Yuzhakova

our trip is rapidly drawing to an end. we have stayed on the go the entire time....renewing our passion and love for the russian orphans. elena is, as always, an inspiration. zhenya is awesome...can't even fathom how many orphans he knows in this area, it must be thousands! yet he always has time to share a hug and a chat with each and every one, and lets them all know they are loved and important!
yesterday we journeyed to petrokamensk hospital...sort of a transition home for children recently removed from their families due to living conditions, abuse, hunger, etc. it is a sad, sad place. children do not really understand why they have been taken away from their families and put into this institution. there are a few old beds, rickety cribs, a few toys, and meals of porridge and bread, or watery soup and noodles and an occasional piece of fish. elena and zhenya always bring the children fruit and juice and treats..sometimes clothes and toys. anya is there now..she is the daughter or valya...a young woman who has been in the desana orphanage program for several years. last year valya and anya were attacked (by one of valya's friend's boyfriend) with an axe. both survived though anya carries emotional and physical scars....she was in the hospital for a month. she was recently discovered to be living in horrible conditions....dity, hungry, etc so was taken from valya and put in the russian orphanage system. now valya is no where to be found and the fate of this adorable child is uncertain. i had to hold back tears looking at her sweet, sweet face and all thinking about all she has been through in 4 short years. this "job" of mine has it's highs and lows...laughter and tears....keeping me humble and emptying my heart.

after petrokamensk, we traveled to a facility called yuzhakova orphanage. we hadn't been there before but elena and zhenya had and they had decided we should have a hot dog roast and picnic there. the weather didn't cooperate so we decided to eat indoors. the children were awesome, about 25 between the ages of 10 and 18. they were happy and friendly and well cared for and so excited to have guests! we ate together (way too much food!) and each one told us about himself....! then george did some of his world famous magic tricks and the girls presented us with amazing paper origami gifts....a vase and flowers and swans and a wooden 'faberge' type egg that they had painted. very very cool gifts. (i fear they will not travel well back to the USA tomorrow because they are so fragile.) again, we asked ourselves....why have we been led to yuzhakova! we don't have the funds, the time or the energy to take on another project...we have too much to do, too lttle time, and no money......but then it all became perfectly clear.....these kids need to know that people care...and God will provide all we need...he always has and always will. thank you Jesus for placing more children in our lives!