June Newsletter 2012

Hello family and friends,

It was in the upper 50's F yesterday, but summer is right around the corner. School is almost finished here in Illichevsk, and the children will be running to the beach. Ice cream stands will be rolled out to the sidewalks, and life will appear happy for all. As I walk through the streets of Illichevsk, I am thankful that I was called to live and work in this clean city. Sveta's and my one-bedroom apartment meets our needs and is our home sweet home. We treasure it as we journey home from our fourteen-hour train and bus trips visiting the children in Dobromel, Marganets,  and Froonza.

Continuing our look at how we spend our funds, I will share two general areas: education and healthcare. Why is MUCH interested in Education? Everyone knows that education provides the building blocks for functioning in life. It shows us the road to a brighter future. Here in Ukraine, we are looking at two very specific problems: poverty and alcohol abuse. Our goal is to break the cycle of poverty. We believe that alcoholism is a direct result of poverty, although alcoholism has additional roots. We look at the family structure and see that children from poor families have little motivation and almost no encouragement to live a better life.

V. is hungry for a better life

Five years ago, we began the Transportation Scholarship Program with two high school graduates. As you saw in the January newsletter, one of the two graduated. The second dropped out of our program and disappeared. Over the years, three or four more students from very difficult homes were encouraged to go to college. Only one had the motivation to go. Currently, we know of two in college who are in need of help, and more who will graduate high school in the coming years. We have the opportunity to help Illichevsk break the cycle of poverty one child at a time. Currently, we have one student, V, who is in the nursing program at the medical college. The cost for one student to travel to Odessa and back (there is no dormitory system similar to the US) is about $42 a month, the cost of one taxi ride in some US cities. Currently, MUCH does not have the funds needed to help more than one student, but they are waiting.

J. begins vocal training.

 At the Marganets orphanage, we support in a small way the Computer and the Music and Dance classes. The administration sees big results occurring in the children because of these two programs. MUCH sees the same results, but why are we convinced that the programs are of value for our support. We understand that music is a central focus in the lives of children and teens all over the world. More importantly, we look at the effects on the brain. Music stimulates the brain and is documented in many studies to have multiple effects on the body and mind. More information about music and its benefits can be found on the internet or in libraries. 

J. is vocalist for the dance team.

Dance also has multiple values. It provides exercise, improves balance, flexibility, fluid movement, organized thought, team interaction, and more. Learning computer skills provides the obvious preparation for the work world and social media, but our focus is that it teaches the children to think using logic. Using the computer is an activity that requires the developing use of logic. We support these programs with a small contribution of $25 a month. It began as an incentive to the teachers to teach new programs. The manager recently gave us a wish list, which included $250 a year to buy material to make costumes and buy dance shoes, and $125 a year to buy new library books. Currently, MUCH does not have the funds to provide these materials.  Watch J perform in national competition

Sisters struggle together.

The second focus is healthcare. We are concentrating on two types of help. The newest type provides funds for medical treatment of children in a village transition home. This is a small contribution, $37.50 per child for a hospital or Emergency Medical Service visit. To refill their medical box with total contents costs $62.50. This facility is only large enough to house 11 children. Since we began helping these children about five months ago, we provided all of the supplies for the medical box, which was empty. We helped two children recently, one needing an appendectomy and the second in need of an EMS visit because of her heart. This is a small program, but these children are very much in need of a program that can provide funds for medical treatment. We have a Ukrainian sponsor who is giving toward this need.

 

The second type of healthcare is our medical massage program. We have been providing massage treatment for children with disabilities for eight years. One massage currently costs $2.85. We manage five massage programs in three cities and one village. Twenty-one massage treatments are provided each day, costing $59.85, less, I believe, than the cost of one medical massage in America. Each month, we spend $1,197 on our massage program. There is NO overhead! The massage rooms that we use in each program are free to MUCH. The parents bring their own sheet and towel for their child, and the masseuses provide their own massage oils, if they use them in their style of treatment.

After receiving massage for my own minor disability, we began our massage program in 2004 with enough funds to give three children massage each day for a twenty-day treatment program. Our results have been very good since the beginning, and we have grown over the years. In Illichevsk, we have two programs totaling 12 children a day. In the village of Froonza, we provide four children massage each day. At the orphanage in Dobromel, we began a program in January for (4) children a day. When Sveta and I were there in April, the director was so excited about the results that he

A. battles Downs Syndrom with massage.

and his staff were seeing

in the children, that he wants to have a second masseuse to treat an additional four children. At the orphanage in Marganets, the manager is very pleased with the results that the doctor and her nurse are seeing. We discussed having a masseuse from the city community come and work with the children. This is another opportunity for us to expand our massage program.

In all of our massage programs, we are treating a  maximum of 252 children a year. So, how many children with disabilities are within our radar? There are about 600 children in the three cities and one village who have disabilities that could benefit from massage. MUCH is limited in providing more services by a lack of funding. In the ten years that I have lived in Ukraine, MUCH has initiated new programs and caused them to grow. We want to continue to meet the needs of more children, but we want to see growth come along slowly but surely, as we have during this last decade. In order to grow, we must see new sponsorship.

Sveta's Journey

Welcome to Dobromel, Mark!

We visited the Dobromel Orphanage at the time when many of the children who have family were going home for a short holiday. As we traveled toward the  orphanage/boarding school, my heart began to sing a joyful song. After being away from my new little friends for six months, I wanted very much to see them again. Our visit with the children brought great joy to them. When we arrived, they came running to us, with hugs and kisses for us, asking, "Will you'll be giving us a massage?" I replied, "We've come to visit you, to see how you are doing." All the children were eager to receive massage. The week that we lived across from the boarding school, they asked me each day to give them a massage.

Natasha, the masseuse, is educated in Sports Medicine. She gives massage and children receive exercise training directly related to the focus of the massage. When these are combined, the results are very effective. One therapist cannot give massage to a large number of children. At this orphanage/ boarding school, virtually all children need massage.

We spoke with Lydia, the manager, and she enthusiastically talked about the great results that she saw in the children during the first four months of the program. The program of massage in this boarding school started working in January 2012, and even in such a short period, all of the teachers and educators have noticed the physical and psycho-emotional changes in children for the better. Hyperactive children were less excited and more relaxed, more attentive in class, and some even improved handwriting and posture.

The director, manager, Mark, and I are very pleased that the children have a wonderful opportunity to get a massage. The director has a vision to provide progress reports on the results of the massage program for Government authorities to obtain official permission to add a position for massage in the budget of the boarding school.

 

We brought pictures of children who were photographed in October during our past visit. They love to be photographed, so this time we took many pictures of them and they will be looking forward to our next visit when they will receive new pictures.

During this wonderful time spent with children, God gave me new eyes to see the children. My heart ached as tears fell from my eyes, such pain as if they were my own children. I do not know why God allows me to see, filled with compassion, the children's hearts. Of course, I pray for them. While we are visiting them, I can hug them and give them my love. I ask myself this question: "What more can I do for the children; I only spend time with them twice a year?" Familiarity with these children helps me to see their needs and guides me how to pray for them. They are in your hearts and mine, and I know that these children are in the heart of God.

Thanks for your help! O.

 O has a very sweet personality. You can see the smile on his face and the joy in his eyes. O has scoliosis and a deformity of his chest. Without massage and exercise treatment, his condition may become a more serious problem. In the February newsletter, you read about E, and saw the picture of his severe scoliosis and deformed chest. It is possible that without treatment, O could go in the same direction. MUCH is taking the time and making the effort to improve O's life. Please help us to guide his health in a progressive direction.

 M, a young girl, two years ago received an extensive burn on her back, abdomen, and parts of the upper arms. Together with other children, she ignited a fire to bake a potato, the fire burned low and the girl decided to pour

Massage helps me so much!

 gasoline on the fire. Splashes of gasoline fell on her sweater, and it began to burn. M was scared, but her younger brother quickly realized that it was necessary to remove her sweater and he removed the burning sweater. Then, when she was brought to the hospital, the doctor said that it was very good that they removed the sweater; if it were not so, he would have had to remove the sweater with the skin. The girl showed us her post-burn scars. All the back and stomach wounds healed solid brown. After several days of massaging the skin, it became softer and more elastic. She is also in need for corrective surgery. M really likes when she receives massage. It also has very positive emotional effect for her.

Where else may all these children receive massage and the results of restoration of mental, emotional, and physical health? My prayer to Almighty God is for healing of mind, body, and soul for these children, for God's mercy and salvation of their souls.

Many thanks to all of you that you keep praying for our MUCH children and financially supporting the work of all of our masseuses. God bless you!

Living my dream,

 

Sveta

We want to share more about the children at the Dobromel orphanage with you in the July Newsletter. Until then, please keep the children and us in your prayers. Thank you for reading! 

Blessings of love and healing,

Mark and Sveta

MUCH April 2012 Newletter

Hello family and friends,

Sveta and I wish each of you good health and happiness as we begin to see the fruits of springtime. We have recently returned from a two-week journey visiting friends and MUCH children. Our first stop was in a village outside of Poltava, a twelve-hour train ride. It was very cold there for this time of year. We visited three families and I spoke at a church service. I see possibilities for a massage program for children in the surrounding villages. Our second destination was Marganets, where we would visit the two orphanage/boarding schools and the Transition Home that we sponsor. To get from Poltava to Marganets, we had to take a four hour bus to Dnepropetrovsk (say that one five times fast) and a two hour bus to Marganets. I learn more about Ukraine each time that I travel. I see more cities and villages, and better understand the people and their plight.

Six days and seven nights of our second leg of our journey brought smiles to the children in Marganets. The orphanage is going strong in the development of new uses of their computer room and music and dance training and competition. Although, most of the children were away on spring break, the fifty-some children with no family were at the orphanage. Sveta and I connected with a handful of children who wanted to talk and become friends with us. Some of the children were those who talked with Sveta by phone the last time that I was there.

The best news that we received came from the manager of the orphanage. She told us that she has seen a very big result because of the new clothes that the children have received over the years. In the past, children would go into town, wanting to interact with the local children. Their clothing and general appearance was very poor, therefore the children of Marganets families treated the orphans very badly. They would fight with them, sending them back to the orphanage with broken noses and black eyes. Now, the orphans blend in with the other children of Marganets and there are no more incidents as there were in the past. The local children have a new respect for the children from the orphanage.

Since my youth, I have always enjoyed working with wood. Andre, the art, computer, and woodworking teacher, captured my interest in his work from my first visit. Since that time, I have seen more of the work that the children have produced under his tutelage, as you can see to the right. They have entered their work in competitions and contests throughout the region. As time went on, other materials were provided to develop new skills. The newest learning task is weaving with straw, as you can see in the picture (above) on the far right. This is one more craft item that they can sell in the city centers in the future.

The role of the Transition Home initially was to provide a ninety-day orientation to living in a larger group setting before being sent to an orphanage. When we visited the Transition Home, we learned that it had become a Center for Children, with twenty children living there, and ten children coming for the day and then returning home at night. The goals are to: 1) help parents in jeopardy of neglecting their children by removing the children from the home environment for the day, giving the parents an opportunity to organize their lives. 2) keep children from entering the orphanages and give the director time to find good foster homes where the children can be nurtured and develop in a number of ways for nine months instead of ninety days. There are now two psychologists on staff and they have a special room to interact in with the children. The vision for this room was three years in the making.

The second orphanage, which helps only local children in Marganets, was without children when we visited, again because of spring break. The director met with us and shared all that is happening there. He showed us pictures of him harvesting the honey last year, the result of our first project of providing three bee families at this orphanage. The children were administered honey and herbs the same as in the other orphanage, and proceeded through the cold and flu season without having to quarantine the orphanage. After, he took us outside to show us the 60 plus fruit trees that the children planted last year.

A six-hour train to Sevastopol and an hour and a half electric train to Saki left us off within walking distance of the home where we would attend church that Sunday. Nellya, who translated for me in the past, lives there with her mother. We visited for tea, wanting to have time for Sveta to have some conversation and get a feel for the community. Before we could leave, Anya and Andre arrived to pick us up. We would be staying at their home in Froonza and they happened to be in Saki at that time.

Sveta’s Journey

Our two-week trip for me was very impressive. I learned and saw very many good things in the boarding schools, massage rooms, and in the families. I am glad so many people give their love for children. When we visited the orphanage, leaders expressed their gratitude to Mark and all the people who provide financial and material assistance for children.

 The director of the orphanage recalled how MUCH sponsorship began at this boarding school for special children. That was 10 years ago. The children had old ugly clothes, and they were very different from children who live in families. This always led to conflicts between these different children: fights and broken noses, but the most important thing is that children felt marginalized, handicapped in the society, they were not accepted by their society peers, who had good clothes.

Now, says the director, the situation has changed due to sponsorship. Children from the orphanage have a good variety of clothing that does not distinguish them from children living in homes; they have confidence in themselves, developing aesthetic tastes, and make friends among the children who live in nearby houses in families. These are the results of MUCH investments and work.

In the orphanage, a lot of attention is paid to developing children's talents: dancing, singing, crafts, and wood carving. We observed a lesson in woodcarving. The boys are interested, they are working with enthusiasm under the leadership of their teacher, and what they learn here can be useful for their future.

In Marganets, we had a great meeting with Tatiana and her husband, Vladimir. Five years ago, they took two children, Ivan and Antonina into their family. Ivan is holding Antonia’s picture. The little boy is Tatiana and Vladimir’s grandson. Kelly, a young woman visiting from America, noticed Ivan and Antonina in the transition home, and her heart was very worried about the future of these children. Thus, Kelly was the driving force for this Ukrainian family to carry out this good work.

During the first Christmas holiday, Tatiana and Vladimir’s very large family visited their home. When Ivan and Antonina saw all of these people, they hid in their room. They anticipated that this holiday experience would resemble those of their past, with much drinking and fighting. Living in a Christian home was a very different and new experience for them. It was their first of many loving holiday adventures.

When Antonina came to live with Tatiana and Vladimir, she was the age for 8th grade, but had only completed 2nd grade. With very much help from Tatiana, a previous teacher, she has caught up with the curriculum, graduated school, and now she studies at the medical school. Ivan continues to go to school. With this family, these children will have a bright future. When God works through different people, connecting them, He ends up with a wonderful result, as in this case. Two children, many years behind in their education are brought into a loving family where they receive love, guidance, care and training for a wonderful future.

When Mark and I were in the village of Froonza, Crimea, we visited the massage program that Mark initiated two years ago, and met with parents of children who are receiving massage. They are very grateful for this wonderful opportunity for their disabled children to have massage from a qualified massage therapist. Parents talked with admiration about the results they actually see, the physical improvements in their children. I understand the need for a massage program for children of this village. Thank you, MUCH, for sponsoring this program.

We recently received a report from our masseuse and a photo of Mi, a girl in Dobromel. The girl has already received two courses of 20-day massage. She has very visible results in her physical and psycho-emotional condition. I know this girl and see how her eyes have changed, from empty and sad to tranquil and happy. (Please compare this photo to the photo in the March newsletter). Our massage therapist writes that Mi has become more confident and stable in her emotions. In late April, Mark and I will go to this orphanage and we will see the children. We very much miss them!

During this trip, my eyes have been opened more to understand Mark’s work. He is like a bridge between people and organizations. I see the great results from the sponsors of MUCH and Mark’s efforts! This brings me inspiration, and I am very glad that I joined the team and can give a piece of myself for this good deed of charity.

Living my dream,
Sveta

We have more stories to tell! I am working on a better way to share our stories, but if you have some ideas, please let me know. Help me understand the images that you perceive from my stories. We are touching many lives of children in need. If you could see, first-hand, as Sveta did, and as my brother and his wife did, I think that my newsletters would be more inspiring. What would you like to know about the children? But be careful! Their stories may break your hearts. Write to me at muchhope1@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you. Early in April, Sveta and I will be in Dobromel to visit the children at the orphanage and see the progress of the massage program. Please continue to pray for these children as their lives are taking on new meaning.

I wish for all of you who will celebrate a holy day this month, that you may be showered with blessings.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Sveta

MUCH March 2012 Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

It is Leap Year! We on the MUCH team will be leaping with joy, praying for a year of many improvements, new sponsors, and new doors of ministry opening for the children. When I moved to Ukraine ten years ago, my world became much bigger. I had become a traveler, finding that there are children everywhere that I go who are in need of help. In the June Newsletter, I wrote about a missionary couple in Nikolayev, Sveta’s hometown, and a short-term mission team from Florida who was interested in helping children in the orphanages.

It seemed that the doors had closed, although another meeting with Dan and Mary Ellen, the missionary couple, blossomed into another possibility. They told us about a Pastor who was ministering to the needs of a small (ten beds) transition home west of Nikolayev in the village of Berizanka. In December, the Pastor, his wife and daughter, a translator, Sveta and I, visited Berizanka. We met the children and the Director. The Pastor’s team told the Christmas story, sang songs with the children, and I talked with the children. Afterwards, I had an impromptu meeting with the Director and learned the awful truths about these children and the children of the village. I was told that there are 100 children who need to be removed from their homes and processed to the orphanages through this little transition home.

When a child enters the government system, on the way to an orphanage, or enters life in an orphanage, he or she becomes a non-person. In this case, the transition home receives very little financial help. When Sveta and I were there, they had no medical supplies at all. Many times the children are taken from lice infected homes, or are removed from their homes because of neglect or abuse. The transition home needs medical supplies for these situations and for daily child-care. I have shared this new potential ministry with my board of directors, but in the interim, Sveta and I acted on this immediate need from our own pockets, providing $63 for the basic medical supplies, which covers a variety of items.

The next problem occurs when the children need to go to the hospital. They are non-persons, so they must pay money to be seen and treated. That cost is $38. Now, the medical system is supposed to be free, a government run socialist-type system. However, we are talking about a post-Soviet emerging country that, after twenty years of freedom, is still learning how to treat its people with respect and value. Sveta’s and my desire is to create a savings account within our ministry for these children’s needs for hospital visits and for keeping the first aid medical box full.

Sveta’s Journey
The last time, Mark wrote about a girl who will now be a new patient of our masseuse. Mark was very unhappy to hear of the core poor performance of doctors who have caused injury to this child at birth by their careless actions.

This child, Ya, has wonderful loving parents, and she could have been a wonderful healthy baby. Now, the situation is that the child needs constant care and concern because she is disabled. This child cannot sit, cannot stand, and, of course, cannot walk. She cannot hold her head upright long (literally, she holds her head for 2-3 seconds and then her head falls to her chest). In order to alleviate the plight of this child, a special chair and stroller are required.

Parents give a lot of time to this child: mother and daughter go to a sanatorium in another city, medication is needed, various procedures are necessary, they visit the Center for Children with Disabilities, and she receives a twenty-day massage.

Now, Ya receives a twenty-day-massage with our highly qualified massage therapist. Dr. Natalia has two goals at this time: one is to relax the muscles that are in a very elevated tone in order to reduce the frequently occurring spastic reaction, and the other goal is for the child to be able to hold her head upright for longer periods. Even these small results will be a big help for the child. We must trust in God; only He can perform a miracle for this child.

A girl, whom we will refer to as Mi, is 9 years old and lives in an orphanage/boarding school in the city of Dobromel. She has scoliosis of the upper spine. In addition to scoliosis, Mi is mentally challenged. Mi comes from a family of six children; one of the children died during childbirth. Her family lives in poor physical condition that adversely affects the parents and children, respectively.
In such families, the parents usually do not pay attention to the emotional and physical conditions of children; there is no interaction between the parents and the children. The main task of parents is to feed and clothe their children. They are not interested in the inner world of the child; the child does not feel the love and emotional support that he or she needs to grow and flourish.

Mi often complained of pain in her spine, although, after the twenty-day massage, her condition has improved significantly. Her back pain disappeared, and her psycho-emotional condition improved.

We will refer to this girl as Da. This 12-year-old is also in the orphanage/boarding school. Da also is mentally challenged. She received a twenty-day-massage. Upon completion of the massage, the girl surprised the therapist with her reaction. She was a little aggressive, crying, and asked to continue to give her a massage. (Any negative behavior is a cry for help.) A few days later, the therapist understood the reason for this extraordinary behavior. All the time that Da was getting a massage, she also experienced much attention, care, and human touch. She probably never before in her life experienced so many manifestations of attention to her person. The girl wanted to continue.

Massage is a great help for the children who are in the orphanage/boarding schools, help on a physical level and also in assisting the psycho-emotional level.

I believe that after reading this letter, you will see the great need for massage in many children. I'm expanding the boundaries of my knowledge of massage and am more and more amazed at how great the beneficial effects of massage are on the human body.

Thank you that you are supporting these children expressing your love for them in practice (in your prayers and financial support). What is the most important thing in the world? I think you all know the answer - love. Love is more important than anything.

Grace to you and peace and love be multiplied (Jude 1:2).

Living my dream,
Sveta

As we march into spring, we look to God to open the hearts of our readers to seek His direction in sharing His provisions. The children of Ukraine can be a liability, or, with some help, they can be an asset for their community, region, or even their country. MUCH continues to walk through the doors that are opened before us. Won’t you join us in this great adventure? Thank you for reading. Please continue to pray for our children.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Sveta

MUCH February 2012 Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

January brought good news from both Dobromel and Froonza. Thanks to your contributions to the Christmas Fundraiser, we are already seeing progress. Our masseuse in Dobromel, Natasha, also has education in exercise training. She combines exercise that is directly related to the massage approach that she is using for the specific diagnosis. She sent her report about the four children, ages 11 to 14. After the twenty-day treatments, each child displayed obvious change for the better. Each child has a different diagnosis, resulting in different results. With that in mind, some of the results are: improved breathing, skin tone, temperament, balance, strengthened muscles, more energy, and overall more pleasant personality.

In Froonza, our masseur, Slavik, continues to work with a fourteen-year-old. I am very excited to hear that early intervention is a natural occurrence in this little village. His other three patients in January were ages three-and- four- years old. As I wrote about our Early Intervention Program in Illichevsk in last year’s newsletters, I explained that the earlier that we begin to correct the problem, the better the results will be. Children under the age of five-years-old are at the age where their physical and neurological development is still in early stages and is more easily adapted to change. This is happening in Froonza. I am pleased to report that the massage program is running strong in 2012, but only because of your financial support. Thank you.

The other day, Sveta, Ira and I met with Dr. Natalya to video one of her new MUCH patients. She is four years old. When I heard why this precious child was afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, I couldn’t believe my ears. Her mother was in the maternity home where mothers wait to give birth when her time arrived. In the process, the baby’s head did not push through the birth canal, but seemingly became lodged. The doctor chose to use birthing forceps. The doctor crushed this helpless child’s skull, causing severe damage to her brain. At four years old, she is unable to hold her head upright; she has no functional use of her arms or legs, and is severely mentally retarded.

Dr. Natalya had previously treated this child when she worked in Odessa. When her mother learned that Dr. Natalya had a clinic in Illichevsk, she searched for her via internet and local organizations. I see hope for this child, but I believe in miracles of all kinds and sizes. I don’t know what her future will be, but she is in good hands with Dr. Natalya. It is only by the support of MUCH that this wonderful doctor can afford to give up time from regular paying patients.

During the past seven years, I have seen progress for children like this child. The amount of progress varies depending on the commitment of the parents to bring their child for treatments and to work with their child between treatments. These parents seem to have great love for their child. Sveta and I saw a warm love in their faces while they interacted with her, their first child.

Sveta's Journey
My memory takes me back to the orphanage of Dobromel. I am reminded of two beautiful children- boys, 14 years and 11 years of age. When I first saw M., my heart was broken. I have seen such children only in films about the war, children who, during the Great Patriotic War (WW II), were under siege in Leningrad. This boy, as you can see, is all skin and bones. The diagnosis of his condition - muscular dystrophy, rickets, and scoliosis. The boy gets tired very quickly; even with little physical effort, he has a shortness of breath. With muscular dystrophy, if you do not take appropriate measures, the condition will progress and manifest muscle weakness and degeneration of the muscles. The presence of this condition causes a delay in psychomotor and intellectual development.

So, one of the needed treatments to help this child is massage, to alter the deformity of the spine, strengthening the back muscles and improving his psycho-emotional state. When I gave him massage in October, it was difficult because he has very little muscle mass, convex chest, strong curvature of the spine, and the fact that he does not speak much. M. only looks with his trusting eyes and smiles.
I gave him a twenty-day massage. Approximately seven days before the end of the course, he hugged me, and laid his head on my shoulder. It was so touching and unexpected. I think he always wanted to hold me close, but hesitated because of his age. The rest of the days, M. hugged me with great confidence and love, looking into my eyes.

It is very difficult and uncomfortable for M. to lay on his back or stomach. After the twenty-day massage, his breathing improved some, along with his overall health. Of course, M. needs massage on a regular basis to maintain and improve these results. Because of his age, he is fighting an uphill battle. We want to fight by his side.

***

The second boy is Mar. He is a very affectionate and friendly child. His face dotted with freckles, he looks at the world with trusting grey eyes. Mar is always smiling, and he seems very happy. When I learned the fate of this child, again my heart throbbed with pain. His mother died a few years ago; he never knew his father. Mar has a very elderly grandmother, and she only takes him to visit with her for two weeks, twice a year.

Doctors diagnosed him: sunken chest, scoliosis. Severe depression of the chest leads to cardiac and respiratory malfunctions. His muscles are weak, and he has a lethargic posture. Massage and exercise will help strengthen his muscles, improve blood circulation and lymph flow, increasing his metabolism. For the treatment of this deformity, he would need surgery. Unfortunately, the operation is not realistic for this child. It is questionable whether the government would pay for this expensive operation.

 Mar received massage for 10 days. Even small results please me. The child improved breathing, and shortness of breath disappeared during exercise. Who has to take care of him? The state takes care of the child in the face of education and a place to live. Who will think about him more than only to teach him to read and write? Who will care for him more than to dress and feed him?

In January, Natasha began to give massage to the children in the Dobromel Orphanage and is already seeing results. Natasha watches the fruits of her labor, and her enthusiasm is growing. She has initiative, and is not only doing the work of massage, but she provides a complex program of exercise to correspond with the massage for each child. For example, she uses medicinal aromatic oil massage, therapeutic exercise, and unique exercises on a large ball. She motivates children to receive massage and talks about the benefits of this treatment to enhance their emotional mood, because children do not always understand the importance of massage.    

These are real children. They exist; they live in an orphanage/boarding school, and are in great need of medical massage. I cannot express in words the status quo in the lives of these children. I believe that when you see these pictures and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, He will affect your heartstrings, and these children will become even closer to you. They are already a part of your heart, you provide finances, you pray, and you open yourself up to them. Without your participation and support of this ministry, we could not do this great work. Thank you so much! May I ask once again? Will you pray for our children? Their need is great.

Living my dream,
Sveta

In January, I wrote about a second village program, waiting in the wings. I will tell you more about that in the March newsletter. Also, little Miss D, one of our Illichevsk massage patients, has a story worth telling. Sveta and I will be traveling to Marganets and Froonza in the end of March, so be ready for new and exciting stories from Sveta and me in the April newsletter. We thank you for all of your help to change lives here in Ukraine.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Sveta
            

MUCH January 2012 Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

Happy New Year!  The Christmas Fundraiser was a tremendous success!

The year of 2011 was successful in all of our ministries! What an awesome thought when you consider the total of the MUCH outreach. Sveta and I want to share some of the reasons that the success of the Christmas fundraiser is so important to us, and the MUCH team. Last year was a big challenge concerning month-to- month contributions. We wanted to continue the massage program in Froonza following its successful first year, and a new opportunity was available at the Dobromel Orphanage to begin a massage program in 2012. The Christmas fundraiser, the biggest single effort for contributions, was the only way to guarantee that these two programs would touch the lives of at least sixteen children with physical disabilities. Our children in Froonza and in the Dobromel orphanage have begun receiving massage in this year of 2012 and are guaranteed to have this treatment for the entire year, thanks to your kind hearts and generous donations.

The children want to say thank you because your gifts this Christmas will start something new in their young lives. They will feel love and feel loved, possibly for the first time in their lives. Massage ignites hope, something that none of these children have seen of felt in their young post-soviet lives. They want you to know that you have changed their lives forever. Contributions to MUCH this past Christmas season will affect these children in personal health, participation in school or preparation to qualify for school, and instill new enthusiasm in their little hearts. The MUCH team thanks you for your generous support.

Tim Koehler, MUCH Board President, came to Ukraine in November and saw first-hand what is happening in Illichevsk, the second longest running MUCH program. I wish that you could see for yourself the great changes that are being made in the lives of so many children, more than 500 located in three cities and one village from northwestern Ukraine to southern Crimea, Ukraine.

In 2002, I began the Marganets Orphanage mission and was led to support the Emmaus program in Illichevsk. In 2010, the Emmaus program closed, but the Transportation Scholarship Program continues. Viktoria S. (left) graduated university last year and Tim presented her a certificate of achievement. Rolling through its tenth year MUCH has six major programs with seven minor programs attached.

Ira (left), Vika (right) - Vika is our 3rd
Transportation Scholarship Program student.

Doors continue to open; the needs of children are introduced to me, and my heart wants to reach out to meet those needs. The Froonza massage program developed over a two-year period, Dobromel required three. To speak simply, there are children waiting for our help. As our mission continues to grow, we now work in three cities and a village, with a second village opportunity waiting in the wings. Students in Illichevsk, ready for university but in need of transportation funding, are looking to MUCH for assistance.

Svetlana's Journey
Today Mark and I attended the New Year's celebration in the Center for Children with Disabilities in Illichevsk. When I saw disabled children dressed in festive costumes, my heart rejoiced that they could celebrate and have fun as all children do.

The Director of the Center, Ludmila S., has an adult son with a disability and understands how hard it is to raise and educate these children.

When her son was young, Illichevsk had no facilities specifically to aid children with disabilities, or programs to help their parents cope. Very many parents were alone with their grief. The children were at home, not able to play with other children or go to school. In such circumstances, children grow up in isolation and develop closed personalities. This affects the mental and emotional development of the children. It is very difficult for parents to watch their child in their present situation.

The director told me the story of the birth of this center. After living in Ukraine for two years, Mark opened a massage clinic for children with physical disabilities. His goal was to help children with disabilities become more mobile and able to function in everyday activities. In the process, Mark wanted to show Ukrainian people examples of American care and attention for Ukrainian children--to ignite in their hearts a great concern for their children. These goals came to life and became a reality, thanks to the team of MUCH, its mission, and your prayer and financial help, our dear American friends.

Ludmila stands proudly in front of her center

In the process of those two years, Ludmila S. persistently appealed to the government of the city with requests to establish a center for disabled children and their parents. Mark met with her during that time, while he developed the quality of the massage program for the same children. It was positive results of the massage clinic, which the U.S. mission MUCH sponsors and oversees, that drew the attention of the government to see this great need for the city - need for a place where children with disabilities can be in society, to spend time and get the care and attention that they need, and much more. Ludmila S. continually expresses her gratitude for the work that Mark and his team have done.

Ask and ye shall receive, knock and the door shall be opened. The persistence of Ludmila S. and the success of the MUCH massage program instilled the beginning of this center. Now it is a place where parents can come together with their children, or leave them at this facility so that they may go to work, or for some respite time.

Here the psychologist, tutors, teachers, and coach, conduct classes and physical rehabilitation. Children have fellowship with one another, play, develop communication capabilities, and discover talents in drawing and dancing. Children can achieve their best when their parents love and care are combined with the facilities of education and rehabilitation. Because the children experience social adaptation, they improve their psychological levels in the family. Parents are no longer alone in their challenges.

Every day, I understand more and more deeply the importance of the mission MUCH, understanding the work of Mark and his team. It is wonderful! I want to tell you thank you very much dear friends, for your open hearts for the children in Ukraine. I am grateful that there are people in America who care, such as Mark, and all of you who are giving part of your heart, expressing your love in action.

Your financial support and assistance for children in Ukraine has become a great example and a motivation to action for the city government of Illichevsk.

Living my dream,
Svetlana

My friends, my family members, you have stood by me over the many years of my work here in Ukraine. Now that Sveta and I are married, I will do a better job serving the children with her by my side. Her love for the children, along with her great enthusiasm, gives me new energy. As we walk down the MUCH mission road, we hope that you will continue to join us in prayer, encouragement, and financial support. If you are already a part of the team, we thank you from the depths of our hearts. If you would like to share in the MUCH ministry, we welcome you with open arms. To learn more about what we are doing for the children of Ukraine, please visit our website. We anticipate that 2012 will be a difficult year financially. I ask each of you to share the MUCH story with five friends who have a heart for children. Tell them of the lives that we are changing through prayer and sponsorship. Thank you for your continued interest in our children!

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Sveta

MUCH December 2011 Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

May God’s blessings fill your hearts this Christmas Season. We wish for you all of the joy that He has for you. It is my turn to share with you some of my experiences while I visited Dobromel Orphanage for two weeks. All in all, it was a growing experience for me to better understand the lives of the children and life in the orphanage system. It was cold for October, but Dobromel is in the mountains, so it was a normal temperature for the season. I slept in a building across the street from the children’s dormitory, a three-room, recently remodeled apartment. The building was cold, and I slept in my long johns, hat, and socks, under two comforters almost long enough to cover my feet. The children seem to sleep in regular pajama’s, from what I could see.  A number of years ago, a local Pentecostal Church replaced all of the children’s antiquated beds with solid wood bunk beds with hard wood support under the mattresses. Svetlana and I ate our meals in a room beside the orphanage kitchen. It, too, was cold. I wore my typical five layers of clothing. I appeared quite funny, because the children were running around wearing much less clothing. They seem to have acclimated to the cold winters, or maybe they accept their situation as normal.

It is a hard life for a child, living with 119 other children, struggling to understand their differences. It is a hard life for those who work there. They have limited materials, limited help from the government and local community, but most of all, they are overwhelmed with these 120 children with needs that tax their abilities to help. For two weeks, I lived how they live, in the cold buildings with the drab atmosphere of past times. I ate what they ate, most every meal containing cabbage and bread, two of the staples of Ukraine. I saw their overbearing physical and emotional needs. I watched as Svetlana performed massage on some of the children. I saw in their faces a new hope, an awareness of love in Svetlana’s eyes, and a new beginning of relaxation. I saw the children hungry for change in their physical and emotional conditions.

Mikola, the director, (picture to the right) has the most difficult job of all. He must run the orphanage according to the government rules. This is a very big job. He had time to talk with me only one time, a scheduled meeting with a translator that I hired to come from L’vov, a two-hour trip. Mikola showed his true love and concern for the children as our conversation about massage continued. He called the speech teacher and the nurse to drop what they were doing and come to our meeting. I saw the joy in their eyes as Svetlana explained the results that she was seeing after ten days of massage.

What MUCH is offering is nothing new in the therapies that have been known and practiced in Ukraine in general, but for the past twenty years of freedom, they have not been provided to the children at the orphanages for children with special needs. Click here to learn more about the current neglect of these children.

Svetlana’s Journey
A month has gone by since I left Dobromel. Although, very often I am reminded of the children from the orphanage and I miss them. I really want to hug them all, show them my love, and protect them from all evil. My wish and prayer is that every child will grow-up in a good family and feel a great understanding and love of self. My wish and prayer is that the children will be healthy and full of personality; as adults, they will become useful, helping and supporting others as they once received help and support. Soon the whole world will celebrate Christmas. It is such a wonderful holyday! Families come together, giving each other gifts, having joy and fun together! Unfortunately, at this time, many of the children will be located within the walls of the orphanage, and for them this holyday is a reminder that they are alone or that their parents do not love them.

I once watched a girl, Ivanna, (right) meeting with her mother and stepfather. They stood in the great hall; their faces were strained, and I did not see the tender love and joy in their eyes. The impression was that each of them wanted this meeting to end as quickly as possible. The next day I wondered why Ivanna did not hug her mom and was not happy with the meeting with her. She said she does not love her mother. For me it was a great disappointment to hear these terrible words. I began asking this question of other children. A lot of them answered that they do not love their parents. When I heard these answers - for me it was a shock.

I remember a boy, Misha (right). He was 15 years old. When the autumn holidays arrive, many parents take their children home. Misha’s papa promised that he would take him home, too, for the one-week holiday. He did not fulfill his promise. This big boy was crying every day; he went outside and stood at the gate looking in the direction from which his father should appear. His eyes were very sad and every day the hope in his eyes faded more and more.

The stress of living in this orphanage/boarding school system, along with his family disappointments, resulted in poor classroom performance, and other emotional and physical manifestations for this teen. The muscles in his body tightened, causing pain and stiffness in his upper body. When I began the ten-day massage, Misha would not let me touch him. His body was extremely sensitive to touch, and his ability to trust me was equally limited. Little by little during the first three days of massage, Misha’s trust of me and the relaxation of his body began to grow.

The paramount importance in medical massage is to establish trust, and then each cell in the body responds with a positive reaction to the touch of the masseuse. Physical contact with hands massaging the patient's body is complemented by a psychological bond.

At the end of the ten-day massage, Misha’s muscle tone was reduced, he allowed me to give him a more strenuous massage, revealing a decreased sensitivity to touch, and an overall better emotional state of mind. He was hopeful that his papa would take him home for the winter holidays to celebrate Christmas. I am also hopeful.

Living my dream,
Svetlana

CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER GOAL $5,000

I have given up my life in America to help these children. Svetlana has left her job and joined me to help these children. Please join MUCH this Christmas season to help change the lives of children in Dobromel and in Froonza during 2012.



Dobromel - Misha R. (left) has problems with hyperactivity. Five days of massage made a very big difference in his ability to be calm and self-controlled in the classroom.






Froonza - Dasha (right) has Down’s syndrome. Sleeping throughout the night is only one of the positive results that she has experienced from receiving massage during this past year.







Many children at the Dobromel Orphanage and in Froonza are in great need of massage treatment. The Christmas Fundraiser will be used to provide massage treatment for a year at each location. Svetlana continues to share her story about the Dobromel children. You cannot completely imagine their need until you live with them, as Svetlana and I did, even though for only a short time. Please consider our children this Christmas Season. Listen to what God is saying to your heart. If it is about our children, may He bless you greatly for your generosity.

Donate in honor or in memory of someone special. When you make a donation in honor of family or friends, MUCH will send them an acknowledgement of your gift. Please remember to include the name and address of the honoree. When you make a donation in memory of a deceased loved one, MUCH will send you an acknowledgement of your memorial.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Svetlana

MUCH November 2011 Newsletter

Hello family and friends,

SHE SAID YES!!!

Svetlana and I were married on November 12, 2011, at her church in Nikolayev, Ukraine. My brother Tim and his wife Sonya came from America to share this special event in our lives. Svetlana’s church family did all of the preparations and provided a reception with music, skits, games, and more food than you could possibly imagine.

October was an exciting month for Svetlana and me. I met her at the midpoint of her massage demonstration at the Dobromel Orphanage for children with physical and mental disabilities. Dobromel, nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, is a poor community; the streets are filled with potholes and the sidewalks are in poor repair. Few buildings are higher than two stories, and many are showing the effects of time. Even so, the pride of the people is evident in some buildings that are painted with very cheerful colors. Life in Dobromel is a challenge, although,  life for the Ukrainian people has always been a challenge.

This newsletter will focus on Svetlana’s experience giving massage to some of the 119 children who live most of their lives in the institution. As you read Svetlana’s story, please reflect on love portrayed so deeply during the Christmas Season. Many of these children have not experienced the warmth of love ever in their young lives. Please consider sharing a bit of your love with them.

Svetlana’s Journey
For one month (two weeks alone and two weeks with Mark), I was in the special boarding school/orphanage of Dobromel in Western Ukraine. This facility of 50 years provides room, board, and education for 119 children. The children have deviations and delays in physical and mental development.

Eleven of them have no parents -- orphans -- the rest have parents, but many of them use alcohol or drugs, struggling with their poverty. They don’t want the responsibility for their children. Many parents are unable to provide good home care for their children. Many children are from large families with many brothers and sisters. One family has eight children, and they all live and study in this school.

Wonderful people work here and care about the fate of the children. They invest in these children, teaching them many good skills and knowledge; they take into account the characteristics of the children, and give each child individual attention. These people have an enormous responsibility and important role - to love, teach, educate, and shape the personality of each child. It is very hard work, because the children have physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities. Some children need to learn elementary activities – activities of daily living.

Thus, the purpose of my stay at the boarding school was to reveal the positive and tremendous impact of massage on the body of the child and to manifest the healing power of the Holy Spirit through me. When I started to massage children, I did not have full confidence that in such a short period I would see some results. However, the therapeutic effects of massage manifested themselves. In this step, I thank the Lord, because all good things come from Him. My faith is growing. Let us pray the prayer of faith, and we can be confident that God will answer.

Within 20 days, I gave massage to 18 children. Three children received a 20 day massage, 8 children received a 10 day massage, 1 child  received a 4 day massage, 1 child received a 6 day massage, 4 children received a 5 day massage, and 1 child received a 13 day massage. Briefly, I will describe some of the results, which not only I saw, but also employees of the institution. Other treatment results will be in the December newsletter.

Roma, an eight-year-old boy, has very poorly developed speech. He received a 10-day treatment of head, face, neck, and back massage. Massage of the face and neck area had a relaxing effect on facial muscles and improved articulation. The Speech Therapist who worked with Roma for two years was desperate for results, having none. She told me, "After the boy started to receive massage, he began to pronounce voiced and unvoiced consonants, and his speech improved". In that, she sees the therapeutic effects of massage. Of course, I realize how much this speech therapist worked for two years, but without results. After the 10-day massage treatment, I did not notice any results, but the therapist did. The work of ongoing speech therapy plus specific massage brought results! Thank God! I believe that Jesus Christ will continue to bless the children and give them healing through massage.

A fourteen-year-old girl, Ivanna, has poor circulation in her fingers (causing a violet color), stiffness when walking, and dry skin. She has so much distortion and deformation of the spine that Ivanna now wears a plastic corset that she does not remove even during sleep. The girl received a back, neck area, and chest massage, treatment position, and spinal traction. After the massage, Ivanna became more relaxed, lost tension in movements, muscle tone moved toward normal, and recovered water balance in the skin. Praise the Lord!

Even such small results brought me joy. My heart is filled with a great desire to continue working in this direction. Many children need to receive rehabilitation, healing, and the opportunity for further productivity in their lives. These children must overcome the stigma of the word, “invalid”, and see themselves as valuable people in their communities. I believe that God's love will fill their hearts through us, and you - people who have open hearts for these children. Let our hearts become sensitive and compassionate to those who have virtually no hope for a bright future.

These children need your love, attention, and care! When I was doing chest massage for children, I had the opportunity to look in their eyes. Some children looked trustingly, but some with caution. When I smiled at them with warmth and love, setting my eye contact with love, the children eagerly absorbed my love through their eyes, and immediately their uneasiness disappeared. Many children cannot speak or speak very poorly - they are almost impossible to understand, but their eyes can say a lot.

All my time in Dobromel, I lived in the boarding school and was able to observe the lives of children. They are very caring, helping to dress those who cannot dress themselves, they comfort those who weep and come to protect those who are offended.

The arrival of Mark delighted many children. They remember him from past years. Young children hugged Mark, the older children welcomed him, shaking hands, asking him many questions, and they were happy to answer his questions. Mark was in the boarding school for two weeks, and he will tell you about his stay there in other articles.

Living my dream,
Svetlana

Christmas Fund-raiser Goal $5,000
The children at the Dobromel Orphanage and in Froonza are in great need of massage treatment. The Christmas Fundraiser will be used to provide massage treatment for a year at each location. Svetlana has begun to share her story about the Dobromel children. You cannot completely imagine their need until you live with them, as Svetlana and I did, even though for only a short time. Please consider our children this Thanksgiving and Christmas Season. Listen to what God is saying to your heart. If it is about our children, may He bless you greatly for your generosity.

Donate in honor or in memory of someone special. When you make a donation in honor of family or friends, MUCH will send them an acknowledgement of your gift. Please remember to include the name and address of the honoree. When you make a donation in memory of a deceased loved one, MUCH will send you an acknowledgement of your memorial.

We wish for all a most blessed Thanksgiving Holiday. Even in the midst of the financial problems that are facing the world, your world, may we all find one thing to be thankful for. God continues to bless America, maybe in different ways than we wish, but the blessings are there. Look for things to be thankful for each day; I know that, living in Ukraine, I certainly do.

Blessings of love and healing,
Mark and Svetlana

accompanying photos will be posted shortly - check back.