Dear friends,
I reported a couple weeks ago that there have been many men who have lost their lives or have come back home with severe emotional issues (PTSD). The families that remain together are blessed, but most families have been tragically touched in one way or another by this war – and those affected the most are the children who don’t have dads due to their passing in the war or have disabled dads from war injuries. It hurts me so much that there are still thousand upon thousands of children in our region seeing and experiencing the horrors of this war every day.
Slavic Christian Ministries has been working with children before this war, during the war, and we will continue our efforts after the war is over too. Last year I reported that there were 989 orphan children that have been placed in homes across our region; I don’t have a new count, but I am sure it is much higher this year, as there are between 1,000 – 2,000 men killed or injured every day. The adoption rates of Ukrainians adopting children have increased about 20% per year according to one news source, which is good news, if you can call it good news … Families from other countries have not been able to adopt children since the beginning of the war, so it has fallen upon the Ukrainian people.
I recently read about a new trend happening in Ukraine – and while I don’t know anyone personally where this has happened, reports are coming out that women who have lost their husbands in war are now adopting orphan children. I hope this becomes widespread across the country. Here is one report:
When the war began, the Russian military targeted schools and hospitals and the Ukrainian government was concerned about the safety of the children, so they placed most orphans in the foster care system, as quick as possible. Ukraine had already moved toward this direction before the war, but it accelerated after the war began, in my opinion. Having children in a home environment is much better than being in an institution by any way you look at it. I have seen the orphanages, and most are in horrible condition. Here are a few of the orphaned children you are helping:
Victoria
Victoria is an 11-year-old girl who has lived with her foster family for four years. She was placed in this home because her biological family were abusive alcoholics. It was discovered that she needed surgery to repair her eyes, but she still needed glasses despite the surgery. We didn’t have to donate toward the surgery, but you blessed this child with new eyeglasses to improve her vision. Her foster parents thank everyone who donated to Slavic Christian Ministries, because Victoria can see much better now. (Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of Victoria).
Igor
Igor is a kind 8-year-old boy who struggles with autism. His life was very chaotic before being placed in a loving home because his mother had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and she was unable to care for him; in fact, her condition probably made Igor’s autism and homelife even worse, because she was deprived of all parental rights. Igor’s is well adjusted within his foster family, and they are grateful in helping him with his medication, which helps his condition considerably.
Evgenia
Evgenia is 15 years old and has been an orphan for many years. She struggles with being very disabled with her epilepsy, microcephaly (a smaller head and a neurological condition) has caused problems with her brain development, which has also caused her to have an intellectual disability. With your help, we were able to buy medicine to help improve her condition. We don’t have a photo of Evgenia, but here are some other kids who also receive donated medication.
Anastasia
Anastasia is a very sweet 11-year-old girl. Her parents are alcoholics and were deprived of parental rights, due to severe abuse. She has been in her adoptive family for about six years now and they have showered Anastasia with love and given her a stable home life, which has been a huge blessing for her. She also struggles with a mental disability. The family asked us if we would help her with her braces, and we were happy to do so. You can see the before and after photos here. She also needed 8 cavities filled, which we helped with too. She is so delighted with her improvements and thanks everyone so much for blessing her! We may be helping other children within this family soon.
Anton
Anton is a delightful six-year-old boy, who was placed with a foster care family about a year ago. When he was placed into the home, Anton could not walk, even though he was five years old at the time. With much help from his foster family and Holy Trinity Church staff, he has gone through training, and he now runs around with other kids. Due to his disabilities, he isn’t potty trained yet, so the ministry has helped with diapers, wet wipes, etc. because this becomes very expensive over time.
Artem
Artem is a seven-year-old child, who also has autism and is mental disabled. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the ability to speak and apparently doesn’t have much awareness or understanding of his surroundings either. He was placed in an orphanage at two years old, and he lived there for about three years, until his current foster home family accepted him into their home. The family and the school system continue to invest in him, hoping he can develop and make strides mentally. You are helping with his medication and diapers.
Luba
We have been following Luba for quite some time now. Her foster family says hello to everyone in America and her foster parents are very appreciative for all the help you have provided Luba, since she has a very complicated teeth and jaw situation. With your help, and after several procedures, things are improving for Luba - some teeth will need to be replaced, while other teeth were removed, but everything is going as planned. To the left is the family where she is placed. As you can see, the parents are taking care of many children and the needs are great with so many kids, so the parents express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has donated toward Luba’s teeth and jaw surgery! I know the photo is small, but Luba is in the back row, far right in the pink. Luba’s other photo is also the photo on the first page of this prayer letter.
Alexander
The last child we are highlighting in this prayer letter is Alexander, who is a four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. His mother abandoned him in the maternity hospital at birth and he lived in an orphanage his entire life, until a foster family took him into their home. When Alexander entered a home-life, he adapted very quickly and began to enjoy every moment with his new foster family; he brings much joy to them too. Our ministry is helping this family with diapers, since it is very expensive.
Dear friends, thank you for blessing these children and their foster families. We have other children that we will highlight in a few months but know that you are a huge gift from God in showing the love of Christ in “tangible ways” to the children and the foster parents. Thank you for sacrificing so much!
Thank you for all of your prayers and support in our other ministry activities and for our family too – it has been a blessing and an honor to partner with you!
In Jesus’ love,
Ron
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