Abandoned Babies of Ukraine

Abandoned Baby Finds a "Forever Family"...

2010-02-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

When Jenny and I first began visiting the abandoned babies at the Pediatric Hospital in Ivankiv back in April of 2008, we met a little boy named Nazar. We learned then that Nazar had been abandoned since birth and had spent all of his days living in a crib at the hospital. Over the next year, we got to know Nazar and visited him and the other children regularly.

During the middle of 2009, Nazar and other children were moved to a toddler orphanage in Boyarka, which is located near Kiev. Since then, we have not heard any news about Nazar, until this weekend...

This weekend, I received an email from an adoptive couple who were writing to thank Jeremiah's Hope and our donors for all that we had done to provide for their new son during his first 3 years of life. The couple, residents of Canada, are currently in Ukraine completing their adoption of Nazar! When I read this, my eyes began to water and the tears flowed. Finally!!! Finally, this little boy would have a family and it would happen before he turns 3 next week.

With the parents permission, I have written this brief update and am attaching a few current pictures of Nazar which they have given me permission to post. They also wish to express their gratitude to all those who donated formula, diapers and much more to help us meet the needs of the abandoned babies.

Prayer Request...

2009-04-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we visited the baby hospital. There is one little guy in there at the moment, his name is Sasha. He is less than a year old. We praise God for his circumstances because his parents dropped him at the hospital for a month while they checked themselves into alchohol rehab.

Most of the babies we meet are abandoned or are there by court order to get them out of a bad situation, but this little boy has parents who obviously love him and recognize the bad effects that alchohol is having on their family.

Please be praying for Sasha and for his parents who are in rehab. Pray that when they are reunited, in a week, that it would be a good thing for their family to be together again.

Special Thanks...

2009-04-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the ladies from Fort Worth who came today to visit the work in Ivankiv. We received a call from the head nurse thanking us for the formula, wipes and medicine we left at the baby hospital.

The ladies (teachers from Fort Worth Christian Schools & members of College Hill Church of Christ) brought 81 cans of formula for the baby hospital.

Where Did All the Babies Go?

2008-11-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

This week, we, Jenny and Andrew headed to the baby hospital for one of their regular visits. Loaded up with diapers, wipes, formula, blankets and bottles, they arrived at the hospital to find there were NO babies! The babies have all been transfered to a "Baby House" which is a small orphanage for children under 3 years of age. We praise God that they are now in a home and not just sitting in cribbs all day!

While at the hospital, we visited with the regular nurses we have come to know and appreciate. They work hard to care for the babies who have been abandoned as well as regular children who are ill. This week, a little boy from the local orphanage was sick and so was in the hospital. Please be praying for his health and for the nurses as they care for him and love him this week!

Pray for Nazar...

2008-10-09T14:51:00.000-07:00

When Jenny and I first visited the Pediatric Ward of the hospital in Ivankiv in August of 2007, we met a funny looking boy who had HUGE ears and was almost one year old. The nurse introduced us to Nazar. If you have read this blog before, you will have noticed a small boy on the right top corner of the blog. That is Nazar.

Nazar is an interesting name because it points to the Biblical Nazarite. Where did this young boy get his name? Was his mother a believer?

Nazar has a sad story. He was abandoned at birth and has lived in this room at the hospital for almost two years now. His mother, following giving birth, snuck out of the hospital in the middle of the night and has never been seen since. Nazar has lived his entire life within the confines of these walls.

Please pray for Nazar. Pray that God would find him a home and a family who will love him!

Below are a few photos we took last week while playing with Nazar...

Visiting the Babies...

2008-10-03T15:14:00.000-07:00

Today, we visited the baby hospital. We had the opportunity to spend about half an hour with the babies hanging out with them while showing Jenny's parents the baby hospital. This week, there were only 3 babies.

Kristina is the youngest of the bunch. She is 3 months old and was sleeping when we visited...

I did not get the name of this little guy. When we arrived he was sitting and eating something. He seemed to be a happy little guy but he didnt move from the same sitting position the entire time we were there.

Delivery of Needed Aid to the Ivankiv Social Services...

2008-09-25T12:36:00.001-07:00

Our relationship with the Ivankiv Pediatric Hospital is due to our relationship with Lyudmila Anatolivna, a Christian who is also one of the staff members of the City of Ivankiv Social Services Department. It is because of this dear woman that we are able to visit the babies at the hospital and are able to help them and their caregivers on a regular basis.

Occasionally, Lyudmila asks us for assistance with some families or single mothers who need help. This week, she asked us for clothes, diapers and any other help we could give for a 2 month old and a 9 month old who were at the hospital.

We were able to help with far more than she could have imagined. We showed up to her office with clothes, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, bottles, formula, diaper cream, blankets and more. All of this aid was provided because of Amy Madruger (Kentucky) and the Children's Missions Ministry of the Monterrey Church of Christ (Lubbock, Texas).

Support Needed...

2008-08-30T21:17:00.001-07:00

Jeremiah's Hope is seeking support in the amount of $500 a month for the abandoned babies of Ivankiv. These funds will be used to purchase diapers, baby wipes and formula on a weekly basis for the hospital. Additionally, a portion of the monthly support will be used to pay a local Christian to work part time (two or three half days each week) with the babies.

If you are interested in fully or partially meeting this need, please contact Andrew at akellyukraine@gmail.com

Special Thanks...

2008-08-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

We want to say thank you to two different groups who have helped us tremendously with meeting the needs of the babies. This past week, Jeremiah's Hope has shipped about 300 pounds of stuff to Ukraine to help meet the needs of these babies who have been abandoned by their families.

The children from the Monterrey Church of Christ (Lubbock, Texas) donated 5 huge rubbermaid boxes full of toys, rattles, manual breast pumps, diapers and much more. What made this gift extra unique was that the children took up a special contribution and personally went shopping during a Wednesday night Bible class to buy the items.

Second, we received a donation from Global Samaritan Resources (Abilene, Texas) of some surplus government supplies. We were able to ship 144 baby bottles (72 nine ounce bottles and 72 four ounce bottles) and several cases of baby wipes.

THANK YOU for these gifts!!!

Babies are Quarantined...

2008-07-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Why are we not posting much about the abandoned babies?

For the past month, the babies have been quarantined due to an infectious disease that one of the babies has. So, the entire ward is shut off and visitors are not allowed.

We are sorry that there are no pictures to show, but the ministry continues. We have continued providing diapers, wipes and formula through our contact with the City of Ivankiv Social Services Department.

Please be praying for the health of these precious children!

Visit to the Babies...

2008-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Jenny and I had a lot of fun this morning! We had the opportunity to go to the Ivankiv Pediatric Hospital and spend about an hour with 4 babies between the ages of 9 months and 2 years old. Each of these babies is in the hospital due to abandonment or abuse.

Mission Team Brings Supplies...

2008-05-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

This week, Jeremiah's Hope is hosting a summer mission team from California. Team members are from Cottonwood Community Church (Cottonwood, CA) and Risen King Community Church (Redding, CA). The team is here to assist in building a new Christian camp in Ivankiv, but they eagerly wanted to bring items with them to bless the abandoned babies at the Ivankiv Pediatric Hospital.

Here are a couple of pictures of the items the team brought for the babies...

Large Gift from Similac Formula Representative...

2008-05-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Last month, we were blessed with a HUGE gift of formula from a Similac representative in Lubbock, Texas. After hearing about the plight of the babies in Ukraine, Sheri Gray spoke with her husband who is a pediatrician in Lubbock. He in turn spoke with his Similac rep who was excited to help.

We are extremely grateful for the gift of over 50 cans of Similac which was shipped to Ukraine.