Favorite Pictures from Belarus!

My Ihar at His Orphanage
Ihar


Orphans at Cherikov Shelter



Orhpans at Ryasno Orphanage



Last Hugs!



Medical Clinic at Cherikov

Presentation of Medical Supplies

The Year of The Tiger

My pictures are posted on Facebook for those of you who use FB! The link to see them is:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14275&id=100000130010465&l=ed641be6e8

I hope the link is correct!

Trusting in God's Faithfulness/Belarus '09

Thank you for your many many prayers! This was a very hard trip (physically, mentally and emotionally not to mention spiritually). I knew Rommy was suppose to go on this trip but I struggled because I just didn't know why I was suppose to go. The week we were to leave, we rec'd an email telling us Ihar was in some trouble and we may not get to see him. Only no one told us what the problems were. But God always has a plan and He orders our steps. I went in obedience to Him.

We arrived at the train station and were met by Sergei, Anzhelika and Liza. Once we arrived at their house they had a "feast" prepared for us to eat and then Anzhelika said "lets go get Ihar". I was beyond happy at this point! We met with his social worker and a teacher. As we were invited to tea and candies, we listened in Russian all what was going on. Of course we did not understand it, but we could tell by voice tone and facial expressions it was not good.

But they let him come with us and we had him the entire time (PRAISE GOD).

Only when we were able to get alone with him and use the dictionaries were we able to figure out some of what transpired. The first 2 days he put up a wall with us as he was ashamed of his actions and thought we couldn't love him anymore. We continued to show him and tell him many many many times each day we loved him and always would no matter what. I also had a chance to find out if Ihar knows God. Yes, he knows Him, but he has not asked him into his heart. He understands and now God needs to work in his heart.

I will not go into his problems but there are many. He is a 13 year old boy who feels he has no one in the world and wants to protect himself from being hurt anymore. He has made some bad choices but we are all human and God loves this little boy. The last night we were there, he wrote us (Mama and Papa) a letter in Russian telling us everything in his heart. He was completely honest and confessed to us what all he had done. He also told us he knew how much we love him and wants desperately to come live with us. There was a translator on the bus to Minsk and she read the letter to us. (that's God again)! We also were able to have a heart to heart talk with him using Tatiana to translate for us. He knows we can't adopt him, but he wants us to pursue a student visa. He also knows the summer program has yet to open up for orphans. For Ihar to do this and be honest, is a HUGE step in TRUST.

We endured much spiritual battle as we are seeking to gain an educational visa for him. But even though there is much battle for our son and his eternal destiny, God is greater and with your prayers, we were able to accomplish Step 1 by meeting with the Director of his school. We met no open opposition and he even tried to help us by making some phone calls and getting back with Tatiana (our chaperone and good friend). We came home with addresses and know where to start. Step 2 came when Ihar told us this is his desire. God will reveal the next steps one by one in the days ahead and we will see. Everyone there warned me this would be almost impossible with a 99.9% chance it will not come to pass. But our answer to everyone was, "with God all things are possible".

We were told not to bring him things, but I couldn't stand watching him wear clothes that were too small, so I gave him the one outfit, coat, gloves, hat I brought him. And just before I left, I gave him the rap cap and hip hop shoes he wanted. We spent most of the money we would have used on things for him and took him out to eat alot (much against our host family). I also brought him some treats such as American candy, cotton candy and I brought him popcorn!

Just spending time with him and being able to hug him, kiss him and tell him "i love you" brought such joy to our hearts.

Now I will share with you some of the highlights from our trip:

1. Seeing my son

2. Listening to him say "I love you too" or "I love you more"

3. Seeing his smile & eyes light up!

4. Watching God work in getting all our luggage to Belarus and ours was not lost like some of the other folks. And we were not charged with all the extra bags of medical supplies. It just went through with no ?'s asked! And seeing the excitement at Cherikov when they saw all the supplies we brought! It was like we gave them 1 million dollars!!!!!

5. Seeing all the orphans and watching them sing and dance for us. They even got me to participate in some of the songs and dances!

6. Being able to share my heart with those on the trip and with Ihar.

7. The "pet rat" is NO LONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8. Being able to use an indoor toilet unlike some of those on the trip who had to go outside in the frigid weather!

9. Being able to sleep because of some wonderful meds I had with me! (as you remember last year I was unable to sleep)

10. Watching the snow fall and reminding myself God made each snow flake different just as he makes each of us

11. Spending time with Tatiana!

12. Being able to help 3 orphanages with a little bit of financial help

13. Talking on the phone with Cheri's daughter, Anastashia.

14. Getting to know new people who have a heart for these kids.

15. Seeing how God continues to work in Zack's life and I'm just so proud of the man he is becomming. He did a beautiful job keeping everyone updated on what all was going on.

16. Fixing all the gifts for the orphans! And seeing their excitement when we gave out gifts!

The list could go on and on .....!

I will tell you this, the situation with Ihar and the Atroshkin family is not what I hoped it would be. And things are a bit strained between us right now. God alone knows what Ihar needs and we are going to trust Him that He will be able to accomplish His perfect will in Ihar's life. We did not go into this trip seeking to bring him to America now. We had always hoped he would be able to come when he turns 18. However, things have escalated and the timing needs to be now. Please pray with us as we seek to do God's will. It will not be an easy task.

Love you all! Marta

With Heavy Hearts

After having spoken with Tatiana, Rommy and Marta received news from the director of Ihar's school. He let them know that there is nothing more he can do, and that they will need to talk to the Minister of Education, who is in Minsk. This, of course, was not the answer they had hoped for. However, they know what they need to pursue in bringing Ihar to America. Although many times speaking with the Minister of Education will not accomplish much, Rommy and Marta are hopeful that, through the connections they have made in Belarus and meeting the school director, they will be able to get somewhere.

Also, the situation with the host family has taken a turn for the worse. As you may know, this is the same family Marta stayed with last year and Lisa, their daughter, spent the summer with us. However, they are extremely opposed to Rommy and Marta trying to bring Ihar to America. It has created tensions in the home and is certainly pushing Rommy and Marta to their limit. Also, Rommy has been getting sick and feeling feverish.

However, on a good note, Rommy and Marta went with the ABRO group on Tuesday to the Cherikov shelter. This is another orphanage in Belarus. It is also where some of the vitamins and medical supplies collected (through a drive at Calvary Church) were donated. They reported to me today that the nurse was so greatful to receive the supplies. She invited them back to the supply cabinet to put them away and Rommy and Marta were shocked to find the shelves bare. They were in desperate need of these supplies and so thankful to receive them. God is good!

Tomorrow is Rommy and Marta's last day in Belarus before there journey home. They leave Saturday and return to Washington, DC on Sunday. They will drive home on Monday morning. I'm sure they will have many more updates and stories once they return!

Please continue to pray for the situation with Ihar as well as their safety as they travel home!

In Christ,

Zack

Happy New Year's from Belarus!

After arriving safely in Belarus on Tuesday, Rommy and Marta got settled in and began to prepare for the many events in the coming days. On Wednesday, the entire group got together and unpacked all of the luggage and orphan bags and began making the gifts for ABRO's Christmas project. These are gifts that are given to the ABRO children, sponsered by their host families. Then, on Thursday, the gifts (consisting of Christmas cards and candy) were delivered to the ABRO chilren.

Friday was a free day and Rommy and Marta were able to spend some time with Tatiana, the chaperone for the Charlotte group. She even prepared a wonderful New Year's Feast for them. Now, Rommy was able to try all the delicious foods that Marta got to have last year! (Rommy even ate the caviar...shocking!) They were also able to talk with Ihor at this time with Tatiana to interpret. They found out that he is very unhappy at school and doesn't have any friends. They addressed the discipline problems and were able to get through to Ihor and help him understand what he was doing, while constantly reminding him how much they loved and cared for him.

Through talking with Tatiana and other leaders on the trip, Rommy and Marta have decided to meet with the school director tomorrow (Monday) about the possibility of studying in America. They believe that this might be possible and would be an option for Ihor to keep him from continuing down the path that he may be on (as two students from his school have already gone to jail this year). They have asked us all to pray specifically that they would be able to get through to the director and that he would have an open heart and mind to their request. Also pray for Ihor during this time, that he will understand the consequences of his actions and try his best. I know that with God, all things are possible. Pray that God's will would be done in this situation and that Rommy and Marta will also seek his will for them and for precious Ihor.

Then, on Saturday, they made their trip to the Ryasno Orphange. This is the home for children with dissabilities. There were about 20 children at Ryasno when they came who did not have any family to stay with over Christmas holiday. Rommy and Marta remarked on how pitiful some of the children were. However, through the blessings of God and the generous support of the group, over $1600 was raised for the Orphange. Praise the Lord!

So, in closing, Rommy and Marta continue to seek God's will while in Belarus and minister to the hearts of the people there. Things are going well in the Atroshkin home and Rommy has even become popular among the family! Even Lisa is enjoying his company!

And again, please pray Monday as Rommy and Marta talk to the school director.

-More updates to come-

With Love,

Zack

At Home in Belarus

After a long car ride up to DC, we parked our car at the hotel and were shuttled over to the airport. We checked in without any hassles and even got the medical supplies bag checked without any extra fees! Praise the Lord! Even going through security with our carry-on's we weren't stopped and didn't have to open our bags. You couldn't have asked for anything more!

Then the journey began...from DC to Germany and onto Minsk. Here we went speedily through customs (once again, Praise the Lord!) and boarded the bus to Mogilov. The roads were covered in snow, which didn't stop the bus driver who continued on at full speed, past the snow plows. Rommy was just a bit nervous and said he would have been going 5mph, if on the roads at all! However, we arrived in Mogilov safely and were greeted at the train station by Sergei and then were able to pick up Ihor at the military school to join us for our trip. Praise God for working in the director's heart to allow us not only to see Ihor, but to have him with us overnight! This year, the Atroshkins prepared a glorious "welcome home" feast for us, complete with the whole family (even the grandparents)!

I will also report that the pet rat is (sadly) no longer. I'm sure that Marta is very distraught not to see her old friend again this year! Whether or not it was part of the feast is still TBD...although I stronly think not!

However, not everything in Belarus is as perfect as it sounds. After calling today, I recieved word of what Ihor had been doing to get in trouble at the military school. I'm not sure how much I am supposed to share, but I will say that he has been caught cheating and getting involved with the wrong group at his school. He has also been selling some of his things (apparently some of what we have sent him as well) to buy cigarettes. This has greatly burdened my heart this evening and I would ask that all of you specifically pray for Ihor at this time. Pray that the Lord will use Rommy and Marta to be a light for him and to help him understand the consequences of his actions. The Lord can do mighty things and it is my prayer that he would do a mighty work in Ihor's life and give new light to Ihor to walk in His steps. Only God knows his heart and I know this is especially troubling to Rommy and Marta as they strive to be a Godly expample, even half a world away.

-More later from Rommy and Marta, on behalf of Zack-

Tickets & Visas, Ready To Go!

Froster Frost and Snow Maiden as we visit the children in the orphanages!!!

Orphan bags packed, medical supplies ready to be packed for the upteenth time! Tickets and Visas in hand! We leave on Dec. 28. We will drive to Washington D.C. to catch our plane. Then we will fly from D.C. into Frankfort, Germany. Catch another plane to Minsk, Belaurs. There we will a bus from Minsk into Mogilev.

Flight information follows:
Lufthansa 419 leaves D.C. on Dec. 28 at 5:50 p.m. and arrives in Frankfort at 7:30 a.m Dec. 29.
Lufthansa 3240 leaves Frankfort De.c 29 at 10:50 a.m. and arrives in Minsk, Belarus at 2:10 pm.
Our return trip flight information:
Lufthansa 3241 leaves Minsk, Belarus on Jan. 9 at 3:10 p.m. arrives in Frankfort at 4:35 p.m. We have a one night stay in Frankfort.
Lufthansa 418 leaves Frankfort on Jan. 10 at 1:00 p.m. and arrives in Washington, D.C. at 3:50 p.m.
Because it will be so late and we will be so tired, we have opted to spend the night in D.C. after clearing customs we don't want to drive another 6-7 hours. So we will be leaving D.C. on January 11 for Charlotte and home!

Thanks to everyone for praying for us. Several requests:
1. Pray doors will be open for us to share Christ.
2. Safe travel and be able to clear customs with all our medical supplies in hand.
3. For Ihar to be able to stay with us while we're there.
4. For meetings between the Director of ABRO and with government officials in Minsk to get our program re-opened for orphans (like our Ihar) to come back this summer.

Don't forget that Belaurs is 7 hours ahead of Charlotte time!

Many many thanks to Cindy (for all the socks), Kristin (for all the good smelly soaps), Elouise (my dear friend who crocheted all the beautiful hats and scarfs), Dr. Gus (for all the toothpaste and toothbrushes), and Miranda (for all the beanies, shirts and purses)....for the children! and many blessings to Zack (you know what you did) and Tory, Patti and Susan (for the children)! Love you guys!

Letter from Ihar (Oct., 2009)

My latest letter from Ihar:

Hi, Mama and Papa, How are you doing?Sorry for my not writing for long. I had a good vacation. And now I am very busy at school. The school I going well for me. I am learning English. I have started thinking about my future professions. As of now, I am planning to try to get to the Aviation school and to become a military pilot. How is Miranda in South Korea doing? We were told that next summer other kids and I may go to America. Are you going to come to Belarus at Christmas time? Thank you for everything you are doing for me!!!! How is Ethan? Does he play soccer? How is his team doing? How is Caddles (?)? Now when the school has started I can’t often go to Anzhelika and Sergei. I love you very much! Ihar