Deneen was reunited with Misha, a boy she bonded with 3 years ago. Suzanna, a beatiful blond girl latched onto Teresa Boren just soaking up the love. Donna Ware another clown was surrounded by kids all day. We could go on and on, as each team member met, connected with and loved on all of the kids. When we were leaving it was very difficult, the children surrounded us and told us not to forget them…. How could we ever forget them. Thanks again for all of your prayers!

Of the gospel which he shared entirely in Russian. The children rotated stations between face painting, recreation and polaroid pictures. This orphanage had mostly older kids and our teens (Danielle, Joel, Ellen, Lauren, Rachel, Adrienne, Austin and Taylor) had an enormous impact. It was evident that all of them were starved for affection. They held on to us all for the entire time we were there. One of the children handed his polaroid picture to Jack so that he would be remembered. Continued in part 3

When our van arrived 235 children were waiting for us. They were so excited to see us at their remote village orphanage. It was one of the poorest orphanages we will visit. We began with Deneen leading music to include the “hokey-pokey” and the “chicken dance” which helped us break down some walls. Then “Flower” the clown (Tracy Nei) was introduced and helped to energize the kids with rocking rendition of “jerimiah”. The drama and creation skit were great preludes to Eugene Schamko’s presentation- cont’d

We spent yesterday sailing the Black Sea which gave us time to rest, have team preperations and a wonderful worship time led by Patrick Hamilton. Today we go to an orphanage of 250 kids. After the orphanage visit we will split into two groups to visit two HopeHouse families and then attend church. We are sending these blogs through Jack Miller’s blacberry so we are limied on space. We will update more frequently because of this. Thank you for your posts they have been an encouragement to our team.

After 23 hours of flying and a 6 hour bus ride we arrived safely in Odessa. All of our luggage arrived as well as our duffle bags full of orphanage relief supplies. We had a few passport stresses early in the trip, but they served as reminders that we were entering the mission field. We are not in control, but we have to depend on the soveriegn will of God.

In Munich our team gathered as Eugene Schamko led us in a very meaningful devotional that prepared us as a team. Thank you for praying for us.