Labels: Joe and I prepare for our role in a bathrobe version of the Christmas Story. We star as Teachers of the Law . He looks alot happier about it.

¶ 7:54 AM //

Hi Friends and Family,

Last week I was with Key of Hope in Uzhgorod, a city in western Ukraine. It’s so beautiful in the Ural mountains. From Kyiv, it’s a sixteen hour trip by train which to me is very relaxing and enjoyable. I even sleep well on the train. But then, as they say, I have the gift of sleep.

We weren’t there for sightseeing. We have a long standing relationship with an orphanage in Uzhgorod. There are 78 children there, many of them “special needs” kids, and most of them gypsies. We put together goodie bags for all of them. Each child got a sweater and a winter hat, as well as toys, some school supplies, candy, and a toothbrush. All the gifts came from donations, either directly, or things we bought with financial contributions. Thanks to all of you who gave for the kids.

Between our different programs and skits, I played Santa Claus, one of King Herod’s court, and a sheep. Such is the world of small teams and improvisational theatre. Weirdly enough, the lamb was the only part I didn’t need a costume for. Would’ve been a perfect set up for a joke about a Wolf in sheep’s clothing.

This trip we visited a gypsy village called Holmok. One of the girls from our team has permanently settled there to work in the gypsy village. She’s teaching the children to read and write in Russian. The needs in this village are immense. Most of us had never seen this kind of poverty.

Some feel that, as a whole, the children in the orphanage are better off then the kids in their families in the village. In the orphanage, children are having physical needs met and get a better education. In the village, some of the kids are suffering abuse and neglect. Obviously I haven’t seen this for myself, but I could see the condition of their housing and lack of clothing. I know for a fact that in the past, gypsy families have dropped their kids off at the orphanage.

Christmas in Kyiv is tough on a certain level, because I’d rather be home with my family. No family is perfect, but it’s hard to imagine that a family can be so hard up and dysfunctional that you’re better off living in an orphanage. Emotional needs aren’t being met.

Every family tree has a few nuts. Perhaps you have extended family that you really don’t want to face this holiday season. Say a prayer of thanks. At least you have a family to deal with, and a home to come back to. No exaggeration. In my world, that’s a valuable commodity.

¶ 7:49 AM //