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| Mulberry International Update |
January, 2008 |
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 Greetings!
Merry Christmas!
No, I'm not living in the past. In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, according to the Orthodox calendar. Holiday gifts are actually exchanged on New Year's Day. And, the main gift-giving character is Grandfather Frost, who is assisted by his granddaughter instead of elves.
The New Year brings lots of new opportunities and new challenges just like in the US. There is still a lot of uncertainty, both politically and economically. You can read more about the situation in Kostya's update. As I'm writing this, Russia and Ukraine are at a stand-off over the gas bill. Ukraine's climate is similar to the northern US, so the gas supply in January is critical.
The children in our families are returning to school. There are now four more foster children than we had at the beginning of the school year. The number of street children coming for assistance is increasing even more than usual for winter. Cold weather and a harsh economy give us more opportunity to share God's love. And, it's all made possible by our faithful family of supporters.
Happy New Year!
Don't grow weary,
Charles |
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| Thank You!
We have been working on 2008 year-end giving reports. For the year, God has blessed Mulberry with finances equal to our needs. However, we have already been informed of some significant reductions for 2009. If you haven't been a financial supporter is the past, please consider adding Mulberry to you 2009 giving plans.
Mulberry International
11866 Capital Way
Louisville, KY 40299
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News from Kostya
December 20, 2008
Piece and blessings of the Lord, to you, brother Charles. We thank you for the support and encouragement during this difficult time. Galya Osipova is expressing her gratitude for your prayers and the help you offered. The Lord is our hope in everything.
Galya is still treating TB and keeps her blood tests. Right now her condition is satisfactory. She is still very weak and feeling sleepy. She will try to find good doctors and good treatment.
Children added to the Gudwill family got adjusted well but we still work on their paperwork. There will be added expenses for Vanya's medical examinations in Kiev for January budget.
New children in Chernov's family are feeling all right as well and they are happy about their new parents. Unfortunately, the state isn't giving any financial support for these children yet - they say that in January and February the family isn't going to get any support for them.
Total situation in Ukraine is very interesting and unpredictable. The government is trying to make it look so as if they were working. The economy is falling down rapidly. Nothing is being done to overcome the crisis.
The banks do not give any credits. Salaries aren't paid out. Products aren't selling from the enterprises. Unemployment is increasing fastly. Prices for real estate, cars and home supplies are getting down. Prices for food have increased.
A wave of robberies and murders has covered the country. The banks and the apartments are robbed. The old age people are killed for their little retirement pension. People get into the buses in the day time and rob people. People who have received their money in the bank or had done currency exchange are getting killed right there in the street.
We keep praying for this all to end up and we thank God for every day that we have lived through. Staff in Pilgrim is preparing program and presents for the kids. The Bookkeepers are busy with yearly reports for the government officials.
All in all the ministry is going on. Everybody will be happy for the Christmas bonuses. We thank God for every sacrificial heart. We thank you, brother Charles, for your hard and difficult labor. We thank sister Jody for her prayers and kind words.
We are praying for you.
Respectfully.
Konstantin.
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News from Galya
Galya was diagnosed with tuberculosis and a blood disorder (probably anemia but the translation was difficult) in early December. Her response to treatment has been "satisfactory," but she remains very sick. Still, she comes in to Pilgrim (Project Sasha) on most days. Here is a report we received.
December 15, 2008
Charles and everybody there - piece to You!
I thank you very much for your care about me and the project. Konstantin Vladimirovich told me your words, thank you for not forgetting. Tears came to my eyes when I heard about your attitude, your understanding, specially in those days I need support and I need to know that I am not alone. That there are people that are not indifferent about me. You are so close to me at this time that I can feel it. Thank you. I believe that soon I will be able to serve my Lord with the new strength! Amen.
Many kids started coming to us after the summer camp, they all are from families at risk. There was Nadya among them, she is 10 today. Her story is very sad. Her mom died of AIDS when she was 22 years old. Nadya was 1.5 years at that time. Her grandmother was alcohol addicted. Right now that lady is 81 years old and Nadya is staying with her. The girl is very difficult to work with, she smokes, curses, she is very ill-tempered. We started talking with the grandmother and it turned out that Nadya has also got AIDS, that's why her reaction to life is like that. Nadya was not coming to school. She didn't want us to get close to her, but slowly she got adjusted to us and now she is getting better. The grandmother calls us all the time, she feels so safe with us. She thanks us for the help, which means she thanks you!
This is one example of our daily life. How many more of them here???? The souls who are walking in the street and don't' know about salvation. But we will try harder and work harder to praise our Lord.
Right now is a difficult (economic) time for all of us, but God doesn't leave us. We pray that this situation wouldn't touch children who are in the streets. Yes, they have mothers and fathers but they have no food or clothes, no joy and happiness. Let's protect our children together. If not us then who will? Math. 10:42.
Our dear bothers and sisters! We bow down to you for your prayers, your financial support, the Lord has already prepared rewards for each one of you. Be blessed. We love you all.
Project Team |
Construction at Dyetski Dom
We have an unusual opportunity at Dyetski Dom. Kostya mentioned the falling real estate prices in his report. This is also impacting construction costs. IF we had the money on hand, we could actually complete the third housing unit for $120,000. Compared to the original quote, that is almost half off.
We really owe it to the Chernov family to make a push to get them out of their apartment. Matching funds are still available. Every dollar contributed now would do the work of four. The Ukrainian economy is so volatile that I hate to miss this opportunity. Please consider a gift to our building fund.
Donations can be made at this link- www.mulberryinternational.org/donate.html.
Or, mailed to-
Mulberry International
11866 Capital Way
Louisville, KY 40299
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| Upcoming Events |
March 15 Mt Carmel Christian Church, Cincinnati, OH
April
Discovery trip to Ukraine |
| January Birthdays |
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23rd Fyodor- boy in the Shelbesky familiy
24th Nadezhda- girl in the Goryainov family |
| For More Information |
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Be sure to visit our website
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| Contact Information |
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Mulberry International
11866 Capital Way
Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 267-1009 | |
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