Friday, November 21, 2008
My Prayer
God, please help me to trust you. To bring everything before you in prayer. To listen for your voice and to take each step with you—never to move without you and never to hesitate when you call me forward.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A reminder and hope for the future
When I finally moved to Poltava the dream seemed too big. It was like I had been looking at an ariel view of a city, but when actually found in the middle of it I had no map and couldn't make sense of my surroundings.
But, as always, in His perfect timing, God sent me to Zhitomir where I got to see a real life verson of my dream in action.
Here is a video put together by The Shelter staff telling about their ministy:
God used my time in Zhitomir to remind me of the passion he had placed in me before I moved. He used conversations with new friends and a first hand glance at a working ministry to reignite my dream. My prayers are more fervent after this trip and I'm really excited to see what He wants to do here in Poltava.
But, as always, in His perfect timing, God sent me to Zhitomir where I got to see a real life verson of my dream in action.
Here is a video put together by The Shelter staff telling about their ministy:
God used my time in Zhitomir to remind me of the passion he had placed in me before I moved. He used conversations with new friends and a first hand glance at a working ministry to reignite my dream. My prayers are more fervent after this trip and I'm really excited to see what He wants to do here in Poltava.
The Dream
I love teenagers. Always have. I grew up thinking my older cousins were the best thing on the planet and their friends were just too cool. Then I hit middle school and became the girl everyone called to share their problems with-- my mom was convinced I needed to become a therapist. High school was all about me learning to walk with Christ and falling in love with missions. College began my service in youth ministry and eventually brought me to Ukraine to work with a youth camp and conference organization.
And then there were the orphans. As I said in the previous post, not really a place I thought I would end up. Silly me, hadn’t I read the verses where we are commanded to care for the orphan and the widow? Didn’t I know that the heart of my Father is for the children, the abandoned, the lost, the sinner?
And then I met Max. My friend who grew up on the streets. My heart broke as he shared of his life and then rejoiced as he told of his encounter with Jesus and assured me that his Dad gives him good presents and now he has a home, two jobs, and lots of family.
And then Mark and Jenn arrived. I spent most of my free time at an orphanage and as I walked home at night I couldn’t help but think of all the kids without homes to return to. I yelled at God a lot throughout those months. At the same time I rejoiced and praised him for all the things I saw he was doing—creating families, offering hope and raising awareness.
So when I knew I was moving the question became what will I do? The answer: I want to work with youth. I’d love to get involved with street kids. I’d love to start a center to teach them life skills and just hang out with them. I want to see God glorified in the lives of people the rest of the world has given up on because I believe we are all lost causes, but it didn’t stop God from seeking each one of us.
And then I moved. And as I said, I lost focus a bit. But God’s timing is perfect and he sent me a group of Americans who invited me to visit an orphanage here with them. Surrounded by the kids my dreams began falling back into place.
A week later I was asked to go to Zhitomir where I visited The Shelter and as if finally given the right prescription glasses my dreams shifted into focus and again became a possibility. I stood in the middle of a ministry doing exactly what I want to be doing.
And then there were the orphans. As I said in the previous post, not really a place I thought I would end up. Silly me, hadn’t I read the verses where we are commanded to care for the orphan and the widow? Didn’t I know that the heart of my Father is for the children, the abandoned, the lost, the sinner?
And then I met Max. My friend who grew up on the streets. My heart broke as he shared of his life and then rejoiced as he told of his encounter with Jesus and assured me that his Dad gives him good presents and now he has a home, two jobs, and lots of family.
And then Mark and Jenn arrived. I spent most of my free time at an orphanage and as I walked home at night I couldn’t help but think of all the kids without homes to return to. I yelled at God a lot throughout those months. At the same time I rejoiced and praised him for all the things I saw he was doing—creating families, offering hope and raising awareness.
So when I knew I was moving the question became what will I do? The answer: I want to work with youth. I’d love to get involved with street kids. I’d love to start a center to teach them life skills and just hang out with them. I want to see God glorified in the lives of people the rest of the world has given up on because I believe we are all lost causes, but it didn’t stop God from seeking each one of us.
And then I moved. And as I said, I lost focus a bit. But God’s timing is perfect and he sent me a group of Americans who invited me to visit an orphanage here with them. Surrounded by the kids my dreams began falling back into place.
A week later I was asked to go to Zhitomir where I visited The Shelter and as if finally given the right prescription glasses my dreams shifted into focus and again became a possibility. I stood in the middle of a ministry doing exactly what I want to be doing.
The Statistics
Ukraine has over 100,000 orphans.
Only 10% of these are orphaned due to death of a parent; the rest are social orphans – due to alcoholism, abandonment, or imprisonment of parents.
Every year, more than 2,000 mothers abandon their babies in maternity hospitals. Between 6 and 7 thousand more are abandoned at an older age or removed from home due to crime or neglect.
Many social orphans have experienced abuse and violence from parents who were drug addicts or alcoholics.
Orphans typically grow up in large state-run homes, which may house over 200 children.
Many children run away from these homes, preferring to live on the street.
Children usually graduate from these institutions between 15 and 16 years old and are turned out, unprepared for life outside the home.
About 10% of them will commit suicide after leaving the orphanage before their 18th birthday.
60% of the girls will end up in prostitution. Those who run prostitution rings target orphaned girls, who are especially vulnerable due to their lack of options and lack of people who care what happens to them. Though promised good jobs, they end up on the streets and brothels of cities across Europe.
70% of the boys will enter a life of crime. Many of these will die young of violence or end up in prison. Most inmates contract TB in prison.
There are a total of 48 orphanages in the Poltava Oblast
In the city of Poltava there are 4 main orphanages with an average of 300-400 children in each orphanage as well as a smaller amount of children in temporary children's homes
1 of every 3 men between the ages of 12-23 are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol
*statistics taken from http://www.reachorphanswithhope.org/dreams.php and http://www.light4lifeukraine.org/view/?pageID=203199
Only 10% of these are orphaned due to death of a parent; the rest are social orphans – due to alcoholism, abandonment, or imprisonment of parents.
Every year, more than 2,000 mothers abandon their babies in maternity hospitals. Between 6 and 7 thousand more are abandoned at an older age or removed from home due to crime or neglect.
Many social orphans have experienced abuse and violence from parents who were drug addicts or alcoholics.
Orphans typically grow up in large state-run homes, which may house over 200 children.
Many children run away from these homes, preferring to live on the street.
Children usually graduate from these institutions between 15 and 16 years old and are turned out, unprepared for life outside the home.
About 10% of them will commit suicide after leaving the orphanage before their 18th birthday.
60% of the girls will end up in prostitution. Those who run prostitution rings target orphaned girls, who are especially vulnerable due to their lack of options and lack of people who care what happens to them. Though promised good jobs, they end up on the streets and brothels of cities across Europe.
70% of the boys will enter a life of crime. Many of these will die young of violence or end up in prison. Most inmates contract TB in prison.
There are a total of 48 orphanages in the Poltava Oblast
In the city of Poltava there are 4 main orphanages with an average of 300-400 children in each orphanage as well as a smaller amount of children in temporary children's homes
1 of every 3 men between the ages of 12-23 are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol
*statistics taken from http://www.reachorphanswithhope.org/dreams.php and http://www.light4lifeukraine.org/view/?pageID=203199
The Move
This is copy of the letter sent to friends and family after I decided to move to Poltava.
Thursday April 24, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
God is doing a new thing. And He is totally overwhelming me with His perfection in everything.
Jenn Smith and her four children arrived home last Saturday. And if you’re interested in following their post-Ukraine story they are blogging at http://fourukraineteens.blogspot.com/. I am so thrilled for them to finally be home and all together. God taught me so much about Himself while they were on this side of the ocean and I am so thankful for Mark and Jenn and their commitment to follow Him and help others to do the same. THANK YOU GUYS! I can’t wait to visit them while I am stateside in May.
I am preparing to head stateside for a month in about two weeks and finishing up Russian classes and English curriculum here before I leave.
As many of you know, I have been asking God for direction since last August as to of what is next in my life. Never doubting my call to Ukraine, but constantly questioning what God was doing and when He would reveal Himself to me, I waited. (Nick, your posts about waiting; I was like, man, I totally understand him and am so proud of him because I know how hard…and at the same time how wonderful…that can be. Nick—you rock! Check out Nick’s blog at www.juliogoestoperu.blogspot.com.)
And Wednesday a week ago God lifted the fog and sitting in Jenn’s kitchen at Orphanage 12 and clearer than anything I’ve heard in a long time I knew I was supposed to move to Poltava—a city about 215 miles east of Kiev. Some of you may remember Calyn and I talking about “the best road trip ever.” It was to Poltava. And on that trip moving there was mentioned. I have mentioned it since, very serious about it, but serious about it way in the future, not ever thinking “now” or even “soon” was the time. And so, looking back, I feel like I should have seen it coming all along. But, God’s timing is perfect and He caught me totally off guard. And when He did, I knew. I wish I could recount to you the conversation Jenn and I had in her kitchen that evening but I don’t remember much of it. I remember her voicing what I had already heard God say which was “you go [to Poltava].” And I cried for the first time in a long time—tears of “oh my gosh, God, I wasn’t looking for You or expecting You, but here You are in a tiny kitchen in Ukraine answering questions I had given up on asking and totally changing my life. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” Jenn asked me what I was most scared of. And my honest answer in that moment was “the fact that I am not scared at all.” Granted, that moment has passed and now I am terrified outside my mind and keep telling God He is crazy. But in that moment all I had was assurance.
Walking home that night, I was overwhelmed and told God that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t even know what it was. And the answer was its true, I can’t. But He can. And He will.
The past week has been an incredible number of perfect timing moments. Some of which I will relay in another e-mail at the beginning of next week. For now, I need to get ready for Russian Class.
Your prayers, encouragement, support, e-mails, and letters (thanks Grandma!!!) are so precious to me. If you receive these e-mails it is because you have a special place in my heart and life, whether that be because you are family or friend or friend of family or fellow servant of our Lord, I owe you each a HUGE thank you for the part you have played (and are playing) in my life. God has blessed me greatly in the people He has placed in my life. Thank you.
“If You say "go" we will go
If You say "wait" we will wait
If You say "Step out on the water" and they say, "it can't be done"
We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come
Your ways are higher than our ways
And the plans that You have made are good and true
If You call us to the fire
You will not withdraw Your hand
We'll gaze into the flames and look for You”
Serving with you,
Lori
Habakkuk 1:5
"Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.”
Thursday April 24, 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
God is doing a new thing. And He is totally overwhelming me with His perfection in everything.
Jenn Smith and her four children arrived home last Saturday. And if you’re interested in following their post-Ukraine story they are blogging at http://fourukraineteens.blogspot.com/. I am so thrilled for them to finally be home and all together. God taught me so much about Himself while they were on this side of the ocean and I am so thankful for Mark and Jenn and their commitment to follow Him and help others to do the same. THANK YOU GUYS! I can’t wait to visit them while I am stateside in May.
I am preparing to head stateside for a month in about two weeks and finishing up Russian classes and English curriculum here before I leave.
As many of you know, I have been asking God for direction since last August as to of what is next in my life. Never doubting my call to Ukraine, but constantly questioning what God was doing and when He would reveal Himself to me, I waited. (Nick, your posts about waiting; I was like, man, I totally understand him and am so proud of him because I know how hard…and at the same time how wonderful…that can be. Nick—you rock! Check out Nick’s blog at www.juliogoestoperu.blogspot.com.)
And Wednesday a week ago God lifted the fog and sitting in Jenn’s kitchen at Orphanage 12 and clearer than anything I’ve heard in a long time I knew I was supposed to move to Poltava—a city about 215 miles east of Kiev. Some of you may remember Calyn and I talking about “the best road trip ever.” It was to Poltava. And on that trip moving there was mentioned. I have mentioned it since, very serious about it, but serious about it way in the future, not ever thinking “now” or even “soon” was the time. And so, looking back, I feel like I should have seen it coming all along. But, God’s timing is perfect and He caught me totally off guard. And when He did, I knew. I wish I could recount to you the conversation Jenn and I had in her kitchen that evening but I don’t remember much of it. I remember her voicing what I had already heard God say which was “you go [to Poltava].” And I cried for the first time in a long time—tears of “oh my gosh, God, I wasn’t looking for You or expecting You, but here You are in a tiny kitchen in Ukraine answering questions I had given up on asking and totally changing my life. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.” Jenn asked me what I was most scared of. And my honest answer in that moment was “the fact that I am not scared at all.” Granted, that moment has passed and now I am terrified outside my mind and keep telling God He is crazy. But in that moment all I had was assurance.
Walking home that night, I was overwhelmed and told God that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t even know what it was. And the answer was its true, I can’t. But He can. And He will.
The past week has been an incredible number of perfect timing moments. Some of which I will relay in another e-mail at the beginning of next week. For now, I need to get ready for Russian Class.
Your prayers, encouragement, support, e-mails, and letters (thanks Grandma!!!) are so precious to me. If you receive these e-mails it is because you have a special place in my heart and life, whether that be because you are family or friend or friend of family or fellow servant of our Lord, I owe you each a HUGE thank you for the part you have played (and are playing) in my life. God has blessed me greatly in the people He has placed in my life. Thank you.
“If You say "go" we will go
If You say "wait" we will wait
If You say "Step out on the water" and they say, "it can't be done"
We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come
Your ways are higher than our ways
And the plans that You have made are good and true
If You call us to the fire
You will not withdraw Your hand
We'll gaze into the flames and look for You”
Serving with you,
Lori
Habakkuk 1:5
"Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.”
A family formed and a dream begun
Through four amazing youth and their new parents God stopped me in my tracks and set my life on a course I never saw coming, opened my eyes to something new, something I'd never dared to dream.
Last January Mark and Jenn came to Kiev to bring these four kids into their family. Little did they know, and little did I know, the result would be more than just four kids, it would be the beginning of a new life for me and the birth of a new ministry.
This sounds terrible, but I've never been one to jump on the orphan band wagon. Not that my heart doesn't break for them. Not that I don't want to see every one of them in a family and deeper than that to know their heavenly Father. Of course I want good things for them. More than anything I want them to know Christ and understand that they are not forgotten, that they are not less, and that He has a perfect plan for their lives. It's just that I've seen the Christmas presents and the two day visits from foreigners. I've seen the disappointment when the wrapping's thrown away and the van backs out of the gate. I'm not discounting short term missions and I'm not saying don't give gifts, I'm just saying it was never something I could bring myself to do. Even after spending months with Mark and Jenn visiting an orphanage in Kiev when the day came to leave I couldn't shake my pain for those left behind. Which is sort of where all this started.
Last January Mark and Jenn came to Kiev to bring these four kids into their family. Little did they know, and little did I know, the result would be more than just four kids, it would be the beginning of a new life for me and the birth of a new ministry.
This sounds terrible, but I've never been one to jump on the orphan band wagon. Not that my heart doesn't break for them. Not that I don't want to see every one of them in a family and deeper than that to know their heavenly Father. Of course I want good things for them. More than anything I want them to know Christ and understand that they are not forgotten, that they are not less, and that He has a perfect plan for their lives. It's just that I've seen the Christmas presents and the two day visits from foreigners. I've seen the disappointment when the wrapping's thrown away and the van backs out of the gate. I'm not discounting short term missions and I'm not saying don't give gifts, I'm just saying it was never something I could bring myself to do. Even after spending months with Mark and Jenn visiting an orphanage in Kiev when the day came to leave I couldn't shake my pain for those left behind. Which is sort of where all this started.
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