Quick Update and Shore of Hope

It has been a long day.

Why do teachers like to assign projects? Is it just to torture parents? I sent Michael to school with a project. I got ready to head to bed and Alesia informed me she never finished a Science project. That's why I'm so late posting. The projects never end.

I spoke to Alesia's case manager for her IEP and he sounded very nice. He is going to ensure the teachers abide by the IEP. He will be Alesia's History teacher next semester, in a much smaller class than she's in now, with an easier book.

Bruce is in Kuwait, we heard early this morning.

We had our team holiday luncheon at work. I took a Wild Rice Salad recipe I found on Pioneer Woman's website, but it didn't get eaten up. There was macaroni and cheese there. I sorta understand it. It's a sentimental favorite. I ate far too much turkey and the tryptophan sent me into a semi-stupor the rest of the day.

I took the kids to CVS after work and Michael bought himself some Silly Putty. he was thrilled with it. Amazing how little things can delight him and Alesia.

The folks over at Shore of Hope, who do mission work in Khabarovsk, where Alesia is from, sent me the following email. If you have a few extra dollars, contact them [janetstebbins@gmail.com]. The kids in the orphanages get very little other than food and clothes.

Dear Friends of the East Russia Mission, Shore of Hope,

             Natalie and I have returned from our fall mission trip with great hope and confidence that the work being done in this remote region of the Far East of Russia is needed and growing.  We met new people and new children that want and need our help.  The Russian team is working very hard to do the day to day activities on your behalf.  We assisted them in creating a plan for the future that will equalize the workload.  To do this we have added a young couple to the team, Andre and Valya.  In the coming months they will become more familiar with the work and begin the visits of some of the orphanages alone.   

 In our trip to the Ilinka orphanage we were very surprised to see that the entrance door was padlocked.  After asking the security person what was happening, we were told that this orphanage had been closed.  Our first concern was for the location of the children.  Security told us that the children were moved to Vinogradovka and Nekrasovka.   The good news is that we did find the Ilinka children at the other orphanages and spent a little time with them and they were happy to see us again.

 We had plans to visit Vinogradovka for a few years and the news of Ilinka pushed us to this trip.  Well, Vicki made a call to see where they were located and they said they have been waiting for us.  The Lord has guided this mission from the beginning and continues to open doors for us.  It is a very nice orphanage with nice people.  The orphanage has a very nice home feel to it.  They are definitely trying to create a home feeling for the little ones with no parents.  They welcomed us with open arms, gave us tea and cookies (a Russian tradition).  As we discussed our plan they gave us the go ahead to do what we wanted.  It is our recommendation that we add the Vinogradovka orphanage to our mission.  At this time they have 26 children from 3 to 7 years old with more coming in the future.  Vicki will visit the orphanage 2 times each month (the distance to the site has made this decision for us). 

             With this addition, the following is our support numbers:

             Nekrasovka     -           100 children

             Topelovo         -           110 children [where Alesia was for 6 years]

             Mirnoe             -           70 children

             Karsakovo       -           70 children

             Vinogradovka -           26 children

             As usual we visited all of the orphanages and brought underwear, socks, shoes, blankets and hygiene products to each of the children that you support.  We feel this is very important to show complete support for the children.  We believe it is our responsibility to provide spiritual and material needs to our children.  The children have so little, we want to show His Love through lessons and physical means.   It is always heartwarming to see the children as they grow each year and they remember us and we love them so much.  It is a difficult life for these young ones.  They have been abandoned by their parents or do not have parents.  The Love of our Lord has moved your hearts to help these children who can not help themselves.  Please remember these are small weak children.  It is time to share our love for them.  Please always keep these children and your Russia team in your thoughts and prayers.

You can contact Janet Stebbins about a donation - it can be sent to her here and she will get it to the folks in Russia. [janetstebbins@gmail.com]