The success of the Hope Now pre-independence homes cannot be overstated. Once again the organization has developed a model, as it did with its cottage homes and fostering projects, which is now replicated throughout Ukraine and even in other CIS countries. However, the homes are too small to accommodate all the orphans who leave the institutions without a home to go to. In September, Pasha and Vanya from Shpola orphanage wanted to enter Cornah House but there was no room for them. Larissa Vovk, who is responsible for our for work among the children at risk, decided that Pavel should come to live with her but that Vanya would have to go into a state dormitory. She managed to get both boys into trade school. However, a sponsor came forward for both boys so she decided to take them both into her own apartment home. She says both boys have settled and are doing well.
Every Tuesday the young men and women from the pre-independence homes meet at Alpha House for Bible Study so I was asked to visit them recently to talk about marriage and families. I was delighted to see both Pasha and Vanya there taking full part with everyone else. Of course, they need training, especially in how to budget and handle money appropriately, which means that they must also have the freedom to make mistakes. Bear in mind, they have never had anything to call their own until now. Larissa tells how they wisely spent the first money they were given on clothes but they then spent money on mobile phones. I'll let Larissa tell it for herself. "They were very enthusiastic, as soon as the classes finished, they ran to the shop to buy them. The boys laughed with joy, holding the phones in their hands. Who will they phone? The boys are orphans! But that was what they wanted to have. Almost dancing they went out of the shop but within 50 meters big, strong, strangers stopped and bullied them and demanded to have the phones they had just bought. Vanya desperately ran away but Pasha was taken to a yard, beaten and his new shiny mobile phone taken away. When they told us about this at Bible study time, we expressed our regret and gave some advice. We asked about the value of mobile phone for them. 'I felt myself a man', - said Vanya, who managed to save his. Pasha said: 'I don't need it'. At the end of the class, Marina ran to Swindon House and brought her old mobile phone and gave it to Pasha. One could read in his eye that he also wanted to feel like a man. We study the Word of God for two months together. I hope the boys will understand soon, it's not a mobile phone that makes a man a man". Indeed it's not. But who of us will deny that we too sometimes get our values mixed? Is not the current economic crisis a direct result of individuals, institutions and governments ignoring the basic tenets of fiscal prudence? Who will dare tell a 16 year old orphan who has never had to handle money in his life, that buying a mobile phone is less appropriate than a government that is willing to take a country into unimagined debt in order to get its citizens to go out and spend, spend, spend on things worth much less than mobile phones? Maybe Pasha and Vanya will have served us well if their story causes us to stop and ask whether our own values are any better.
The Bible and not least of all Jesus has much to say about money and how we handle it. Certainly, we at Hope Now recognize our responsibility to be good stewards of all you entrust to our keeping for the people of Ukraine. 2009 is uncharted water and yet we dare to believe that this letter from a retired minister reflects the thoughts of many. "I already support several children's charities and am now retired. I have to limit the gifts I can make. However, next year,I will make a donation to this excellent and worthy charity. May God very richly bless all you do. I really enjoyed last night's (Kolo Sertcya) concert, a brilliant performance; and praise God for its work and witness. A great uplift for a nearly 80 year old!". Likewise, we praise God for all of our partners. And wish for you all a very Happy and blessed New Year.
Imagine driving over 2,000 miles zigzagging across the country, over a 3 week period - complete with 5 teenagers and …Vic! This year's Hope Now USA Tour will be here before I know it.
When Dima, with his two older sisters, came into the care of the Hope Now foster program he was just two years old. He had been rescued from an ugly situation but came into the home of Vladimir and Larissa Kusin.
Alina Zalygina suffered terrible burns in a house fire when she was just 2 years old. Her alcoholic mother, the cause of the fire, had her parental rights taken away...
2010.09.01 For British volunteers Brenda Greenwood, Arthur Glinn and Phoebe Attrill and for Americans Val Lyman and Fred & Gery Hendon who are serving this week at Widows’ and Widowers’ Camp at Kompas Park.
2010.09.02 For Vic and Sue as they go on holiday for the next three weeks, that they will be rested and refreshed, to face their final month with Hope Now.
2010.09.03 For Trisha Jackopson-Hendy as she goes to the Isle of Wight to enthuse Islanders to attend the Medina Theatre for the Silver Jubilee concert.
2010.09.04 For Peter and Rosemary Pearson and Bernard and Wendy Downton as they fly out to Ukraine to help at next week’s Widows’ and Widowers’ Camp.
2010.09.05 For Alla Kostyunina, Frank and Lin Collier and the Kompas Park members of staff as they engage in the last camp of the summer season.
2010.09.06 On this Labor Day, for those that are blessed with employment both here in the USA and in Ukraine. That we may all truly be thankful to God for His provision, and we will labor for Him with a cheerful heart.
2010.09.07 For John Budgell and Brenda Greenwood as they prepare to take on the two key positions at the Southampton office on November 1st.
2010.09.08 For Dr Alexander Doreshenko and his team of health volunteers as they minister the gospel and heal the sick, via the Mobile Medical & Dental Unit.
2010.09.09 For the young people at Kornah House and Swindon House Pre-independence homes, as they settle into their studies.
2010.09.10 For the Spirit of the Lord to use this last day of the Widows’ and Widowers’ Camp to minister to the many needs of those attending.
2010.09.11 For the teachers and students as they commence a new year at the Cherkassy Center for Biblical Studies. Pray especially for the new post-graduate course.
2010.09.12 For the final arrangements for the Silver Jubilee tour so that tickets get sold and accommodation found for the team.
2010.09.13 For Margaret Ferguson as she guides the young people in Cape Town to secure places at universities or colleges, in preparation for independence.
2010.09.14 For those young people who are still waiting for sponsorships to start studies at university or to stay at our pre-independence homes.
2010.09.15 For Dee Ewart in her struggle with cancer and for husband Peter to be strong as he cares for her.
2010.09.16 For the children and young people in our care especially those who find school and discipline irksome.
2010.09.17 For those ex-prisoners who have become pastors and church planters to receive wisdom, insight and knowledge as they lead in their communities.
2010.09.18 For Vladimir Kuzin, Rector of the Hope Now Bible School and Valentina Kurat, the Secretary and teaching staff, as they seek to expand the school.
2010.09.19 For Alla Kostyunina as she writes her report and assessment of Kompas Park’s summer season and plans for the building of the new staff accommodation.
2010.09.20 For the Silver Jubilee fund to be supported so that Alla will be able to start building and complete the final phase of the Kompas Park development fund.
2010.09.21 For those children, young people and adults who experienced the touch of the Lord at Kompas Park, to be fervent and persevering in the faith.
2010.09.22 For Frank and Lin Collier as they return to Southampton after a busy summer at Kompas Park and make themselves ready for the Silver Jubilee Tour.
2010.09.23 For Vic and Sue as they return home from their holiday and for Cyndee Knight as she heads up the USA office after a busy summer season.
2010.09.24 For Anatolii Perepilitsa and Sasha Tarasenko as they preach in the prisons and minister to the ex-prisoners.
2010.09.25 For Misha Vishymeersky as he leads the Hope Now staff in Ukraine, that he may be given much wisdom to make good decisions and vision for the future.
2010.09.26 For Vic as he preaches today at Colwell, Isle of Wight and uses the time there to encourage people to attend the upcoming Silver Jubilee concerts.
2010.09.27 For Michael Quicke and David Coffey as they prepare to preach and lead at the Silver Jubilee Celebration at Chatsworth Baptist Church, West Norwood on Oct. 2.
2010.09.28 For the Board of Directors as they meet this evening and for Vic and Sue for whom this will be the last board meeting. Pray for wisdom and grace in everything.
2010.09.29 For the church planting and twinning program to be effective and new churches to be found, willing to twin with a church in Ukraine.
2010.09.30 For American supporters Bob and Patti McLeod, John Conner and Tim and Myles Thompson as they fly to the UK to participate in the Silver Jubilee tour.
