A Big Birthday Party and the Circus

Wednesday evening was a big evening for the 120 children at a local orphanage.  The LAMb team threw a great big party for the children with September birthdays. John and Julie are the "party throwing  masters," and nothing is too big for them to plan.  It is nothing for them to buy cakes for 120, drinks for 120, birthday presents for a number of children and if that isn't enough, it is nothing for them to plan to take 120 children to the circus – ordering the bus and all.  This is what makes our team so fun and hopefully effective. We all bring strengths to the vision of sharing hope and encouragement.  We all are so thankful to donors who make these events possible

David and I thoroughly enjoy being with the children as we often go with the Wrights on these BIG outings.  It is always a joy…and it is always sad for us, too.  We look into the eyes of these children – momentarily happy, distracted by songs, cakes and presents- and know that life will return to their normal in the morning. 

The adults we met at this orphanage are doing everything in their power to provide a safe, caring place for children, but the job must feel overwhelming.   I just got off the phone with John sharing with him a newfound compassion for the staff there.  With so little time here, I am not sure what David and I could even do to help them or encourage them, but we are going to ask the question.

Hopefully, the video below will allow a glimpse into the lives of these precious children.

Since our normal way of posting is not available, please check on this link to view the birthday party.

 THE BIRTHDAY PARTY    


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0Zz85cS5z4

BREAKING NEWS: Dayspring Lamplighter Candle Sales to be Launched October 1.  Stay tuned!

We Invite You To Our Virutal Tour of Dayspring

Yesterday, the part of the LAMb team now here visited Dayspring for the first time. We were astounded at what we saw....it was more than the brick and mortar....it is the vision of a safe, nurturing home for children. 

 

Here is the youtube.com link to the video:      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu6I8PPF7p4

 

Hope you will enjoy the virtual tour.  Lynn and Ruby arrive on Monday morning. If we thought we were busy this week...we know what's coming...and can't wait.

 

To learn more about how to share in the ministry of Dayspring Family Life Resource Center, please visit:

www.dayspringfamilycenter.blogspot.com

 

the journey continues

 

Cannot Wait To Show You

Today was a historic day for David and me. We had our first official tour of Dayspring Family Resource Center. This is the new foster family home that will soon be in operation. (http://www.dayspringfamilycenter.blogspot.com/). I hope to have a "virtual tour" up over the weekend. We are so excited. We are astounded at the size of the new home and its incredible potential for permanency for children.

On another note, we began a busy time here with teaching, making plans, visiting friends and meeting new ones and participating in a Russian class at the University. I have been working on the language for a long time by myself and it is so fun to be in a class, talking, listening and growing.  I feel much more confident to carry on a conversation.  Natalia (our translator) told me today that she doesn't have to translate "my Russian" anymore for another Russian speaker to understand. That's fun!

Amidst this new busyness, this week has been a small challenge for David as he became quite ill on Tuesday and is making a slow recovery.  He always bounces back quickly and we are already making plans for a Saturday visit to the capital with friends via the marshuka.

Please check back over the weekend for the "virtual tour" of Dayspring!

A World I Cannot Comprehend

Photo:  A number of old friends surrounds our new friends - families who escaped the ethnic rioting in the southern part of the country.  At this point, they are living in a location not far from us, thankful to be in a peaceful place.

 

Our first Sunday (today) we had the privilege of meeting new friends. These men, women and children escaped the violence that ripped a part a major part of a large southern city in the summer time.  This is a world we cannot comprehend.  Last night, John and Julie told us about them and said we would feel connected to them right away. We didn't know we would see them the next morning. I told them that sometime very soon, we want to hear their story and to find out how they are really doing, especially the children after experiencing such traumatic events.

 

This evening we met with some friends of ours who are the leadership of Mercy Foundation and heard of so many, many needs.  As we were walking up the stairs upon coming home, we talked about our need to really seek God's direction to do what exactly He called us to do at this time.

 

Tomorrow, we begin our time at the University. Both of us will be teaching an 8 am class and then after that...well, as Lynn says, "it's not time to know yet." 

 

The  journey continues....

What Can One Do with Hundreds of Hours?

What can one do with hundreds of hours? If one would ask Lori Pummill  of Lebanon, Ohio, that question, she would humbly reply, "make afghans for orphans."

After we arrived home last June from Krygyzstan, I had the privlege of meeting Lori. She contacted me with one question in mind. "Is there something I can do for the work in Krygzstan? I make afghans."  Immediately I thought of our Dayspring Foster Family Resource Center, the new foster family home to be opened in a few months.http://www.dayspringfamilycenter.blogspot.com/

Lori came to me with a history of giving as she crocheted afghans for the local crisis pregnancy center. Leaving them well supplied, she looked for another pathway to give and heard of our work overseas. On Saturday, Lori stopped by our home to leave the incredible gift of afghans for the children of Dayspring. I asked her then how many hours did she think she had in making these gifts for Dayspring? "Hundreds, probably,"she quietly responded. She also told me five more will be making their way to an orphanage in India in the next two weeks.

             Lori is surrounded by the afghans she made for Dayspring. 


Little did Lori realize that her openness and caring would touch the lives of children around the world.  Thank you, Lori! We can't wait for you to see the pictures of the children who will be warmed and loved by your generosity.

Passion Comes Before Vision - The Shelter Launches Orphan Care Ministry

David and I have had the privilege of being a part of four dynamic churches throughout our 35 years in the role of the senior pastoral family. Since we now spent alot of time overseas, we have stepped back from that position and attend, support and love the people of The Shelter Community Church of the Nazarene in Dayton, Ohio. This church came out of the West Carrollton church where we last pastored as a restart and God is doing amazing things there. It is an inner city church, which focuses its ministry on recovery.

Last week was an historic day for them as they stepped out to officially launch their orphan care ministry- The Lamplighter Orphan Care Ministry of The Shelter Community Church. Their first project will be walking alongside our family foster home in Krygyzstan. http://www.dayspringfamilycenter.blogspot.com/    They are dreaming of much more in the days to come.

Passion comes before vision and it will take time to listen to God as how to best full the vision of this exciting new ministry. They are first beginning this new step with an 8 week study of the book, The Hole in the Gospel. They are also partnering with other churches in this journey who have had experience in orphan care ministry.

Here is the story....

Just A Week Away

In just one week from day, David and I will leave for our fifth trip to the beloved people of Krygystan.  To catch a glimpse of our passion for the work there, please visit our team member's blog - John and Julie Wright.  You will see why we are eager to go.

Their blog address:  http://www.actofkindness.blogspot.com/

To keep updated on the progress of our foster home project - Dayspring Family Life Resource Center, visit the blog....  http://dayspringfamilycenter.blogspot.com/

Thank you for all your support and interest.