Background:
Although the focus of Richard’s ministry is dentistry, my ministry in the country of Ukraine seems to be distributing humanitarian aid—mostly clothing—and gifts to widows, orphans and underprivileged children. Many friends, Smile Alliance International and several churches send boxes on a fairly regular basis. The sorting, organizing and hauling around of boxes is a lot of work but we definitely enjoy the smiles and joy on the faces of the recipients.

God has a strange sense of humor. When we sold our things and moved here from America I envisioned a new start—a home finally free of clutter and stuff. I would at last have the time and energy to be organized. Things would be neat and tidy. Right! God generously provided a house for us to live in after six months of living in an apartment building. Humbly I thanked Him for His provision. He bestowed on us this blessing and we dedicated it to Him and His work. That’s when the boxes began to arrive.I often laugh when I am in the midst of unpacking and sorting. During this time every free surface in our living quarters holds a stack of socks, shirts, pants, gift items, or some other thing. Sometimes I summon the troops to help but often I forge ahead alone. It is during this time I can pray for those who will be receiving each item. I can ask God for direction, guidance as to whom He has sent each thing. And it’s amazing what transpires.

I could tell story after story about this. But for now I want to share stories of some special gifts that touched my heart. Background information is necessary so you can see the scope of things and God’s love working through each person who has generously donated funds, time, and goods. We really believe that He cares about details, influences people to send various items and funds, and touches people hearts with a desire to help.

Our Visits
I picked up the gallon size Ziplock bags that have become my second favorite ministry tool. Slowly I began filling each of them with a toothbrush, comb, piece of candy, mini book filled with Russian Bible verses (sent by an anonymous donor), a slip of paper outlining the Gospel message with an invitation to accept Jesus, and other basic items.

Pastor Dima, a missionary to one of our neighboring villages, had asked us if we had some small gifts we could give to children they were going to visit. We told him we could do that but asked if we could go along when they visited the families. They were happy to have us join them and the date was set. The village social worker had provided lists of the neediest families. Dima had worked with some of them before but many were new to him.

The previous week I had assembled 110 plastic shoe boxes (my very favorite ministry tool) filled with gifts for Mostysche Orphanage and Sunshine Center for Street Children. The providing church in Ellensburg, Washington had generously included extra things in their twenty large boxes so I had enough to start filling my plastic bags. Then I added items from my reserves upstairs. The final step was to put in some age-sensitive items, something each child might need. I prayed for God to help me put just the right items in each bag.

I had kept in reserve a few of the brand new sleepers, jeans, and shirts for toddlers sent by a church in Cle Elum. So the bags for the 3 through 5 year-olds were easy to fill. Two different retired couples in Oregon had lovingly hand-knitted hats, mittens, socks and sweaters. These too were added to the packages. The older boys were a challenge but winter scarves, gloves and wallets purchased with donated ministry funds helped complete their bags. A box from my friend in Oklahoma provided some items for the older girls. But I was unsure what to put in the last of the baby and small toddler gifts. Then MEEST, the shipping company, called and brought four very large boxes from a church in Canada. Sent the middle of November, the boxes had somehow lost their way and arrived “just the day I needed them.” Now, the babies were very well taken care of. Grandma Rosa project blankets purchased and put together by friends in Washington State were put in large plastic bags for the children 12 and under. Then the zip lock bags for each individual child were added, each large bag was closed and the family name written on the outside. We were ready at last to begin visiting the homes.

Dima’s church bathed our day in prayer. I was profoundly glad about that when we encountered vicious, large dogs as we entered several of the yards. Although going door to door is not my forte, our advantage was that we were laden with gifts. Another plus was Dima’s previous work in this village—getting to know the people—showing them love and acceptance. Most of the homes we visited this time were ones he had been in before. Next week will be another story.

Each home told its own story. Some were relatively neat, others cluttered and messy. Most had foldout beds in the kitchens and living rooms. Some were really dark. Most were not very warm. Several had sick children or adults. Children and adults with sad eyes and downcast faces were the norm. All had a need for God’s love and joy. Dima, Vadim and Lada are recovered drug addicts who are now in ministry. They put their hearts into sharing the message of a better life and they were living proof that it can happen. Our friend, Tanya, interpreted for us. People listened. Vadim played the guitar and they sang songs for the children, others for the adults. Lada, a lovely lady who was addicted to drugs for fifteen years, has a passion for sharing how God can change hearts and lives. She invited and encouraged each person to ask God to help them and to come into their lives. I shared that we lived in Ukraine now because we felt God had sent us here to proclaim his love. I told them that God had given us many gifts, the best His Son, Jesus, and friends in America had sent presents to them to remind them of this love. When they cuddle with their blankets and enjoy their gifts, I asked them to remember how much God loves them. I then asked them if Richard could take their pictures to send to my mother who had the idea for the blankets, and to those who sent the gifts. I am going to get copies made for them.

Three Stories
I saw joy on most of the faces of the kids as they received their presents. Many quietly took them away for opening. I could tell something about each child, but I will limit this to three profound stories.

A symbol of God’s love
Dima jumped out of the van and started to open the gate at a house he had not visited before. This set the watchdog to barking angrily—this works in place of a doorbell. A thin lady dressed in warm clothing (including a hat on her head) came to the gate. Her expressionless face led to speculation as to whether we would be invited in or not. But she grudgingly beckoned toward the house as she stood guard in front of the dog house. The standard Ukrainian house is different than those in America. The door often leads into an entry room—sometimes with chairs—or a kitchen. At this home, the 17 year old son led us through a small dark kitchen which also had a bed in it, through a hallway with two more beds, and into a room lighted by sun through the windows. We sat on the bed there and some stools that were brought in. The lady stood leaning against the door, arms folded tight across her chest, listening to Dima. Her three boys came in. The eldest, Valeriy, had quit school and now repaired cars.. The two smaller ones, Dima 6 and Olexi 11 were talkative and friendly. Vadim asked the question about what they wanted to do when they grew up (this was the only place this question was asked.) Olexi’s desire was to be a policeman but Dima dreamed of being a “footballist”. In America we would say “soccer star”. We discovered that Luda, the mother, had cancer which had returned after a five year remission. She was barely holding herself together.

Eagerly I opened the bag we had prepared ahead for this family. While packing them, I had asked God to help me select the right blanket for each child. In my heart I knew what I would find—sure enough—one of the blankets was purple and covered with soccer balls. (There were only a couple of these blankets in the box I had unpacked.) When my turn came to give out the gifts, I looked at Dima. Smiling with tears in my eyes I told him that God loved him very, very much. I told him I knew this because God had me put this blanket in the bag just for him. God knew his desires. He knew his heart and he cared. I was rejoicing inside.

Lada began telling about our need for God and then Vadim broke in and said he felt we were supposed to pray for the mom—for her cancer—for her health. He asked her if we could lay our hands on her shoulders as we prayed and she consented. She stood very stiff but as they prayed she relaxed. It was as if a very large burden had been lifted from her shoulders. And then she smiled. I’ll never forget that smile. It transformed her face.As we climbed into the van, she was there—smiling. I had told her I would continue to pray for her. I am. And I feel a need to go back. Just to be there for her, if she needs me. We will see if that becomes a possibility.Despair
My friend’s four year old granddaughter had picked out a special blanket to send to a little girl. Yvie prayed for the girl. She told Mimi that she loved the little girl. They sent the blanket. I found it at the top of a box and chose if for a four year old on my list. Halfway through our day, I told Dima that I would really like to see if we could deliver it since I knew Yvie was waiting to hear about the little girl that would receive it. Dima knew the mom. Her latest boyfriend had just gone to jail. We found the boarding house where she lived. The outside door was open and several small children sat on the table and the stairway. One had a dress and nothing else on—not even socks. This was Natasha, sister of the four year old, Ira. There were socks and warm pajamas in the bag I had prepared for her. We went up the filthy, cluttered stairway to the room where the mother and her four children lived. It was tiny with a double bed at one end and bunk beds on each side. There were stuffed animals nailed to the wall above the bed. The two little girls, Ira 4 and Natasha, along with a boy about 5 and a baby 7 months old were on the bed where the mother lay beneath a blanket. She said she had a headache. She was lethargic. In the past she had attended Dima’s church and now they tried to talk to her about her life.. She told them she had no desire to change. She was going to live the way she wanted.

Richard had gone to the van to get some things for the little boy since we only had things for the girls—fortunately I had thought to put extra things in just in case this happened. I heard a man’s voice in the kitchen and footsteps on the stairs. The man was swearing. I asked Dima to go meet Richard and as he left the room, the man stopped at the top of the stairs and started swearing at us. He told us to get out, that when people visited bad things happened. (We found out he didn’t even live in this place.) It was obvious he was swearing even though I don’t understand the language. I started praying for all our safety. The man descended the stairs after Dima and continued to yell at him. Richard came in—Dima told him Richard was American and couldn’t understand him. The man stopped yelling. They came up to where we were. We quickly gave the presents to the children. I told them that God loves them. I told Ira that Yvie had sent her the blanket and that she loved her. We left. I felt very sad. I know that before long those children will probably end up in an orphanage. They may have a safer, better life there. Tanya, our interpreter, said she had never seen such a place. It was an eye-opener for her. I think we all felt a measure of grief and knew that we need to pray for this mother and her children.

A Need to Understand
After the boarding house incident, we decided to visit one last place and then continue our visitations at another time. As we entered the final home, we went through a room with dirt floors and into the kitchen. The grandmother welcomed us into her living room which contained a large bed. It was neat and clean. Our list said Yura was 10 and his sister Nastya 9. They looked much smaller and younger to me. But it’s often difficult to tell. I wished I’d asked them. They knew Dima and go to his Sunday school when he can pick them up. (His car has not been running so they haven’t been able to go recently).

The friendly grandfather came in while we sang some songs. Lada began telling Grandma Olga that God could help her. Grandma took over the conversation. The kids live with them because their mom is a prostitute and has disappeared from their lives. She told us that she had her children baptized and she felt that was the worse thing she had ever done. I don’t know why. She told them a lot that didn’t get translated. Finally, I had Richard tell a bit about how God had brought us to Ukraine to share His love with people and we gave the kids their gifts, then we prayed with the family.

Before we left, the others engaged in conversation with the kids and Grandpa while Grandma tried to talk to me. I grabbed Tanya to find out what she was telling me. She told me she thought she was cursed—her life—her daughter being a prostitute. I usually don’t know what to say in circumstances like these but I immediately said, “No. It is not a curse. A loving God does not curse people’s lives. It’s a matter of poor choices. God loves you very much. He loves you with His whole heart. He cares for you.”

I don’t know where the words came from but I firmly believe them. She said she was so much older than me but I told her she had only three years on me. She’s had a very difficult life. As we got ready to leave, I hugged her. She just kept hugging me. I want to go back. I liked her. I’d like to get to know her, find out what makes her go on, see if I can do something to encourage her. I wonder what God’s plan is in this. I pray daily for her as well.

What’s Next?
During our visits we tried to evaluate how we could help people. At the first home, the 2 year old had on a pair of worn, summer sandals. Our latest box shipment contained many toddler shoes. Tanya wrote down the need and we plan to take them some shoes. There were other needs as well. But I think the biggest need is something that each of you can help us with. Please remember these families in your prayers. These are just a handful in the village down the road from where we live. But the needs are everywhere. In Ukraine, Africa, China, America. Pray for those in need. Be aware of where you can help. Ask for God’s guidance.

And last of all, thank you, each one of you who has provided the goods, the funding, and the prayers so our ministry can continue. Thank you for your hearts for the children of Ukraine. Thank you for your encouragement, for your emails, your calls, and for your interest. You are as much a part of this ministry as we are. We are just privileged to be here and to see some of the results.May you be blessed each day and recognize those blessings,
Vicki and Richard

When the boxes first arrived, I was overwhelmed by the amount of gloves, hats, and children’s pajamas that had been sent. I knew God had a plan for them but most of the orphans we work with are larger than the sizes of pajama that were sent. The quantity and quality of all these gifts were remarkable. I prayed that God would show us where they were most needed. I tried to give some of the footed pajamas to a couple of moms who told me they were too difficult for their kids to get off when they needed to use the toilet. They are an entirely new concept here. Then I found a young Ukrainian mother in ministry who was thrilled to have some for her girls. American friends had given them used ones previously and the girls loved them but they were now worn out. I was glad they could use them. But the BIG question was, “To whom could I give the other 60 plus pair?”

Tanya, a young woman who had been our Russian teacher last winter for a short time, contacted us in September. She had married in May. Sasha, her new husband, and she had recently moved to our village and were living with a family from their church. We re-established contact and they started staying at our home when we are on outreach. It’s been a wonderful arrangement for all of us. The drug rehab center up the street from us is a ministry of the church they attend in Bucha. Many of the church members are recovered drug addicts who are now in ministry to other people with addictions and HIV, prostitutes, and others. They are joyful and love God but are very poor. It is a church with many young children. Thus was born the idea of a party to distribute the pajamas and other things.

Crafts were a big hit. The small children were thrilled with the stickers of the nativity scene which they put on construction paper and colored around. I heard one tiny girl naming off the people in her picture—Papa, Maria, and Jesus. It was so sweet. The older kids decorated door hangers with Christian symbols, glitter glue and pens. They created some really beautiful items.

The mothers were thrilled with the warm pajamas and the kids loved the toys. Children two years and under received hats, mittens and large stuffed animals. Three to five year olds received pajamas and hats along with a Grandma Rosa blanket containing a small stuffed animal. The kids, 6 and older, were recipients of hats, wallets, and blankets. They all seemed to be excited.

At the end, the children gathered for a picture and a 13 year old boy prayed for Richard and me, our ministry, and the donors in America. Then many of the kids came and either kissed our cheeks, hugged us or shook our hands. It was beautiful and we were very blessed. So I say, thank you, to all of you who have sacrificed and given to these children.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, three more children arrived. Tanya told us that the lady who brought them lives in the same building as they do. There is one kitchen, one bathroom and numerous rooms that the people live in–it sounds somewhat like a boarding house to me. But she said it was in terrible condition and these kids live with a violent, alcoholic father. Apparently as they were leaving to come to the party, the father was yelling at them and the lady who brought them. He was saying some very nasty things to them. We ask you to remember these two girls and their brother who are trying to come to church and to follow Jesus. I was impressed with how polite they were. We were glad they arrived in time for us to give them some blankets, hats, and other things.

This weekend at church Marek from the Sunshine Center quoted Ecclesiastes 11:1. I share it because I feel it is true for all of us, but especially for each of you who have supported and encouraged this ministry. “Cast your bread upon the water, and after many days you will find it again.” Eccl. 11:1 NIV: When you bless others you will in turn be blessed many times over. That is our prayer for you.

Drs. Richard and Inna spent many hours in meetings and working to set up the dental room at the Emmanuel Clinic. Then on the weeks there are no outreaches with Mercy Trucks/YWAM, they try to work on children on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Jan. 4: We delivered 65 presents for the widows that Good Samaritan Ministries in Zhitomer works with. We had the privilege of visiting several of the ladies in their homes.

Jan. 6-8: Vicki was excited to be able to help distribute presents to children who came to the play that CBN/Emmanual Ministries puts on each year. 18,000 people viewed it over the 8 days it was in production.

Jan. 17-19: Richard partnered with Mercy Trucks Dental Van at the Kamarivka Orphanage. There are approximately 130 children in this facility.

February 3-March 6: Trip to America. While there talked at a number of churches and service clubs from Spokane in the eastern part of Washington State to Joyce on the coast. We took post-graduate courses in Southern California and enjoyed time with our oldest Todd and his family, visited my mother and sister’s family in Oregon, and spent some time with our other son Jacy and his family in Renton. A very busy trip. Oh yes, we also got caught in a major snow storm on Snoqualmie Pass after visiting our friends and the SAI board in Cle Elum.

March 11-18: Dr. Ed and Pauline Steudli stayed with us and we there were several meetings with Ukrainian dentists and others who are involved in the dental hygiene project that is being implemented in Ukraine. The Steudli’s have great expertise and experience in starting hygiene education programs.

March 29 & 30: Drug Rehab Center in KievApril 18-20: Another trip to Kamarivka Orphanage

April: Vicki spent several days helping friends pack for move to America. Also, distributed numerous boxes sent from donors in the US and Canada.

May 2-5: We went with the dental van to Ivanivka village and worked with villagers in connection with the Methodist Sisters. This was the second outreach with these dedicated women.

May 15-18: Richard–Kamarivka Orphanage with Doug Stoddard’s team from the US

May 25: EEO Orphanage near Chernobyl Zone/ Richard pulls teeth and Vicki, Charlene and Jen do crafts with kids and deliver presents to them from a the Windy Valley Pathfinder Club in Washington State.

May: Friends from Zhitomer visited for a few days and stored items at our house while they went to America to pursue funding and decide on their future. (They will not be returning until September 2008.) Charlene and Jen Ellis visited for 9 days. Vicki helped another couple with movers and distributed their bounteous supply of food and other items to numerous places.

June 19-23: Camp Dream in Lugansk region (A 19 hour train ride from Kiev) See blog below about this trip.

June: Richard spent a lot of time trying to get dental equipment repaired

July 1-6: Camp outside of Uhzgorod (14 hour bus trip west and 18 hour train ride home) Partnered with YWAM team from Faro Islands–Richard worked on many gypsy kids while Vicki was very sick and spent a couple days at the hotel. and was only albe to spend one day at the camp.

July 8-15: Merle and Maria Jacobs visit for a week of R& R between their outreaches

July 15-21: Camp Karitas (Vicki) working with disabled children with Mission to Ukraine

July 22-27: Maukacevo—Richard worked with Mercy Truck in a gypsy village (More about this trip http://www.mercytrucksua.org/ )

July 31-Aug 5: YWAM team of 6 from California plus Jacobs stayed at our house after their three week outreach in Lithiania and another in Odessa.

Aug. 10-Sept. 7: Vicki in America visiting her mom in Salem and son’s family in Renton

Aug. 15-22: Richard with Mercy Truck in Zhitomer Area Villages with Don Miller’s Good Samaritan Team from Oregon

Sept. 18-21: Kamarivka Orphanage with YWAM team from Pennsylvania R & V

Sept. 24-27: Gluhotvsy Village south of Zhitomer with PA Team

October: Month of meetings, receiving and distributing 42 boxes of humanitarian aid—several trips to Zhitomer and other places. Helping friends with move back to America—distributing some of their items. Another 20 boxes were received two weeks later.

October 31-Nov 2: Kamarivka Orphanage/Last team with Jeff Colker Richard

Nov. 5-6: Joined a Mission to Ukraine team from Indiana in a small village south of Zhitomer. Richard enjoyed helping out whenever he was needed and working with the three dentists on the team. Vicki helped Jan Young distribute 200 pair of glasses to villagers. Vicki also gave out toys sent from a VBS in Atlanta, Georgia, hats knitted by a retired couple in Sublimity, Oregon and socks knit by a couple in Milton-Freewater, Washington. The people were very excited to receive these things. Nov. 8: Potiiva School for Disabled kids (130 children) with MTU team. We had so much fun doing crafts with the kids and giving them all gospel teddy bears which were generously donated by Family Christian Book stores. Vicki had sewed buttons on all 130 bears so they children would be able to tell which one was theirs.
Nov. 20-21: Sunshine Center with Nathalie and Marek’s Sunshine Ministry. Used portable equipment and Vicki assisted–gave out hats, gloves, and scarves and gospel bears.Two more outreaches are scheduled next week and then we go to America for a month to spend the holidays with our family. There is a lovely, young couple who stays at our house while we are gone. We praise God for helping us find them.Looking back at this schedule, I realize how hectic the last few months were. No wonder we are often tired. These are just the outreaches. There were also a lot of meetings, gathering of supplies and equipment, distributing boxes and organization of things being stored at our place. But the stories that are behind all these events are the things that keep us going. It’s the kids, the widows, the lives that are touched on each of these trips that make the difference.

In the next few days, I plan to share some of these stories. Thank you to all who are contributing funds and donating humanitarian aid in support of this ministry. Without you we would not be able to share God’s love with as many children and adults. God has promised to bless those who are joining Him in His work.

We are so thankful for the generosity of all our supporters. Many of you support the work each month and I know it is a big commitment from often limited funds. Without your steady, committed support our ministry would be unable to continue. I want to thank each one of you—every penny that is invested in this work is important to us and we strive to use it wisely for God’s glory. Luke 21:1-4 tells of the widow who placed two small coins—her last—in the offering plate. Jesus commended her and her story lives on over the centuries as an inspiration to all of us. In the same way we are inspired by each of your contributions to the ministry—spiritual, emotional, financial and physical.

On Monday, June 25, I told a friend that I felt God was telling me that it was time to step out and go forward with plans. Many have fasted and prayed for this project and for some kind of confirmation as what direction to go with it. In the meantime, unbeknown to us, Mr. S and the contractor had been getting bids on windows and doors. A generous donation of $20,000 had been sent to SAI a couple months ago for the use of the ministry in Ukraine. It is being used for dental needs, some much needed items for poor children in the villages, and some basic ministry needs. Yet there is still a large part of it which can be used to put in a well and possibility some plumbing in the building.

The past few months have been very busy (see www.smilealliance.blogspot.com) so we took a much needed break from ministry for three days to visit some castles and historical ruins with a Ukrainian friend, Yuliya. I will post pictures and commentary on http://www.livinginukraine.blogspot.com/ this afternoon. Anyway, when we got home and I checked my email yesterday I found a wonderful confirmation that we are to continue to move forward. But let me go back three years before I continue with this thought.

At a Commission for Children at Risk conference in Rome, Georgia in November 2004, I met a very nice lady named Karen Jones. We spent time praying together and have kept in touch over the years. At that time, she told me of an estate which had been designated to help the orphans and poor children in Ukraine. She suggested that SAI apply for some of the funds. Through a set of unusual circumstances the people appointed to administrater the funds were unable to do so, and it went back to the drawing board. Last September, we received a call from a man, Greg S., who was helping the judge determine the distribution of funds and he asked for information on the organization. Sherry Longbine, Patty Radzykewycz, and I sent him information about SAI, Smile House and other projects. There were many months of silence and then in January we heard that SAI had been selected with two other organizations to receive funds from the Estate of Merritt Orr in the state of Texas. We had no idea how large the estate was or how much SAI would receive. It’s been interesting waiting and wondering. We all knew that whatever the amount—whether small or large—it was just what God had planned. So we waited.

Back to yesterday, the check came to P.O. Box 240 yesterday—mailed probably on Monday—about the time I felt we should step out and go forward with the project. The amount: $107,710.43. SAI received 40% of the estate. Praise God! We are so thankful that this person whom we were never able to meet had a heart for the children of Ukraine. Through his kindness many, many children will be blessed. We are all rejoicing, seeing God’s leading, knowing that He is in control. This amount will help finish the windows and hopefully the dental portion of the building. Estimates for the final finish work on the whole building are around $450,000 but volunteer labor and donated materials, it could be a lot less. This is just the amount needed at this point in time and we thank God for it.

Richard and I wanted to share this with each of you so together we can all send our thanks to a loving, heavenly Father who has dreams much bigger than any of us can imagine. This huge project is often daunting but it is His project. Our motto is Psalm 115:1 and will continue to be. May each of you be truly blessed as well and be able to see the plans He has for you.

Not to us, Oh Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory and honor because of Your love and faithfulness. Ps 115:1

Vicki and Richard

God also brought a wonderful, young Christian dentist into our lives and supplied money for her support. Jeff Colker who is with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) was impressed to take over Mercy Trucks International’s dental ministry here. http://www.mercytrucksua.org/

He is a fantastic organizer and the dental van is now being used on a regular basis at a couple of orphanages and on other outreaches. Just last week, the CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) Emmanuel Ministry’s clinic finally received all the government permissions to open our dental clinic. Dr. Inna and Dr. Richard have seen patients for two days now. All dental work is being provided free of charge. The focus is on orphans and other poor, under served children. Our dentists have also treated patients from two different drug rehab programs as well as many poor people in villages. We are hoping to find support for another dentist in the near future. I spent several days this week going through the 16 boxes that arrived through MEEST. This house has been an amazing blessing as a place to sort and store the humanitarian aid we receive from America and Canada . Several churches and individuals, Smile Alliance International, and others have sent many boxes for the children and widows as well as for us personally. Some dear friends are moving back to the US and they have been donating huge amounts of food, crafts, dishes, things for Smile House and items for distribution to orphanages. So my role of late is to determine what has been donated and with God’s help find the best place for each item. The picture on the right shows a pastor who is recently took these boxes of clothing and shoes to an orphanage with 300 kids in the Zhitomer region. I really love this work. It’s so fun to be able to bless other ministries, orphanages, widows and those in need with the great items which so many of you have lovingly sent. Thank you for your help and support.

Several times I have had the privilege of introducing people from different ministries and they in turn have been able to work together to provide assistance to those in need. I feel it is such a God thing when this happens. Recenty Gateway to Life in Zhitomer arranged for two wheelchairs through Joni and Friends Wheels for the World ministry. The chairs were custom made and delivered to needy individuals whom our friends at YWAM had been desperately trying to help. It is such a joy to be a small part of this and to watch God at work.

Richard and I are working hard to learn Russian but it is very difficult. This morning I put on my skates to get some exercise. Kids in the village often say hello to us but the adults have been more reticent. Yet when I skate I get smiles and waves. A whole family came out to meet me the other morning and I felt like we are finally being accepted here.

Dr. Ed and Pauline Stuedli stayed with us in March and conferred with the chief dentist in Ukraine, Mr. Suzdaltsev and Dr. Borisenko who have received governmental permission to start the first dental hygiene program here. They have permission to start it as early as this September. We appreciated all the information and help this wonderful couple provided and we enjoyed their visit immensely.The Smile House Project is progressing slowly. The builders are doing a fantastic job. A new roof and addition to the front of the building have been added. Interior walls for the top floor rooms have been built. A recent generous donation is making it possible for the project to continue for the time being. We ask your prayers for wisdom as to how to proceed with this, for us to be aware of God’s will in this matter and for additional funding. It is a huge project and we really believe that God has a plan for this building. We do want to run ahead not go to slow, just let Him lead.

This summer’s plans include helping at some summer camps, several long trips with the dental van, and many outreaches. If any of you would like to join us, we’d love to help you make plans and arrangements. We have room in our home for several people and in time hope to have a team or two come and help us complete the upstairs so teams or individuals can stay here.

This year has been a time for learning to depend on God in many ways. It has been a time of growth and joy. We miss our family and friends in the US but were able to make two trips back. The time spent with our five grand kids, their parents, our siblings, and my mom was very special to us. My internet chats with many of you have kept me sane. And your emails, packages and support are so very much appreciated. We have made many new friends, too. Without the help of our many Ukrainian friends we would not have made it through this year. There has been so much support from the American Christian community here as well. We are going to a couple of study groups each week and enjoy the fellowship immensely. We are so pleased that the ministries here work so well together. God is in the center of all this work and we are very blessed.

The political situation is a mess. Your prayers are desperately needed for this country and its people. The freedoms that they are just beginning to enjoy could so easily be snatched away. It makes us appreciate the freedoms we have lived with all our lives.

May God continue to bless you, may you have the chance to follow your dreams and heart’s desires, and may you find joy in our amazing God.

Vicki and Richard

In the above pictures pictures you see Smile House as we first saw it in October 2005 and again in November 2006 after the new addition and roof were added. We are excited to see it emerging with a personality of it’s own. There is so much potential for good in this facility. Below the front of the building is shown again in the before and after format.

Richard points to the graffiti we found on the wall. It depicts a smiling boy with words that say something like “You are welcome here.” Of course, we both instantly thought “It’s a sign”.

This is the building from the back.

Below is pictured the top floor with the old roof before the walls were raised and after the wonderful new roof was put on it. The construction is entirely different. Yura, our main builder, is making sure that his crew do quality work and they are using very good materials.

Our friends Tanya and Yura and their two boys visited Smile House with us soon after it was purchase in February of 2006. We all joined together as Yura prayed a blessing on it and the people who will come here. The next day Valeriy and Allah Suzdaltsev, our Ukrainian partners, bought us to the building and they sprinkled holy water on it and prayed a blessing over it.

I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of the Smile House Project as it looked when we first saw it compared to the present with the new addition and roof. It is amazing what God has accomplished in a year. We are waiting in anticipation to see where He leads from here. There are so many ways this building can be used to help others in addition to the planned dental clinic. Please that it will go according to God’s agenda and not any of ours. Also, pray for the people who will be helped here in the future.

September of this year, leaders of four organizations, Mission to Ukraine, Emmanuel/Operation Blessing, Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and Smile Alliance International, met to explore the possibility of combining their respective resources to create one large medical-evangelistic outreach to two villages in the Zhytomir region. The reason for this was that both Mission to Ukraine and Emmanuel had scheduled medical and dental teams to arrive in Ukraine on almost exactly the same dates in November, and that “coincidence” was felt to be potentially a God Thing.

During the week of November 5-10 the outreach became a reality. A team of physicians, nurses and therapists combined with one of dentists, a dental hygienist and assistants to bring much needed care to two outlying communities, Ivanopyl and Volytsya, both about 90-100 kilometers southwest of the city of Zhytomir in Ukraine. Physical exams, health counseling, eye exams and dental treatments were provided in community buildings that were provided through the efforts of Pastor Peter Levchenko of Central Baptist Church in the town of Chudniv. As part of the outreach, the people who came for treatment were invited to also listen to Christ-centered programs each day during lunch, which was provided. Reportedly, many souls were won to accept and give their hearts to Jesus during these meetings. Praise God for His blessings!

The dental van, operated by YWAM and staffed by Dr. Ina and myself, was brought out to both villages and was used to provide restorative care for many, as it is equipped for the more complicated procedures involved with that. Portable dental equipment was also set up at each visited facility to provide for emergency care such as extractions, and the one hygienist was kept busy doing cleanings and dental health care instructions.
This report is written by Dr. Richard Nelson, a dentist with Smile Alliance International, living in Ukraine and working to help establish the dental programs of both the YWAM dental van and the new medical building operated by CBN/Emmanuel/Operation Blessing.

My thoughts on this venture are this:

• First, it is a joy to see the faces of those we are able to help. These people simply do not have either the money or even the access to the services we provide, and their appreciation for what little we do for them is always overwhelming to us.
• Secondly, we had glitches, as always happens, especially when so many people are involved. But everything worked out, maybe not exactly as we had planned, but God’s name was lifted up, with our human efforts being covered with the Blessings of the Holy Spirit, and it was our privilege to be a part of this outreach. I do not know the exact number of people involved, but I can count up at least 24. Most were from the two teams from America. Mission to Ukraine’s team came from the Indianapolis, Indiana area, and the Immanuel team was from the Atlanta, Georgia area. From what I could see, we all had the same purpose, to bring praises to God through our work, and I enjoyed meeting and fellowshipping with those I had time to meet.
  
• Lastly, we were only able to treat a small percentage of the people who came to us hoping for help. It is not easy to have to turn away any one of those dear people. The need is so great in this country, both for physical help, but also for their spiritual needs. We are here because our great God loves and cares for these people, and His love compels us to strive to help, not in our own efforts but in His power and in His Spirit. We know God is doing something here in Ukraine, and it is awesome to see. May God be praised for His Greatness, and for allowing us to be a part of His plan