Thankfulness

This past week I was able to get around and get some updates on some of the goings on here.  Monday was Senior’s Day and I went with the Lamb International folks and the girls from the Dayspring Home to Kemin Senior’s home for a celebration.  The girls presented the senior’s with gift bags and gave a concert which was much appreciated by the residents.  I also got to check up on Luba to see how she is doing.

I don’t think I ever told you about Luba.  Last winter in Europe and here in Kyrgyzstan there was record breaking cold temperatures where many people died.  Luba was living in an apartment but had no money and her utilities were cut off.  During the cold snap she got frostbite in both of her feet which resulted in her losing most of her right foot and all of her left.  She cannot be fitted for prosthetics because what is left of her feet and legs are of 2 different lengths.  She has been given a wheelchair courtesy of a donation to Lepta Plus and Luba is doing well.

It was great to see Dasha again as well.  If you remember she is the girl who was born with 2 holes in her heart which also affected her other organs and her general health.  We sponsored her surgery through Operation Can be Done which took place in May and she is doing amazingly well.  She looks so much healthier and happier and she now has the energy of any 9 year old.  She still has to take it easy for a couple more months and she is very anxious to do things like the other kids.  Before, she was not allowed to go to school on doctor’s orders.  Over the summer the Lamb International folks sponsored some tutoring to help her catch up and now Dasha is going to a regular school and is doing well.  Her life has been dramatically transformed.  After seeing her before her operation and seeing her now I am truly amazed at the difference in her.

I was also able to get in and see Almaz this week.  He is the baby that was found in April abandoned at a bus stop likely because of his 2 club feet.  We sponsored his surgery also, which took place in mid August.  His right leg is now straight and his left leg is 80%.  He’ll be going in to get his casts changed and for a check up in another week.  Doctors will determine then if they can do a second surgery on the left leg.  Almaz has adjusted well to living at the orphanage and now shows the energy of any toddler.  (I can’t show you a photo of him as the orphanage has a policy of the kids’ photos on the internet.) 

Otherwise I’m still trying to figure out what activities I can sponsor while I’m here.  I would like to take the kids from Orlovka Orphanage on an outing or perhaps sponsor some fruit, which is a big luxury or a treat of some kind for them and perhaps some for Red River Orphanage and the Iskra disabled men’s home.  (The Iskra men’s home is the Kyrgyzstan version of Boorie Ooglie in Ukraine that I have mentioned in previous blogs.)  It would also be great to help buy blankets and coal as winter is very close and it’s already cold here at night.

If anyone would like to help me out with this wish list you can click the donation button for LinK 127 on the right side of this blog or click the Ways to Donate tab at the top of the page for other options.  Please remember to include a note with my name and specify what you would like your gift to be directed towards.  Donations from Canada are tax deductible and every dollar helps.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time…Я люблю тебя!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Luba and I

Dasha in her school uniform

There's snow on the foothills now.  Winter is getting closer.  This is the view from my apartment on a clear day.