New "flickr" site for CrossRoads Foundation

I have started a "flickr" site for CrossRoads Foundation. I will be keeping it updated with ministry photos. To see more photos of the tennis tournament click HERE.

What If?

To see more videos on the international problem of street children go to "Street Children of the World" on youtube by clicking HERE.

Real Ministry

So many times we can get caught up trying to make sure these kids have food, shelter, clothing, or parents but we forget about their spiritual needs..........

Emily has been volunteering at the "City of Happy Children" rehabilitation center and she gets what is the focal point of ministering to these kids......to read her blog post, click HERE.

Strokes Against Hopelessness Day Three

Today was day three of our "Strokes Against Hopelessness Tennis Tournament." The tournament was split into two days, Friday and Saturday's games so we technically had winners from two tournaments.

We held a serving contest today. Players had to try and hit empty tennis ball cans set up on the court to win points for the serving competition.

After the serving competition the winners were awarded trophies.......

And cake was served!

Future "Strokes Against Hopelessness" champion!

Strokes Against Hopelessness 2008 Day Two

Everyone was up bright and early this morning to start playing at 10:00 am.

Everything was going very well.....

Everyone was enjoying another great day of tennis.

And playing wonderfully......

And then it rained!

We canceled the rest of the day's play and will regroup tomorrow.

Video From Opening Ceremony

Emily took some video of the opening ceremonies if you want to watch......

The introduction

David says some words.....

Lesiya speaks about the ministry.

Olya gives her testimony of how she has been helped by our ministry.

The song!

Strokes Against Hopelessness 2008 Begins!

Today our tennis tournament "Strokes Against Hopelessness 2008" began and as Ambassador Taylor said last night, "This tournament is all about the children."

So we invited ALL the children!

David Baxter, President of CrossRoads Foundation and Lesiya Svyatnenko, President of ChildRescue spoke about the importance of helping Ukrainian street children.

Olya spoke about how this ministry helped her and gave her a news start in life.

A special song was performed...

And the first "official" stroke against hopelessness was hit to begin the tournament!

Strokes Against Hopelessness 2008 Tournament Drawing

This evening we held the "Strokes Against Hopelessness" tennis tournament drawing at ChildRescue's Rehabilitation Center.

We invited the players as well as the sponsors of the tournament so that they could visit the center and meet the children and staff.

US Ambassador William Taylor opened the evening with some encouraging words about ChildRescue's work with street children.

The Ukrainian Tennis Club officially started the tournament drawing.

Registration starts in the morning at 8:00am so I need to get to bed and will post more photos tomorrow.

Rehearsal

"Strokes Against Hopelessness 2008" tennis tournament will be held this Friday through Sunday and those of us planning the event have been very busy. Our first tennis tournament which was held last fall had a very special opening ceremony where we invited the children to come as guests and hit the first "stroke" against hopelessness. For this tournament, we all agreed it would be fun to have the children sing a song, (they love this) and so yesterday we had a "rehearsal."

The singer who will be performing taught the children the song and had a routine prepared for them to learn. (She even included some caretakers to help participate but I haven't quite figured out how that will work out yet!)

The rest of us got to watch and giggle when appropriate.

They learned fast and had a fun time.

World Weekend of Prayer For Children At-Risk

Today and tomorrow, June 7th and 8th, is the World Weekend of Prayer for Children At-Risk.

I consider prayer one of the main foundations for those involved in ministry to at-risk children. Seeking God's wisdom and leading is imperative as we work with these children. Praying for the children directly is also very important. Even if you are not directly involved with ministering to them, taking some time this weekend to pray would be a wonderful way to bless these children.

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: life up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street........Lamentations 2:19 (KJV)

If you feel led, please feel free to write a prayer in the comments section of this post......

More Photos.......

New Faces

The City of Happy Children Rehabilitation Center has some new little ones. Some have left us for wonderful reasons. One little girl was placed in a foster family and another little boy was able to be placed back in his family and is living with his mother and father.

There is always some whining for the older ones as they have to adjust to the new little ones who are finding their way around.....

But mostly there are lots of smiles.

International Children's Day

June 1rst is "International Children's Day" in Ukraine. Many countries around the world, including the United States, celebrate this day as well but many countries celebrate on different days. You can check wikipedia to find out what day your country celebrates this holiday.

"The City of Happy Children" rehabilitation center was not going to miss celebrating this holiday so a party and picnic was planned. Dennis Bass, the Mayor of Kyiv's 1rst Deputy and his wife was on hand to help celebrate as well as Nikolai Kuleba, The Director of Kyiv's City Administration of Children Services and the center's staff.

Mr. Bass drove up in a huge auto bus which was a gift for the center.

Inside happy mayhem reigned as colorful helium balloons were passed out to the children.

The staff "attempted" to control the mayhem back on the street and pigeons were on hand to be thrown into the air by the children. This was doubly interesting because there were twenty children and only ten birds. Some of the younger children wanted to throw the birds, then got scared and let go of them.....The above group ended up with four birds left to throw into the air together.

Success!

Mr. Bass then cut the cake with the help of the children.

And everyone enjoyed a slice of it!