Feeling God’s Presence

What an incredible first couple of days with the foster children and the Kherson Christian Church family we are serving.  Upon arrival to the family’s home yesterday we quickly became acquainted with the children and felt an incredible sense of unity with them.  From watching how the older children are so hands on and helping with the younger children, to the dedicated family devotional time, to how unconditional loving each and every one of the children are with one another, gave me an overwhelming feeling of joy that had me holding back tears last night. 

These children are so joyful and eager to learn English, learn about each of us, play, and spend time together coloring, doing hair, playing soccer, talking at the dinner table teaching them English and them teaching us Ukrainian, playing at the playground and drawing with chalk on the sidewalks by the church.  Even the children that were more known to be introverted have quickly warmed up to each us which has been heartwarming.  We have smiled and laughed together so much!!

We spent quality time with the Pastor and staff of Kherson Christian Church yesterday and today sharing what we do for a living and why we chose to come to Ukraine.  We also discussed the differences of our foster care systems and how we could grow in how we serve these children through the church. We have all been encouraged and enlightened during our discussions and are leaving Kherson Christian Church with tools they haven’t thought of and us on how to develop our foster care ministry at Compassion Christian Church.

The children are slowly all coming back from school so time to do some homework with them (of course we will need interpreter assistance so they keep up their grades) and enjoy the rest of the evening with this family that is quickly impacting us all so positively!

Kelly