Jewels in My Crown: Under the fluffy pajamas...

Jewels in My Crown: Under the fluffy pajamas...: "Look at those beautiful chubby cheeks! Isn't she a total doll? She's almost 4 years old. And those luscious, chocolaty brown eyes? How coul..."

You may ask us_ _Why do we serve the orphans in Ukraine

Reaching the Unreached-Ukraine Orphans with Special Needs Ministry

Presented by Father's Heart and Almaz Church

Come join us for an informational meeting, slideshow and reception on Friday evening, March 18th, from 7:00 to 9:00 at Church of the Messiah, 816 Kempsville Road, Chesapeaake, VA or Saturday morning, March 19the from 10:00 - Noon at New Life Providence Church, Room 145, 1244 Thompkins Lane, Virginia Beach, VA-it could change your life!

Is God calling you to serve the Least of These? So you long to be part of the Great Commission? Come and meet Pastor Sasha and hear about his vision for the unloved orphans of the Ukraine. Then learn how you can be part of an upcoming Missions trip for onr week in June to visit with these orphans, play with them, hug and love them, and help make their world a little better, while teaching them about eh Love of a Father will will never leave them no forsake them!

You can answer God's call with: Here am I, Lord, send me!

If not you, then who?

Come out and meet Olya and Pastor Sasha Skrypak from Almaz Church, Jane and Dave Daulton of Father's Heart and Myself and Jillian from Serving Special Orphans

If you recently adopted a child from Vorzel, bring them by as we 'd love to see them again!

Hospitality in Kiev: Announcing....

Hospitality in Kiev: Announcing....: "I am very excited to use this post to announce a new development in ministry here in Ukraine-- A ministry to house Adoptive families in Kiev..."

They came 9 hours by train...

This couple came over 9 hours by train to attend the conference!!! They had a daughter who was 32 years old and had Down Syndrome!! They asked to speak and were highly motivating to all! Imagine having a daughter with Down Syndrome when the country was communist! Imagine not knowing what was wrong with her, and treating her like your other children! And imagine this, she learned to speak and read and write, and that was against all odds back then! Imagine finally meeeting with professionals and other parents and getting to tell your story! This couple was so thankful to God for the opportunity to encourage other families and for their special daughter that they sang a song of praise! Imagine that!!It was hard to keep back the tears and I found myself singing along with the group in Russian praising the Lord! At a conference...

Long overdue Conference Pictures

I've been so busy that I just realized I never did post some pictures and share information from the conference! We had somewhere around 175 people between the two days and that consisted of families, orphanage workers, doctors, educators, and volunteers. We barely had time to drink some water in between sessions as there were so many people with questions! I even missed the closing as I was speaking with a few parents who needed support during that time. Luckily, I did not miss the wonderful ladies from Vorzel presenting our team with hand made presents and thanks for all that we had done for them and the children, as I was presented mine individually earlier that day!

I presented on two different topics, the first topic Early Intervention Techniques with Children with Disabilities: What to do and How to Do it, to enhance your infant and child's development!, was presented both Friday night and Saturday morning.

I t was interesting the first night, learning to present with a translator. I had a wonderful young woman, Helen, who did an awesome job! I am very casual when I present, like to joke alot and since I was presenting the medical aspect of Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, she didn't have alot of medical terms to translate; just alot of jokes. I had brought my puppet, Alexis for demonstration purposes which was perfect. So, thank you Slyvia for not letting me leave without her! Gwen Smith was so wonderful to share pictures and videos of her adorable little son Henry whose smiling face greeted people throughout the presentation! I was also fortunate to have downloaded some great videos on infant stimulation and some toddlers with DS signing and reading which really opened the eyes and ears of everyone. Not being able to find the signs in Russian I encouraged them all to start using some signs to have basic needs met.

My second topic was Therapeutic Strategies and Equipment for the Physically Limited Child and although I am not a physical or occupational therapist, as an Early Intervention Specialist I need to incorporate appropriate strategies for positioning and transitioning children. While in the orphanages, I noticed so many children with failure to thrive, and watched as the workers struggled to feed them. So I knew I had to address  this important issue, along with positioning to prevent contractures, etc. in the children with cerebral palsy. I was so happy I had Alexis to demonstrate the positions because it is such an important issue. My dear freind Sylvia had drawn illustrations of positioning do's and don'ts which hung around the room and I had a large packet of handouts as well. I hope that they walked away with a clearer understanding of how and why you handle the child with physical disabilities in specific ways. It was great to also have equipment which we then donated  to specific families and to the orphanage at Vorzel. 

My third sessions was for Questions and Answers and was packed! And in betweeen it all, I had scheduled appointments with individual children and families!

This little guy's parents were so proud of their son and worked really hard with him at home, They traveled hours to get to the conference and just wanted to know that their son was developing as he should! They are doing a great job with him, and I expect he'll be signing for 'eat, drink and diaper change' before you know it! It was so great to meet families who decided to keep their child rather than listen to the doctors and send them to the orphanages! More on the other presenters tomorrow!

Here's Anya!

Anya couldn't wait to go back to playing with the toys that I gave her from her Mommy and Daddy! She was so excited by all the attention!

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