Catching up!

We have had a busy few days here in Odessa. Randy's flu has finally let up. You can buy antibiotics here over that counter for $15.00 for 3 pills ,you take one each day and it will 'cure what ails ya'. After 2 days Randy was coming around and able to do some sight seeing.Nadya is starting with sniffles now, her and I have been taking lots of vitamins so perhaps we won't get sick.

Monday we went to Hope House to see all the renovations. A foster home for 2 parents and 8 children. They have built an addition and have farm animals and gardens to help them become self sufficient.The mom "Alla" was chosen as citizen of the year by the city of Odessa.

Tuesday, Sergiy and Dina took us sight seeing, their son Kirril(9) and Nadya had a wonderful time together. This is a beautiful city, a seaport on the Black Sea, lots of historical monuments, incredible architecture and lots of new construction going on. The real estate value has increased immensely in the last few years. People are beginning to build single family dwellings, they mostly live in flats.

In the afternoon we went to "First Step Center" to see the program they have for street children. The doors open at 3pm, the children get a snack and than they have a bible lesson with reading and a worksheet. Then they play a bit and get a hot meal, they can get a shower if they wish. I was surprised at how well behaved the kids were and all very attentive to the lesson. There were 3 little boys sitting by me that stole my heart. Two were 13 years old and one was twelve but they looked more like 8 or 9. I can't imagine these little kids fending for themselves on the street.

We went to "Shephards House" after that, this is a home for girls 14 -16 that have aged out of the orphanages. This project in partly funded by a Canadian grant.
The girls learn some life skills here and can finish their education before they are out on their own.

All of these homes have been partly funded through World Hope Canada as well as many US and Canadian citizens. The government has been studying the work and is hoping to use these homes as models and will be setting up similar programs to help the homeless.

We were wiped out after the busy day and slept well last night. Nadya is having a blast here and says no Ukraina, yes Odessa. She thinks we are in a different country. This trip has been really good for her because she loves Alina (Sergiy's daughter)and Alina has been to Canada and speaks english. So Nadya is getting more and more excited about coming home.

That brings us to present, Randy is working at Hope House helping the guys dry wall and I am here at Sergiys home with Dina and the kids. There is a mission team coming tomorrow from New Brunswick to contine the work at Hope House. There ia also a phsycologist?? staying at Kerry's for 2 weeks and working with the kids at the houses.

Have a great day!
Debbie


Comments:

Kelly......so glad you are home and feeling better, try to behave yourself and follow Dr.s orders ( I know it is hard)

Ryan.....I am so glad you ran into Mrs. MacDonald. I bet she was surprized.

Laura....I'm still working on travel arrangements, Nadya is on the waiting list for March 4th, so we could end up booking another airlines.

Barb and Don....looking forward to seeing you guys when we get home

Mom, Dad, Ryan, Jared, Kim, and Mitchell as well as nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers and all the rest of you.... Miss you all, time is ticking away and it won't be long till we are home.