Hope Center Video redux

Today camps begin in earnest and we'll have kids here consistently until the end of August.

I figure today is a good time to re-post the Hope Center video that we made last year. It uses pictures from last summer and tries to express the need in Ukraine which makes these camps so valuable.

Already I've met a boy whose father died, leaving his mom to decide whether she could feed him or if he should go to an orphanage. We've welcomed a group of hardened street boys brought by a local church. We have boys and girls who have suffered from all manner of trauma and abuse. It's not too late to donate on their behalf to fund this valuable program (see the link in right-hand sidebar).

At least watch the video as it explains exactly why we believe we were called here.

2 points to the blond in the heels... (LoTD)

I love news aggregators. Unlike watching cable news, you can just scan headlines and click on what you'd like to know about, ignoring what you don't.

It's by this method that I've been vaguely aware of a story involving same-sex marriage and Miss California. Here's the summary if you missed it...

Original Miss CA, Carrie Prejean (I'm sure there's a Levis joke in there somewhere) was tossed out and 'de-crowned' for saying that she believed - like a majority of Californians - that marriage is defined as between 1 man and 1 woman. She was replaced by Tami Ferrell (runner-up maybe?)....

...who apparently holds the same belief.

The line of the story is from Ferrell, who shows commendable humor and perspective in saying:

"You know, I think it's hilarious right now that the world is turning to beauty queens for the answers..."

Summer begins

I've not written much lately. It's not so much that I've been busy - though I have. It's not so much that nothing's happening around here - there is.

I'm just not in the mood at the moment.

Regardless of my mood as it relates to blogging, the summer will officially begin tonight at 8:10 pm tonight when I show up at the Simferopol airport for round 1 of teams pick-ups. It's gonna be quite a ride with some small teams, some huge teams and a whole smorgasbord of interns. I'm hoping to talk Sarah into posting more about camps so we cover all the bases.

Also, in the coming weeks I'll link to any of the intern or team blogs so that you can get that perspective as well.

My little blessing

Meghan came to us the beginning of May to start her summer internship here at the Hope Center after an exciting semester in Egypt and the Middle East. We've known her since she was a freshman in high school. All through high school she was a part of my small group during youth ministry... and man was she a pest. ;) (just kidding Maggy) In all reality though, it's been amazing seeing God grow this girl. It's so cool how we've gone from a mentoring relationship to now friends. And God knew just the right time to send her.

This has been somewhat of a hard year for me... for many differing reasons, some even unknown to myself. But since Meghan got here, she's been such an encouragement to both Matt and myself. She kept me going on those hard potty training days... not letting me give up when "really, I am ok with changing diapers for another year" thoughts popped into my head. She's always giving out encouragement and even lets Campbell steal the food right out of her hands. And then today she gives Matt and I a free morning on the town without the boy... ahhh. It was amazing to actually have conversation and to walk as slow as we wanted. We plan on taking her offer up again soon!

We love you Meghan... and I know it's not just for the grade either. ;)

Care package fail

For those who might be interested in sending a care package to any overseas friends, take this advice...

Donuts are not necessarily the ideal gift to send and certainly not without enhanced packaging. After nearly a month traveling through a series of postal depots (and we believe a misdirected trip to Russia first), this gift sent to our intern Meghan was a bit the worse for wear.

I think the slogan "Everyone's got a favorite" is probably accurate but not really applicable in this case.

Disclaimer: I realize that this gift was only semi-serious. I get the humor and enjoyed eating the remains of these donuts with a large soup spoon.