Tanya would be thrilled

I have to watch that I do not get to caught up with the funding for the coal.  There are other needs and Christmas is approaching quickly.   I got a message from Vera a few days ago asking if we will have money for some Christmas gifts for her to distribute.  Then today Tanya contacted me to say that there are 23 men at the men's home that she works with that she would like to take to a movie and cafe .  She has worked out what they can afford and what it will cost and she needs another. $300 that just $15 each for dinner , movie and a bus.   If you would like to help with this Tanya would be thrilled. 

 

Back to delivering Coal

 The last few days the boys bagged up 34 tons of coal.   This will cover 34 families from the list .. the list continues to grow but we are catching up .. at this point we have about 25 people left on the list.  It has been a little tough as our truck has had some engine problems and we are having a hard time finding the parts.  We are going to see the difference between selling it as is and compare that to the cost of repair and what we would get for it repaired.  If you scroll back to the Christmas wish book, you will see the big ask about the truck .. please pray with us for this provision and those who are working to raise funds fo this . 

The boiler arrived for the boys house.  The old one was too small and has burned out so we are going to replace it this week . 

Mirlan counting coal bags 

Ruslan is delivering coal to some people in need that he knew of 

Vera and Oleg deli bring from the load we sent them 

We were also able to send a load of coal to Tanya and to Vlady for the families they support.

let Me Introduce You

I would like to share a bit of the story of Vika .  Vika has graduated from one of the orphanages and is doing her best to care for herself and her daughter.   Our  psychologist Lena has known her for 10 years now and tries to help.   

Vika now has a home that was left to her by her grandmother .  She did not have any coal so with the first load of coal that came in last week, the boys were able to help her with that.    Vika heard of a friend from the orphanagee that was homeless , who also had a small child .   Vika opened her home to Sasha and now they all live together .  Just starting up it has been extra difficult .  Lena brought groceries to them to help out .   

These young women fit all the cryteria to come to the farm to be helped by us .  But since they have a house and children, we feel it is better to help them in place, and Lena will comntinue to work with tthem and help them make plans and navigate living .  

If they were on the farm they would be recieving everything that they need to live as well as an aditional $50 a month each.   So we are looking for a sponsor that would help this family of 4 with a $50 a month sponsorship.  Things will still be difficult for them but with the right suports and incouragement they will make it.   We will also be able to include them in other projects like Vitamins , food drops, medical suport .. this will all come with time , but right now we need to get a sponsorship set up for them.  If you would like to help with this you can donate or set up a recuring monthly sponsorship in the top right side of the blog. 

I AM EXCITED AND BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT THIS NEED HAS BEEN COVERED IN JUST MINUTES FROM BEING POSTED . 

Last weekend Julie and I were at a church in Petrolia Ontario, and we shared about how the boys work so hard to suport people through the winter with coal, but had run out .  They we able to get our coal back up and running .  We will be able to get some coal out this next week.  It may not be enough for the winter, but it will get some coal into the homes of the 38 people on our wait list, and then we can do a follow up delivery when more funds are availble. 

 

Clear the slate

 I have had a very heavy heart this coal season. I want to share the good news of being able to help people stay warm this winter but I hear the heart breaking stories from the boys as they are out on deliveries.  

They have not only had to work so hard physically but the emotional toll has been huge as they have had to not only had to help with incredible needs but have even had to act as an ambulance and even a heurse on more then one occasion.  This makes it all the more amazing to me when they send me messages to say thank you for finding them more coal sponsors so they can continue.     They know and experience first hand the importance of what they are doing. 

Today's reports were more heart warming then many 

I just got this email from our psychologist at the farm.  

Hello John! I wanted to share some news. I have known one girl for 10 years, she is an orphan. Now she is 26 years old, she lives in Bishkek and she has a small child. I found out that she needs coal for the winter. I told Sergey about it. Today Sergey and the guys brought this girl coal and firewood. She is very grateful and happy that their house will be warm in the winter.

We currently have 36 families waiting for coal .. thank you all so much for helping us to clear this slate .

Lots going on Today

 I just celebrated a birthday a couple days ago.  We had a few friends over and I made a Korduk in my Kazan, and a few Laproshka.  

The Boys from the farm were out and about and they stopped  in to see Nuric.  He is doing well, working night security, and has a warm place to live.

One of the teams left some money for us to purchase winter boots or coats for one of the small orphanages.  They were so thrilled. It's fun for them as well to get out.

As I shared earlier we had given out too much coal as the boys were trying to get as many families off the waiting list as they could .  They were left with just 10 days worth of coal but still have 38 families on the list.  

We were able to juggle some expenses this week to be able to get one truck load of coal right away .. so now rather then 5 days of coal left we have 15 days of food left hahaha.. but they will be fine there are lots of chickens and ducks there .   But if anyone would like to help with the 38 families still waiting for coal , please use the donate button on the top right side of the blog. .

Winter is here .

With just 7 days of coal left, this is not what we wanted to wake up to today at the farm.  We have 40 more families also waiting for coal. If you can help please use the link on the top right.

 

My heart sores !

Many of you know Kamala.  She has three nieces who she got out of a difficult situation last year.

 It has taken until now to get her documents in order and her health checks done for the youngest to be able to go to kindergarten.  

This is such a great thing..  first it gives Kamala a bit of a break after suddenly becoming a single mom of three kids.

It is also fantastic for Vika as she is thriving with the attention and the learning challenges.

We did find sponsors who help with the day to day expenses of three more mouths to feed .

Where we need some help is with the tuition and transportation for Vika.

We are looking for a total of $300 a month to help with this .. maybe you would like to help with all or part of this need.

It makes my heart sore when I see all the pictures of her involved in so many activities at the school and know how great this is for her.

Out of coal

 The boys had a long hard day today.  They delivered 15 families winter coal.  They cleaned out the coal barn.  We have enough coal to heat the farm for 10 days.  They gave away there own coal because it was starting to snow and the needs were to heart wrenching.   They have 38 families currently on the wait list .  We need your help we need $3500 to get caught up.  

Running out of coal !

The boys have continued with coal deliveries .  They did another 6 families today .  Tomorrow they hope to deliver to 15 more families , then they are done.   By done, I mean then the coal is done .   We still have A LOT of families on a wait list , but for now we are trying to prioritize.  Once we are able to purchase more coal we will be back on track .  If you would like to help with this we would appreciate the help. 

 

Hard days

The guys have been busy with the coal deliveries .  I have said before but it is worth repeating.  Please pray for the hearts of the guys as they are on deliveries .  They are lead into so many difficult places and it can be hard on your hearts . 

A couple days ago they were on deliveries and the lady they delivered to shared that her neighbour just lost her husband and has 4 little kids at home, so they went to visit her and brought coal.  She shared how her neighbour has also lost her husband and she has 2 kids at home , so she was next on the list.  On the way back home they stopped to see Gena's widow.  She asked them to go see her neighbour.  They arrived just as her husband died . They had to bring him to the hospital for autopsy then bring him back to the village and bary him.   Sergey says he is thankful for our bus because it's good for deliveries, good as an ambulance and good as a heurse 

The boys helping to bury Gena's neighbour.

Coal deliveries

The babushka has been baking cow poop in the sun and stacking it to use to heat her home. 

Julie and I are still on the road .  Today we were blessed to spend the day with two young men we know and love from Kyrgyzstan.    Feeling so blessed to spend time with them.