Sunday, February 13, 2011

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Another Summer in Ukraine...came and went...


July 2010: We did make it to Crimea by way of Kyiv and Mariupol via planes, overnight trains, metro, and bus. Followed by numerous miles on foot hiking the ruins of Crimea and amazing scenic places on the coast of the Black Sea.

The most scenic was the sight of appx 100 former street kids, abandoned orphans, former addicts, previously abused and some struggling with HIV/AIDS just having the opportunity to be kids in the fresh air, by the sea, on the mountain tops in a safe and loving environment!

There were the kids who were forced by their parents to beg on the streets for food, money, alcohol.
There were the kids who were born with HIV/AIDS due to the drug and lifestyle choices of their parents.
There was the sweetest little red-haired girl who was abandoned to the streets and survived by living among a pack of dogs.
There were the sweet little boys trying so hard to be rough and tough guys letting their scars of burns and broken bones show.
There were the teenage girls who desperately try to reconcile a past life of forced prostitution.

These aren't kids who are in their 20's now....these are kids still age 5 - 18!

These are kids who need to know they matter; they matter to you, to me, to God above all.
These are kids who need to know they are not throw-away kids; not forgotten, not without value...
These are kids who need a safe, warm, loving family.

And they need our help....
Do you want to help?