya’s mother wants her daughter to enter another school this year. That school is a regular secondary school that is situated very close to the place where they live. Nastya’s mother thinks that it will be easier for her daughter to go to the school that is close to her house. The current school is like a preparation for Nastya for the first grade of a secondary school.
Yes, the mother can choose a school for her daughter for one big reason – her daughter can walk by herself. To walk is a great privilege for any child with Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. A great input has been done by MUCH organization for Nastya to walk today. Nastya’s ability to play started with MUCH.
Nastya’s achievements are rewards for many people – her mother, masseuses and of course people who send their finances to help such as Nastya. For me Nastya is an obvious example of how God works through our hearts, how He changes not only lives of such children as Nastya but also changes hearts of adults.
Until next time,
Ira
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Ira's Insights (January 2010)
Stories That Touch Your Heart
How often are you overwhelmed in your life? What can stop you from thinking about yourself, but cause you to think about others? All people have vital needs – they want to eat, drink, and they want to be happy. But I am sure that in your life you have met special people who want to be as “everyone else is.” Their needs are special. They want to be healthy and do what other people do without any limitations.
Last week Mark and I visited one family where there is a special girl. Her name is Sasha L. She will be 5 years old in the end of January. She is the second child in her family. When she was born, no doctor told her mother that this child had some problems. On the contrary, they assured her mother that everything was well with Sasha. The mother saw some strange things in the physical development of her daughter and she addressed the doctors not only one time, but they didn’t see any serious problems. In spite of the assurances of the doctors, Sasha’s mother continued to show her child to doctors. When Sasha was 2 years old, the doctors had to acknowledge that this girl had the special disease that is called Cerebral Palsy. In her second year, she couldn’t walk and jump as children of her age. At that time Sasha’s mother learned about the massage clinic of MUCH, and she joined it. Also they started to visit “Gold Angel” – the rehabilitation center in Odessa. It was the beginning of a new life for Sasha’s family. They knew with what they had to fight. In her small cozy flat where her family lives, there is some nice equipment for Sasha’s physical rehabilitation that her father made with his own hands.
Sasha has had much progress since she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Today this girl is “a ball of fire”. She likes to dance, do crafts, learn poems, and walk. Although her balance is still developing, every new step is a great joy for her mother. Looking at this girl and her mother, I was overwhelmed with the progress that this girl has, with her desire to move forward to have better results.
Each little bit of progress, her new steps, are a great gratitude to those who support the massage clinic for such children as Sasha. I am sure that Sasha will have a nice future because in my city there is a massage clinic from MUCH!
Until next time,
Ira
Thursday, October 29, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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
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
Sunday, July 26, 2009
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
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
Friday, July 3, 2009
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
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
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