We have been sharing about how God has placed a Christmas project on our hearts this month for families who have children with disabilities! God has already brought in several thousand dollars, (If you need to get caught up, it's definitely worth reading about how God is working already in meeting the needs we presented for Dennis and Eleina - click on each name to see their stories!)
We have another family we'd love for you to consider adopting this Christmas! Remember, for each need that is met, greater health is achieved and stress is greatly reduced, not only for the children, but the family as a whole! As we establish the culture for our faith community with this Christmas project, we are proud to be intentional about inclusion. After all, we are each created in the image of God, and have unique talents and abilities that He wants to grow in us so he can shine His light through each of us to reach the world with the message of hope! And who doesn't need that after 2020?
A year after Ilya and Mila got married, they were happily expecting their first child. Eugene was born in early winter, but suffered a traumatic delivery resulting in brain injury. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with an intellectual disability, and is also non-verbal. At age eight, Eugene was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. As you can imagine, this likely was an issue before it was discovered, and is now a big challenge to manage because Eugene is not able to communicate how he is feeling with regard to highs and lows in blood sugar. A simple finger prick and glucometer is not the most effective way to track glucose readings for Eugene, and it has become necessary to switch to a more precise method of evaluating glucose levels in order to better manage his blood sugar. This will consequently reduce potential damage to other organs that occurs when blood sugars are not well controlled.
A year after Eugene was born, a baby sister joined this little family! Almost immediately, doctors observed that her behavior and activity levels were atypical. As she grew, it became evident that there were developmental and speech delays, which later were diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum. Sophia is very sweet-natured, kind and inquisitive. At age 11, a severe deformity of the spine was discovered and the family turned to an orthopedic specialist, who diagnosed and began treating her spinal condition with a special brace, exercise, and physical therapy. It was prescribed that she sleep on an orthopedic mattress as well to support maximal healthy growth of the spine. Sophia is an excellent little pianist - we have enjoyed hearing her play piano, and its clear she enjoys singing and listening to music!
This precious family serves faithfully at the local church we attended in our first term in Odesa, with both parents clearly working hard to meet the needs of both of their children. Besides Dad working full-time, Mom creates beautiful crafts which she sells, in addition to being the primary caregiver of her two children in the home. There's no other family we'd love to see blessed more than them! Let's work together to get the best meter and pump we can for Eugene and the orthopedic mattress Sophia needs, especially right now as she is growing so rapidly!
This Christmas, we have an opportunity to bring the hope and love of Jesus to families in Ukraine like the three families you have already met in our updates. If you would like to contribute to meet these needs, you can give through our giving link making a note of "disability ministry” under the comments to be sure your donation is designated to this disability ministry Christmas blessing. And as always, besides churches and individuals, businesses are also welcome to donate, and all donations are tax-deductible! Please don't hesitate to share this need as well, in order to get the word out!
We will continue to share the stories of other families we know personally all the way to Christmas Day, knowing these gifts will bring HOPE to those in need! Will you pray with your family in this season of giving and see which needs God may lay on your heart? We are excited to see God CONTINUE to move above, as we are each His hands and feet in the Body of Christ, meeting the needs He lays on our hearts!
We are so amazed to see God build on the foundation laid during our first term by Special Touch Ministry! This Christmas project is being led by City Serve and Steve and Julie Kramer! Click to find out more about these ministries!
