20 Days!!!

Ramblings...
Just Twenty days!!
We keep imagining what Andrey, Vlad and Tonya might be feeling coming to the USA. Tonya and Vlad have met us and has met our family. They have called our parents Grandma and Grandpa. Surprisingly my mother actually likes the name (spelled phonetically) BAA BUUSH KA. My mom has already bought the kids Christmas outfits and has their welcome gift ready. My mother-in-law has graciously agreed to help watch the kids when they are here and we are at work. My Aunts have some of the items that are required to send back to Russia for each child. I love my family. Randall and I are so excited that we have been dreaming about the kids. AND I finally get to meet Andrey. He is oldest child in the picture located to the right. His expression and his eyes in this photo took my breath away two years ago. This is the first picture we saw of our host children. This picture combined with my new found friend Michelle Vernon singing Avalons' "Orphan of God" touched us deeply. Today two years later, I have a calendar at work counting down the days. Some of my co-workers have been great offering clothing and other items for the kids. The caring spirit at Delta Airlines is amazing. I bet Vlad and Tonya cannot wait to play "Zombie" (their version of hide and seek with flashlights). I wonder if Andrey is nervous. I wonder if the kids have learned any more English. We have been practicing our Russian.

We are not sure where God is leading us in this journey, but the walk is fun trying to use charades to communicate with our host children. It is amazing to witness what God has done in their lives that I have seen first hand this summer. I am excited to see where we will go and what we will see during the season of celebrating the birth of our Savior. I want to share with them what an AWESOME God he his and how much he loves them. I pray that these children have a safe and fun Christmas visit.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

40 Days and Counting

The count down has begun. PRAISE GOD that there are 115 kids coming on this Christmas Hosting Program. We were advised the children would be flying in on Tuesday, December 16th from Russia. We are trying to freshen up on our Russian language learning skills. We have begun searching the stores for items we know we will need for them: 27 inch suitcases, sweaters, pajamas, shirts, dress slacks, and yes even dresses. If anyone is interested in getting items for our Russian Orphans, Tonya wore a size 8 in clothes and a size 1 in shoes this summer and Vlad wore a size 10 outfit and a size 2 shoes. I am not sure if they have grown much or what size Andrey wears. Each of them will need 4 winter outfits, 4 pair of socks and underwear, and personal items (toothbrushes, floss, etc.)

I already fully intend on getting their pictures made at a photography studio. You know me, I love pictures. I would like to take them to a Christmas Tree Farm to cut down a tree. I loved suggestions I have received like a cookie baking day. Any suggestions are welcome.

Please Pray for all the orphans coming over. Pray they will be able to travel, are safe and that this experience will enrich their lives and they pick up a great deal of the English Language while they are here.

First Posting Ever

Welcome! Please "come in" and meet our 2008 Winter Hosting Children. We would like to introduce you to Andre, Vlad and Tonya. These brothers and their sister will be visiting with us from December 2008 to January 2009 through an orphan hosting organization called New Horizons for Children.

Through one of my co-workers (David); Randall and I were introduced to the New Horizons ministry which facilitates the hosting of orphan children from Russia and Lativa for four to five weeks. This is our second time hosting Tonya and Vlad. We met Tonya and Vlad this summer during the Summer 2008 hosting program. They are awesome kids. It was amazing for us to personally witness God's hand in these children's lives as well as our own. Our God is awesome. This summer we ran into complete strangers that were literally answers to our prayers. Complete strangers who happened to speak Russian and/or wanted to support the children by buying the kids needed school supplies. These little coincidences or little blessings happened on at least five different occasions where complete strangers just so happen to show up at the right time and in the right place. We met these "angels" in the check out line at Wal-mart, at Burlington Coat Factory, Pizza Hut, and in a small bakery in the town where I grew up.

This Christmas, we were led to host again but this time NHFC asked if we could host Tonya and Vlad's older brother as well. God has placed a calling on our hearts to host all three children. God answers prayers. We have been praying for not just for Tonya and Vlad, but for Andre as well. You see, three years ago when I was first introduced to NFHC I could not host. My father was undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. I went to the informational session at Fortified Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, GA. It is there, we "met" these three kids in a picture. They touched my heart, and even though I could not host...I could pray. I prayed for these children especially. We felt led to host with David and Sara, but I could not. I prayed that God would cure my father's cancer so we could host with out potentially exposing him to any illness. When my father received a clear bill of health Tonya and Vlad were able to come however Andre was not able to come. Ironically, David and Sara's host child was not able to come. A year later, things just "fell neatly into place" for David's family and ours to host together.

When Vlad and Tonya arrived in Atlanta, it was like a wirlwind. We took time off from work to take them camping, Six Flags, World of Coke, Stone Mountain, the Georgia Aqurium, the Delta Airlines Musuem, The Atlanta History Musuem, Dave & Busters, Chuckee Cheese Pizza and a great deal of swimming. It was through the assistance and prayers of our parents, our family members, our friends and our co-workers that allowed us to help these children. It would not have been possible with out them. We were also able to fulfill the mission of NHFC by exposing these children to the American Culture, the English language, the love of a Christian family, and more importantly to the love of a savior. This Christmas season we have the distinct honor of hosting Tonya, Vlad and their older brother Andre. As we prepare for this season. We humbly ask for your prayers. If you are interested in making a tax deductable donation to help pay the costs of airfare and visas please visit http://www.active.com/donate/orphanchristmas2008/vanhorn2008

If you are interested in the hosting program check out http:www.newhorizonsforchildren.org