Baby orphanage "Yolochka"

I'm sure everyone knows of someone who has adopted from Russia or Ukraine. Adoption from here is a pretty common thing, and I personally would attribute that need to the core problem of alcoholism. Of course, many other factors exist... but, the alcoholism problem here cannot be denied. We've probably all heard it said that "the Russians love their vodka," and, sadly, that is very, very true. Unfortunately, though, there are consequences to such a lifestyle, and sadly, it is all too often the children who suffer the consequences... They are born with serious health issues, abused, and abandoned.

I have a special heart for orphans, and I pray daily that God will use me to reach these precious ones with the Gospel - and to show them that someone cares for them.

I am beginning a series specifically on the baby orphanage in our city that houses babies from 2 months of age to the age of 4 (on their 4th birthday they are transferred), called "Yolochka." ("Yolochka" actually means "little Christmas/New Year's tree" which is a symbol of holiday happiness here). Since the conception of my blog nearly a year ago, I have had handfuls of couples write to me after typing in their search engines: "orphans, Ukraine, Simferopol, Yolochka, baby orphanage #9, etc..." Most of them are looking for someone here to help them during the part of their adoption process that brings them half-way around the globe to my neighborhood. Yes, I am an American living here that loves orphans. And, even if it is just to provide a security for these families (since we know the city, the language, the customs), we are here to help as the Lord leads.

I was recently given my first tour of Yolochka last week, when kind Julie sent money to our home church for us to buy medicines for the babies. The director of the orphanage gave me his full permission to take as many pictures as I wanted (I took over 70 pictures!) and share them on the internet. So, here I am... showing you, my dear readers, what a baby orphanage in Ukraine looks like.

I will start with pictures of some of the children I took, since the children are my inspiration in the first place!

And of some have compassion, making a difference. Jude 22