Choot-choot

This weekend was amazing and hectic!! I babysat the kiddos so Jenny could pick up Andrew (he's finally back from his 2 week trip!!!!!!) and 5 other ladies that will be staying in the lodge. Then I helped Zander pick up some boys for a weekend retreat. 

I cooked three meals for them and was able to hang out with Anya and Slava more this weekend than I ever have before :) This weekend happened to be a holliday in Ivonkiv (sp?) so Zander and I got to herd four middle schoolers and one 5 yr old around town for a couple of hrs. It was interesting to say the least. I also learned another word that's sounds like a train but means a little bit. Now I sound like a bird and a train every day (Ha ha) 

These boys have been coming to camp for many years. We picked up Sasha first (the boy they named the Sasha project after) and Andrei and Denis were waiting at his house. Andrei was the boy I sponsored for 2 years and it was so fun to see him again. All three boys went to the camp over a year ago that Hillcrest did for the first time. I love being able to see them again and getting to know them better.

 Sasha has a servant's heart. He was always looking for ways to help people and will do anything you ask him to. Andrei is a natural leader and people naturally gather around him. He has the best humor and is always cracking jokes to make everyone laugh. Denis tends to be quieter/moodier out of all of them. I think he is still trying to figure himself out and God out. Sadly, he has the most cards stacked against him compared to the others. Andrei's mom rarely drinks now and his house is more stable from what I gather and Sasha's dad does not beat him or his siblings (praise the Lord) but Denis has nothing to come home too. His mom was completely drunk we we took him home. So far that was the hardest thing I've had to do here. Drive away leaving Denis with a drunken mom who doesn't care about him. 

I'm learning that prayer is a powerful thing. If you can stop and take a moment to pray for Denis and other children in his situation that would be wonderful. 

Quick update: Tanya's parents are threatening and causing a stir but Social Services are going to keep their decision an will not let her parents take her home!!! (Praise The Lord)