Our team had the privilege of going to Ukraine again this year......our TENTH trip!
It was filled with building more life long relationships and nurturing those that we've made in the past.
What a privilege to go to make a difference through each smile, each hug, and even each cookie.....spreading love as far as we can.

There were 204 small cookies in my checked bag that I had the joy of sharing with many people. The smiles in response were worth all the time and effort made throughout the year to raise the funds to go and to shower the people with physical and spiritual gifts.

This year we held the SEVENTH ladies camp......and it was the biggest and the best. We heard multiple comments about it being the best one the ladies had attended so far.
There were 94 women present, and the classes and activities offered were a huge blessing to all.

Here's a photo carousel of many sights at the women's camp:

Here is most of the ladies at the women's camp right after we'd all arrived at the venue.

Each lady received a bright pink bag filled with lots of goodies. Here's two of the awesome workers who collected up all the bags to hand out to the women on the first day. (Isn't it cool how the bags create a pretty skirt effect on each of the girl

I wish I had audio for you to hear how excited the women were at this point....

Large group time included Bible study, worship time, and lots of laughter, tears, and joy. It was a special time to be together.

The ladies studied the Five Love Languages and took a survey to determine what their love language was.

Some of their classes took place at a covered pavillion outside....

Learning to make pretty decorated cupcakes....

A small spa was set for the ladies to have their nails done, hair styled, have an abbreviated massage, etc.

The elderly ladies had a blast on the merry-go-round!

The ladies presented us with gifts.....and one talented young lady even drew our portraits on a large poster. Wow!

Here's all the beautiful wreaths and bouquets the ladies made us to shower us with their love.

Donna & I were stunned by their incredible acts of kindness and love to us. These wreaths were gorgeous!

Next we went back to Borislov and spent several days encouraging believers and doing all we could to share love and kindness to as many as possible.

Each year it becomes abundantly clear that THEY give us so much more than we give them!

Our beloved babooshka (she adopted us) was able to get up and visit with us this year. Last year, she was so sick that we could only visit her while she was in bed. But even with her appearing a little better this year, we are pretty sure that this will be our last visit to her this side of heaven.....

The end of June is raspberry, strawberry, and currant season.....we received many of these beauties from our beloved friends.

Sunday church choir.....

Gayla is a new friend that God brought into my life this year. She is from Belarus. What a blessing!

Dave preaching and Slavik interpreting for Sunday's sermon...

All of these beauties were found in a lovely garden of one of the homes we visit each year. It was definitely a highlight of the trip to gaze on God's amazing creations. :)

The visit I had with this family was probably the most significant moment for me during our 2017 trip.

This family of eight is from Eastern Ukraine and had to flee their home when the war began more than three years ago. They live in a tiny home (for 8 people!) that is not in the best part of town. But you would never know their circumstances by just being around them. They are one of the most loving and content families I've ever seen in my life. And they blessed my heart so much. Say a prayer for them......they have a ton of obstacles they must work through. But God is at the forefront of everything they are doing, and I'm honored that I got to spend time with them while I was in Ukraine.

And finally, I thought it would be essential for me to share with you how powerful a cookie is.
Each year that I go to Ukraine, I take cookies to share with all the dear ones that we visit or come in contact with.

A few of the widows have received nearly one of every cookie I've brought.
During this year's visit, two of the ladies showed me their "stashed treasures". These are cookies that are years old....probably not even edible, but they treat them with love and care.

Cookies really do make a difference.

Cookies express love and bring joy.

Thank you to all of you who have supported me over these last ten years.
It is making a difference in a small little town on the other side of the world.

I am forever grateful that God has given me this privilege.

❤️❤️❤️