A typical home of the children we serve.

A few months ago, we were once again reminded why Jenny and I feel strongly called to our ministry among the orphans and at-risk youth of Ukraine…

During July, we were blessed to host a week of camp for children served by our local Department of Social Services. Many of these children are from homes ravaged by alcohol, abuse, neglect and poverty. Many of the kids were hard to work with because their social situations had hardened them so much. However, these kids were probably the most receptive to the lessons we were trying to teach about a “loving Father.”

When camp was over, Jenny and a few of our short term mission team members decided to drive out to some of the villages where the kids were from and do some follow-up.  They went to one home where the father was belligerent and mom just cowered and would not speak, she was terrified of him. There were 5 kids in the home. An 11 year old boy had serious burns on his palms. Later it was also learned that his upper legs were also burned. Neighbors had shared that the father had put the boy on the gas stove it to teach him a lesson.

Jenny and the social worker tried to take the child, but the father threatened them and threw the boy in the house. So, when they left, the social worker spent almost 8 hours calling police until they finally answered the phone at nearly 2 AM. The next day, the father was in jail and the boy was hospitalized.

Sasha

In Ukraine, the hospital care is limited and patients are served one basic meal daily of broth.  Because the boys family was over 40 kilometers away, there was no one to care for him.  Jeremiah’s Hope was able to meet the need and we provided him with yogurt, cheese, bread, sausage, cookies, chips, fruit, juice and water.  We also bought him a few books and took him a teddy bear.  We were able to do this for 10 days.

We have watched this family for months.  The boy, Sasha, is the namesake for our “Sasha Project” and we visit his family, along with other families, every month.  We have seen his father’s heart soften slightly and we have seen his mother attend church a few times.  The family still has its problems, but our goal is to continue to reach out to this family.

Please continue to pray for our ministry as we “touch families in order to transform lives!”