We had the opportunity to return to Znamenka, a level 5 orphanage, this time bringing some old and new team mebers. Dan Peters had been there previously to help Dave Daulton, from a Father's Heart, to build a playgoround a few years back. It was fun to locatetheir pictures hanging on the wall. This time we had the privelidge of meeting with Tatiana, the Director, who is responsible for tturning the entire orphanage around. Whereas a few years back, they had wings with no electricity or water, now the place is cheery and homey for the children. You are able to see the love that she and the staff have for the children. These children, many who only had a twisted body, have spent their lives behind walls. When we first arived, we were treated to typical Ukrainian hospitality and offered a breakfast, which was welcomed after our 4 hour train ride. Then we were entertained by the children, who sang hymns (the first to our Mother Mary) and folksongs, recited poetry and then posed for pictures with us. Olya and Sasha brought the littlest missionary, their baby daughter Teresa, and many of the children were in awe and wanted to hold her as they never saw a baby before! God Blessed Teresa with a great disposition and she smiled and gurgled as she was passed from one child to another. So many of the children have now become familiar faces, and we are hoping to get as many of them as possible up on site for adoption. It still amazed me everytime I heard the age of the children, as their bodies were stunted from malnutrition and lack of nuturing. I made it a point to hug and touch as many of the children as I could, and their faces just lit up with each stroke or pat.
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