Subj: Bringing smiles across the miles!
Date: 3/31/03
Ira began as in interested translator for our family and mission teams, now God uses her to continue and develop many ministries within her country of Ukraine. Below I have edited out excerpts from the letters that Ira has written me since I returned to the states. They are updates about the school that was started in an orphanage for mentally disabled children. This is about God's work, His changing of lives, and revealing Himself through the work, concern, support, and prayers from many of you. May you be as blessed and blown away as I am of how God can use us to bring smiles to children living so far across the miles. (I can send pictures upon request)
March 7 - 27, 2003
On Wednesday I had to do a lot of shopping! I got a cassette recorder, kettle, lock for the door, schoolbooks, clay and other school supplies. So, now each child has his own soap, towel, tooth brush, comb, cup, napkins, pad with colored paper, note books, pens, pencils, white paper, ect. Besides that I found some good toys for kids.
So, we went to Plyskiv on Friday. It was snowing, but we made it!!! Vova and my brother went with me. When we came to Plyskiv, kids were having their school. Teachers didn't have a lock on the door and the kids who studied in the morning didn't want to leave and stayed for another lesson! They just love their new school! All day long today they were telling me about new teachers and pictures that they made!
If you remember, tomorrow is the International women's day (March 8) and I thought it would be good if the kids could do something special for their caregivers. I prepared gifts for the workers, their director, and teachers as well. Masha and some other girls congratulated all the workers with the gifts. For the first time the workers were congratulated by the children!!! I think this new tradition will stay in the orphanage for a long time!
While we were congratulating people, my brother and Vova put the shcaff (cupboard) together and put a new lock on the door, so now workers can close the door and nobody will disturb them! In general the classroom is nice and big, but almost empty. There are no chairs there, kids are using a bench, I think we will need to get about 5 chairs. Lynnise, I know it wasn't the plan, but you know how it never happens here according to the plan! Well, also I think we need to get a map, some flowers, and clock. I think I have money for that.
More about the school. The teachers had their first lessons and this is what they want to do. They want to divide children in two groups. One group will be children who can talk and other group for children who can't talk, like Katya and others. I think that will be wise. The first group already can count till 10! Can you believe? Well, the behavior is about the same, but I know God gave the right people for teaching those kids, and I know that soon they will be doing better.
The only detail that is not worked out to the very end is the driver. But, it was God's plan and it is His job to think whom to send, let's just trust Him. I am sure He will do His best for the teachers. We just need to pray about it.
The children are happy to have their school and teachers, they even want to live with them! And this is what makes me stronger, though I still have the flue!
The rest is happening according to the plan! Just need a lot of prayers that God gives me enough wisdom do deal with some details! Yes, you are right, it is not always easy administrating, especially when you are young! But I going to be always young! So, I am ready to deal with such problems!
I just got back from Plyskiv. This is how everything went.
In the morning I got a carpet, a clock, a peg, and a rubber rug that will be in front of the door, so kids could clean their shoes before entering the building. Now kids come to the classroom, put on clean slippers, hang their coats on the peg and are ready to have lesson at the table
After the market we went to Plyskiv. When I came, the door of the medical room was locked; it meant no school today. So I visited some with children, they told me everything about their school, about their pens and pencils, note books and clay!!! I have never seen them so excited!!!!! They even showed me their notebooks with some numbers. They can count till ten!!!
Well, I had brought all those things and wanted to see teachers. I thought they were in the church, so I went to Pogrebushche (the village they are from). We found a teacher that had a key for the room and wanted to talk to her. It was nice to see her and to talk about school, about problems, and ect. She told me why they didn't have school today, so they will have school on some other day. So, we went back to the school, left slippers and rug, and talked to the workers. It sounded like everything is fine, they are happy that children are at school. The only problem they have is that everybody wants to be at school now!! So, this is how everything happened. The main thing is that we visited with people, talked about everything, delivered what was needed. So, so far everything is going fine. We just need to keep praying and keep our trust in God.
Love, Ira.
I just talked with one of the teachers. She told me that everything is fine in Plyskiv. I am glad. Thank you God!!!! You know I had gone on Saturday and of course nobody knew, I mean the workers of Plyskiv didn't know, and yet the kids were clean. All the pupils had nice clothes, not just good but nice!!! Do you think that's because the teachers come and the workers are trying their best to show that the kids are well cared? I think so. I think there is something special in the air now that helps to feel better. Not just for the children, but for the workers also. The kids congratulated them with the holiday for the first time! And the children are so happy about their school. I think all this helps them to feel better. Praise God that together we can do something. That's a real miracle!
Hello again,
Just wanted to tell you that I got mattresses for Plyskiv. So, life in Plyskiv will be improved a bit. I will wait till we will get some waterproof material, because there is no sense to give new mattresses without it; in a week they would be like old ones. We will put them on the beds by ourselves, and I hope children will sleep better in dry beds. See, God sends people who want to help and to improve Plyskiv and I am sure we will improve it all together.
God opens hearts and gives desires to help children here and that is great. I thank Him every day for the ministry that He gave us and ask Him to give me wisdom and to show the way everything should be here. And you know, He does! He is always with me here and with you there, He even brings more people!
Love,
your partner Ira.