Below is an update from Nancy Raatz, concerning the Home of Hope.
I drove to the short term shelter again today with Elena, our project manager. Today two women were ready to go with us. With little fanfare we met them and they loaded into the car with us to head home. For Elena and me it was an emotional time.
As we drove home we talked. One of the girls speaks only Russian, so Elena translated when they asked me questions. Mostly they talked together with Elena.
We took them to the home, showed them around, welcomed them to our home--their new home.
A song has been in my heart this afternoon and evening. It is a song I sang several times many years ago. It is early Steven Curtis Chapman.
"How do you explain? How do you describe?
A love that goes from east to west and runs as deep as it is wide
You know all our hopes Lord, you know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear
So listen to our hearts.
Hear our spirits sing.
A song of praise that flows
from those you have redeemed.
We will use the words we know
to tell you what an awesome God you are,
but words are not enough
to tell you of our love
so listen to our hearts."
This sums up how I feel today and how so many who have prayed, feel. We don't have the words to express, but I'm so grateful to the Lord for leading us in this work. Yes, the work has only begun, but God is leading us.
Please pray for Aliona and her daughter Sabrina and pray for Irina as they settle into the home this week. Pray for Deanna who will join us with her daughters next week. And praise God for the work he has done.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Castle
For several weeks we have been learning about the medieval times in history. So for a project, I came up with the idea to have the girls make a castle. Above are a few pictures of the castle...I think it turned out really well!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Home of Hope update
Below is a note that Nancy wrote concerning meeting the first women who will be entering the Home of Hope.
"Wednesday morning we went as a Home of Hope staff to a short term shelter and met with the first women who will come to our home next Monday. We talked first with the social workers who manage these women's cases, then we met with the women. Three women will come to the Home on Monday. We met with two of them. They also have three children that will come with them.
Both of the women we talked with today spoke Russian so I was out of the conversation, but I sat in amazement at the staff God has put together. Rodica is such an amazing woman. She asked them (I was told later) their dreams for life and said that we are here to help them reach their dreams. We are not here as an end in their lives, but to help them move to what their lives can be. Elena told them they could know that we are a family and they will be a part of this family. And Sara told them they are not alone. We will help them learn to raise their children.
We began to dream about games to play and being "Auntie"--"Tante" to some little girls who have had no one to love them. We began to see these women that sat so scared, so lost as women that God has called us to show His love and healing.
After the meeting we talked about how God has so much more ahead. So often we think we are here to do just one thing and God leads us to another. We built a Home for women to find healing from the scares of trafficking and we are also building a bridge to the women who work in the short term shelter. It is not a place that is faith based, but there are lovely women that work there and care about these young women who are trafficked and friendships are forming with these women also.
Pleae pray for the coming week. Pray for a smooth transition for these women. Many who have walked through the home have prayed for the peace of God to be over the home and in the home. Continue to pray for this. Pray for the children who will come. They are 2, 5, & 6 years old. They need to know God's love in their lives too. Pray for God's continued leading and guiding in all that happens in the coming week."
"Wednesday morning we went as a Home of Hope staff to a short term shelter and met with the first women who will come to our home next Monday. We talked first with the social workers who manage these women's cases, then we met with the women. Three women will come to the Home on Monday. We met with two of them. They also have three children that will come with them.
Both of the women we talked with today spoke Russian so I was out of the conversation, but I sat in amazement at the staff God has put together. Rodica is such an amazing woman. She asked them (I was told later) their dreams for life and said that we are here to help them reach their dreams. We are not here as an end in their lives, but to help them move to what their lives can be. Elena told them they could know that we are a family and they will be a part of this family. And Sara told them they are not alone. We will help them learn to raise their children.
We began to dream about games to play and being "Auntie"--"Tante" to some little girls who have had no one to love them. We began to see these women that sat so scared, so lost as women that God has called us to show His love and healing.
After the meeting we talked about how God has so much more ahead. So often we think we are here to do just one thing and God leads us to another. We built a Home for women to find healing from the scares of trafficking and we are also building a bridge to the women who work in the short term shelter. It is not a place that is faith based, but there are lovely women that work there and care about these young women who are trafficked and friendships are forming with these women also.
Pleae pray for the coming week. Pray for a smooth transition for these women. Many who have walked through the home have prayed for the peace of God to be over the home and in the home. Continue to pray for this. Pray for the children who will come. They are 2, 5, & 6 years old. They need to know God's love in their lives too. Pray for God's continued leading and guiding in all that happens in the coming week."
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A Quick Update
Here are a few updates from my recent posts: October 20th, 2008 is the official opening day for the Home of Hope. The Convoy of Hope (COH) team is visiting/ministering in several villages until Sunday. This past Sunday was the international service and a few people from the COH team lead kids church. This past Tuesday was a celebration of Moldova's capital city: Chisinau. We went downtown for a few hours to join in the celebration. At the end of October we (the Moldova missions team) will be going to Romania to relax after a crazy month. We are all looking forward to the much needed break!
Thank you for your support,
-Corrina
Thank you for your support,
-Corrina
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Convoy of Hope outreach 10.04.08-Sarata Galbena
Today we had a Convoy of Hope outreach in Sarata Galbena. There was a service, followed by a free lunch, activities for the kids, and free groceries. I made balloon animals for most of the time, however the only balloon animal I can make is a dog! Below are some pictures from the day.
A view from the church.
Outside the church: tables of "lemonade," and a food tent in the back.
A boy waiting with his bags of groceries.
A view from the church.
Outside the church: tables of "lemonade," and a food tent in the back.
A boy waiting with his bags of groceries.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Convoy of Hope (COH)
We had a new team arrive last week: the Convoy of Hope team. A few days before them the Paul Greer team arrived and then today the Helena team arrived. Saturday is the Convoy of Hope outreach at a local village. We will be giving free meals, groceries, hair cuts, and many other items along with the hope that comes through Jesus Christ.
At the end of October we will have 6 women come to live in the Home of Hope.
Today I went to finish the paperwork for my living permit. Tomorrow I will be going to get my picture taken to actually get the permit. Get the living permit can be a huge hassle but thankfully the process to get mine has been smooth sailing.
This past Sunday we had the second International Service and I lead the kids church again. Right now we are doing the basics as some of the kids have never been to church before.
Beyond that I am staying busy working with the missionary kids and helping out in any other way that I can. Thank you and God bless.
At the end of October we will have 6 women come to live in the Home of Hope.
Today I went to finish the paperwork for my living permit. Tomorrow I will be going to get my picture taken to actually get the permit. Get the living permit can be a huge hassle but thankfully the process to get mine has been smooth sailing.
This past Sunday we had the second International Service and I lead the kids church again. Right now we are doing the basics as some of the kids have never been to church before.
Beyond that I am staying busy working with the missionary kids and helping out in any other way that I can. Thank you and God bless.
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