Back to Voloshka

On Tuesday, we went back to Voloshka orphanage here in Bila Tserkva after last visiting in April of 2007. We finally got an open door to go back and visit the children after Nastya told us that she and some friends make regular visits there. We met up with her and four of her friends to spend about an hour and a half coloring and playing with these beautiful little children.

They have such tiny little beds.

Voloshka is a very nice orphanage by normal standards in Ukraine, but like all children these kids need loving human contact. We are praying that we might be able to start some kind of Bible Club or regular teaching for some of the kids at Voloshka. We only saw a small group of them, ages five to six. There are groups of younger and older kids in the rest of the building. It would be a blessing to be able to spend some time with them as well. You can't imagine how much a hug means to these little ones until you've had them run to you as you pass in a hallway just to steal a quick embrace.

Six year old Ivan is one of the children still with the same group since we last visited a year and a half ago. Sadly, he and another boy don't seem to have grown much since we last saw them. All of the children are much smaller and skinnier than they should be for their age.

Polina, the only girl in the group, tried to braid Nastya's hair.

Edna giving Arsen a ride. This little guy was so funny and kept us all laughing with his sense of humor.

The children were so excited just to be shown a little affection.

Polina and Edna having some girl time together.

Before we left, we passed out pechyvo and tsukerky (cookies and candy). Just in case the children were low on sugar :)