more on Esther.

Esther 8:6

For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?

Esther is falling at the feet of her King in tears when she is asking this question, begging him for her people's lives.

I couldn't help but think about 'my' people.

My brothers and sisters in Christ.

I get their newsletter.

I always devour it. I always put it down with a wet face, puffy eyes and that same question of 'what's my part!?' on my mind.

I have written letters to people in prisons for their faith, through Voice of the Martyrs.

My kids will when I feel they are old enough to comprehend that.

I pray for these families, I love these families, they are MY family.

these persecuted Christians.

THEY are my people.

How can I bear disaster to fall on them? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?

North Korea, China, Iran, Vietnam......I love you.

I am praying for my brothers and sisters there today.

My heart is heavy.

Their newsletter is free - may I suggest a free Christmas present to yourself?

I also, while in the middle of my reading Esther and mulling over this verse, got this email from Michelle, our contact in the Ukraine for the orphan bags:

(it's long....but so worth it)

Dear Friends,

When I am here in Ukraine I love to hear from my family back home. I love reading emails, blogs, and being able to talk on the phone. A few days ago my cousin wrote about the value of each life and God’s plan for each child and shared this quote: “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” Pope Benedict XVI

My cousin and her husband are expecting a baby, and as they wait in anticipation for their child to be born, they ponder the honor that God has given them to be this baby’s parents. I know that this baby will be loved and cared for by his parents, siblings, and many doting relatives. It is easy to understand that God has a special plan for this child’s life.

In direct contrast to the love my cousin and her husband already have for their unborn child, today at the orphanage I was confronted with the harsh reality of what happens when no one realizes that a child is a gift from God, willed by God, and full of value and worth.

As I sat with a little boy from 5^th grade helping him with his English homework, the class supervisor (I will call her Mrs. S) came in. She was an hour late coming to homework time and as soon as she entered the room, she immediately started screaming and shouting at the kids “WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU HAVE WASTED A WHOLE HOUR! GET TO WORK RIGHT NOW!” with no offer to help or encourage them in any way.

Andrei had been sitting at his desk but couldn’t find a pen. Mrs. V’s conversation with him went something like this:

Mrs. S-WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? GET TO WORK!

Andrei-I can’t find my pen.

Mrs. S-YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT SOONER. NOW START YOUR HOMEWORK!

Andrei-But I can’t without a pen. Do you have one I could use?

Mrs. S-NO AND THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM. FIND ONE YOURSELF.

Andrei started looking around the room.

Mrs. S-NOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT OF THAT STUFF. I AM SO SICK OF YOU.

Andrei-But Mrs. S, I don’t have a pen.

Mrs. S-YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT EARLIER.

Andrei walked up to her almost crying- “I can’t find a pen.”

Mrs. S.-GET AWAY FROM ME!

Andrei sat down and continued to look for his pen.

Mrs. S-YOU MAKE ME WANT TO VOMIT!

At this point I could barely believe what I was hearing, such cruel words from adult to child. I realized that I had a black pen in the bottom of my purse and quietly gave it to Andrei. He politely handed it back to me and said “I can only use a blue pen or I will get yelled at.”

He sat back down.

I am not really sure if he ever found a blue pen. The yelling and belittling continued as Mrs. S went on to tell all the kids how dumb they were and to be quiet and get to work. There was constant noise: kids coming in and out of the room and Mrs. S always shouting at someone. If I were a child in that class I would have wanted to curl up in a ball in the corner and hide away.

I was glad to get out of that room.

As I was standing outside the orphanage waiting for the bus, I remembered the quote my cousin shared. I believe that each one of those 5^th graders is a result of a thought of God. He willed each life and loves each child.

How is it then that these children ended up in this miserable place, being yelled at and told they are nothing? And why is it that so often our thoughts and actions seem to show that we think it is okay to leave them there?

So what can we do? We can pray or pray more often and earnestly. (you can find a list of prayer requests at the end of this email) We can give financially to help others adopt (more information about this option will come in a future email). We can open our own homes and families through adoption to these children. . . . . children like Andrei. Twelve years ago Andrei was born as a result of a thought of God. He was not an accident, although this is what he has been told and shown his entire life.

Even though Andrei and others like him are not our children, or direct responsibility, may God give us the strength and ability to be the ones to show them they are loved and help them understand the truth that they were called into being by a loving God who cares for them.

Michelle

P.S. A big thank you to everyone who is helping with the Christmas gift project. We had a wonderful response and will have enough gifts to deliver to children in 7 orphanages! Praise the Lord. If anyone has questions, please let me know.

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray for a miracle for Igor! I recently found out that Igor has HIV. Also his 16^th birthday is in January, just a few weeks away. Igor is a quiet, polite, sweet boy in desperate need of a family. Please pray that a family would decide to start adoption papers for Igor before his birthday! If you would like more information about adopting Igor or adopting a child with HIV, please contact me.

2. Vova was sent to Kiev over 2 months ago for some medical tests/treatment. I found out a few days ago that the test results were not good and he will stay in Kiev indefinitely. Vova has HIV and I am very concerned for his health and life. Please pray that Vova would get the medication and treatment that he needs. Vova is only 10 years old and right now he is alone in the hospital. Pray that God would send a family to adopt Vova so that he would not have to go through this illness alone.

3. A few weeks ago Sasha A was transferred to orphanage #34 in Odessa. His best friend Vitalik remains in orphanage #88. I have seen both boys recently and they really miss each other. Please pray especially for Sasha A as he tries to adjust to totally new surroundings and people at a new orphanage. Also please pray for the F family who would like to adopt both boys. Please pray that God would provide the funds they need to adopt Sasha A and Vitalik.

4. Please pray for me as I try to find new ways to interact with the children in orphanage #4. I am still not allowed to do crafts and games with most of the kids, but I am allowed to help kids with English homework. Pray that I can find material and be able to teach well and make the most of the time I can be with the kids.

Andrei, Igor, Vova, Sahsa A, Vitalik....YOU are my people.

I can not bear to see destruction come to you.

I cried out to a God who saves, for YOU today.

And I promise to keep doing that, and listen intently for what He asks me to do on your behalf....

You are my people.