Upcoming plans

Well, it’s time for another update. Since I’ve been getting the same question over and over, I figured it was time to let all of my friends and supporters know what is going on in my life regarding heading back to Ukraine .

Originally, the plan was to leave the beginning of May to start my long term stint in Simferopol and continue the ministry with the children and teens with Orphans Hope. All three of us (Tara Belt, Rachel Gilmor, and myself) are planning on going back for an extended amount of time. However, mostly because of finances, the starting time for the long term stint will not be in May. I am planning on leaving for most of the month of May to go to Simferopol , but I will return for June and July to raise more support. The plan would then be to leave in August starting the beginning of the long term stint. While I am there in July, I will visit the orphanages and the teens to touch base with them and make sure things are ok. There is a bigger reason for this trip in May, however. We have heard rumors for quite some time about the closing of one of our orphanages. For those who keep up to date with the ministry, it is Gagarin Orphanage. This is the orphanage where we have the most consistent and stable relationships. We spent a significant amount of time working with several different groups of children and became very close with many of them. If the rumor is true, the children will be done at this orphanage at the end of the school year (May 31st) and then be displaced all over the country. Nothing has been confirmed yet, so based on rumors, the children will be split up and begin a new life somewhere else. Anyone with experience with children knows that transition is always difficult, and these kids don’t have parents or other stable adults investing in them to help them with their situation. The only stability they have is each other, and even this will be taken from them. A main goal in May is to collect as much information we can for the children we have solid relationships with in order to attempt to continue ministry with them after the orphanage is shut down. We are praying that they will be close enough to reach even if that means weekend or day trips to see them once we are there long term.

Plane tickets for May have not been purchased yet, but they will be very soon. I am anticipating leave around the 5th of May and return around the 2nd of June.

If you are aware of any opportunities to speak (church services, school groups, men and women’s groups, Bible studies, Sunday Schools , - really any group willing to listen) about Ukraine and the orphan situation there, please let me know. Feel free to pass along my contact information.

Prayer Requests:
If you would like, you may pray for the following:

*Finances – that support would continue to come in as necessary in order for me to get back to Ukraine long term and not have to keep coming and going

*For Tara and Rachel and their continued support raising as well as other details in getting back to Ukraine

*The trip in May – that it would be an effective time for ministry and God would provide details as necessary to maintain relationships with the children

*The children – that they would be protected physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually from all of the evil surrounding them and that people would rise up and fight for justice on their behalves

*Gagarin Orphanage – that if they are closing we would be able to keep in touch with those who we have already started serious ministry with and that the kids would end up where they need to be with a stable environment and a staff who will care for, provide for, and protect them

*For Orphan’s Hope – that God would continue to provide finances and staff in order to have effective ministry with orphans to bring them to Jesus

*For the missionary community in Simferopol – I sure miss my friends who are currently serving in Simferopol with different people groups. Pray that this group would continue to be united and have a stable, solid community where they can find support and encouragement from each other.

A HUGE THANK YOU to so many of you who have supported me financially or with encouragement and prayers. I appreciate it more than I can express. Thank you for helping orphans in Ukraine. You are a vital part of the ministry.

If you know of anyone who might like to receive updates through e-mail, please let me know.

Love, Esther