Saturday, July 12, 2008

Vinnitsa Christian Orphanage.

Preparing the meal.

Chance eating with kids.

Words on the wall “His Kids” Matthew 19:14

Stephen and the friends.

Last night we went to the orphanage for the workers appreciation dinner. We were planning the whole thing and were pretty much in charge. Ashley Qualls planned the meal and the gifts for the workers. Taci, Linds, Heather, and Michael helped in the kitchen. I was assigned kid duty outside with the rest of the team. To start the evening out Ryan and I put all the kids hands on the wall that was not already there. That was a lot of fun!!!! It was so hard to get the kids to get in a line and to be patient! They really wanted to have their hand on the wall! We do the hand prints so that the kids feel like they belong. It was fun later on in the evening to watch some of the younger kids go back and put their hand on top of their hand print! After that we taught them a song. The song was "There Is A Melody In My Heart". The kids at first didn't want to learn the song but I finally convinced them and we had a blast! The song involves A LOT of dancing and movement! The kids enjoyed themselves immensely! Hopefully we will figure out soon how to videos on the blog and you will get to see what we did. It is a long video but definitely worth it! After we went through the song twice we decided to play duck duck goose. It was a huge circle, so not everyone got picked but the kids had fun. Ryan got picked right away by one of the boys and when he was running around the circle and he slid in the dirt by the slide and hit the slide going full speed ahead! It was rather funny! Then about 2 minutes later Chance and Stephen did the same thing! lol I was kinda disappointed that I didn't get picked. :'( We tried to do relay races with them but some of the kids didn't want to so it was a small group. Chance was one leader and I was another. All the boys wanted to be on Chance's team and all the girls wanted to be on mine. My group grew during the race and to say the least we lost. We had them race like crabs. They were so cute trying to go fast and crawling like crabs! After the relay races we played freeze tag. The only thing I can say about that is CHAOS!!!!! About 30 kids and 20 Ukrainians and Americans running around in a small part of the yard! It was so fun!!!!!! We were all exhausted by the end but it was the most fun that I have had in a long time! After we played freeze tag it was time for dinner. The ladies upstairs made chicken, and cut up tomatoes, cucumbers, and oranges. We had sodas to drink. For dessert there was ice cream bars. That were fun! I was helping one of the younger kids on the blanket so he could sit down to eat his ice cream. When I started to unwrap it he started yelling at me to stop!!! He didn't want the ice cream bar out of the wrapper! After all the kids had their ice cream the Americans and Ukrainian helpers split up the rest. I had some troubles with mine. (Yes, Mom and Dad I know that I normally have troubles but I thought I would share these! I love you!) The ice cream bar was two wafers with ice cream in the middle. Well, the wafer was kinda hard to eat and the ice cream was coming out of the edges! It was really funny and difficult to eat. But it was sssssoooooo good and definitely worth it! After we all ate the workers came out and we sang the song for them. Then the kids sang two songs for us. It was really cool! Overall, the night was GREAT!!!! I really enjoyed holding and loving on the kids! I was able to act wild and crazy and it be ok!!!! I think the general concensus was that we want to go back to be with the kids again! It was really hard for us to leave the kids last night! So that was our wonderful night last night! Thanks for letting me share!
Stephanie
P.S. Mom and Dad I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment on the blog!

7 comments:

cmapat said...

Stephanie, Glad to read that your having so much fun. Only You would come up with Bus surfing. Matthew says its not really surfing unless your on the roof. (Don't you dare do it) Poppa says to go ahead and hop on the roof. You better listen to me not him. If you back to the orphanage give the kids lots of hugs and kisses from me. Love you girl and can't with until you get home. Love Momma and Poppa

Mom Lachowitzer said...

This is a note from the person who is not Momma. Who is that pretty girl in the blue skirt? Must be my Beautiful Princess Heather. Hey Squirrel, it sure is good to get pictures of you guys. Miss you and our dates a lot. Hi, He who stumbles over fences! I am glad to see you using your left hand in the pictures. I am so very glad it is feeling better. You both are such an inspiration to us. I have been praying and thanking God for giving us tasks that take us out of our comfort zone to do His work. He is so good. As you are going through James you should recognize this: James 2:17-18. Love you both. Remember to pray for us back here as you know we are praying mightly for you. Love Papa Bear

genevieve said...

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, and offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet- smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1,2

Hola to everyone, especially hijo.
WOW! Stephen you look great and right in the middle of your element, what a sweet aroma. :) Today we are going to the Water Festival to help Mrs. Beverly Connely-Brown with games, and next weekend some of the 4H'ers will participate in the parade. We pray for you every day as we await for your return home with great anticipation and joy. Also knowing that God has put his hand on you for safety, and good health.

con carino tu papa y mama

BeBop & NeNa said...

Katherine, NeNa and I (BeBop) enjoy reading the blogs. It makes us feel like we are part of your adventure. Hello to everyone in the group and stay well, keep up the good work, and have fun. Love BeBop

Dustin said...

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (17) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Kalan & Stephanie Smith said...

Stephanie and the whole team.. God"s speed.. Good going.. Steph we miss you at work but are so proud of what you are doing there. God Bless You and the whole team.. Gator..

Anonymous said...

Hey Steph, I am so glad that things are going well out there and that yall are having a good time! sounds like Gods work at hand! We miss ya here, but know that Gods doing awesome things with you out there! Can't wait to see ya! Love ya! Misty