Home Again

We arrived home safely Friday evening about 9:00 PM after a long day of travel. Today has been a day of getting readjusted to our time zone, unpacking and shoveling snow. The coldest part of our trip was arriving at JFK last evening! Over the next few days and weeks we will be sending a few additional pictures and sharing different aspects of our trip. We wanted to show first of all some of the photos of the environment which Yulia came from before arriving at Brenna's Home 5 or 6 weeks ago with a few photos of how comfortable she was with us before we left to come home.

Yulia in her village home when found by Valla,
the woman who "rescued" her to Brenna's Home.

The house where lived with her mother and "father"

The "kitchen" and stove in the home

The outdoor toilet...

The "laundry" area...

Valla and Yulia after arriving at Brenna's Home

Donna gives Yulia a bath Thursday night before leaving. Yulia specifically requested that "Mama Donna" give her a bath in the tub before we left.

Thursday night at church Yulia fell asleep in Rich's lap while Donna was speaking. Katia (on left) and Halla (on the right with Karen Quimby) are the older girls at Brenna's Home.

We think these few pictures really sum up why we are committed to Brenna's Home. Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers for a safe and productive trip.

Love, Rich and Donna

Time sure is going fast!

Dear Family and friends:

Sunday night we went back to church in the evening to attend the youth service. It was very well attended. We enjoyed listening to the singing, watching the skits and games and listening to the message.

Yesterday we all went to the center of town to do a little shopping and then Rich and I headed back to Brenna's Home for a few hours. We bought 2 CD Rom's for the children there to help them with their English. All 4 of them were very interested in them and had fun too. By the time we left, even little Yulia was saying some words to us in English. We also bought another Ukrainian/ English dictionary to leave at Brenna's Home because Halla is very interested in working on her English and just loved the one we had.

Today we went to Tabitha again. Ron did another object lesson and Karen did a craft with the children. Rich and I were also able to attended an English Class with Halla. It was very interesting! We got to interview several of the children and they asked many questions in English. Rich also got up in front of the class and spoke to them about America. It was a great experience for us. Halla was a little nervous at first about us going to class with her but afterwards, said she was so happy we went!

After the craft and lesson, we went to Patrick's apartment. We wanted to see his mother and new baby sister. She is 7 months old and the youngest of 7 children they have! We brought them several items of clothes and blankets.

Next, we spent a couple of hours at Brenna's home playing with the children.

Dinner tonight was at the Castle. Ron treated all of us and Pastor Victor and his family to a nice meal there. We only have two full days left and we head home on Friday! Time sure is going fast! Tomorrow we are having a pizza party at Brenna's home and then there is a youth service/Valentine's party at the church in the evening. Thursday, we will do another lesson and craft at Tabitha.

Thanks to all who have sent comments to the Blog! We really appreciate it!

Love and blessings, Donna

Tiki Tock

Dear Family and Friends:

Thank you SO much for those who have written! We really enjoyed the notes from home. We are sorry we have been unable to do much with the Blog due to our difficulties and lack of knowledge with the internet.

We have had a BUSY and wonderful past few days. Friday morning we did some shopping at the bazaar and then went to Brenna's Home to meet the children after school. Rich and I stayed there for dinner. They cooked a nice meal for us. Unfortunately, Sergi was sick and had a high fever that day and had stayed home from school. He wasn't able to have any fun with us because he had to stay in bed. We had brought some medicine from home so we were able to treat his symptoms ( high fever, sore throat and stuffy nose). Pastor Victor and his wife, Luda, joined us for dinner there also. We made a list that evening of household things needed for Brenna's Home

Saturday morning, Rich and I got us early and went back to the bazaar to buy the things on the list. We bought a new Iron, dishes, steak knife set, food processor and blender, glasses, new tea pot, cooking utensils and a non stick frying pan. The two housemother's were thrilled and said it was like we were "Santa Claus"! We spent about 200 dollars ( money goes so far here)
Saturday afternoon, after delivering the things we bought to Brenna's home, we met the rest of our group at the church and about 55 other children from the Tabitha program. We loaded all of them and us on a bus and went to "Ticky Tock" for the afternoon.( It is like a "Chuckie Cheese" place in America). We used some of the money donated by the New Beginnings Church for this outing. They were SO excited! We spent 2 hours there and were able to treat all of them to drinks and snacks as well. One of the highlights of that trip was watching 7 year old Patrick, who is in a wheelchair due to Spina Bifida, enjoy himself there. It was the first time he was able to go there. We carried him in and his wheelchair. He was able to crawl through the tunnels using his hands and arms and enjoy some of the games from his wheelchair!
That evening, (last night) after Ticky Tock, we took the 4 children from Brenna's Home back here with us. We cooked them( and Pastor Victor and his family) an American meal here! We had Chicken Parm. and spaghetti. (Halla later said she didn't know what she ate but is sure was good!!).
We then surprised them with a birthday cake for the 4 of them( because we won't be here for all their birthday's) and decorated with balloons! ( I'm getting pretty good at baking cakes here now!)
Rich did hair cutting and styling for all four and we stayed up until after 12! It was a lot of fun. Yulia slept in with Rich and I and we enjoyed hearing Halla, Katia and Brianna talk and giggle for a while as they tried to settle down in the living room to sleep. Sergi went to bed early as he was still not feeling well.

We all made it to church on time this morning and Rich continues his music ministry even here is Ukraine! We and Pastor Victor did a song in church . We also enjoyed a children's choir do a few songs. One of the men from the Blind Bible study also got us and gave a wonderful and very moving testimony too. It brought tears to my eyes. After church, we all went to Brenna's Home and were treated to a delicious meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and salad. We plan to go back to church at 6 pm for the youth service where Rich will play and sing again.

I am not sure if I mentioned in an earlier e mail or not but there were 5 children in Brenna's home but one left at then end of January ( Marta). She was the new one who had joined just before our trip last year. She had finished high school and her mother now has a better job. She decided to go back with her mother as she didn't like the "rules" at Brenna's home. We were sorry she is gone and are praying all goes well for her.

The children have been enjoying all the many clothes and things we were able to bring over as well as the socks Karen has been able to purchase for them here from the money people donated THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
We are taking lots of pictures and videos and will have much to show when we get back. Here are a few...

Yulia playing with new plastic tea and dish set which we purchased at the bazaar

Patrick (7 year-old with spina bifida) at Tiki Tock

Donna with some of the girls at Tiki Tock

Love and prayers, Donna

Meeting Yulia

We have finally been able to connect to the internet for the first time in Ukraine and it is very late here. We are all well and enjoying being here with all the Tabitha and Brenna Home children. They were all excited to see us. Several highlights have been meeting Yulia, now in Brenna's Home and she will be 5 on March 5. We also met her parents. Other experience was meeting the parents of Sergei and Katia in their home. That story will need to wait until later.

Donna meeting Yulia for the first time

Halya and Brianna

Gotta go to bed now - actually have to let the Melnychuks get to bed since I am using the phone line in their house and it is 12:30AM

From Rich (and Donna)

Bowling and Bibles

Dear Family and friends: We continue to have a wonderful and rewarding time here in Ukraine!
Yesterday, we took the children from "Brenna's Home and a few others, bowling. It was Yulia's first time on the bus and of course, first time in the bowling alley. She wasn't interested in bowling but loved to watch and clap for everyone. She also had fun exploring. We ended up spending two hours there and everyone had a great time!
Rich and I then took the children back to Brenna's home and spent an hour with them before the bible study playing ball games.
We then went to the weekly Bible study for the adult blind people. This was my third time being there and I was really impressed to see how attendance had grown! There were three times the amount of people there from last year. What a rewarding experience we had ! Last year there was a man who was a new Christian and he was shy, quiet and reserved. This year he was beaming because he had a new wife and they were expecting a baby. They were both so excited and joyful. There was also a young man who was blind and in a wheelchair who played the guitar. He had written several songs which he played and sang for us. The blind people also sang many songs all together for us too.Even though they have so many disabilities and are so poor, they seemed happy and joyful to the Lord , which was so wonderful to see!

Today we spend another day at the Tabitha program eating lunch with the children. Ron then did another object lesson , followed by a craft Karen had prepared (making cross key chains), which was a real success!

We are now resting up and preparing for a busy evening. Church is at 7 and Rich will be preaching. He is preparing his sermon and Karen is preparing her testimony. After church, we are having the youth group over for a pizza party.

Tomorrow, we will do some shopping for the children and then go to Brenna's home.
Still having trouble getting on the internet. ( sorry these notes are so late)

Love and blessings, Donna

Busy Days

Hi Everyone! We got off the train early this morning at 6:30 am. We didn't get as much sleep on the train as we had hoped but it was an experience! We had 2 cars for the seven of us and the most sleep any of us got was 4 hours! It was so good to finally get to Lutsk. The Weight's house seems like a palace compared to the last 2 or 3 days! I was SO good to get our suitcases here! Everything arrived without a problem and no broken Oreos or candy canes at all!

We had breakfast next door with Pastor Victor, Luda and their two girls and now are planning out the rest of our day. Rich and I plan to go to Brenna's home with Briana to do interpreting. I am very anxious to meet Yulia as Luda and Victor both said over breakfast she reminds them of me because of her looks and personality. Apparently, she was the last of about 10 children her mother had and she was the last one left they took out of the home( they do not know where the other 9 are) I am sure I will get the full story soon.

We are planning a small birthday dinner tonight for Oxsana. I baked my first cake here in Ukraine and unfortunately, I do not think it will taste like back home. ( I had to guess at the oven temperature and I have to use canned icing!)

Love to all, Donna

Safe and Sound

Dear Family and friends: Greetings from Ukraine! We are so sorry for the delay in getting a note out. We have had a lot of difficulty getting on the internet.

We arrived safe and sound without any problems and all our luggage intact ( Not even a broken Oreo cookie or candy cane!)

Monday, our first full day in Lutsk, we spend having a Ukrainian breakfast at Pastor Victor and Luda's home , resting up, and then a trip to Brenna's Home to see the children. We met the newest member, 4 year old Yulia. (She will turn 5 on March 3rd). She is an adorable, loveable little girl with big bright blue eyes who is full of laughter and fun. She fits right in with everyone and was full of hugs
I also baked my first cake in Ukraine ( an experience, but it DID taste okay!).

Tuesday, we had a full day at Tabitha with the children( After my attempt at making pancakes for breakfast-I sure do miss Michele's cooking over here!!). We showed them videos and pictures from last year, and then ate lunch with them. Afterwards, Ron did a wonderful object lesson in the church and then Karen had a craft prepared for all of them to do. When they left, we went to visit the house where Katia and Sergi's parent live. It was quite an experience for all of us and too awful to describe in words!
We also met Yulia's parents during the day who showed up drunk at the church. (Another emotional experience for all of us) Needless to say, we can really appreciate how wonderful Brenna's Home is for these children and how they are thriving there
We ate a delicious Ukrainian meal last night again at Pastor Victor's home

Today, we slept in a little and have plans to take the children from Brenna's Home ( and a few others)Bowling. ( I am having RICH do breakfast today!) We will also attend the Bible study tonight for the Blind.
Thursday is Tabitha again with a lesson and another craft. We will also be going to church tomorrow where Pastor Victor convinced Rich to Preach and the rest of us will give testimonies. Rich and Pastor Victor also are planning some special music.

Saturday night, we are planning a "sleep over " with the children from Brenna's Home. We decided to give the house mother, Valla, a break and have them HERE. That should be interesting

We are SO blessed to have Brianna along with us! She has been such a joy and HUGH help with everything!
We think of you all and pray everyday for everyone back home!
Hopefully, we will be able to communicate now more, since we have figured out how to get on line now!

Love and Blessings, Donna and the team