I'm thrilled to report that 7 of the orphans from Ukraine have arrived to RVA and vicinity! They were all bright eyed, eager to please and smiles!!! It's been fun to hear snippets from the families that are still working through just 'acclimating' them:)!! These girls have been quick to jump in and eager to be part of the families. Surprised? I'm not..I've witnessed it time and time again...somehow we think we have to offer sooo much to an orphan, when in reality, they want to just off
I just am struck at the timing of Christmas and them being here. How strange it must have felt for Jesus to take on flesh. Oh but it wasn't for HIM but for US that God became man. That HE lived, died and rose again, FOR US! I'm amazed that Jesus can call me HIS FRIEND, but he does. Not because of my 'qualifications' or goodness, but by HIS. Thank you Jesus, my friend. Do you see the parallels in caring for orphans...it's not how much we can offer or what they'll do for us, but a way of displaying what is true about US...that we have been made FRIENDS with the Lord of the UNIVERSE. We love because HE first loved us. So as we love on orphans, it's so much more than meeting them. It's meeting Jesus. I can't say it any other way. HE IS WITH THEM! and we're invited in. Oh it's messy and exhausting, but not alone.
I'm grateful to watch how folks have poured out for these orphans and their host families....tangibly and in prayer! It is the 'taste and see' that I think He delights in as he calls us to 'care for the least of these'. Oh to be invited into the banquet and FEAST!!
So, as you follow these families, an important thing you can do is PRAY!! Pray for stamina and focus. I'm remembering how exhausting it is...always being on. Think of it like being on a missions trip for 3 weeks. These families LONG for the Gospel of Christ to be reflected. We all desire for the kids to be invited into a family of their own. Most of the host families only know that their role has been to step forward in hosting. Maybe it will be the connection to YOU or through YOU that leads them to their forever family. I'm thankful these families aren't alone in their desires.
So check out some updates at the host families blogs for:
Alyona P
Alyona S
Irina
I hope to get some updates to you for the other girls and Sergi as he arrives soon!
Leave a comment here or message me your email if you'd like to have pix of Natasha sent. I can't seem to upload any more pictures!! ugh!!!
I just am struck at the timing of Christmas and them being here. How strange it must have felt for Jesus to take on flesh. Oh but it wasn't for HIM but for US that God became man. That HE lived, died and rose again, FOR US! I'm amazed that Jesus can call me HIS FRIEND, but he does. Not because of my 'qualifications' or goodness, but by HIS. Thank you Jesus, my friend. Do you see the parallels in caring for orphans...it's not how much we can offer or what they'll do for us, but a way of displaying what is true about US...that we have been made FRIENDS with the Lord of the UNIVERSE. We love because HE first loved us. So as we love on orphans, it's so much more than meeting them. It's meeting Jesus. I can't say it any other way. HE IS WITH THEM! and we're invited in. Oh it's messy and exhausting, but not alone.
I'm grateful to watch how folks have poured out for these orphans and their host families....tangibly and in prayer! It is the 'taste and see' that I think He delights in as he calls us to 'care for the least of these'. Oh to be invited into the banquet and FEAST!!
So, as you follow these families, an important thing you can do is PRAY!! Pray for stamina and focus. I'm remembering how exhausting it is...always being on. Think of it like being on a missions trip for 3 weeks. These families LONG for the Gospel of Christ to be reflected. We all desire for the kids to be invited into a family of their own. Most of the host families only know that their role has been to step forward in hosting. Maybe it will be the connection to YOU or through YOU that leads them to their forever family. I'm thankful these families aren't alone in their desires.
So check out some updates at the host families blogs for:
Alyona P
Alyona S
I hope to get some updates to you for the other girls and Sergi as he arrives soon!
Leave a comment here or message me your email if you'd like to have pix of Natasha sent. I can't seem to upload any more pictures!! ugh!!!
