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Open to Change

June 27, 2013 By Deneen Turner

“The soul is healed by being with children.” -Fyodor Dostoyevsky

In just a week I’ll be with a HopeHouse Orphanage Mission Team, leaving for Ukraine (July 3-14). Almost half of our group is returning from last year’s trip. In 11 days we will see between 1,000 and 1,500 orphaned children in 8 different orphanages.

I’ve got my packing list together and am so excited to see those kids and have the chance to share love, hope, and joy with them. But on the other hand, I’m working to prepare myself for what is undoubtedly one of the most emotional times of my year.

It’s hard to leave my wife and baby girls behind for almost two weeks. It’s hard to see firsthand the injustice of hundreds and thousands of children abandoned and living with no hope. And it’s hard to say goodbye to them after only a few short hours.

However, I must come face-to-face with injustice in order to change it. I must stare it in the eyes and tell it to its face that it does not have the last word. I must go to the darkest places on earth, because that is where Jesus found me, and shine the light of hope and eternal love. I must tell these children that they are valuable, that they are loved more than they can even imagine, and that they are not alone.

And in doing so, I, myself, will be forever altered.

That’s the beauty of these trips– the hope which changes them also changes me. This is why so many people come back from an Orphanage Mission Trip and put in their deposit to go next year. As we work to spread the love of Christ, we unexpectedly find ourselves standing in it, reminded that we are valuable, we are loved more than we can imagine, and we are not alone.

Please pray for us as we prepare to embark, for safety and health, of course, but also that we would be open to the change which God desires for the orphans of Ukraine and for our very own hearts.

Many Blessings,
Twitter: @BrandonDragan
brandon@hopehouseinternational.org

All God’s Children

June 4, 2013 By Deneen Turner

Gathering at CAFO's Summit 9 @Brentwood Baptist — Gathering at CAFO’s Summit 9 @Brentwood Baptist

The last few weeks have been a bit of a blur. I’ve been working with church leaders from all over Nashville; have been in touch with pastors from New Jersey to Texas; have reached out to non-profits in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.; and have been working with our team in Ukraine.

We were also recently blessed to be part of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Annual Summit at Brentwood Baptist Church. We got to meet people from different walks of life and areas of ministry, all with a heart for reaching children in need. There were over 75 different ministries that exhibited (including HopeHouse) and attendees from all 50 states and more than 25 countries. We were a part of the largest orphan-related church gathering in the history of mankind. We talked and talked and talked about what God is doing to rescue orphans through HopeHouse International® until our voices were gone.

Orphanage Mission Cruise Fundraiser in Baskin, LA / Team Members Brian & Julie Rogers

Then, Co-Founder & President Deneen and I got in a minivan and drove to quaint little Baskin, Louisiana. We had a great meeting with our Orphanage Missions Cruise Team that will be leaving for Ukraine on July 3, and the following night we attended their silent auction fundraiser for humanitarian relief items. Deneen spoke about the desperate need of orphans, the mission of HopeHouse International®, and our upcoming trip. There were videos, music, and lots of fried catfish. That single evening raised more than $12,000 for the trip to include relief aid for the 1,500 orphans we will serve!!

When I think about all of the people I’ve met recently, all of the people who give so generously of their finances, their time, and their energy, all the good folks who see a need and jump to meet it, I can’t help but be slightly in awe.

I’m in awe of God’s heart—that he truly cares for the least of the least of us—and I’m in awe that he’s been moving in the hearts of his children all around the world, that we might see what he sees and love as he loves.

Blessings,
@BrandonDragan

Good Morning Sunshine!

June 1, 2009 By Team Member

We are indeed headed home. We only seem to be missing one, in the head count, and DO hope it’s not your loved one (just kidding). We have a long six hour bus ride back to Kiev, and are looking forward to dinner in Amsterdam and to sleep in a real bed again. Pastor Sam prayed before we left the ship’s parking lot and we wept again for our week’s work. We must continue to pray for our children, and the harvest. Pray for us as we ride and fly these next 24 hours.

P.S. Please ask Teressa Boren to return her Room Key!!! 🙂

– Bob Crawford –

Last Stop Odessa

May 31, 2009 By Team Member

Grace, grace marvelous grace…grace, grace, and some more grace, etc. Without God’s grace, and tons of prayer from you, we would not have sustained the level of eneregy, good health conditions, and fresh minds, during the ups and downs of such a Mission Trip. It would take pages to tell you the stories, to share the victories, and even expose a couple of dark moments along the way. But just when we were down,or wondered just why God let the enemy slap us around a little, he sent the sunshine after the storm. And guess what? we had learned to lean harder on Him…and the children were the ones that still got blessed.

We’re here serving in a Society that does not accept organinzed Religion, and offers no such hope to it’s people. One person called it a Religionless Society. Our prayer has never changed, as we have sought to just touch one tender heart at a time, and trust that God will have a plan to us that young soul to reach others…and perhaps someday even change a Nation for Christ.

One more Orphanage to go. We’re gearing up for it to be the best. Sam has held a Football in his messages, this week. Perhaps this is Our last goal-line stance, so to speak. We’ll worship together one last time, this morning (after all it’s Sunday Morning here), then pack out bags and equipment, so that we can began the trip home, early Monday Morning.

– Bob Crawford –

Sailing again…

May 30, 2009 By Team Member

We’re sailing again…back across the Black Sea…to our last stopin Odessa. We arrive back to the Ship,once again, just in time to sail. Wekre already out or Blogging range. Please know that we,re all healthy, and ready to return and share some wonderful stories!!! Morning will bring you lot’s of new photos.

God bless you for caring so much about us,
– Bob Crawford –

Across the Black Sea

May 29, 2009 By Team Member

Last night we sailed across the Black Sea, and were out of Cell Phone range. We didn’t forget you!!!

We have had an incredible roller coaster day. Two totally different types of Orphanages…two totally different receptions from the children and Orphanage Staff. God gave us a beautiful day of weather, and some breathtaking scenery on our two hour bus ride each direction. We should be back to the Ship by 8:00pm (our time) and will be having Dinner with some of the Hope House families and kids. What a blessing that will be, to end a very long day!!!

We’ll send more News and photos soon,
– Bob Crawford –

Kherson and headed to Sea

May 28, 2009 By Team Member

It’s not hard “in this line of work” to realize when our efforts step aside, and God begins to work. The Orphanage at Kherson, this morning, was another unique experience. The children amaze us at how they “attatch” themselves to us. Carolyn Boyd had more than one in her lap, Linda Crawford had a teenage girl not leave her side yet never tried to talk. The clowns continue to be like magnets, and the two Drama segments mezmerize everyone in total silence. We’ve seen a whole new side to Pastor Sam. When the tall, handsome, figure takes center stage, his message to the youth all eyes and ears are locked onto him (maybe we should let him speak through and Interpretor some Sunday). The icing on the cake was seeing yet another older teenage boy, touched enough to want to pray with one of the Adults.

We’re headed to Sea. The Back Sea is beautiful, and should make for good rocking to sleep by. We’ll awake to dock in the beautiful seaside City of Sevastopal. Enjoy some extra Photos, being sent tonight. And THANK YOU for the wonderful Comments, we’re receiving daily. They’re a real breath of fresh air, from home.

– Bob Crawford –

Whirlwind Day Three

May 27, 2009 By Team Member

What a glorious whirlwind day!!! Someone said we saw 200 Children, between the two Orphanages. There were minutesa that it seemed like 2000!!! The Clowns always get hit with the first wave, then Face Painting, the ladies painting the little girls nails, and they run a cluster of excited faces over to the Cameras so that each child can have his own personal photo made. This year we gave each child a Journal, that begins with a color group-photo of all of us on this Mission Trip. Then their own photo slides into the plastic sleeve beside it. An excelent tool for them to remember the events of today, and materials to help them focus on the message.

We started our day shocked as the orphanage Staff litteraly rolled a Hospital bed out in the courtyard, complete with a young boy. Has sad, we thought, but also haw good for him to be allowed to be involved. Then it was an “oh my” moment as we saw a second bed coming, then a third…the a few on crutches appeared. There is no telling how many “live wires” were running circles around us…but God kept drawing us, one by one, to the four laying on their stomachs watching the fun and then the program. The business at had moved on, but I wish you could have counted the tears of this Mission Team, as Dr. David Young scooped up little Victoria from her bed, and carried her in his arms up to the front so she could see. We haven’t the space to tell you a dozen other stories that were sharred tonight. I wish each one of you could somehow be linked into the nightly worship times we share, after Supper.

One of our hillarious FHBC Clowns led four teenage boys in the Sinners Prayer. Oh my, again. We prayed for seed planting, and God suddenly sent us a little harvest. Saved by His power divine, they were saved to a new life sublime!!!

We’re refreshed, and re-motivated, and we push on down river to Kherson for Day Four.
– Bob Crawford –

River Locks

May 26, 2009 By Team Member

Tuesday has been a travel day, down river. Just before Noon we gathered outside, in the beautiful sunshine, to watch our Ship pass through one of the Dneiper River Locks. Locks are an amazing River & Canal concept as one travels up or down the waters elevation. Today was the first time many of us had seen such an adventure. It was amazing to watch our Ship squeeze in between the giant concrete walls, guided so gracefully by the Master Pilot.The water lowered our vessel some 50 to 60 feet.

We stood almost breathless as the huge wall in front of us slowly began to open. We were literally down inside the dark walls of the Lock. But just beyond that old stained barrier began to appear the bright sunshine, the glistening river, and the lush wheat fields beyond. It seemed for a minute that time stood still. Can you imagine what it will be like to watch Heavens Gates of Pearl swing open for us someday? Our Captain will have so masterfully guided us home!!!

That’s the message we’ve come to share. There IS hope, and eternal life, beyond this world’s old barriers.Pray that the tender hearts we’ll share this with, in tomorrow’s two Orphanages.

– Bob Crawford –

Showers of Blessing

May 26, 2009 By Team Member

Day one and two gatherings of precious children. While we thought that today might be a good Dress Rehearsal, both orphanages turned out to be a test of our ability to adapt. If nothing else we know our Teamwork is in place!

A few showers may have driven us inside, but what rained down was God’s message to the young souls we saw today. The message of the Song we sang in their language:
He knows my Name,
He knows my every thought.
He sees each tear that falls
And he hears me when I call.

Won’t you sing that Chorus with us this Week?
– Bob Crawford –

Open to Change

All God’s Children

Good Morning Sunshine!

Last Stop Odessa

Sailing again…

Across the Black Sea

Kherson and headed to Sea

Whirlwind Day Three

River Locks

Showers of Blessing

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