Fwd: Questions from orphans in Ukraine

23 views
Skip to first unread message

Tiffany

unread,
Apr 9, 2012, 9:03:49 AM4/9/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

This is a newsletter/ prayer calendar I receive from a girl in Ukraine with whom I've met. She has a wonderful ministry where she provides birthday cards for orphans in Odessa. 

Kelly, we've been talking about something we could do as a group. This was laid upon my heart. What do you guys think ?  If everyone got some cards and wrote messages, I will be happy to send them to Michelle. 

Just let me know what you think!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "michell...@juno.com" <michell...@juno.com>
Date: April 9, 2012 7:01:25 AM CDT
To: michell...@Juno.com
Subject: Questions from orphans in Ukraine

Dear Friends,

In the last week three conversations with orphans turned towards God.

Two orphanage graduate girls who are struggling to get by stopped by my apartment for some tea and cookies.  We talked about believing in God and what to do about sin.   Their question:   “Yes I sin, but it is impossible not to sin, and anyway I like my sins so why should I stop?”

On another day an older boy in the orphanage asked if I believed in God and then went on to ask many questions.  His main dilemma,   “If God created people and the universe, then who created God?”

And a few days ago seemingly out of nowhere one boy who all the other kids look up to and fear in the orphanage opened up about his life and explained why he doesn’t believe in God.  He wants to know:  “Where is God when people suffer?”

He went on to ask, where was God when I was 4 years old and was forced to run away from my home because my dad was gone and my mom was an alcoholic who treated me very badly?  Where was God when I was living on the streets as a small child, looking for food in the dumpster?  Where was God when I was taken to a shelter and afraid of what would happen to me there?  Where is God and his miracle of providing food from 5 loaves and 2 fish when we would like to have more food in the orphanage? Where is God when I go to meet my girlfriend’s parents and have not a single relative to introduce her to?  Where was God when all that was happening and even now, if I don’t see him here, why should I believe in Him?

These are difficult questions, and not just theoretical, this boy lived all those moments of suffering; he is still living them. . .

Would you please pray for him, that he would continue to think about these questions and that he would seek God and find Him?   Would you pray for me, that God would give me wisdom and grace as I love these kids and converse with them about these serious topics.  Please pray that God would give me the words to say.  Some of these questions are hard to answer in English; in Russian. . . sometimes it feels impossible.

I appreciate your prayers and support so much and I know that I could not be here without all of you!

Thank you also for praying along with the Prayer Calendar each month.    I am attaching the prayer calendars for April and May.  The calendars for June and July will be coming soon.  Please note the birthdays I accidentally left off before:   Nikita on April 22nd and Andrei  Z on May 4th.  If possible please send cards for these kids as well as for Svetta whose birthday was Feb 26th, I only got 2 cards for her.  She won’t mind that they are late.  Instructions for mailing are on the calendar.  Thank you so much for sending cards!  All of the kids in the orphanage are now asking if they will get cards on their birthdays too! J

Also please follow this link:   http://youtu.be/iQg_iPTZw9c    to watch the video of the Christmas Project!  All together you sent 880 cards with stickers and $5800 which was used to buy gifts for orphans in 7 orphanages around the Odessa region.  The gifts were delivered by a team of Ukrainian Christians who presented a special Christmas program to the children.  The kids were happy to receive the cards, stickers, and gifts and enjoyed having visitors who love and care for them.   I will be sending a DVD copy of this video to those of you who participated in this project so that you can share it with everyone who helped.  Thank you so much!

I also wanted to follow up on the prayer requests from my last email.  I am happy to be able to share the following updates with you:

  1. Praise the Lord, a family has decided to adopt both Pasha and Kolya K!   Please pray that the immigration papers mailed in before the boy’s 16th birthdays will be accepted and that everything will work out for both boys’ adoptions.
  2. Thank you so much for your prayers and support of the Tygart family as they adopt Kristina!  www.tygartfamilyadoption.blogspot.com  Please pray that they will get their invitation to come to Ukraine to bring Kristina home soon.  So far $4728 has been donated towards their adoption.  Thank you SO MUCH!  The Tygarts are still in need of around $5300 to cover all remaining adoption expenses.   Donations for Kristina’s adoption are tax deductible and can still be mailed to:   Open Arms Adoption Ministry 1722 Denny Rd.  Columbia, SC 29203   Please be sure to include a note in the memo line that the gift is for Kristina.  100% of your gift will go to Kristina’s adoption. 
  3. Someone has generously offered to pay for adoption expenses if a Canadian family decides to adopt Andrei!   If you or anyone you know are interested in learning more, please contact me.  Also please continue to pray for Andrei.

So many orphans here in Odessa are struggling and hurting.  One by one, they are experiencing God’s love in little and big ways.  Thank you for your partnership in loving these children.

In His Service,

Michelle Maly

P.S.  Please pray for my visa situation which is quite complicated.  Praise the Lord for good friends who are willing to help me.  Please pray that I will get my invitation letter (which is necessary to apply for a new visa) very soon.

2012 Apr-May Calendar.pdf

mimim...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 9, 2012, 9:20:53 AM4/9/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Wow Tiffany. That's a lot to take in. I know roger leaves a piece of his heart every time he goes there. This would definitely be of interest to us. 

Sent from my iPhone
<2012 Apr-May Calendar.pdf>

Emily Hutchins

unread,
Apr 9, 2012, 2:08:55 PM4/9/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hey!
I know I'm not technically still in y'all's k group, but I would love to take part in this! This sounds so cool! 
~Emily 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 9, 2012, at 8:03 AM, Tiffany <tifstep...@gmail.com> wrote:

<2012 Apr-May Calendar.pdf>

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 9, 2012, 4:11:11 PM4/9/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Tiffany,

I got teared up just reading the older boy's sad and hard life he endured. I would love for our girls to write/draw birthday cards. 

Minako

--- On Mon, 4/9/12, Emily Hutchins <ehutc...@yahoo.com> wrote:

kturn...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 10, 2012, 7:42:27 AM4/10/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Could we work on the cards at k-group this sunday? I think it would be a great activity!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: Tiffany <tifstep...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 08:03:49 -0500
Subject: Fwd: Questions from orphans in Ukraine

Tiffany

unread,
Apr 10, 2012, 8:55:16 AM4/10/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Sounds great. Should we all bring some cards?

Sent from my iPhone

Emily Hutchins

unread,
Apr 11, 2012, 11:00:08 AM4/11/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hey Tiffany!
Would you mind if I introduced this ministry to my k group this Sunday? I really love this idea, and I think the others in my group would love it too. Just let me know what needs to be done to make it happen! :-)
~ Emily 

Sent from my iPhone

Tiffany

unread,
Apr 11, 2012, 1:50:18 PM4/11/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Of course I don't mind!  I love it!!!

Sent from my iPhone
=

kturn...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 11, 2012, 6:02:22 PM4/11/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Anyone who wants to help with this on Sunday can bring a few cards. I will also have supplies for the kids to participate and make cards! I know they will love taking part in this. Thanks for sharing the idea, Tiffany. I get the emails from Michelle as well, but I didn't even think to do this as a k-group project. Perfect idea!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: Tiffany <tifstep...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:50:18 -0500
Subject: Re: Questions from orphans in Ukraine

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 11, 2012, 7:38:56 PM4/11/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
I got a few cards on hand I will bring with us! 

--- On Wed, 4/11/12, kturn...@gmail.com <kturn...@gmail.com> wrote:

Tiffany Stephens

unread,
Apr 17, 2012, 10:40:43 PM4/17/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Emily this is for you!

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 18, 2012, 10:20:08 PM4/18/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone,
Baby Sam is coming soon (exciting!!), and we are moving the last few K-group out of Turner house. Tiffany graciously agreed to open their house to host K-group. Also one week, we can meet at restaurant for a change. Hope that's OK with y'all.

This Sunday, meet at Stephens or restaurants (Liberty Park exit, Taziki's, Billy's, also Cahaba Heights pizza etc)???  If we were to meet at Stephens, any food suggestions??Please let me know (including Stephens, which Sunday works better for y'all to host the group??).

Minako







Tiffany Stephens

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 8:11:49 AM4/19/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
We are flexible.  I will be ot of town this weekend if that makes any difference?

Connor Hughett

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 4:24:01 PM4/19/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com, libert...@googlegroups.com
I'm not going to be able to make it this week. 

Connor 

mimim...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 8:14:57 PM4/19/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com, libert...@googlegroups.com
I think it's a definite restaurant night. 

Sent from my iPhone

kturn...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 8:25:22 PM4/19/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Sounds great to us! whatever place the group decides.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:14:57 -0500
Subject: Re: K-group April 22nd

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 19, 2012, 8:49:25 PM4/19/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Kelly,

Sounds good to me. So next K-group (not this Sunday 22nd), we will meet at Stephens on 29th for now (Tiffany, hope that's OK with you). Unless you want to rest while Jason and kids come, you get to pick the location.

So we will meet at 5pm on the location of Kelly's choice, so what food sounds good to you? 

Minako

--- On Thu, 4/19/12, kturn...@gmail.com <kturn...@gmail.com> wrote:

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 20, 2012, 10:30:50 PM4/20/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hana got a bad case of strep, she started to get sick on Wednesday, not a bit complaining about throat, but she was maybe incubating last Sunday, so please watch for it. She got a rash to go with it which I was NOT happy about it at all,,,,,,rash started on her ankle Thursday morning. I could not decide it was viral or what,,,,,finally rash started going up on her legs, so went to pediatrician today, started on antibiotics. Now I need to watch Rachel for strep. So I am not sure we can make it to church (including greeting, since Michael will be out of town) or K-group. 

Minako

--- On Thu, 4/19/12, kturn...@gmail.com <kturn...@gmail.com> wrote:

From: kturn...@gmail.com <kturn...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: K-group April 22nd
To: libert...@googlegroups.com
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2012, 7:25 PM

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 25, 2012, 11:35:05 PM4/25/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone,

Church wide farm picnic is May 6th, 5:30 - 7:30. Excited?  We, as a group, are assigned to bring following food items;

"TURNERS- mustard, ketchup, onions, tomatoes, pickles for 75" That's a lot of onion......
Casey needs to know how many of y'all are planning to attend by May 1st. So please respond to me by then, so he can get some idea how many hot dogs / burgers etc he needs. 

If y'all are coming, please also let me know which food items you can contribute, so we can coordinate. 

Minako

minako vickery

unread,
Apr 26, 2012, 3:52:13 PM4/26/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone,
K-group this Sunday, please let me know if you are plan to come.

Minako

Suzie Spooner

unread,
Apr 26, 2012, 5:28:10 PM4/26/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Hey, I am going to the girls beach trip and I don't think the Spooner's will make it.  Don't know what time we will be back and will probably need to spend some time with the kids before getting back into the swing of things.
 
Suzie

mimim...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 26, 2012, 5:30:02 PM4/26/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
We should be there

Sent from my iPhone

mimim...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 26, 2012, 6:13:53 PM4/26/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com, libert...@googlegroups.com
I didn't realize it was girls beach trip   May be that Tiffany is going too?  

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 26, 2012, at 2:52 PM, minako vickery <minako...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Connor Hughett

unread,
Apr 26, 2012, 7:48:32 PM4/26/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
I'm not going to be able to make it this week. 

Connor

Suzie Spooner

unread,
Apr 30, 2012, 4:05:38 PM4/30/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
We should be there...shocking, I know!  We can bring some ketchup and mustard.
 
Suzie

kturn...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 30, 2012, 8:54:17 PM4/30/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
No pickles needed! They have plenty left over from a service project. Not sure if any Turners will be there - probably 3 at the most. I can send whatever is needed. Thanks for coordinating, Minako!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: minako vickery <minako...@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:35:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: May 6th Church Wide Farm Picnic Info

mimim...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 30, 2012, 9:00:53 PM4/30/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com, libert...@googlegroups.com
Shall I bring tomatoes ?

Linda

Roger and I plan to come

Sent from my iPhone

Minako Vickery

unread,
Apr 30, 2012, 10:33:10 PM4/30/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Ok, here's the food list;

Suzie : Ketchup and mustard
Linda : tomato
Minako : onion!! Ketchup, mustard

These should cover it. So if Turners can come, that's  great, if not that's great too (we can see baby Sam). Don't send anything Kelly.

Minako

Tiffany

unread,
May 4, 2012, 10:09:32 PM5/4/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
What can the Stephens bring ?

Sent from my iPhone
=

Minako Vickery

unread,
May 4, 2012, 10:35:11 PM5/4/12
to libert...@googlegroups.com
Tiffany, I think we are set!! 


Minako

Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages