WATCH DAILY

We are excited for the LAMb team now on the ground in Kyrgyzstan.....please visit the Wright's blog daily for the next eight days...it will warm you heart and blow your socks off!!!

                                                             http://www.actofkindness.blogspot.com/ 

Candles Give Hope to Orphaned Children - Thank you, Jen

Very quietly and humbly, Jen Hauk spent many, many hours over the busy holidays creating candles for one single purpose - to raise resources for our family resource center, Dayspring, in Kyrgyzstan.  We are excited to announce that through her efforts (and I am sure the help of her family), she raised at just about $1,200.  These resources will be used to provide loving care to the children God sends to us.

THANK YOU, JEN

Make your own thank you

I don't think I will ever forget the words of Mother Theresa - paraphrased - " It is not the great big things always that make an impact for God , but it is the little things that God multiplies and uses."  It is one candle made that makes a difference for one child at a time!

The True Gifts of Christmas

With Christmas just a few short days away, we have been concentrating on the true gifts of Christmas - love, joy,and the peace that comes from knowing Christ and His purposes for our lives.

There is never a day that goes by that we don't think about our precious friends - especially the children - in Kyrgyzstan.  Although for this short season we are working here as God leads, we look forward to returning there in the spring.

As I was thinking about why we go, it truly has to do with those gifts of Christmas - we hope to share love, joy, and the peace of Christ as we speak into the lives of those God brings before us.

This little presentation is In honor of our precious, precious friends, who we miss greatly. May each one of them experience Christ's love in a new way this season.

Special note: John, Julie, Emma and Bekah Wright will be spending Christmas there.  Watch for regular updates on their incredible Christmas experiences.

Make your own free digital greeting

Trauma Informed Workshop Series Begins in Ukraine

Last week, Lynn and Ruby, joined their team on the ground in Ukraine to launch a brand new training series - How Trauma Impacts Children.  The opening session featured our newest book, Wounded Children, Healing Homes, just recently translated into Russian. We are so excited to see the work expanded like this. 

Here are some pictures from the training last week:

Ruby Johnston and Oleg, the executive director of ILDC, introduce the workshop series.

From the LAMb blog:

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW TRAUMA SERIES HAS STARTED IN UKRAINE. We just completed Step 1 of the series and had 32 participants - ending the day with extremely eager participants to enroll in Step 2.

Step 1 - Over view of Trauma - Wounded Children Healing Homes
Step 2 - Trauma Toolkit
Step 3 - Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
Step 4 - Advanced Trauma Modules

We are so grateful to our partner and team member Jayne Schooler and to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network for their contributions to this series. Step 1 - we present the book - Wounded Children Healing Homes by Jayne Schooler and Betsy Smalley and do a foundation training to Child Traumatic Stress In Step 2 and 3 we have been granted permission from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network to translate and train their standardized comprehensive materials for those in the Russian speaking countries.Step 4 will be materials offered by experts in the area of Trauma - advance and ending our series for certification of participants of the entire Trauma Series. Next event will be Step 1(2nd time) in January with training for 12 participants at an NGO requesting this training for their team. We are training trainers in this event and will soon have a compliment of national trainers - delivering this across Ukraine.

What a beginning. ILDC (LAMb co-founded and registered this organization in Ukraine) is on the move. 

WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO OUR SPONSOR - WHO STARTED THIS - WHO GAVE US THE FUNDS TO TRANSLATE AND PUBLISH THE BOOK - WOUNDED CHILDREN HEALING HOMES

Today Made A Difference

Coming from many, many places...some driving over four hours, the first faith-based adoption conference held in the Miami Valley was a tremendous success. Hearing numerous thank-yous and comments, we want to thank Phillip and Heather Bench,the Salem Church of God for organizing and financially supporting this event and the workshop speakers who gave of their time and energy. Over  200+ foster and adoptive parents walked through the doors early this morning.

This was a great start to, what we hope will be an on-going event.  A year ago August, Heather and I sat at the Panera Bread by the Dayton Mall and started dreaming about what could be.  We thank God for His direction and for what happened today.

Here are the conference highlights in pictures:

Heather Forbes, author of Beyond Consequences,
Logic and Control was the keynote.

It was so exciting to see the gymnasium fill up!

Pastor Ken and Jackie Day and the praise band from
Dayspring Ministries provided the music.

David and Phillip Bench conducted a workshop just for dads.
We heard so many good things about it! 

Pastors and laymen gather to talk about orphan care ministry.

Heather speaks to the moms.

Dr. Wendy Flowers discusses a child's developmental issues.

Ruby Johnston, from LAMb, talks about parental expectations.

Betsy Smalley shares on parental self-care.

Our creative trio from the Shelter Community Church
 manned the support group table and helped wherever they could.

Randy and Kim Gebele, representing LAMb International
had many opportunities to share about the ministry.

After the conference, many came up to us saying "today made a difference in my life."   One mom told me that  in one workshop, she had more insight into her son's issues than years of therapy.

What now?  We will step into the next planning stage for the development of faith-based adoption support groups in this area and hope to support churches in this area who want to start adoption or foster care ministries.

Watch for news on the date for 2012!

Wounded Children, Healing Homes Now In Ukraine

We just learned today that the Russian translation of  Wounded Children, Healing Homes is now completed. We are so indebted to the International Leadership and Development Center of Ukraine, founded by Lynn and Ruby Johnston, for their work in this as well as many other projects that will assist children and families in Ukraine.

God has touched our hearts, David and mine, with incredible love for the people of Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan and it is a privilege beyond description to be able to serve them in this way.

To learn more about ILDC and the truly amazing work throughout Ukraine, visit

 http://www.ildcua.blogspot.com and

http://homeforeveryorphan.org

The Candles Are Coming

A Word From The Candlemaker

Hello!

I wanted to take a moment and thank you for helping in making a difference in the lives of God’s children. The Dayspring mission touches my heart in a personal manner as I am a child of adoption. I was blessed to have been adopted by a loving family at the age of 3 weeks. The children of Dayspring are looking at different circumstances all together. Being older, they are all too aware of what is occurring…losing the security of their familiar lives for multitudes of reasons. Our hopes and prayers are that through the Dayspring Family Life Resource Center, these children will have their sense of hope and security restored by the love of Christ.

Starwick Candles emerged four years ago with two friends making candles for Christmas gifts that evolved into dreaming of having our own business. Little did we know that with the Lord’s leading, doors would be opened to this awesome opportunity to help support Dayspring. It wasn’t by chance that this kindled a passion within me for vulnerable children of the world. I am excited to pursue this passion and with your help take action in making a difference in the Kingdom of Christ one candle at a time!

Thank you for your time and effort!
Blessings,

Jennifer Hauk & Starwick Candles
 
TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN PURCHASE CANDLES FOR CHRISTMAS GFTS OR BECOME A TEAM LEADER TO HELP SELL THE CANDLES....visit http://lamplighterorphancare.blogspot.com/

What Good Would It Do?

What good would it do to throw a pie in Rick Matheson's face?

Isn't this face anyone could.......throw at pie AT!

It could help provide Christmas and much more to over 2,000 children living in orphanages across Kyrgyzstan.

Here’s the deal: Rick Matheson needs to raise just $500 for LAMb’s Christmas orphan outreach. As soon as he reaches that goal, someone, somewhere – a prearranged celebration, will get to throw a pie in his face! For every $10 Rick raises, a child will experience a day they will long remember, receive a special gift plus be provided with a year’s vitamin supply. We are hoping for $500!

If you want to help get that pie thrown in Rick’s face there are two ways:

1. Go to http://actofkindness.blogspot.com/p/pie-in-face-for-orphans.html and hit the US paypal button. BE SURE TO INDICATE WHO you are sponsoring to receive a pie. You should put that information in the special instructions memo box that will appear while on the donation screen.

OR


2. You can send a check made out to LAMb International to LAMb International USA, P.O. Box 24688, Huber Heights, OH 45424


                     WON’T YOU HELP MAKE THIS A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER!

Rick Matheson is David and Jayne Schooler’s son-in-law, married to their daughter, Kristy.

 LAMb International is the mission organization under whom the Schooler’s serve. www.lambinternational.blogspot.com

For complete information, visit this link


http://actofkindness.blogspot.com/p/pie-in-face-for-orphans.html

Exciting News about Wounded Children, Healing Homes

Not only speaking to the heart of adoptive parents,
but equipping them for the journey.

In just over two weeks, the Russian translation of Wounded Children, Healing Homes: How Traumatized Children Impact Adoptive and Foster Parents, will  be released in Ukraine. 

We are so deeply appreciative of Lynn and Ruby Johnston, and the International Leadership and Development Center of Ukraine ( http://www.ildcua.org/) who have championed the translation of this and another book project, Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Children.

Ruby just yesterday posted this on their blog:

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HELPING SEVERAL COUNTRIES? There are children suffering all over the former Soviet Union - children who have been in orphanages and have not had the healthy beginnings they need to develop physically, socially, intellectually, emotionally or spiritually. We can make a difference. Here is a GREAT opportunity to impact several nations. We have translated, edited and published 1000 copies of Jayne Schooler's book - (our team member) on Wounded Children Healing Homes. This book was originally published in the United States by Navigator Press. It is a HOT item that helps anyone who is working or living with a child who has been wounded by trauma in their lives. For example, loss, abuse, violence.



This book comes off the Press in Ukraine in just two weeks! We need more copies and we have found that we can print 1000 more copies for just $1500. A small cost for such an impact. It is in Russian - and will be distributed for free. The cost for the first 1000 was $5000  (which included the translation, editing, design layout and printing.)

This is a BARGAIN....$1500 AND WE ARE DISTRIBUTING FREE MATERIALS TO HELP UKRAINE, BELARUS, RUSSIA, AND KYRGYZSTAN.


ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR A TRAUMATIZED CHILD? LET US
KNOW!  lambinternational@gmail.com   or jayeschool@aol.com   

Your gift to this book ministry can help prepare parents to be a permanent family for a child who comes from a very hard place..

Dayspring - A Healing Place

Why the door when we are talking about Dayspring?  It is our hope that this is exactly what Dayspring will be to the children who pass through the doors of this family resource home - a healing place.  It will be a journey for all of us.

This past week marked a historic event for Dayspring – the Family Resource Home in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.   Our first little girl, Dasha moved in.   From now on, when we think back to the early days of Dayspring, we will always remember Dasha, age 8, as our very first one.   

Natalia, our country director and Dasha

We don’t know a lot about Dasha, except, like many children living in difficult circumstances, we must journey alongside of her leading her to healing and wholeness.  

Dayspring's Needs

The financial needs of Dayspring continue as we anticipate more children arriving soon.   In mid-October we will be announcing the 2nd annual Dayspring Candle sale.  More about that to come.   If you would be interested in sponsoring a child at Dayspring, please let us know. We are hoping to have three sponsors for every one of the children who will call Dayspring their home.

Thank you for caring enough to stop by our blog....blessings  

Winter is Coming and the Needs Continue

Many of you who regularly follow our bog have seen these faces before.  They are the faces of men who will spend the rest of their lives, most likely shortened, at the home for disabled men.  Most of these men began their lives in orphanages for disabled children, moving through those orphanages to finally “graduate” to Iskra.  It is a heart-breaking place.   LAMb has been very involved in the work at Iskra, with the hope of restoring some level of hope and dignity. 

They told us they fear that winter will come.  The statement almost sounded as if with hoping for a miracle,
 that winter wouldn't  come.  But it will.  What is ahead of them is something most of us have never faced.

On our most recent visit earlier this month, we toured the facilities again. When we walked into the dining facility we were disheartened at what we saw.  It has been totally torn up. We are not sure who did it, why it was done, but now, without intervention from the outside, it will remain that way.   Everything is in need of major repair. 

The floor in the dining room. 

The walls of the dining room.

What We See as the Greatest Need

Of our greatest concern, however, is the heating in the dining area.  From what we understand now and didn’t know before, it hasn’t worked in a number of years.  Once winter arrives, over 280 men will eat three meals a day in an area with no heat.  It could be a room where the men can gather during the day as well for warmth not available in other parts of the building.

This is what is left of the heating system in the dining area for the men.

Each evening, as David and I end the day praying together, we tell the Lord that we don’t have the financial ability to meet the many needs we see while in Kyrgyzstan.  They are overwhelming. We know the men at Iskra are important to God  and He has a way.  All we can do is let the need be known. 

If you would have any interest in helping with the $2400 cost of putting heat in, please go to www.lambinternational.blogspot.com  or contact us.  On the right is the US donation button.  Thank you for helping us carry this burden for those who are invisible to the outside world. 

Our LAMb Team In Kyrgyzstan

Although we only had two and half weeks in country this time, I had many opportunities to spend quality time with the LAMb national team.  We were together a total of five times, planning for the future with some training mixed in.   I shared with them a key task and one core principle that we hope they will develop for the kids in Dayspring.

Key task: That they grow, study and learn what it means to be a trauma-competent healing presence in the life of the children of Dayspring. We spent a number of hours talking about what that meant and have a plan of study for them with materials that Ruby will be bringing next week.  They were so tuned in and enthusiastic about learning these new things.

The Core Principle:  Although there are, of course, many principles to be put in placed while dealing with a traumatized child, I asked the group to make this one their theme:  Connect before you correct.  This foundation concept from the work of Dr. Karyn Purvis is key to healing for a traumatized child.  We did several role plays to demonstrate what this means and I told them it would be a skill that would need development.   We will continue communicating with them while home, giving them assignments and discussion.

LAMb staff:  Larisa, Natlia, Madlin, Zuhar, Emma, Acel and baby Emma, of course.
We  were finishing up the renovation list for the Iskra men's home.

With little notice, we also were asked to train a group of social workers from Tokmok.  I was glad to do so and wondered how many of them I would remember. On Wednesday morning, we arrived at one of the government buildings to a room full and I recognized most of them.  One even asked me about how our dog was doing...because way back in the spring of 2008, I had mentioned to them I was concerned about him.  It was fun to reconnect with these folks and share with them some of the new things we have been researching and studying. They asked great questions and asked for more.

Part of the work LAMb does, and we share as part of the team, is training in the area of child welfare.  I really appreciated the opportunity to do that this month.

Winding Down and Heading Home

It is 8:30 pm and in about four hours the van will come to pick us up and take us to the airport.  Saying good-bye is always difficult and perhaps even more so this time.  We were much more personally involved in one-to-one conversations and ministry and felt deeply connected to many people - Mercy Foundation folks and the students. Also, we are uncertain as to when we will be back.  That makes saying good-bye a bit different this time.

However, I wanted to capture our last few days here so as to not forget them.

IUCA Students for Dinner
Celebrating a job well done, we had a number of the IUCA students over for dinner. What we were celebrating is the completion of their summer work in the US and how much they have learned and experienced.  Four of the young people worked in Alaska at a center for the developmentally disabled. Others worked in fast food restaurants, amusement parks and other opportunities. We are so proud of them for giving their best.

Aihan, (Ohio), Ulan, Eliza, Mahabat (Alaska), Daliya(Ill) and Altynai, (Alaska)....
most of them are planning a return trip next summer.

Genyia - my life can make a difference in someone else's
A number of our friends had the opportunity to meet both of the visiting students from Kyrgyzstan that were living in families on our area.   Genyia stayed the summer with John and Robin Wientge and family - neither party will ever be the same.

Last weekend we met Genyia in Bishkek.

We had the privilege of having lunch with Genyia when we first arrived. We talked with her about a number of things, but David asked her a very important question. "How do you see yourself as changed?  She answer, "I now understand that my life can make a difference in someone else's."  She told us that she wanted to do some volunteer work and of course, we were excited about that.  Today, she met us again to make a very important connection.

A Serious Conversation
Genyia had the opportunity to meet Christy Wall, who serves with a work to disabled children and families in this area of the country.  She works in orphanages, helps families parenting disabled children, works in a children's hospital..and much more.  She shared many opportunities with Geniya today.

Geniya looks extremely serious in this photo, but she is really excited about the many things
Christy shared with her .  As we left, we overhead them making plans to visit the
children's hospital after Geniya's classes on Tuesday.  
"My life can make a difference in another."   

We have been involved in some way in Kyrygzstan since the fall of 2007.  We love the people here and are committed to them.  We are looking to God for direction and how He desires to use the love He has put in us to serve these beautiful, warm and loving people of this hurting and broken country.

All in a Day

It is late Wednesday afternoon and in a few hours about 13 IUCA students will be coming for dinner.  However, I didn't want to let the events from yesterday slip by without recording them.

Mid-Morning Tuesday
Right after morning devotions at Mercy Foundation, the LAMb team went to the bazaar for a buying trip for the Men's Home and the Kemin Senior's Home....quick trip though the bazaar, a stop at the wholesale ice cream store for ice cream, and stopping back at the Foundation to pick up some more folks to go with us and off we went.

We arrived at the men's home to the always waiting crowd.  When I think of them waiting...it is all they have to do...waiting for someone to come to see them, to know that they are there.  As I looked around at the men there, what I really saw were little boys. Although their bodies grew, they remain little boys on the inside - stuck in what feels to us, a hopeless place.   There are many needs here and in a future blog I will share them. One of our translators told us yesterday that the men  are afraid that winter might come.   It was like they hoped there was a way to avoid that reality....Reality is that it will.   Two winters ago over 70 men died there from the cold (inside the building) and starvation.  They have no heat in their dining area..but that is another blog to come.

Here are the pictures from yesterday at the men's home....

The visiting crew - Mercy Foundation staff are seeing the men's home
as a ministry outreach.

 Ludmila is making her second delivery of over 1,000 eggs

Peaches, peaches and more peaches

Ice cream, ice cream and more ice cream

This gentleman is in charge of the art room where many projects are created
and sold to help  resupply the art room.
 This is part of LAMb's mission to restore dignity by rehabilitation and development.

After we finished delivery, we visited some of the project needs in the building, which we will talk about at a later time.

Off to the Senior's Home
LAMb has been involved in the senior's home from the very beginning and every time we visit there we see improvement. This home was established for homeless elderly.  It started with 8 grandmother and grandfathers and now is home to 25.  The greatest need here for them is coal for winter!

We lovingly now call Ludmilla the "egg lady" because she is on  a mission!
 She is bringing scores of eggs to the senior's home as well.
This is her first trip here, but I know won't be her last.

Visiting with Katya...

Lydia really misses Ruby..she asked for her.   A number of months ago, Lydia was able to return home to live with her only daughter. However, a number of weeks ago, her daughter died unexpectedly and she again was homeless.   She is also going blind....."please tell Ruby to come," she said.

Praying with Katya

Touring more renovation on the second floor....  

Stopping for tea before heading back to Tokmok.

A Wonderful Conclusion to the Day
Aihan, a student from IUCA, spent the summer in Waynesville with Ruby's sister, Caroline and her family.   We had the privilege last night of having dinner in her home. It was such an honor to be asked and it was a wonderful, wonderful dinner. Aihan and her mother gave us a tour of their spacious, beautiful home, garden and "mini" farm.   It was so special to us to see Aihan in her home as she has visited with us in America.

Aihan's mom prepared a wonderful meal for us.

Aihan and her mom....her brother wasn't home yet
and her younger sister is studying in Bishkek.

What a surprise and treasured gift!

Aibek came home after his football game for a quick dinner before taking us back to Tokmok.
 He is an incredible young man as well. 

Our very short 17 days here ends very early Saturday morning, but it has been a joy to be here...regretting that we are not staying longer this trip

What We See Almost Everyday

Almost every day we have been here this trip, we have been on the campus of the International University of Central Asia  (IUCA).  This infant university is transforming the lives of its students and we see it every day.  These dynamic young people have a dream to impact their country in their chosen professions. Most have the character and integrity to do just that.

But, also what we see most everyday is the nearly crippling financial need of most of the students.  Raising tuition $100 or $200 a year for us at home is really nothing, but raising it here could make the difference between a student even entering the university as costs rise. Just today, the student we sponsor wanted to go to Bishkek to a conference tomorrow, but literally didn't have the 100 soms ($2.00) need for transportation and lunch.  Of course, he is going tomorrow...we couldn't let him miss this opportunity.

David and I carry the deep concern for these precious young people. We don't have the knowledge or skill on how to help raise funds for scholarships, etc.  Our friend, John Wright has come up with a wonderful plan, and we want to help him get the word out, but feel so inadequate to do even that.

Let me briefly share what the plan is and it sounds so simple.  We need 20 churches across the world who would say..."we will support the scholarship fund for 12 students."  That would be $50 a month per student.   When he proposed that to us, it sounded perfect, but how do we even get that word out? 

Maybe some of you reading this have done something like this and can offer help and assistance to us.  John has created a wonderful website about the scholarship fund and students are pictured there.  Here is the website: http://www.iucascholarshipfund.com/

If you have ideas about how to help us get the word out...please let us know.  I just wish you could see what we see in the lives of these awesome young people.

Sunday's Happenings

Just like at home, we are "enjoying" near 100 degree temperatures...David's favorite thing...However, that didn't stop the activity for today, of course.

Whenever we go to the Chinese church, hear what we hear and experience what we do, we are reminded again of how big God is and just how many people He calls His own around the globe. Today, a beautiful group of students from Hong Kong shared in the services. They are here scouting out mission opportunities for themselves.

These young people have such a beautiful spirit and a desire to serve God.

After lunch, we went over to the Mercy Foundation gym for the afternoon teen and youth services.  David had an opportunity to share and also pray with many of the young people there.  It was so good to see the familiar faces of young people we know. Everyone of these young people have hopes and dreams for the future and it was wonderful to be able to speak life into them today

This young man and his family escaped the chaos and rioting in Osh  a year and a half ago
and are making a new life in Tokmok.

Many young people came forward to pray for loved ones, themselves, school..the list continued.

Couldn't help but get this picture....aren't they beautiful.

Our time here is quite different as there are no international team members here from LAMb, with the exception of Emma and we haven't seen her yet....and almost all of the administration of Mercy Foundation, including Elder Yang, the founder and John and Christa, left yesterday.   Our Natalia arrives home tomorrow from a vacation and we will be so glad to see her! The busy schedule begins tomorrow...