Our fall visit to Ukraine was exciting and very busy. We were pleased to have 2 additional sets of hands with us, as a couple accompanied me from Minnesota. Dave and Fami D. have plans to adopt a little girl from Russia, but had the desire to go and serve and orphans and widows prior to their adoption.
Our trip would consist of visiting the facilities that His Kids, Too! already is servicing, accessing new needs, visiting new facilities that have requested assistance, meeting with board His Kids, Too! board members, visiting with church members, and teaching ladies Bible class when possible and meeting with 3 adopting families. All these goals were met (except we only met with 2 families as the other had already departed), and we were blessed to have enough clothing for 50 needy families in the community.
We arrived in Dzerzhinsk and work was waiting for us. Thousands of pounds of aide that had been sent prior to our trip waited to be sorted for distribution. We were thrilled to have some church members available to assist us in this huge endeavor. Fami and Dave had brought supplies for personal care bags, and those were also assembled for distribution. The 2 weeks that followed we visited the facilities listed below, visiting well over 1000 children and hundreds of adults. We put clothing on children (when allowed), provided a hug or comfort when needed, visited with the older teens, and senior citizens. The Lord impressed upon us the great need for discernment and gentle care for all these in need. Many offered ‘needs’ lists for their continued needs, which is below if your heart feels the needs to assist in this ministry. Without your assistance we cannot possibly reach the thousands of people who need help, care and the message of Christ. We thank you in advance for your assistance.
Facility distributions:
Artum Orphan Hospital: Baby blankets (thank you Andrea B.), stockings, knitted hats, and booties, sheets, mattresses, lotion, q-tips, Destin ointment, baby shampoo, busy boxes (thank you Kennette), toys, sleepers, clothe diapers (thank you Freida H.); 200 masks, and other medical equipment (thank you Ginny W.)
Dzerzhinsk Internat (100 orphans, 435 children): stockings, socks, hats, gloves, scarves (thank you Freida H.), clothing, shampoo, toothpaste, markers, and crayons, sporting equipment
Dzerzhinsk Orphanage (23 kids): clothing, socks, shampoo, toothpaste, markers, crayon books, stockings, sport equipment (Stewardship is a problem at this facility)
The Norvgorosk Internat is home to 50 orphans: Personal care bags for all children, clothing, stockings, sports equipment, markers, books, shampoo, toothpaste
Teremok Orthopedic Hospital (60 +/-): clothing, toys, and stockings
Aids facility (130 children): jumpers for 130 children, 25 blankets (thank you Freida, Andrea, Zula), clothing, knitted caps and booties, Destin cream, flannel sheet material (they will make sheets)
Our Children Orphanage (150 +/-): 30 mattresses, 30 blankets, 30 sheets, 30 liners (we stocked the new wing), knitted hats and booties, stockings, toys, Destin cream, clothing, on-going juice and diaper program
Donetsk Internat: Funds for personal hygiene products for girls – $80.00 monthly for 100 girls.
The Shelter: 3 big boxes of clothing, blankets (we will start working with this facility again)
The ‘Forgotten’ Facility (working from a provided list) 305 patients: teapots, large washbasins, spoons, trays clothing, hats, socks, and a very large quantity of medicine, cookies and bananas
Mental Hospital (60 patients): Clothing, socks
Donetsk Home for the Elderly: This was our first visit to this facility, and didn’t know what they needed. We have forwarded back some items, but will be shipping items for this facility. Your help is greatly needed for these deserving seniors!
Donetsk Feeding Program: This program started with 50 people, 2 have died (from age), and 3 are involved with one on one Bible studies. We have had one baptism so far. The program has been expanded to 60. A huge thanks to Peter P. for his generous donation to this program! Refrigerator to a member of the Donetsk feeding program. Hospital visitation to another member.
Dzerzhinsk Feeding Program: This program has been down scaled to 10 from its 25. More community outreach will begin in spring with the addition of 15 communities poor. Thank you to Peter P. for his support of this program.
Community Outreach in Dzerzhinsk: Over 200 lbs of clothing were provided for 50 families
Facility Needs: (Items marked * are in route to Ukraine for distribution)
Artum Orphan Hospital: clothe diapers and pins*, need plastic pants
Dzerzhinsk Internat: shoes, boots, coats, clothing, and personal care bags, sheets ($500.00 in country purchase for 3 facilities)
Dzerzhinsk Orphanage: personal care bags, shoes, boots, slippers, and coats
Norvgorosk Internat – 50 orphans: personal care bags, shoes, boots, coats, and clothing for teens
Teremok Orthopedic Hospital (60 +/-): clothing and orthopedic equipment, $150.00 to continue diaper and juice program
Aids facility -130 children: sheets (purchase in country) – $200.00, cloth diapers and pins*, need plastic pants, $100.00 for diaper and juice program
Our Children Orphanage (150 +/-): $200.00 monthly to continue the diaper and juice program
Donetsk Internat: Funds for personal hygiene products for girls – $80.00 monthly for 100 girls.
The Shelter: CLOTHING and SHOES (the turnover is every 30 months for this 75 bed facility)
“The Forgotten” – This facility provided a needs list, and several U.S. churches are working together on this list. Funds are needed for this desperately needy facility.
Mental Hospital (60 patients): Clothing, socks and slippers, funds for medicine ($40.00 monthly)
Donetsk Home for the Elderly – 70 clients 70 – 95 yrs. of age: A new facility for us: Night gowns, men’s P.J.’s, slippers, socks, magnifying glasses, personal care bags, clothing, checkers, chess, walkers and toilet chairs
Up coming events for His Kids, Too!:
Continue to ship aide to Ukraine for distribution
His Kids, Too! Director will be speaking at Samford University to bring awareness to the plight of orphans
Completion of greeting card project – cards are now on sale in the Gift Shop. All artwork by orphans.
Continue to assist Christian families with adoption services in Ukraine
Continue to provide adoption grants to adopting families, when funds are available
Continue to take the gospel of Christ to the lost souls of Ukraine, and encourage those in the brotherhood to persevere in the faith
We continue to be amazed at the power of the living God we serve. He continually opens doors to opportunities of service, and you continue to provide the financial support for these programs. Some situations are more desperate than others, and we pray for discernment. We covet your prayers and appreciate your encouragement, and continued support.
Sincerely,
Teresa Fillmon
Director/His Kids, Too!