Called to Ukrainian Orphans Esther Snyder, Tara Belt, and Rachel Gilmor

Dear Friends,

 

We hope you will share in our vision to care for Ukrainian orphans.

While attending Malone College, a Christian liberal arts school in Canton, Ohio, we (Esther Snyder, Tara Belt, and Rachel Gilmor) were part of several short-term service-learning teams that traveled to Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine to work in three governmental orphanages. After a service-learning trip in May 2005, we each received a calling from God to return to Simferopol for a longer period of time.  Upon our graduation in May of 2006, we departed for Ukraine as independent missionaries and lived there from June of 2006 to June of 2007, working in the three orphanages we had served in with our college teams. 

            Our work was largely based on building relationships with the children and simply living life with them.  Once a week we went to each orphanage and met with the older girls to talk about life, share stories, and give one another our undivided time and attention.  At least once a week we also went to each orphanage for our “play day,” where we further developed the relationships we were building and often spent hours at a time playing games and conversing with different children.  In addition to the ministry we did in the orphanages, we had the opportunity to work with six adolescent girls who had graduated from the orphanages and are now living in a transitional house. 

Since leaving in June 2007, we have experienced the joy of learning that four of our kids have become a part of the family of God.  We believe this is only the beginning of what God wants to do through us in Simferopol.  In May of 2009, we plan to return long-term to carry on the work that God has started there.  While we intend to continue our relational ministry in the orphanages, our greatest hope is to eventually bring several of the children into our homes once they graduate from the orphanages.  It is our prayer that, by living life alongside of the children in the orphanages and in our homes, we will not only be able to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ but that we will also be able to influence them and to teach them how to make life choices that will give them the best chance possible at a productive future. 

We still cannot understand why God has chosen us to be the ones “to go” but we are genuinely grateful that He has.  However, the “going” is only part of the calling.  You are an essential and integral part of the call as well, and we and the children of Simferopol need your help to see that God’s work is accomplished.  Your financial support, prayers, and encouragement are what make our ministry possible.  God is preparing a harvest in Simferopol and we invite you to share in this amazing and life-changing work.  Together, we can serve our Lord and take part in the harvest for the glory of His Kingdom! 

Thank You For Partnering with Us

to Support Rachel's Ministry
For Rachel's Short Bio Click Here (UPDATED)

to Support Esther's Ministry
For Esther's Short Bio Click Here (UPDATED)

to Support Tara's Ministry
For Tara's Short Bio Click Here (UPDATED)

Thank You Very Much for Supporting Orphan's Hope

Orphan's Hope is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
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