Monday

Both teams went to different orphanages today. Here are some pictures of the children in the orphanage that Team One visited. The team was able to see them open the shoe boxes and enjoy the gifts!

Team 2 visited an orphanage 3 hours drive north from Kiev, not far from Chernobyl.

At the first orphanage, we talked briefly with some of the students, but did not get to see them open their gifts. It was especially rewarding to hand out gifts to some teenagers.

We were late arriving at the second orphanage and the director was upset, so he had sent most of the kids to eat lunch. Some students were finished and had congregated in the gym. We had a great time playing with these kids as more and more trickled in. The gym was bright blue and had that "gym odor" magnified about 20 times, but it was a precious time with these children as they freely came up to us for hugs or engaged us in their games. Doug, a missionary in the Ukraine, who has been working with this particular orphanage, had built many strong relationships with these kids. He and his team of Ukrainian students came along with us to lead the kids in music and games. It was great to see how one person's efforts can change an entire community. Ollia, from Doug's team, Jeff and Sharon had to walk in the snow and cold about a mile from the orphanage into town where more shoe boxes were stored. Our team was a little short on shoe boxes. On the way, Ollia, climbed onto a snow bank and one foot completely fell through. A second later, the other foot followed suit and she threw her head back and laughed and laughed while Jeff and Sharon helped her get out. Her reaction to that situation really set the tone for a lively and fun 3 hour bus trip back to Kiev!