US Churches impacting Ukrainian families!

Listen in to this story sharing the beauty of the Body of Christ that can reach across any ocean...

Three of our Adoption/Orphan Care Ministry Partners-- In His Hands, Tapestry Ministry and Dark to Dawn -- understand that loving Christian adoptive families live throughout the world, not only within the US border.  

In fact, in Ukraine, there are many Christian families who are seeking to rescue children by 'emptying the orphanage' through indigenous adoption. It costs only about $500 for a Ukrainian couple to adopt a child from their country.  But often times, there are strict governmental housing regulations that stand in their way.

These ministies are partnering with Lifesong's "Adoption without Borders" program, which intentionally links like-minded families and churches in the USA with approved Christian family’s in the Ukraine who are seeking to adopt.

These three ministries stepped up and answered the call for Pevel and Tatyana in Ukraine, a couple who is seeking to adopt 2 more girls into their family. Together, they provided the remaining funds needed to complete the construction on their home to be approved by the State. PRAISE GOD!

The Challenge: The body of Christ is equipped to help bring children into these Christian families, regardless of their geographical location or church affiliation. Would your church or ministry be willing to come alongside other church to help help reach more children together, than any one church could on its own?

To learn how your church or ministry can get involved with Adoption Without Borders and help couples like Pevel and Tatyana, please click here.

an update from Lifesong Zambia

One glimpse into how we are trying to fulfill the pledge to "our children" of providing continued love and support as they transition into adult living is our new farm plot, which is proving to be a success!

• We employ 10 people (6 of which are caregivers of orphan children).
• We are growing corn, popcorn, tomatoes, and carrots.
• The nicest grocery store in town is buying from us!
• Crops are also sold at the market and to women who then sell it in their own communities.
• Every morning is begun with a the crew doing a devotion and praying together.
• This month the children enjoyed the benefits of the crop as they were given cooked ears of corn for part of their lunch!

On February 23, we lost one of our precious children. Dorcas Kalowe, youngest daughter of our maintenance supervisor, was not a student at Lifesong. However, since she lived on campus, she spent her days with our students and was often found in whatever class she chose to attend that day. Although we provided her with the best medical care available, she was not able to overcome the effects of malaria and typhoid. She was 5 years old.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down-when we die and leave these bodies-we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.  2 Corinthians 5:1

Please pray for the health of all the children at Lifesong Zambia.

Thank you for continued prayer and support as we strive to bring joy and purpose to orphans in Zambia.

Zambia Update

Please enjoy this update on Lifesong Zambia:

Currently we have a 4-acre vegetable plot of tomatoes, cabbage, popcorn, and carrots that we can sell at the market.  The goal is to create a self-sustainable business that can:

• Employ caretakers/parents of the children attending Lifesong School.
• Create a profit that can be given to the school.
• Become a platform for developing character in the employees and teaching them about Jesus.
• Aid the indigenous people of Zambia in ending the cycle of poverty, rather than give them a handout.

In January the community where many of our Lifesong School children live experienced an outbreak of Typhoid and three of our students were infected.  They were taken to the hospital for treatment, but praise the Lord, are now doing fine, and no one else has been infected.

Thank you for continued prayer and support as we strive to bring joy and purpose to orphans.

Lifesong Ukraine update

Please enjoy these updates from Denis, director for Lifesong Ukraine orphan care -

Recently we had a special church gathering where 3 of our kids were baptized!  It has taken many years of labor, prayer and encouragement for them to be where they are right now. We are thankful for His mercy in their lives. Please be prayerful as they go through the school and mature in Christ.”

~

“Tanya and I were able to take the new 9 passenger van to Volodya and Lilya, who are raising 10 kids (5 biological and 5 adopted, 1 with HIV).  Before they drove a compact size car.  I know it is hard to imagine how they all fit into that vehicle but every Sunday they would pack in and go to church together as well as make daily trips to school! 

Needless to say how happy they all were to see us coming in two vehicles and leaving in one. It is a longterm prayer need which God has answered through our joint efforts.”

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“It has been great to see the Zap team grow and we now have a group of 15 older kids consistently visiting church!  However we still need 1)more staff on sports, one-on-one, and job skills 2)more families for adoption and foster care, and 3)a new transition home!

Among those who have been changed, Vova, 17, recently repented! He wanted to be a professional boxer but now desires to be a preacher. It’s hard to believe but it’s a true story. Vova came from bad company, was beaten many times, and took part in major street fights. But God changes lives. Now he wants to be in our transitional program for graduates!”

~

Testimonials from our special needs program:

Lena, teacher & speech therapist: I have worked with these kids for almost 2 years. I want to be a tool in God’s hands so He can touch those kids through everything we do while at the orphanage. I see change in their lives little by little.  Also, the hearts of non-Christian staff members are changing because of our CCP efforts!

Vitalik, photography teacher: The boys we work with have a big heart and a huge desire to learn new things. It is a great joy to work on photography with them.

Pasha, 24, future orphanage graduate: I believe that God is my Saviour and that He is now living in my heart. I am looking forward to the time when I can leave the orphanage and function well in the society and church. Thanks to the LS team for the great support they provided and that they led me to God.

Quita's Story

Hello, my name is Quita. I'm 5 years old. The rebels came to our village during the disarmament time in our town and they took all the men and carried them to an unknown place. Since that time, my father never returned. We heard that my father and the other people from our town were taken to the bridge and they shot them and threw their bodies in the river.

My mother and the other women ran to Salala district where my mother later got sick and became paralyzed. My mother died last year and the people took me to the Lifesong Master's Home of Champions to take care of me. I'm in the K-1 class and when I grow up, I want to be a medical doctor to help children.