Open Arms
...caring for orphans and adoptive families...
Monday, November 5, 2012
OPEN ARMS IS EXCITED TO INVITE YOU TO
COME HEAR
ALEX KRUTOV
AS HE SHARES HIS STORY AND OFFERS VALUABLE INSIGHT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND ORPHANS.
NOVEMBER 12, 2012 AT 7PM
CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH
2700 BUSH RIVER RD.
COLUMBIA SC 29210
ROOM 250
Alex Krutov is the co-founder of The Harbor, a ministry to emancipated orphans in Russia. A graduate of Franklin University in Ohio, he divides his time between the United States and Russia.
Abandoned by his mother in a St.Petersburg dumpster when he was only three days old, Alex Krutov should not have survived. But God had something else in mind. Raised in the harsh Russian orphanage system, Alex's life was one of hopelessness and despair until the arrival of Christian missionaries from the West when the Soviet Union collapsed. Infinitely More is the inspiring true story of a young man who would not give up, and the God who relentlessly pursued him.
Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Check out his book on amazon.com. If you've adopted, are thinking of adopting or just need to see that God has amazing plans for your life, then this is a must read.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Grandma and the Boys
We were greeted with hugs, kisses and roses. It was such a joy to finally meet Sasha (the kids older brother)! He smiles as much as Pasha and is working so hard to do something with his life. We were so happy to have some time with Sasha, Jenya and Grandma Galina. They are all doing pretty well.
Sasha is home from sea for a few months, taking some more classes to try to get a better job aboard the ship. He and his girlfriend are expecting a baby any day now. We had a talk about this new responsibility and he seems to be taking parenthood seriously. Please pray for him along with Sabrina and little boy Pochinok! We will let you know when he arrives. Sasha really like to read and we bought him several Frank Peretti novels, and one by Joel Rosenberg. We asked if he had a Bible. He said he did but that it was really old. We gave him a brand new one. We pray that the Spirit use it in ways we can't even imagine.
Jenya didn't want books, but dinner now that was his language. He eats as much as he did a few years ago, but it was obvious to both of us that he had lost weight. He was also sporting quite a shiner. It seems he has taken up boxing. For extra money I suppose. Jenya had quit corresponding for a while and even friends in Odessa weren't sure where he had been. However a few weeks ago he showed back up at church with Dr. Paul. We tried to encourage Jenya. He needs vision. He's not looking much past today. Please pray for him. He just needs Jesus.
Grandma was so excited to see us. We received LOTS of kisses. She moved in with a friend and seems happy staying there. We are just happy to know that she has power and water and a safe place to stay. The kids sent her a couple new dresses, shopping bags,small gifts and lots of photos. The highlight though was Grandma skyping with the kids!! Not sure who was crying more, Grandma or Steve! It was an amazing moment. We have called her regularly...but to see them as they talked. Technology is an amazing thing.
They did not want our help on the apartment. At least not now. Maybe in the future. Time will tell. For now we will encourage them, love on them and help them in whatever ways we are able. Thanks so much for your prayers for them! Please don't stop.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
One Day in Odessa
Psalm 126
A song of ascents.
1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then,
and our tongues with shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD had done great things for us;
we were joyful.
4 Restore our fortunes, LORD,
like watercourses in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy.
6 Though one goes along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
carrying his sheaves.
The tears flowed freely during our travel. We don't usually cry so much but this was not a choice...the tears just flowed.. The Psalm above was very comforting. We continue to cling to it's promises for this land.
Andrew's orphanage #9
The director was so kind to invite us in even though the children were all napping. Most of the kids we knew are no longer here. They have either aged up to the next orphanage or been sent somewhere else. We learned that one little girl that was a friend of Andrew's is in Kiev in the hospital. She has HIV and is often ill. Please pray for Val. The director did ask if we wanted to bring more home! What a loaded question.
Steven looks out over the Black Sea
Back at the apartment time with Yulia and Anya before dinner.
EVENING IN ODESSA
THE LADIES
Thursday, June 9, 2011
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Odessa is a beautiful city, but with much oppression, open shameless prostitution, and a missing older generation, among many other struggles. As we walked the city, Cameron noted that there weren't many younger kids, (abortion is common practice) and most of the people 40 - 60 are either dead or in prison. We haven't checked the statistics, but as you look out on the general population what you see is youth. In spite of this total flop of our generation, there is a remnant of young adults that the Spirit is calling out to, to rise up and reclaim their country. On Tuesday night as we were praying with two young women, Anya and Yulia, about their ministry and their hearts for Odessa, I heard the Lord speak to my heart, As the advertisements on the internet speak of the women of Odessa as the most beautiful and desirable (for all the wrong reasons)...the Lord says that the women of Odessa are beautiful and desirable (for all the right reasons)....They are His precious jewels...He desires their relationships, their lives, their hearts. He desires intimacy with them. Please pray for Anya and Yulia as they minister to the brokenhearted.
YULIA AND ANYA
During our time in Odessa we went to visit orphans, we reached out to the street kids, and Bibles and Christian literature were purchased and passed out at the Internot #4, on the streets and to the local church.
We met and prayed with a young missionary couple (Adrian and Elizabeth) that has an outreach to street kids. They took us to see an old school building they are praying about obtaining. It is in bad repair, a shell only, but full of recent liquor bottles and used syringes. It is a building still in use by some. They shared how out of the group of homeless children they work with that 3 have died just recently. They want a place where they can house people in need. Not just the children, but homeless mothers and children. We prayed for them, their ministry and this property.
AND OTHERS IN NEED. IT IS AN OLD SCHOOL WITH MUCH POTENTIAL.
We prayed with 4 other missionaries living and working in Odessa. The oppression is so wearing. That is the word I heard repeated many times over. They are tired and in need of encouragement.
Another couple, Alyona and Slavik, have a ministry to orphans.
They go into different orphanages each month to be a constant presence in the lives of these children. They work primarily in 4 different orphanages each month. One a week. They are seeking churches, groups or individuals that will partner with them each month to support one of these orphanages. Once a year they will do a large scale project at each location and the other 11 months they will be there to love on the children and provide some of their basic needs. They have a short video titled It's Not My Fault. If you're interested in viewing it let us know.
It was such a joy to go back to local church we had attended 2 years ago. We were blessed with an opportunity to encourage some of these believers; especially the women, who are passionate to pursue the Spirit and reach out to their nation. Please pray for this body of believers. Especially the pastor, Sasha and his wife Lena. Their 2nd baby is due in the next few weeks and they shared their concern for the health and safety of this child as they refused to pay an expected "fee" at the clinic. Sometimes things "happen" to a baby. We are trusting with them for their child's protection.
LENA, DUE VERY SOON
Our hearts are so full that at times it is difficult to share... the needs are so great...but we have Someone who is greater than all these needs! More tomorrow.
Blessings,
Carol and Steve
During our time in Odessa we went to visit orphans, we reached out to the street kids, and Bibles and Christian literature were purchased and passed out at the Internot #4, on the streets and to the local church.
We met and prayed with a young missionary couple (Adrian and Elizabeth) that has an outreach to street kids. They took us to see an old school building they are praying about obtaining. It is in bad repair, a shell only, but full of recent liquor bottles and used syringes. It is a building still in use by some. They shared how out of the group of homeless children they work with that 3 have died just recently. They want a place where they can house people in need. Not just the children, but homeless mothers and children. We prayed for them, their ministry and this property.
ADRIAN , ELIZABETH AND BABY ESTHER
THIS BUILDING IS HOPEFULLY A FUTURE HOME FOR STREET CHILDREN
AND OTHERS IN NEED. IT IS AN OLD SCHOOL WITH MUCH POTENTIAL.
We prayed with 4 other missionaries living and working in Odessa. The oppression is so wearing. That is the word I heard repeated many times over. They are tired and in need of encouragement.
Another couple, Alyona and Slavik, have a ministry to orphans.
They go into different orphanages each month to be a constant presence in the lives of these children. They work primarily in 4 different orphanages each month. One a week. They are seeking churches, groups or individuals that will partner with them each month to support one of these orphanages. Once a year they will do a large scale project at each location and the other 11 months they will be there to love on the children and provide some of their basic needs. They have a short video titled It's Not My Fault. If you're interested in viewing it let us know.
It was such a joy to go back to local church we had attended 2 years ago. We were blessed with an opportunity to encourage some of these believers; especially the women, who are passionate to pursue the Spirit and reach out to their nation. Please pray for this body of believers. Especially the pastor, Sasha and his wife Lena. Their 2nd baby is due in the next few weeks and they shared their concern for the health and safety of this child as they refused to pay an expected "fee" at the clinic. Sometimes things "happen" to a baby. We are trusting with them for their child's protection.
Our hearts are so full that at times it is difficult to share... the needs are so great...but we have Someone who is greater than all these needs! More tomorrow.
Blessings,
Carol and Steve
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
ODESSA A BEAUTIFUL CITY
The first weekend you saw in our earlier post and so we're sorry for the unlabeled photos....but the internet was unreliable at times, as were our emotions. So, it was often hard to write even when we had a few minutes. There was just so much to process.
Monday morning started with hot tea in the courtyard. Laurie and Hector had gone around the corner (literally) to McDonald's and were having an intense time with some street kids. You can read more of their encounters at their website purelightministry.org. Look under our blog list.
Meanwhile, we (Steve and Carol) were meeting a few other guest staying in our hotel. There were a couple adoptive families and two other gentlemen we spent time getting to know over coffee and hot tea. One of the men even joined us for a mid-week prayer meeting and dinner. It's so great when the Lord gives us opportunity to meet people we weren't expecting to find in our path.
Cameron, Steve and I raced to the Odessa Christian Bookstore to purchase books, Bibles and CD's to distribute to the kids at the orphanage. We walked there and back in record time to try and catch bus 133 by 10:30 so we could meet Dasha at the Internot at 11am. We caught the bus and were running just a few minutes behind when our bus hit the curb and blew out a tire. We all quietly departed the bus and began our walk toward our destination. I tried to call Dasha but I had left her number back at the apartment. Funny though we all had complete peace.
DASHA
About a block from the orphanage a friend came toward us to let us know that Dasha was waiting but that there was a camera crew there this day and the director and children were in a meeting with the TV cameras. We stopped on the street to pray. What to do? Lord, what to do? We all felt peace to proceed. Some of us had been fasting and praying for this meeting for the previous 3 weeks. The time had come. With a mission in our steps and bags of t-shirts and flip flops in our arms, we headed to seek an audience with the director, Ms. Anna. According to the secretary she was unavailable and would be for some time. So we place a photo of our children, a handwritten card from Pasha, flowers and candy on her desk and left the building.
THE CHILDREN PICKING OUT SHIRTS, FLIP FLOPS, BOOKS AND BIBLES
As we were paying our translator and saying goodbye, the camera crew left. We decided to wait in the courtyard. Let's just say God had gone before us. Shortly, the children and director were out front for a photo and then we were invited into her office. She spent 20 minutes sharing how she has resigned effective June 30 and has no idea what her future holds. This, the same lady that wouldn't speak to us 2 years ago. We asked how we could pray for her and if she would take a photo with us. Photos were snapped and she provided a room for us to pray and meet with the children. We had unlimited time with the kids and freedom to take their pictures. The couch quickly filled with the gifts we brought and we let each child choose their own items. Orphans don't have many chances to choose.
Pray for these kids. They are all at summer camp now with even less structure than before. Pray that the Lord would bring families for these waiting children.
The encouragement to me this day was that God's timing is always so perfect. Thank you Lord for the flat tire...so we would arrive at the orphanage when the camera crews were almost done. Thank you for softening Anna's heart.
Tuesday
Odessa is a beautiful.....
Monday morning started with hot tea in the courtyard. Laurie and Hector had gone around the corner (literally) to McDonald's and were having an intense time with some street kids. You can read more of their encounters at their website purelightministry.org. Look under our blog list.
Meanwhile, we (Steve and Carol) were meeting a few other guest staying in our hotel. There were a couple adoptive families and two other gentlemen we spent time getting to know over coffee and hot tea. One of the men even joined us for a mid-week prayer meeting and dinner. It's so great when the Lord gives us opportunity to meet people we weren't expecting to find in our path.
Cameron, Steve and I raced to the Odessa Christian Bookstore to purchase books, Bibles and CD's to distribute to the kids at the orphanage. We walked there and back in record time to try and catch bus 133 by 10:30 so we could meet Dasha at the Internot at 11am. We caught the bus and were running just a few minutes behind when our bus hit the curb and blew out a tire. We all quietly departed the bus and began our walk toward our destination. I tried to call Dasha but I had left her number back at the apartment. Funny though we all had complete peace.
About a block from the orphanage a friend came toward us to let us know that Dasha was waiting but that there was a camera crew there this day and the director and children were in a meeting with the TV cameras. We stopped on the street to pray. What to do? Lord, what to do? We all felt peace to proceed. Some of us had been fasting and praying for this meeting for the previous 3 weeks. The time had come. With a mission in our steps and bags of t-shirts and flip flops in our arms, we headed to seek an audience with the director, Ms. Anna. According to the secretary she was unavailable and would be for some time. So we place a photo of our children, a handwritten card from Pasha, flowers and candy on her desk and left the building.
As we were paying our translator and saying goodbye, the camera crew left. We decided to wait in the courtyard. Let's just say God had gone before us. Shortly, the children and director were out front for a photo and then we were invited into her office. She spent 20 minutes sharing how she has resigned effective June 30 and has no idea what her future holds. This, the same lady that wouldn't speak to us 2 years ago. We asked how we could pray for her and if she would take a photo with us. Photos were snapped and she provided a room for us to pray and meet with the children. We had unlimited time with the kids and freedom to take their pictures. The couch quickly filled with the gifts we brought and we let each child choose their own items. Orphans don't have many chances to choose.
Pray for these kids. They are all at summer camp now with even less structure than before. Pray that the Lord would bring families for these waiting children.
The encouragement to me this day was that God's timing is always so perfect. Thank you Lord for the flat tire...so we would arrive at the orphanage when the camera crews were almost done. Thank you for softening Anna's heart.
Tuesday
Odessa is a beautiful.....
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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