Wednesday

Discovering Freedom

Friday night four of us were driving back to Odessa from Kiev: Tania, I, Lisa and Aby. The girls had worked hard to make two weeks of classes possible for over 90 pastors at Ukraine Biblical Seminary. Lisa and Aby were asleep on the back seat. Tania and I were discussing details of the plan for the next morning, October 21.
Over a month ago our 9th graders at the orphanage-internot received an invitation to attend a Radooga Christian conference for teenagers in Odessa on October 21. RADOOGA (All-Ukrainian Charitable Camp Resource Fund) is a unique ministry for teenagers in Ukraine. They do summer camps and conferences around Ukraine to show the guidance and life in Christ. We were surprised that 19 of our children raised their hands and showed their desire to go. We have never taken our children from the orphanage to Christian conferences before. The director gave her permission and it was a great blessing! The conference seemed like a great opportunity for the kids to learn more about freedom in God and have fellowship with other Christian young people.
Tania was on the phone making arrangements for transportation, lunch and permission from orphanage administration to take the children to the conference. She got off the phone with Ludmilla Vasilevna, 9-B class supervisor, and turned pale. According to the supervisor, we had to cancel our plans as the large group of state officials from Kiev were coming to the orphanage to see the children. I could not believe what I heard and decided it would be best to call the director for clarification. She apologized and said no. It was very important for all the children to stay at the orphanage all day. Then she changed her mind and said, "Ok, five children can go". We thanked God for His mercy.

Marika, Ilya, Denis, Nastia Samoylenko, Nastia Shemiakina, Katia Gavva and Zina Michaelovna (the supervisor) were getting off the van smiling from ear to ear. After kissing the sixth set of cheeks Tania yelled, "You are six, not five! How did you manage to bring one more?" Dear Zina Michaelovna got the biggest smile and said, " I trust my children more than the administration when it comes to counting!"

The children had a fantastic time at the conference and also buying their own lunch at
McDonald's!





Yesterday we had a group meeting with all of the 9th graders. Everybody got a chance to hear of the conference highlights:
Denis said, "The music was great and I liked the skit!"
Both Nastias asked if the director of Radooga could give them a copy of the script from the skit. They all really wanted to do a skit about freedom at orphanage talent night.
Marika summerized what she had learned in this very mature statement,
"Freedom is not a goal, it is a privilege from God. Our freedom is in Christ and not in having everything we want!"

As always, we thank God and you for your continued interest and support of our children.
Paul, Tania and Aby Becker

Tax deductible donations can be sent to one of two locations:
(100% of your donation goes to our ministry)

Chapelgate Presbyterian Church
2600 Marriottsville Road
Marriottsville, MD 21104-1628
memo: Becker acct # 9284M
or
Ukraine Children's Aid Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 2047
Ellicott City, MD 21043-2047
attn: Becker- Odessa
--
mailto:beck@real.ua

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