On the road to Ukraine

Here is a brief (hopefully) update of how things are looking at the moment. Tara, Rachel, and I are going to be joining the staff with the Ukraine staff of Orphan's Hope in May of 2009. Until then, we are support raising, getting paperwork done, and trying to get things lined up, so we can head out.

Our focus will be on orphanages located in Simferopol, Crimea, which is in southern Ukraine. The three of us previously spent a year there working in three different boarding schools. We will continue the ministry that we started there. Typically, about 20% are orphans whose parents died, and 80% of the children are social orphans. Social orphans come from abandonment, abuse, and violence with parents who were drug addicts or alcoholics. Tragic statistics show that within two years of leaving the orphanage at age 15 or 16, 60% of orphaned girls turn to prostitution, and 70% of orphaned boys fall into crime. Many will make their “homes” in tunnels and sewers that run below the city. Over 10% take their own lives.

The Orphan's Hope staff works against this statistic by
*Discipling and mentoring spiritually and emotionally
*Teaching Bible and ministry classes
*Providing humanitarian assistance
*Tutoring and teaching life skills, character development, and computer classes
*Counseling and preparing for a more successful life
*Assisting with transition out of the orphanage
*Taking children / teens to homes on weekends to experience family life
*Taking children / teens to church where they can hear God’s Word and learn more about Jesus
*Providing an alternative to government run summer camps through OH Christian summer camps

Thank you to all who are partnering with me by praying for me or financially supporting me. If you aren't already and would like to become a monthly financial partner, I encourage you to do so. You can click on the picture to the right labeled "Serving in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine." One time donations are also gladly accepted, but the biggest need lies for monthly supporters. I am hoping to meet 80% of my support raising goal by the time I depart in May.

If you are interested in having me speak at a church, Sunday school, classroom, small group, etc to raise awareness about the orphanage situation in Ukraine, please contact me by e-mail at EstherSnyder@OrphansHope.org. Thank you for partnering with me in caring for orphans.