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Day 3: VBS Day #1

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Day 1 of the SHAKE-IT-UP-CAFE came upon with alot of excitement! Eventhough it was rainy through out the day the kids were excited to be here! Here are a few of the shots that describe the day, there are so many stories that we are learning about these kids. Sometime its hard to imagine beyond the fun and laughter they have here, they go home to something very different.Morning Registration, approx. 70+ kids from age 6-13.

Pastor Kenny hanging out the kids before we start.

Gathering area where we sing, have our stories, and skits. Today I was doing the story and wrap up. It's always a scary experience for me leading so many kids in a different language. Luckily Vasya is awesome at translating and managing the kids.

Crystal and Vasya doing the intro to the week

We bought over some new balls and equipments for Free Time!!

The extremely talented group of ladies who can cook some amazing meals in LARGE quantities. I could've dedicated an entire blog on all the food we've been having here! What you are seeing here is Ukrainian goulash.

Prayer before Lunch. The new wood covering is new this year!! Saved the day (and week) for games and free time in the rain.

ummm... I don't know how to explain this... But its action associated to our name that we taught the kids... oh dear...

Football. The only sport they truly play. I have so many photos of this game...

As the rain continues, Vasya had his cousin over to built a tarp extension. This was completed in a few hours. Amazing efficiency.

Robyn and I were leading the games. Today was about getting Ready for God. Robyn also had a 'special' encounter with this little boy with the gloves. You can ask her for the detail :D Also note that since I am mostly in the Game session with Robyn I may not have the photos from the other group with me yet (Craft/Discovery).

The older group was a lot more competitive.

Snack Time after our wrap up!

Kenny was really looking forward to the bananas.

Boys and girls love soccer. She is a really good goalie.

Here is Andrew and I, Andrew is one of our translator. Very talented dude studying English literature. I truly hope he will be able to find work doing what he love!

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VBS Day 2 Prayer Requests

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Here are some Prayer Requests as we start Day 2 of the VBS:1) We all have tons of mosquito bites! Pray that it won't be a distraction!

2) Pray for kids that are quiet and may not seek attentions, but we want to connect with them also!

3) Pray for the weather! It's been overcast for the past few days and also raining. Our games has to change and adapt as the day go. Pray that today God will give us wisdom to adapt and hold the rain! But also give thanks we have an extended tarp over the outdoor area! They built it in a few hours!

4) Pray for Robyn as she is leading the message today!

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Day 2: Sunday / Prep Day

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Here's a recap of our first full day at HOM!Breakfast before Sunday service at the prayer house (church):

Arrived at the church. It was the shortest service I've had here, only 2 sermons (including Pastor Kenny's). Love, Love the choir. God truly blessed the people of Ukraine with amazing voices.

Pastor Kenny borrowed one of Vasya ties... His wedding tie :D

Van ride on our way back! Pastor Kenny and I sat on the lawn chair at the back of the van. Way fun!!

Robyn and Pastor Kenny having some fun with the kids!

After lunch we met with our translator and helpers:

We also have Susan Shaw from the state who have been helping several mission teams through Ukraine.

And also Annette from Norway.

Afterward we went outside for some fun with the kiddies:

With Robyn doing gymnastic,

and Grace and Lillian playing football with few of the kids.

Mark and Lillian

I tried to play the football.

After dinner we practice our VBS skit with the teens! Awesome (and very talented) bunch of teens!

Pastor Kenny rehearsing,

and breakdancing... ok not really... he's stretching...

Mark is Jesus and Peter

We've actually just finished Day of the VBS camp and are pretty tired but are super excited!!! Will post more soon!

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Day 1 Arrival

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Yes we have arrived at the House of Mercy last night! All of us are still trying to stay awake this afternoon and we are starting to unpack and get ready for tomorrow.

So how was our trip here? It was enduring for sure, we started from Calgary to Toronto (4hrs), 2 hrs layover, 8hrs flight from TO to Zurich, 1 hr layover, 1.5 hrs from Zurich to Budapest, 3 hrs van ride from Budapest to the border, wait 2 hrs, and then 30 min or so to HOM!

First things we are thankful for:1) All of us and the luggage arrived safely and also for the agent that check us in Calgary (see photo #1). He hand weighted all 10 of our luggage!!

2) Weather here is not so hot this week and event a bit cold with the overcast sky! Vasya say last week was so hot it was 35c in the shadows!!!

3) The kids are awesome. I don't know how to explain it, but getting off the van and meeting the kids (new and old) feels like I've never left.

Van ride follows...

Girls and guys room...

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Leaving on a jet plane!

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T-30min till the team meet up at the airport. I think its safe to say we had some crazy packing stories to tell when we wait for departure!! We are also looking forward to praying with all of you at the chapel at 10:30AM!! Keep checking here and our twitter account for latest travel info!!

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Run-Through Day

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Last Saturday our team spend the day running through our lesson plans as well as picking up various supplies needed! We also spend sometime making our own aprons for the VBS! Each of us picked an ingredient that we loved most!