Closure of 2008

At the closure of the year 2008 we want to thank from our whole hearts all of you, people who have been encouraging and supporting us in all the different ways to do the work of God here in Ukraine! We are really thankful to God for all of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ and we feel the support of this big and loving family of God in our lives, because of you! Lets continue together making better and happier the lives of children who have no loving families!

With love in Christ,

Serjey and Julia Yarovie

Merry Christmas!

We pray that you all have an incredible Christmas this year! Please remember the reason that we celebrate Christmas. The greatest gift of all was given to us by God more than 2,000 years ago wrapped in a bundle, lying in a manger. What an awesome gift to give us! And we don't even deserve it! As we give gifts to our loved ones this year, let us remember why we give the gifts and give unselfishly. We are so fortunate to live in the United States of America and that we can worship freely and celebrate Christmas in the way that we do. Many people reading this blog are not as lucky as we are. The orphans in Odessa are without parents tonight, the street kids are without warmth and shelter. Please remember them in your prayers and thoughts this Christmas while we are warm by our trees and presents. We serve such a loving God, I can't tell you enough how grateful I am to all of you for all of your support this past year....and to Him for sending all of you to Youth of Ukraine. It is because of all of you that Youth of Ukraine is making a difference in Odessa. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our One and Only Savior

By: Franklin Graham

Savior is a term many people throw around casually. Recently we’ve heard it used frequently by the media as they discuss political campaigns and economic bailout packages.

When people are looking for dramatic change, it’s human nature for them to seek some sort of savior—someone who is powerful and compassionate enough to rescue them from their sins.

As long as they are blinded by sin, though, people seek salvation in the wrong places. They desperately need someone to lead them to the one and only Savior. “There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:21–22).

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of our Savior on the pages of history. When the baby Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem, the Word became flesh. As the angel announced more than 2,000 years ago: “Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Jesus Christ showed us the Way, died for our sins, rose from the grave and poured out the Holy Spirit to establish His church.

He taught us plainly that the only way we can be saved is by repenting of our sins and trusting in Him as our Savior. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

That’s the message my father and I have always preached. Despite what the world may say or wish, there is no other way to be saved. There are many ways to share the Gospel, but they all bring people to Jesus Christ, our one and only Savior.

Americans have just been through a presidential election. Both parties made extravagant promises that won’t be easily kept, but the promise of eternal life is always kept by the Savior for those who come to Him for forgiveness.Our hope is never placed in men or governments, but in God alone. We will pray for guidance for our leaders as the Bible commands, while knowing that the Lord works through worldly rulers to accomplish His greater, sovereign purpose. The king’s heart is like channels of water in God’s hands, the Bible says, and “He directs it … wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).

As you celebrate the birth of the Savior in the next few days, rejoice that God “the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:14–15).

Thanks be to God for our glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

At risk TB kids

Below is an update from Julia and Sergey. All of their updates touch my heart so fiercely, but this one especially for some reason. I don't know if it is the spirit of the season or what, but look at the little angelic faces of these children? Doesn't it just break your heart? This season and this coming new year, lets ask ourselves...what more can we do to help? That is what I have found myself asking God, what more can I do?

Recently we went to the place for the kids from 3 to 9 years old who are in the TB group of risk. They are mostly from the orpahanges and poor families where parents are often addicts. This is where they are supposed to strengthen their immune system but often the institution cannot provide them with the necessary fruit and vitamins that they need so much! The staff there is really good and pours a lot of love into these kids.

We were able to bring them vitamins, warm scarves, alot of DVDs with the cartoons and movies for the kids and some secondhand shoes and clothes as well as a bed for their medical room. Also we brought a lot of small snacks for the kids (there are about 35 kids now).

More from Julia and Sergey

In the end of November, Michelle and Serjey went to Balta to visit some of the kids who used to live in the Odessa orphanage#4. One of the pastors of our church drove us there. Valya, sister of one of the boys went there as well. She is a graduate of the orpahange#4. The boys were really happy to have visitors. Valya's brother was really HAPPY. She brought him gifts for his birthday that he had recently and it was really special for him. This is not the first time we visited there and we are especially grateful for our pastor who goes there with us and shares the love of God with the kids there.

More from Julia and Sergey

Last week Serjey went to a conference for the staff of the Student Christian Movement of Ukraine. It took place in Kiev and was for all the Ukrainian staff. It was a really good and encouraging time of sharing and praying and worshipping God together. They were planning the next year 2009 and praying for the next year to be the year when many of the students come to know Jesus. We are blessed to be partnering with this organization because it provides great opportunities for the orphanage graduates to meet God. (conferences, summer camps, Bible studies)
In the picture Serjey is becoming a toilet paper statue with the help of other staff (just having fun).

From Julia and Sergey

For many years it was on Serjey's heart to go out to the streets of Odessa, meet the kids who live on the street and talk to them. Usually he tries to find out why a kid is on the street and if he has a place where he can go back (an orphanage or home). If there is a place like that and the kid wants to be helped he offers to take him back and talk to his parents or supervisors at the orphanage. Some of the kids end up on the street because they were looking for an adventure and often they left with an older sibling or older kid from the orphanage and then are afraid to go back. We wrote on the blog about few cases like that and today I wanted to let you know about Vova - a 15 year old boy from an orpahange several hours drive away from Odessa. Serjey met him at the McDonalds and had lunch with him, he found out that he ran away from an orphanage with an older classmate and that he wants to go back but is afraid. So, Serjey took him back by bus (it took them about 7 hours to get there) he met with the director and the director and the staff were all really happy to meet Vova. The director even wrote a special "thank you" paper for Serjey and it was really special! They showed Serjey around the orphanage and it seems like a really good one. Many of the kids there are really into sports, they win a lot of competitions. Serjey got Vova an inexpensive cell-phone to stay in touch with him. Please pray that Vova will study hard and stay at the orphanage (get involved into the sports team of some kind). Please pray for the street kids of Odessa - it got really cold here please pray for special provison from God for them and for all the people in Odessa who try to help the street kids. Please pray for Serjey as he goes out in the evenings to meet them and tries to help them .....
the picture is Vova