St. Nikolai Day

Today Ukraine celebrated St. Nikolai Day, and we spent the evening at Number 9 Boarding School. Our time there was very special for me. It all began with Adam and I going to the school to watch the festive program the kids were to put on. The weather was a fright with freezing rain soaking our coats as we walked from the bus stop to the school. Right in the entrance we were greeted by two of the orphanage girls and we proceeded up to the 4th floor where all the kids were assembled in the concert hall. As we entered the room, it seemed as though all 160 or so faces were looking our way with smiles from ear to ear. I wish I could have stood there and took it in for what it was. I felt truly accepted. As I made my way down the isle, dozens of hands stretched out towards me to shake them, and as I grasped them one by one (and sometimes two at a time), a few kids snuck in and gave hugs full of excitement, as if they hadn't seen us for years. This type of greeting is very common at the boarding school (in small doses at a time by the little kids), but today it was so amazing to have this kind of welcome from so many kids all at one time! Seriously, I felt like a celebrity (in the best way possible).

So we made our ways to our seats and soon enough the concert began. As usual it was a great mix of dancing, poetry reciting, and singing done by the VERY talented kids of this boarding school.

The concert band equipped with instruments donated from Canadians

It was loud, and it was fun!

The kids were so great!

At the end of the concert we were blown away by something we never saw coming! The director of the orphanage stood at center stage and took his time to thank the guests who had come to the concert and how they have contributed to the lives of the kids. Other than us, there were three men in particular - one whose company sponsors the boarding school, another who coaches the boys at soccer, and another who coaches the wrestling program with the girls. The director happily motioned to the Christmas tree in the corner and pointed out the boxes and boxes of candies and Mandarin oranges that these men had brought with them for the kids, and spoke of how the kids should be thankful. We seriously thought that is where he would stop and dismiss everyone. But that's when he took a few steps towards Adam, Tanya, Vika and I, and spoke at length of all that our ministry does for the children at the boarding school. He apologized for seeming like a mean guy over the years (and reassured us he loves us), and spoke so many words of gratitude that I cannot recall them all. In particular, he mentioned the big, amazing positive changes in the kids' lives due to our ministry's influence. For that he was most thankful. When he was done everyone gave an applause for us! We were all dumbfounded. This man (as he himself mentioned) is a rather serious, and sometimes intimidating man!! I am sure my mouth was stuck open in shock. :) I typically hate being recognized for the deeds we do for the kids because it's all for God. But today I felt it was God showing us that we are doing something right. I took great comfort in that, and am most grateful that our relations at Number 9 are so good!!

The director speaking to the kids

Your donations, and your prayer support have helped these kids in so many ways, and we are ALL so thankful! Your help has given these kids the opportunity to be better equipped for school, sports, the arts, and for life...whether it be from help by purchasing supplies, or from giving opportunities to the kids to study in extra-curricular activities and lessons, or even by paying for travel costs for kids to visit other places in Ukraine on excursions. Their thanks, and their smiles, really are for you. Thank you so much for being with us on our journey as we strive to do our part in brightening up the lives of these kids through the love of Christ. It really does pay off in ways you can't imagine.