Thank you all so much for your prayers for today's meeting. Things went very well and after the meeting we were allowed to go to the orphanage for a tour. Had a very interesting day. Met director of another orphanage here in town. She was very welcoming to us. Also met a young woman who works with a ministry here in town that helps young men and women that have graduated out of the orphanage to learn life skills and help them to adjust to life on their own. She was a very sweet young lady and was very complimentary of the work that we do. We also met a young woman that is a graduate of an orphanage. She helped to give some insight as to what it is like for an orphan to age out and be on their own.
Pray for us tomorow as we start our projects at the orphanage. We will also be attending a program that the children will be doing in the afternoon.
Thanks again for all your prayers. Keep them coming
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Please Pray for Favor
Saturday night the group was finally able to grab some sleep after traveling for over 36 hours. Even though travel was physically taxing, everyone was ready to finally see the children from the orphanage.
The first full day in Ukraine turned into a touristy day with the children. A bus was rented to take the Americans around different historical sites of the Sevastopol area. Many folks were excited to see the faces of kids they remembered from camps held in Hattiesburg.
As mentioned in the video update, please pray for a positive outcome with the local government tomorrow morning. The government has the right to deny Temple’s group from interacting with the orphanage. This meeting is critical because it could heavily influence the very reason the group is here to minister this week.
The first full day in Ukraine turned into a touristy day with the children. A bus was rented to take the Americans around different historical sites of the Sevastopol area. Many folks were excited to see the faces of kids they remembered from camps held in Hattiesburg.
As mentioned in the video update, please pray for a positive outcome with the local government tomorrow morning. The government has the right to deny Temple’s group from interacting with the orphanage. This meeting is critical because it could heavily influence the very reason the group is here to minister this week.
Our Promise139 Team has made it to Ukraine.
We have made it to Ukraine safe and sound, stinky and exhausted. all were ready for food and shower and bed tonight. We are excited about spending the day tomorrow with some of the children from the orphanage and doing some cultural activities. Continue to pray for us as we spend time with these people here. Pray that God blesses our time while we are together. Oh, and by the way, Don Thacker gets the Mr. Congeniality award for the group. The man doesn't meet a stranger. He was visiting and witnessing to people everywhere we have been. He doesn't miss an opportunity. We could all learn something from that. I, on the other hand, don't get the Miss Congeniality award. I have to admit that I almost attacked a airline check in girl in New York. It is quite a site to see 10 adults 4 children all check in with a mountain of check in bags with multiple carryons.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
4th of July, Bowling, Girls and Boys Night, and Camp Shelby
Well, I have to apologize for not updating the last couple of days, but we have been quite busy. My last post told you about our Olympic Day last Saturday, it was truly a day to remember. Video will be up soon.
On Sunday, July 4th, the kids attended Temple Baptist Church West Campus. Dr. Tony Merida delivered a powerful message, and Paul Koonce and the music ministry provided great music as always. If you have ever attended 4th of July service at TBC, you know that it is an awesome exprience of God and Country. At the end of the service, all branches of the Military are honored, and then from the ceiling hundreds of red, white and blue balloons fell in to the congregation, and streamers shot out to the crowd as well. I would have to believe that the kids really enjoyed that part of the service. Sunday night the kids attended the Celebrate America show on the front lawn of TBC, and then the incredible firework show provided by the church. I would have to guess that there were 3000-4000 people in attendance.
On Monday morning the kids loaded up and made a visit to Champion Bowling Lanes. We had about 50-60 people come out to knock down the pins. They had a great time bowling and eating pizza. After bowling it was time for boys/girls night out. The boys headed out from the bowling ally to Brooklyn to conquer the Black Creek in their canoes. Everything was going well, but as we approached Brooklyn, the bottom fell out of the sky, and we had the pleasure of a constant rain as they put in and headed out on the 5 mile trip. At the end of the trip, the guys enjoyed telling stories of their trip while woofing down several hotdogs and bags of chips. I think that everyone was completly waterlogged and needed some rest. Some crashed on the way home. When they arrived back home, hot showers rejuvinated the boys, so they headed out to eat some more at Pizza Inn and then to the church to play some games.
During the evening, the girls had a night of getting all dolled up! First, the girls got to experience a pedicure/manicure! They really enjoyed this and were very excited about getting to paint their nails! They also loved all of the special attention! Next, the girls got their hair done in all kinds of pretty styles and updoes! To complete the ensemble, dresses were laid out and our little Cinderellas were able to pick out a dress to wear! The girls and their friends all enjoyed modeling a fashion show and spending time together! It was a great night of fellowship and pampering!
During the evening, the girls had a night of getting all dolled up! First, the girls got to experience a pedicure/manicure! They really enjoyed this and were very excited about getting to paint their nails! They also loved all of the special attention! Next, the girls got their hair done in all kinds of pretty styles and updoes! To complete the ensemble, dresses were laid out and our little Cinderellas were able to pick out a dress to wear! The girls and their friends all enjoyed modeling a fashion show and spending time together! It was a great night of fellowship and pampering!
Tuesday morning the kids made a visit to Camp Shelby. The group enjoyed a tour of the Armed Forces Museum and then headed over to see a tank demonstration! The kids were WOWed when the tank flew by at 40 miles per hour and then came to a complete stop in front of them. The kids were then allowed to climb on and go inside several tanks on the base. After viewing the tanks, the crew headed over to the mess hall to have some grub! It was a lot of fun to get to eat with the soldiers! For the last tour, the kids got to visit the fire station at the air strip at Camp Shelby! The firemen showed everyone the ins and outs of the equipment, including dressing up in the fireman suit and shooting water from the truck! After leaving Camp Shelby, the kids, Irina, Natalia, Sergey, and some P139 members took a quick trip to the coast as the Ukrainian crew were very interested in seeing the coast. They visited the beach and saw some of the effects from Hurricane Katrina.
On Tuesday night, the kids and several guest got to enjoy a good ole southern fish fry. The University of Southern Mississippi catering group provided a wonderful meal of fried fish, chicken strips, hush puppies, cole slaw, potato salad, mac and cheese, and baked beans. It was great. After dinner, the kids and others went up to the pond for a late evening fishing trip. They LOVE to fish. The smiles that you see when one of the kids catch a fish is a sight to see. I think that they could do it all day long.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Promise139 Olympic Games
Today was a great day. We had the inaugural Promise139 Olympic Games. Once we all composed ourselves after one of the torch runners fell, the games began. The first activity was the introduction of the flags, followed by the US National Anthem and thent he Ukraine National Anthem. There were a total of six games played. I am pretty sure that there will be no accusations of drug enhancement in any of our contestants, but I do think that we may need to look at some replay footage for some of our players who might have bent the rules.
All in all, the kids had a great day. They spent some time earlier in the day swimming and some rest time in the afternoon.
Tomorrow they will be attending the morning services at Temple Baptist Church West Campus and then gathering back there that evening for 4th of July Celebration. If you are there, please come and introduce yourself.
All in all, the kids had a great day. They spent some time earlier in the day swimming and some rest time in the afternoon.
Tomorrow they will be attending the morning services at Temple Baptist Church West Campus and then gathering back there that evening for 4th of July Celebration. If you are there, please come and introduce yourself.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 2
Well, day 2 is in the bag.
Today was the first time that visitors were able to come out and meet the children. They had a great time just hanging around the pool getting to know each other.
Today was also Thanksgiving for our guest. They were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving lunch that included turkey, dressing, corn, and pecan pie. Due to a trip that I had to take, I was not able to be there, but I am sure that each one of them loved this traditional meal as much as we do on during that day in November. I guess the only thing missing was a lazy time on the couch watching football. A special thanks to board members, Misha and Ronnie Blackwell, for that Thanksgiving lunch.
During the afternoon time, the kids were able to have some rest time before heading back outside for some fun activities and games. I sure hope that all of the old people that were playing soccer have a working heating pad, you may need one.
As the evening approached, the kids, and the visitors, were once again able to cool off by spending an hour or so swimming in the pool. I have to admit, that it amazes me how well the kids from this years camp, and the ones from last year, can swim. I am not sure, but I would guess that with Sevastopol being on the Black Sea, that these kids are giving the opportunity from time to time to go have play time and swim at the Crimea Peninsula.
If you would like to know what the kids will be doing each day, you may see the camp schedule by going to http://www.promise139.org, and clicking on camp schedule.
Today was the first time that visitors were able to come out and meet the children. They had a great time just hanging around the pool getting to know each other.
Today was also Thanksgiving for our guest. They were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving lunch that included turkey, dressing, corn, and pecan pie. Due to a trip that I had to take, I was not able to be there, but I am sure that each one of them loved this traditional meal as much as we do on during that day in November. I guess the only thing missing was a lazy time on the couch watching football. A special thanks to board members, Misha and Ronnie Blackwell, for that Thanksgiving lunch.
During the afternoon time, the kids were able to have some rest time before heading back outside for some fun activities and games. I sure hope that all of the old people that were playing soccer have a working heating pad, you may need one.
As the evening approached, the kids, and the visitors, were once again able to cool off by spending an hour or so swimming in the pool. I have to admit, that it amazes me how well the kids from this years camp, and the ones from last year, can swim. I am not sure, but I would guess that with Sevastopol being on the Black Sea, that these kids are giving the opportunity from time to time to go have play time and swim at the Crimea Peninsula.
If you would like to know what the kids will be doing each day, you may see the camp schedule by going to http://www.promise139.org, and clicking on camp schedule.
First Day
Yesterday was the first full day that the kids were here, and let me tell you, they are having fun. Yesterday was just a day of relaxing and getting to know the kids and their caregiver. We spent yesterday morning getting the kids familar with the house and where everything was and what was available to them.
Yesterdays theme was Christmas. They spent the latter part of the morning making their very own Christmas ornaments, that would later be put up on the Promise 139 Christmas tree. After some rest time in the afternoon, the kids and several of the board members walked over to the pond for a late afternoon fishing trip. I wish you could have seen the face of these children when they would reel in the fish that they had caught. It was such a delight. You can tell that they thoroughly enjoyed their time by the pond. But as you residents of South Mississippi know, you are never sure when Mother Nature is going to bring in one of those wonderful summer thunderstorms. Well, one decided to come in around 5:00, so we were all forced to head back to the house.
That evening the group ate a good ole hamburger and then each child was able to experience what our children do on Christmas morning, they got to open Christmas presents. But that was not the highlight of our day. The best part of the day was when board member Denise Morton read the Christmas story, while interpretor Natasha translated the good Word to our six visiting children. Thanks to you both.
Please come back tomorrow to learn more about the events of our Promise 139 Summer Camp.
Yesterdays theme was Christmas. They spent the latter part of the morning making their very own Christmas ornaments, that would later be put up on the Promise 139 Christmas tree. After some rest time in the afternoon, the kids and several of the board members walked over to the pond for a late afternoon fishing trip. I wish you could have seen the face of these children when they would reel in the fish that they had caught. It was such a delight. You can tell that they thoroughly enjoyed their time by the pond. But as you residents of South Mississippi know, you are never sure when Mother Nature is going to bring in one of those wonderful summer thunderstorms. Well, one decided to come in around 5:00, so we were all forced to head back to the house.
That evening the group ate a good ole hamburger and then each child was able to experience what our children do on Christmas morning, they got to open Christmas presents. But that was not the highlight of our day. The best part of the day was when board member Denise Morton read the Christmas story, while interpretor Natasha translated the good Word to our six visiting children. Thanks to you both.
Please come back tomorrow to learn more about the events of our Promise 139 Summer Camp.
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