Orphanage Graduation

Yesterday our team had the extreme privilege of watching 13 9th graders "graduate" from the Pravinska Orphanage. The day was filled with dancing, eating and celebrating (just as it should have been). But, sitting in the audience it isn't hard to realize that this is not your typical graduation. The auditorium is filled with the kids of the orphanage, teachers, the orphanage sponsors, and our team. A few family members made their way to celebrate the graduation of these children, but when I say a few, I mean: a few. This is an orphanage. These children have no families. It makes the honor of being in that audience so much deeper and more meaningful.

Each child graduating is a life that is intended to be treasured and celebrated, but our broken world has taken that privilege away from them. This is where being a part of Open Arms is such a gift! We get to celebrate these beautiful lives. We get to take pictures of them until their cheeks hurt and cry as we realize they have grown up so much before our very eyes.

September 1st will mark a new era of our ministry with these 13 children as 12 will make their way to study at a trade school here in Sumy - the very trade school with which Open Arms has its closest relationship. We couldn't be more excited to have these faces as a part of our camps and programming here in the city. It is clear that God is paving the way for us to invest further in their lives, but as these kids face a huge transition, we ask that you would be joining us in prayer: for wisdom as we prepare ministry for this transition, for their hearts to protected as they undergo so many life changes, and that our team here in Sumy would make deep, meaningful, and transformational connections with each of these children.

Vitalik in 2005

Vitalik on his graduation

As for now, we celebrate with this beautiful class! It has been amazing watching them grow over the past 7 years and we can't wait to share all that God does in their lives in the years to come!

A Day at Pravda

The Pravdinska Orphanage is the very place Open Arms Ukraine began. Seven years ago on a missions trip, the children who filled the orphanage stole our hearts and every time we step back into that orphanage it is a reminder of where we all began and why we do what we do.

The costumes we helped purchase for the dance competition

Our day started with the donation of skirts for the children's dance competition coming up. Pravdinska takes great pride in their dance programs and the competition is stiff among the orphanages of the region; being able to help them prepare is such a gift for us as ministry. Thanks to many of you, we also provided prom dresses for graduation once again. For the girls who remained dress-less from the 9th grade class, these prom dresses give them the chance to feel beautiful and special. It is always amazing to watch their faces light up as they find "the dress" among all that were donated - THANK YOU!!!

Veka had just found her perfect dress for graduation

Dima got in on the birthday celebrations

Birthdays were celebrated, hugs were endless, and this day was a beautiful reminder of where we started in ministry those years ago. For those who have stood by us through these years, we are utterly grateful!!!! Thankful for another beautiful day in the village ministering to these amazing kids!

PRAISES!!!!

Thank you for all the prayers this past week! Andre made it home today from the hospital and we are so thankful. Dusya, Sergei, and the Open Arms team felt the prayers from around the world and though Andre is still a little lethargic (no known cause was found), he is ready to make the trek back to Ivanivka with his little fam. After a week of Vala duty, the Open Arms home is ready to return to it's regular activities as well ;)

The whole family happy to be headed home with Andre

As for Anika and Chelsea, they have made it safely to Krakow (not without a few close calls)!! No issues at customs, an awesome hostel for the time being, and the invitation paper is currently being processed in Kiev. Prayers were answered!!!!

Anika and Chelsea enjoying the view from their new "home" for the visa wait

In other recent news, we received information today that Chelsea must purchase Ukrainian medical insurance (what?!? they have this?!) before she can apply for her visa. The most difficult aspect of this application process is that no one here in Ukraine seems to know the full story - officials and missionaries alike. Continued prayers are more than appreciated in this precarious process!!

Pray for Baby Andre

Andre is 7 months old and a joy to every member of our team. He was born to mom Dusya and dad Sergei (both orphanage graduates) this past September and joined his big sister Vala in their home in the village of Ivanivka. Health issues began earlier this month after Andre received a vaccination that was considered "bad" and a lump formed under his armpit. Things seemed to be OK with that issue until Monday when he began to struggle breathing and was taken to the doctor by his mother early the next morning. Later that day, he was transferred to Sumy where he continues to struggle.

What was first described as an allergic reaction that seemed to be getting better with medication and breathing treatments is now an unknown illness and possible heart problem while Andre struggles to keep food down and maintain a good temperature. Dusya, like any mom, is worried sick and we currently have Dad Sergei and sister Vala staying with us here in the Open Arms home.

Being silly with Sasha, his God-Father

Please join us in prayer for this little baby boy. The Ukrainian medical system is often backwards and far behind the times of western medicine. He is receiving various IV medications and shots throughout the day, but with an unknown cause we are all concerned for Andre.

Andre getting love from his mom

Thanks for lifting him up in prayer alongside us!!

Pray For Visa

Applying for and obtaining visas in most countries is a complicated process of paperwork and interviews. The difficulty in Ukraine begins with understanding what the process is even supposed to look like. Over the past few years, the Ukrainian government has changed its application process every 6 months and not one single department seems to be able to answer the question "how do I apply for a visa?" Most missionaries are attempting to stretch out their current visas for as long as possible, but this isn't an option for one Open Arms team member: Chelsea.

Chelsea first came on a summer missions trip through Open Arms in the summer of 2010, but it was after her second summer with us that she decided God was calling her to full time ministry with these broken children. She made the decision to join the OA team full time and moved this past January (despite the frigid temperatures). From what was understood, Chelsea would need an invitation, with which she could go to Poland and apply for a visa that she would receive on the same day as application. Until recently, that was the plan, but the missionaries who recently attempted this process under the given invitation have been denied and an entirely new invitation must be made, processed, and taken to Poland within the next week in order for Chelsea to stay Ukraine.

Time is limited, but it is still very much possible. We are asking that you join us in prayer - pray for wisdom as our team makes travel arrangements, requests invitations, and as Chelsea makes the ultimate decision of what is best for her at this point in time. Pray for a miracle that all the necessary paperwork would come together and Chelsea would be able to remain in the country. And also, pray for encouragement to uplift Chelsea's heart in an extreme way in this uncertain situation.

Chelsea is a huge gift and asset to the OAU team and our hearts are for her to be able to stay. Please be praying for Chelsea's heart and she waits in limbo for what the future holds. She is an amazing asset to our team and as we begin plans for summer camp, girl's Bible Studies, orphanage ministries, graduation... it makes it all the harder for her to think about leaving. It you are able and would like to give towards her application process, please do so by clicking the link below or sending checks to Open Arms Ukraine, PO Box 277, San Lorenzo, CA 94580 with "VISA" in the memo line of the check.

Praying for Camp This Weekend!

      Today was a full day of final camp preparation. We purchased all the food and packed up all the supplies. We were also able to take everything to the camp this evening. This was our first time doing this and it is such a HUGE blessing for so many reasons. First, it makes our day less stressful tomorrow because now we only have to worry about getting ourselves and the kids to camp. Second, we were able to spend time together walking through the camp and praying in each room. It was an amazing time for us to be able to actively give over the entire weekend to the Lord.

     Thank you so much to everyone who has supported our grads financially to come to camp and been praying with us the last couple of weeks. Please continue to pray throughout this weekend. We will be at camp starting tomorrow afternoon and return Monday afternoon. Pray for the grads that their hearts would be open this weekend to what the Lord has in store for them. Also, that the Lord would give our team energy as some of us are fighting colds and jet lag. Finally, pray that in all that we do this weekend that God would be glorified and the kids would feel God's love through us. Thank you again for all of your prayers. We look forward to sharing camp stories with all of you when we get back!!

Praying outside the camp today

Camp Goodness- Day 12

Thank you again to those of you who have been praying with us and who have sponsored kids to come to camp!! Today we ask that you join us in praying about the Bible lessons that are going to be taught at camp this weekend. Please be praying for Vova who is preparing the lessons. He will be speaking on the topics of love, who Jesus is, real happiness, Heaven, and self-image. Pray for the kids, that God would be working in their hearts even now. Also, that at camp they would be open to what is being shared and willing to ask questions during small group time. 

If anyone is still interested in sponsoring a grad to come to camp please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com. 

Camp Goodness- Day 11

     It was a busy weekend here in the Open Arms home as we celebrated Annie's birthday and have had a handful of grads staying with us. Although it's been crowded, it has been a great opportunity to get the grads excited about camp next weekend. 
     Thank you so much for partnering with us the last couple of weeks as we have been praying for different grads each day. This week we are going to be praying about specific aspects of camp and ask that you continue to join us in prayer. Today we are praying for our Ukrainian volunteers. We are so blessed to have such an amazing group of Ukrainians from our church who are always so willing to help us with camp. They are helping us with the lessons, meal planning, small groups, translating, and so much more. They are all very gifted when it comes to working with youth and we are so grateful for all of their help.
      Please be praying for them today as most of them have full time jobs and take time out of their busy schedules in order to help us. Pray that the Lord would bless them greatly and that He would speak through them as they spend time with the grads this coming weekend. 


Also, it is not too late to sponsor a grad to come to camp. If you are interested please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com

Camp Goodness- Day 10

     Today Annie and Katy visited some of the grads at their trade school to celebrate a birthday and invite them to camp while the rest of us did some shopping for supplies. The grads are getting really excited about camp and we can't wait for our time with them. 

     Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who have sponsored our grads and have been joining us in prayer!! We are up to 16 sponsors. We truly appreciate your generosity and are grateful that we are able to offer the grads a weekend retreat for free. If you are interested in sponsoring a grad to come to camp please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com or just click on the donate button.

Today we are praying for:

S.P.

Many of you have read about and been praying for S.P. for a few years now. He is such a fun, caring person and truly a joy to be around. S.P. has a lot of natural leadership abilities and the other grads, especially the younger ones, really look up to him. We are praying that camp is not only a place where he can continue to grow; but also, a time where he can be an example to the other grads of what it looks like to live for God. 

Olya

Olya graduated from Pravda a few years ago and has been diligently studying and working in a village outside of Sumy. She is very supportive and loving to anyone she calls friend. Last year at Summer camp she shared with us that it was a good break for her. We are really praying that her work schedule will permit her to come to this retreat so that we can love and encourage her.

Olya and Melissa at Summer Camp

Camp Goodness- Day 9

It's crazy to think that at this time next week we will be with our grads at camp!! Thank you so much to those of you who have already sponsored grads to come to camp! We have 14 kids sponsored so far. Please continue to pray with us throughout this next week as we prepare for next weekend. Also, if you are interested in sponsoring a grad to come to camp please contact us at OpenArmsMinistry@gmail.com. 


Today we are praying for:

Tanya

Tanya is in her 3rd year of trade school in Sumy. She has such a strong desire to be loved & clings to anyone who will give her a piece of their heart. She's sweet & caring & loves her friends so much.

Yula
Yula has a very sweet spirit. She is a little bit on the quieter side.When she sees us she always runs to give hugs. It has been fun to see her transformation over the past 6 years and watching her grow into a young woman.