Sending the Light to Ukraine Newsletter - January 2008
Sending the Light to Ukraine
Newsletter
January, 2008
Please Check Out Our Web Site and Blog
Even though our work in Ukraine is taking on a new face, we will continue to keep our Web site and blog up for awhile in order to communicate with those in Ukraine and those that have an interest in the children there. To learn more about the goings on with the children we worked with or see about what we hope to be future work in Ukraine, please check out our web site often at
www.atchisonsinukraine.com.
Our Contact Info
Email:
Lance latchison@gmail.com
Debra debatchison@gmail.com
We’re Moving Home
Due to circumstances beyond our control, (none of which are health related), we have made the difficult decision to move back to the states in January. More than likely, by the time you receive this newsletter, we will be stateside. It was not in our plan to leave Ukraine and the children so soon after only 7 months there together. Of course, Lance served his original commitment to work in Ukraine for two years plus. Our hearts are saddened to be leaving the children of the TLC. Please pray for us as we try and figure out where it is that God is leading us and what it is that He wants for us. We will both be seeking God’s guidance for new jobs, a place to live and transportation as we both sold our cars to go and work in Ukraine.
Most importantly, however, please pray for the 11 children we called our own at the TLC and those we worked with at the local orphanage. The children were very distraught as we told them the news upon our arrival back from the states at the end of December. All of the children expressed how much they loved us and the fact that they didn’t want us to leave. Many tears were shed that night and the days to follow. The kids are strong though. They have seen many hardships in their lives and are used to dealing with disappointment. Please don’t forget
them, as we will never be able to.
Christmas Celebrations
We were very excited to be able to go to the states for the Christmas holidays. Luckily for us, Debra’s doctor appointments were scheduled for December giving us the opportunity to go home. Being our first Christmas together, we wanted to see as much family as we could.
Christmas with the Atchisons
We were able to spend a day and a half in Midland with Lance’s grandparents. Then we headed to Houston to celebrate with Lance’s family there. We spent 3-4 days with Lance’s Sister Jennifer, her husband Michael, their two kids Katie & Kylie and Lance’s parents. It was great to be able to see them. We were shocked to see Katie walking and that both girls had grown so much. It was last May when we saw them last. Having small children around makes opening gifts so much more fun. Katie was pleased as could be with her books and Kylie was so excited to get “my very own quilt” that we bothed worked on. Check out her excitement on our web site. Lance’s mom looked great in her winter hats from Ukraine. We hated to say good-bye, but on Christmas Eve, we caught another flight to Central Texas to be with Debra’s family.
Christmas with the Reymundo Side of Family
Christmas on Debra’s side of the family definitely involved more people! Debra does stockings for all that come on Christmas Day and this year, she had 27 stockings lining the living room. It was great to see all of her brother’s and sister and their kids. We even got to see the newest addition to the Reymundo family, Haley Jean, what a doll she is. Debra’s Grand-ma, aunt and cousin who live in Temple, along with two uncles that she hadn’t seen for about a year were able to make it as well. Debra wasn’t able to participate in the annual tradition of all the girls going to a moving on Christmas night because she was still sick from when we left Ukraine. Despite her continual coughing it was a great first Christmas together.
Christmas with the TLC Kids
Christmas in Ukraine isn’t celebrated in Ukraine until January 7. New Year’s is really their holiday which is similar to our Christmas in that that is when they traditionally give their gifts. The TLC kids spent New Years with the church next door. Some of them stayed until 3:00 am and some of them stayed all night. So, we celebrated a day or two later. Some of our kids were leaving to visit friends and family in other towns for Christmas and Anya was actually coming to America to see her biological brother. So, we celebrated a little earlier so that as many kids as could be there were able to. We were also blessed with the five kids from the CPS house with us for our Christmas celebration.
Happenings Around the Center
So much happens around the center that it is sometimes hard to list it all in our newsletters. Here are just a few of the things going on lately. Check out our Web site for more pictures.
Sew Much Sewing
Starting this past summer, the kids were inspired by Jan Scheid of California to learn to quilt. That passion was recently reignited by Lance’s family and friends that came bearing gifts of quilts for the kids. They have been in a sewing frenzy every since.
At one point in time, we counted 5 quilts being worked on at the same time, with only one rotary cutter, one cutting board, one 6-inch square and one sewing machine. The kids were great about sharing and taking turns at the machine and with the other supplies as well as helping each other figure out what looked best.
The picture to the left shows our living room with three quilts in progress, what you can’t see is that there were two other quilts being worked on in the next room. The office that was taken over by all of the sewing supplies was quite a site to see. Especially after we purchased 16 feet of centapone (Russian for the white stuff that goes inside of quilts) for the kids to use. It looked like there was lots and lots of snow in the room. The kids are always thrilled to get more materials to work with.
What is exciting is that all the kids are getting involved. Some only to offer their opinions about what looks good, but nonetheless, they are involved. The best part of their learning to sew quilts, besides the fact that Debra is learning right along with them, is that they are making these quilts as gifts for others. Some for people they are close to in Mariupol, some for friends that have had babies and even some are being made for their sponsors back in the states (sshhh that part is a secret!) Thanks to Brooke Veale of Frisco, Texas for her generous donation of fabric, scissors and an extra cutting board, the kids now have some great materials to work with. Check out our site for more great pictures of the kids at work.
Computer Classes Continue
Thanks to Janie McGinty of Dallas, Texas for donations to the lab of photo paper, ink and iron on transfer paper. The kids have been busy little beavers printing photos for their albums and their sponsors as well as making t-shirts and quilts with iron-on photos. Some of these are for themselves, but some are also for others. Sergey M. Is making shirts for his sister that he hasn’t seen in a few years and Sergey E. Is making shirts with christian designs for himself and friends. The kids were very thrilled with the supplies and have been in the lab every day almost all day learning new programs and making gifts. They were running Debra ragged in the lab this week trying to soak up as much of her computer knowledge as they could before we had to leave. Debra didn’t mind at all. In fact, she thinks that the kids learned so much more in this 10 day period than any other 10 day period in the past because they felt an urgency to learn all they could before we had to leave. Alina, our translator, was not able to be in class with us during this time because of the holidays. Debra has done a great job of learning some computer Russian. The kids are sometimes amazed that she can maneuver around the computer with all the menus and text being in Russian. She has explained to them that it’s all the same. Everything is in the same place, just called something a little different on the menus. She doesn’t mind them thinking she is a computer expert in two languages!
Teaching the kids how to use the computer to make things for others not only gives them great skills, but it also teaches them the importance of giving to others and the excitement that giving brings them. Plus, these kids will leave the TLC with computer knowledge that may just give them the edge over other kids without these skills. You never know what is going to turn one kid on to learning something new. One of the boys that was a little slower at the past projects we’ve done is now the kid teaching the others how to use the program to design their own t-shirts. This may sound simple, but there are many skills needed to make the design look and read well once completed, not to mention learning a new program that is in English, not their native Russian language. Way to go guys. We are so proud of you! Thanks to help from Kenneth Atchison, Lance’s Dad, the kids also each received their very own flash drive. They will be able to save all of their work, their photos and projects and take them with them when they leave the center. In giving these kids these “techie gadgets” and computer knowledge, we are preparing them for a world that is very different from that of the orphanage that they grew up in. We even had one of our TLC graduates, Vitya, come back and join us for some computer project time this past week.
Thank you so much for those of you who have contributed to make this computer lab a success. Thank you also Alina, for all of your help this past year translating for Debra in the lab. You have been an inspiration to the kids and to us both!
A Lot Can Be Learned By Games
If you work with children then we don’t have to convince you that games can be great learning tools. The same is true when it comes to computers. The rule is that nothing including games can be installed on the computers without Debra’s permission and an administrator’s password. That way inappropriate games can’t be loaded. However, we have loaded games the kids enjoy playing included a millionaire game in Russian, some driving games and other games requiring problem-solving skills. Recently, Lance donated his Sim City game to the lab. To the left is a picture of him showing Borya how to play it. If you are unfamiliar with the game, it is one where you build a city. A lot of thought has to go into your city, such as what types of housing will you have, what types of business with you have. If your city gets too large and you don’t factor in the need for emergency services then you have problems to deal with. The kids, especially, the boys love this game because it requires them to think, but also allows them to use their imaginations and creativity.
Many of the skills they practice in these games transfer over to the projects we do in class. Hopefully, their creative thinking and problem solving skills will transfer over into their classes at school and eventually into the work upon leaving the TLC.
Anya Goes to America
We had the privilege of escorting Anya to Kiev and helped get her on her first flight to the US. It was great getting to spend an extra day and a half with her in Kiev and see all the Christmas decorations. She is going to the US to see her brother Tolic that was adopted almost two years ago. She was supposed to go last summer but due to complications with getting her visa, she wasn’t able to.
She was a little nervous about the flights as she would be on her own once we left her in Kiev. We did hear that she made it safely and is enjoying her time with her brother. She will get to spend 10 days in the states. Please pray for her time there and her safe return home to Ukraine.
Chillin’ at Chilintano’s
Thanks to Betty Gildon of Texas, we were able to have a little extra spending money for the kids. So, we treated them all to dinner out one night at Chilintano’s Pizza. They were excited to find out we were going out to dinner. In all the 7 months we were there, we only went out to dinner as one large group once and that was courtesy to some great folks from Seattle. None of the kids had ever been to Chilintano’s before as eating out is not something that orphan kids get the privilege of doing much. We were a little surprised that the kids were somewhat nervous and scared to order. This was something new for them and even though they spoke the language and could read the menu, they weren’t real sure of what to do. Keep in mind the kids at the center are 15-18 years old, with most of them being on the older end of that scale. It just made me think of what we take so much for granted back in the states. Our children grow up now a days eating out at restaurants probably more times than they sit down to a family meal. It also made me realize how important the TLC is in helping these kids transition into independent living. Simple things such as ordering a meal or not being afraid to ask questions if need be are skills these kids still need to learn. Hopefully, the TLC is preparing them to live independently and maybe even order a pizza every so often all on their own.
On the way home, in below freezing temperatures, the kids started a spontaneous game of tag. So, we were running all along the sidewalks leading to the square, chasing each other. Can you imagine the site of 9 kids (3 kids were gone to visit family & friends) and three adults running around screaming at each other in pitch dark while trying to skip over the icy patches on the sidewalk. It did help to keep us warm, but sure didn’t help Deb’s cough any. It was a great night and one we will remember for quite some time and I believe the kids will too.
Natasha C. Gets An Appointment with the Embassy
Using Debra’s email account, Natasha C. Has been emailing her brother in the states for several months now. Natasha’s brother, Sasha, was adopted about 7 years ago and Natasha hasn’t seen him since. His adopted mom, Ruth Oppendahl of Wisconsin, wrote Natasha a letter of invitation for her to come to the states. They are very excited about seeing her and showing her all the places that Sasha goes to school, church and scenic places in their beautiful state. We recently learned that her visa was granted and she will be leaving Ukraine for the states on January 26. Please pray for her safety and time with her brother.
The Future???
Since leaving Mariupol we have learned that the five children living at the CPS House have been moved into the TLC. That means that there are now 16 teenagers under one roof. WOW! Thank the Lord that they are all great kids and a lot of fun to be around and manage. Alexandra who worked at the CPS House has moved into our old room at the TLC to be the full-time house-mom for the kids. She is great with the kids and has such a huge heart. Plus, she is an excellent cook and knows all the Russian recipes the kid’s love.
Julia Grachova, a TLC graduate, has come back to the TLC to cook lunches, and Sveta, a sweetheart of a lady from the church is now serving as a relief houseparent for Alexandra. It is great to see how the church has taken over and filled in the gaps upon our leaving. The children are in great hands, which makes it a lot easier to be here in the states and not in Ukraine. Thank you Prestoncrest Church of Christ for your unending love, support and encouragement.
Today, our moving home was made official at both church services and we were welcomed home with lots of love, hugs, support and prayers. Prestoncrest, We couldn’t have for a better supporting congregation. Thanks for everything you do to support missionaries in the field. You make the great commission possible for so many. George Miller, what an awesome Papa George you are. Thanks for the numerous phone calls, words of wisdom and prayers over the last few months as we struggled with this very hard decision. You are truly a soldier of the Lord.
Please pray for us as we search for jobs, find cars and housing. Please also pray that our hearts heal, but not to the point that we ever forget the children of Ukraine or their plight. We hope to go back for graduation sometime this summer and hopefully as often as possible.
We don’t know what the Lord has in mind for us, but we do know He has us on His mind!
Thanks again for everything. Being in Ukraine has been a blessing we will always carry with us.
Remember to check out our site occasionally for more information we learn about the children of Ukraine and possible future trips.
Recently, we added videos the kids made introducing themselves to you. Take a look when you have a chance to see what a wonderful job they did.
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The big event at the end of the year here was the graduation of 5 more students from the Bible Institute of Southern Brazil. Cícero and his wife Nilza are currently working as evangelists here in the congregation. Joaquim has been a house group leader for years and plans to continue with that work. Luis will be working with the church in Campinas, São Paulo and Rodrigo will continue his studies. The Curitiba Church ended the year with 260 adult members and 90 children. We are thankful for the 20 baptisms and 10 transfers that God sent to us in 2007. Jerry is meeting with 4 of the men who have graduated from the Institute to mentor them in their work with the church plant in Sitio Cercado and encourage their continued spiritual growth, teamwork and maturity.
The final workshop of 2007 with the Brasília team was held in São Paulo. Jerry lead the 4-day event consisting of coaching and training the 5 couples. We were joined by Alaor and Miriam Leite and Valentim and Leila Zanatta (who we are hoping to train to help us in our ministry). Bryan Gibbs spent one day with us and then went on to Brasília to meet with the leaders and church members there. Major decisions were made at this retreat. The first decision is that the team will now be going to Brasília in July of 2008. Fundraising is taking longer than was at first expected, making a January arrival impossible. The second decision is that the team is now in its final form of three couples. Two families have decided not to participate in the project for various reasons. The three families who now make up the final team are excited about getting to work in Brasília and the congregation there is better prepared to receive them. The couples will spend this first semester of 2008 preparing themselves for full-time ministry and working together as a team.
Although our Sunday FriendSpeak sessions are on hold until the university resumes in February, Tristan and Leslie Block continue to work with several girls who wished to keep going during the break. On most Sundays we have been thrilled to see May, Jie, and Carrie attending our Sunday searchers class and worship services. Our last Sunday FriendSpeak session in December was a group session with all the readers and workers, singing (and explaining) some of the Christmas songs people often sing and complete with some Christmas “goodies.” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” were especially popular. We hope to resume our regular Sunday sessions in early February, though we are saddened that May will soon be returning to China.
The past weeks have been good ones for Isobel and me. We very much enjoyed having our daughter Hannah home for the holidays, and it was also a good time to catch up with Robin, Chrissy, Laura and Clay in the States. All are doing well and had a good holiday season, Robin and Chrissy in West Virginia and North Carolina, and Laura and Clay in Texas. Hannah is now back in Arkansas and beginning a new session of classes. My mother continues to have her ups and downs and is presently battling a couple of infections which are making life more difficult for her.
This is SIMONE, who was baptized into Christ Dec. 26. She is 40 and a coworker of our brother RUDI. Simone grew up in the former East Germany, where religion was officially discouraged and she really knew nothing about Christ. Since living in the West, she became curious and decided that if she was going to find out about Christianity, she needed to read the Bible, so that is what she has done this past year, from Genesis to Revelation, asking Rudi lots of questions during the lunch hour. Also, she and I have had weekly telephone Bible studies the past 6 weeks or so and it has been a very uplifting experience for me. She is so excited about the Lord and her new life, and has shared her enthusiasm with her husband, who (I found out later) listened in the background to some of our telephone studies. Though not a believer, he has encouraged her in her search and even drove her to the train station most Sundays so that she could come to services. I hope we will have opportunity to get to know him better.
But I am missing the seminar. I am writing this from Florida, where I am finally getting to see that new grandson. Meet DAVEY! Several of you missed the P.S. on my email from October 28, the one about the funeral. Sorry for putting something that important in a postscript. He was born Oct. 22 and is doing great, as is the whole family. I am thoroughly enjoying being Grandma and part of their world.