"I
have traveled to Ukraine five times in the past four years
as a Photographer, capturing the work that has been done
by Ministry, Medical and Dental Teams traveling with The
Ukraine Children's Project, known in Ukraine as Ditia Natia
Nadia (Children are our hope). This Ministry was founded
in 1996 by Carey Dudcovsky. It's a small ministry that has
a heart for growth; growth because there is so much that
needs to be done for the children in Ukraine.
I
just returned from Ukraine January 15, 2003. I visited the
children in orphanages, bringing them clothing donated from
churches in Virginia and Florida. We brought them bananas,
a pretty simple gift by our standards, and were greeted
by happy faces from the children, whom immediately ate them.
We sang songs about God our Father, and it touches your
heart because you realize that their relationship with "an
earthly father" is non existent The young children
seem happy enough, and are eager for the attention that
you bring, especially a visitor from such a far away place
as The United States. We are The Americans. And I am greeted
with loud, enthusiastic voices of the children "DyaDa"
(Russian for Uncle) from boys and girls.
Having
a digital camera in my hand, they are eager to see the pictures
of themselves. Everyone wants to be photographed, and I
realize what it must be like to live your life without a
parent who encourages you every day, makes you feel loved
and appreciated, has your best interest at heart. I am touched
by what I see, and I am also sad. My heart weeps for the
future of these children. I have this little child in my
arms, and I am wondering what she's thinking. She doesn't
know what her future will be like yet. She is still too
young. The older children I visit later know the reality
of their situation. I pray to God for their future, and
I hope I can do something to help.
Something
that I've noticed while visiting these Orphanages is the
sense that these children are full of Love, waiting to give
it away. Also, obviously, they have a desire to be Loved.
How wonderful to help them know that there Father in heaven
already loves them, and desires to have a relationship with
them."
Don
Monteaux
January 2003
Ukraine
