Top Ten: Ukraine Summer 2012

10: Thank you... boys from Kerch, Ukraine’s orphanage. You were not only the 1^st people I met/connected with, you were some of my closest connections during my stay in the Ukraine. You reminded me from the first time we met to the last day I left that there is no such thing as language barrier, girls truly do add a little “pa-zaz” into a group of all males, and, more importantly, you reminded me how much I love my family- particularly my big brothers and Dad.  You truly re-ignited my passion and love for basketball. I never realized basketball could be a tool for reaching others for Christ.

 

9: Thank you… International teams. I laughed, cried, vented on, listened to, invested in, led, was led by, and worshiped with you.  Thank you for encouraging me always. I truly saw how we were many parts with many different gifts, working together as one body- true Unity.  May the Lord be glorified always. It was truly an honor to serve next to you.

 

8: Thank you… opportunity to worship through music. Most the time I never understood a word of those around me, but what I did understand is that we praise and glorify the same God. The One and Only God. He understands all and I am simply amazed by Him.

7: Thank you…woman in Ukraine. You helped refine me as a woman. You have encouraged me to blossom as a godly woman. 

*My beauty is not by what I wear.

*My feminity is not defined by men.

* I truly know I am loved by Christ just as He has created me to be.

- But I also know that putting a flower in the hair to add a little something-something brings a little joy to everyone too!

6: THANK YOU... children of Camp One. Because of you, I truly have started to see the refined individual God has created me to be. Selfishness to Selflessness. Pride to Humility. Hopelessness to Hopefulness. Ashes to Beauty. Anger to Joy. Anxiety to Peace. Frustration to continually growth. Tall/Solid Barriers  to vulnerability. Openness to appropriate boundaries. Loneliness to discernment with friends. Control to Freedom.

5: THANK YOU...kids of Camp 2. You were the first kids that allowed to love me back fully for who I am...not because of what I do- but simply loving me just as I am- imperfections and all. You have helped me accept tenderness, sweetness, gentleness, peacefulness, hope, love, trust, and immense joy.

4: THANK YOU...kiddos of Camp 3. You have demonstrated pursing love towards me. I was ill, tired, and homesick- BUT you still sought me out, hung out with me, talked with me, took initiative, and completely changed my life.  

3: THANK YOU... friends and family in Minnesota and United States- church family.

Thank you for your time, encouragement, prayers, and investment in my life. 

Thank you to those who gave financially- I truly would not have been able to go without your help.

You helped me learn to live with  freedom, gave me an opportunity to serve, and have a chance of a lifetime. Most importantly, you are furthering His beautiful kingdom for those who don't always get a chance to hear and/or see it. 

2: THANK YOU... People in the Ukraine. I could go on and on about each of you. All I will say about this: Before I left for the Ukraine I lost 2 dearly loved people in my life. One of their funerals just 2 days before I left for this 2 month trip. I came to the Ukraine grieving and hurting, but I left the Ukraine- I knew I had inherited an entire family. This has shown me how blessed I am and how faithful the Lord truly is in my life. 

 

1-THANK YOU... Jesus Christ for adding increase to my life. 

*Thank you Jesus Christ for your non-judgmental friendship.

*Thank you Jesus Christ. I have not only seen but experienced that YOU are good, kind, and seeking out for what is best for each individual- young or old.

*Thank you Jesus Christ for never abandoning an orphan child. Thank you for never abandoning me.

*Thank you Jesus Christ for life. I will always praise You. 

Camp Three: Ten and Counting....

"Praise God, from Whom all blessing flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."

10) Thank you....game of Peek-a-Boo. I love it when kids put their tiny needle-like fingers into my eyes sockets (pushing inward as hard as they can- I might add) to "guess who they are".  It's a real treat.
9) Thank you again finger pokes, prods, "jumper cables", squeezes, gropes, tickles, pricks, karate chops, etc etc etc on my insecure "mushroom top". I seriously started becoming less insecure about my tummy because of all the CONSTANT "tickles".
8) Thank you nap time. No explanation needed.

7) Thank you Olson Family. I am experienced what it means to be homesick for you. I can't wait to give each of you a big hug and kiss when I get back!







6) Thank you International team. I feel like this camp, I am able to invest in each of you in a different way. I love connecting to you- seeing, learning, and using your gifts and talents for the Lord.



5) Thank you Zena. You have taught me what true beauty is. You have shown me that the Lord truly changes lives within a 10 day period. I truly have seen how the Lord truly is good, kind, and loving.

4) Thank you Vova. As much as you said my name, took pictures, or invaded my personal space time and time again, You have shown me consistency, chivalry, and love . You have given me a new expectation of how a woman should be treated- like a Queen.

3) Thank you woman of Ukraine. You have demonstrated such beautiful encouragement, refinement in my feminine gifts, true trusting, and beautiful healthy friendships (Avi, Christine, Mary, Judith, Tanya, Tanya, Anya, Tanya, Lena, Lena, Natasha, Nastya, Marina, Nina, Maria, Melody, Ellie, Barb, Gretchyn, Mickey, Charnita, Kemi, Andria, Dasha, Rita, and more.)

2) Thank you kids of Camp 3. You have demonstrated pursing love towards me. This camp, I had other investments in the team more than any team, I was ill, and tired. BUT you still sought me out, hung out with me, talked with me, took initiative, and changed my life.




1) Thank you Jesus Christ. I have not only seen  but experienced that YOU are good, kind, and seeking out for what is best for each individual- young or old. Thank-you. I will always praise You.

Camp Two (Da-va): Top Ten

"Heal my heart and make it clean. 

Open up my eyes to the things unseen. 

Show me how to love like you have loved me. 

Break my heart for what breaks yours. 

Everything I am for your kingdom's cause. 

As I walk from nothing to eternity."

10- Thank you hugs and kisses (and licks..thanks to Max) for saturating me with enough hugs & kisses for the rest of my life. It truly has shown me the importance of tender appropriate physical touch in one's life. And, truthfully- I need/ed it.

9- Thank you many leadership opportunities for pulling me completely out of my comfort zone several times. I have definitely grown as an individual and leader; I now realize that I am so much more capable than I ever thought I was.

8- Thank you 5:30am morning runs. Because of you, my day is 100% better and starts out energized, rejuvanated, and not to mention "with-it" instead of "out-of-it"for morning devotions.

7- Thank you Great Britian Mark for allowing me to see what Americans do differently than what Great Britain does: Everything is "Awesome"; coffee in the morning, ice cream in the afternoon... just to name a few.

6- Thank you.. night out at the sea. The glow-in-the-dark jellyfish, a sky plum full of stars, a peaceful night, a dip in the sea, and laying out on the sand makes a GREAT night for reflection, Avi's sweet singing, and a friendship growth with You, Lord.

5- Thank you... International Team for being vessels for glorifying Christ with your presence, leadership, and friendship in my life this camp. Each one of you have brought sweetness to my soul.

4- Thank you...English word "bittersweet". Because of you, my vulnerability allows myself to invest freely 100%  in the staff & children. There was nothing short in my heart of love for these people, which makes it difficult to say goodbye.

3- Thank you kids of Camp 2. I think you were the first kids that I allowed to love me back fully for who I am.... not because of what I do- but simply loving me just as I am- imperfections and all.

You have helped me accept tenderness, sweetness, peacefulness, hope, love, trust, and immense joy. For this, I humbly thank each of you.

2- Thank you Melody Grace Olson- for not shutting yourself out, shutting down, or being passive. Thank you for opening up, giving 100% of your heart, body, mind, and thank you for being obedient to the Lord despite (what you thought) was bad timing. Because of this, you are able to live more freely, love more sacrificially, and trust more abundantly.  Accepting your flaws, embracing the truth, and  walking in faith.




1- Thank you Jesus Christ for your non-judgmental friendship. Thank you for allowing all this to be possible- from opening my heart, putting people in my life, the tears from good byes, the tears from saying hello, encouragement, eyes to see, heart to know, etc. etc.   I will always praise You.

Camp Two: Good-byes

Max

Another camp bites the dust. Rippin' out my heart once again while they head back to their abandoned, neglected, and angry households. But I do not fear, for I know the Lord is with each child wherever they go, whatever they do, He NEVER leaves them. Thank you Jesus for being a friend to the "least of these" (orphans). Thank you Jesus for being a friend to me.

Alosha  

Ilya

Good-byes are not fun; however, there is still sweetness to my soul. 

Max

Ward One Ladies!

Max- Max-Max-Max :)

Matthew

Polina

Andre (Max's brother)

Photo Booth..there's a first time for everything!

Here are a couple of pictures from some guys them doing photo booth. (Sasha, Vlad, Matthew, & Volva)

Top Ten (de-A-set)

Top Ten "THANK YOU's" to Camp One:

10) THANK YOU...Belly Button finger bops from the mobs of little kids who misinterpreted my non-verbals for "ticklish" when in fact you were stabbing my tummy flab with your pointy little fingers. It's always a good thing getting out of my comfort zone when you pop my personal bubble again, as well as bring out all my insecurity of chub. ;)

9)  THANK YOU... game named "Biffer". Sprinting around as Ronald McDonald's crazy wife hitting little children with socks full of flour really did bring me joy- not to mention a good workout.

8) THANK YOU... to the 50 girls with knee-long hair who wanted their hair done 12 times each. You helped me perfect the french braid, including, 1-30 braids, small, medium, large, diagonal, sideways, circular, etc.

7) THANK YOU... 5 team members to put on the entire camp. Truly have I done things I never thought I would.

6) THANK YOU...game named "telephone" in Russian. Due to you, I was completely hopeless, helpless, and incapable of playing.

5) THANK YOU... daily craft for allowing me to share in the kids' creativity and beautiful creations.

4) THANK YOU....Language Barrier. I now realize how powerful non-verbal communication..and it's genuinely refining me.

3) THANK YOU... family and friends. Because each one of you I continually realize that this investment is far far FAR more worth than I ever could have imagined.

2) THANK YOU... children of Camp One. Because of you, I truly have started to see the refined individual God has created me to be. Selfishness to Selflessness. Pride to Humility. Hopelessness to Hopefulness. Ashes to Beauty. Anger to Joy. Anxiety to Peace. Frustration to continually growth. Tall/Solid Barriers  to vulnerability. Openness to appropriate boundaries. Loneliness to discernment with friends. Control to Freedom.

1) THANK YOU...Jesus Christ for never abandoning an orphan child. Thank you for never abandoning me. I will always praise You.