Summer Camp 2008 
Project Sasha staff at a 2008 summer camp for at-risk children. 

Mulberry International 

Crimean Children's Ministries

March, 2009
In This Issue
New Mailing Address
Report from Kostya
Building Update
Quick Links
Mulberry Website
Join Our Mailing List!
Greetings!
 
Me at Chess
 
We are adding some features.  I can't say I'm getting more tech savvy, but I am picking up on a couple of new tricks.
 
First, there is now an archive feature that will allow you to check out past newsletters.  If you are new to our distribution, that may be interesting.  And, the archives can be accessed directly from the website.
 
Also, there are a couple of new blogs.  We receive updates from Ukraine that are now being posted to a blog.  Updates on the different ministries and conditions in Ukraine are posted to a blog named Mulberry International.  A second blog has updates from Project Sasha.  The Quick Links box at the left has the links.
 
The objective is to keep our family and friends as well informed as possible. 
 
Don't grow weary,
Charles 
 
PS  No, I don't play chess.  But I couldn't refuse a challenge from a ten year old-  he won.
 
Address Change- Again
 
My Mother taught high school for over 50 years.  I can still hear her words when a student (including me) got out of line.  "I may have to put this in your Permanent Record!"  That was always the ultimate threat.  Since then, I've learned just how rare it is for anything in this world to be permanent.  We are changing our mailing address again.  Our new address is:
 
Mulberry International
PO Box 43623
Louisville, KY 40253
 
The change is necessary because we are physically re-locating.  We will have a new street address soon, but this will be our "permanent" mailing address. 
Report from Kostya
 PS Staff 2007
 
Piece and blessings of the Lord to you.
 
We will manage to arrange all the necessary meetings and seminars for parents and staff during your visit. Everything is going to be fine, don't worry.
 
I am glad about the special gift for the construction from Angelina. It's God's mercy to us and His blessing. The workers are doing the work much cheaper than it really costs.
After they complete the work, we can order the necessary paperwork to continue construction this year. Right now everything is going just as we planned.
 
Just some news from here.
1. Politics. Contradictions between different structures of power are still same. No changes in that direction. We are going to have president's election at the end of the year. The situation here is mostly hardened artificially more than naturally. The government does solve some very acute matters though (but of course, with the help of strikes and protests).
2. Economy. Economical crises in Ukraine, by the statistic data, is 40 times harder than in the USA. Unemployment is growing hugely, especially in the industrial towns. Leading banks are still working stable. The small banks that are having problems are controlled by the state. Taxes for the import things have increased.
3. Life. Prices for import goods have grown up. Food prices have been raised within the last two months into 20-30%. Utilities payments have grown up as well. Everyday we hear news about bank's robberies and very brutal murders. There is a new kind of drugs that appeared here and it is spreading through the country quite legally.
4. The ministry. There are most street kids now. Our hospitals are having problems with food for children and lack hygiene means to look after the patients. Foster families of Simferopol have had some problems with getting money from the state. Yevpatoria families don't have these problems yet.
 
Today we've been very busy with Galina's Gudwill moving into the new house. Kids love the new house very much. It's much bigger than the old one. It's located in a region with very fresh and clean air. There is a school not far from the house. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the center, and about 10 minutes to the railway station.

We thank the Lord for all His blessings. We are glad to know that so many groups want to come to visit. I have information from Natasha and Jody about visits for 2010. We will be getting ready and will be glad to see everyone.
 
We are praying for you.
Respectfully. Konstantin.

 
Building Update
 

G Kids in field

As Kostya mentioned above, we received an advance for construction at Dyetski Dom.  We also decided to sell some assets in Ukraine to provide more construction funds.  This will force changes in the way we do some ministries.  But, we believe the construction is THAT important.
 
We still need to raise $60,000 in order to complete unit three and provide the Chernov family with adequate housing for ten foster children.  To donate, please indicate "building fund" on your check and mail to:
 
Mulberry International
PO Box 43623
Louisville, KY 40253
Upcoming Events
 
April 21-30
Discovery Trip to Ukraine 
 
June 4-14
Short Term trip by Savannah Christian Church
March Birthdays
11th  Valya, Staff
13th  Lena, Project Sasha Staff
23rd  Valya, Dyetski Dom Staff
For more information-
 
Mulberry International
PO Box 43623
Louisville, KY 40253