September 2021 Update
Friends, family, kind strangers – I hear tonight is the Harvest Moon! I hope you get the opportunity to marvel at how cool our God is and take in the beauty for a moment. It’s one of my favorite natural wonders we get to experience!
I’m writing to give you a brief update on my move, ministry, and the orphan crisis in Ukraine. We have some new people joining this incredible support team, so I’d like to take a moment and reintroduce who I am and why you receive this email each month!
Hi, I’m Allina. I am an independent missionary who simply hopes to do some good in the world. I serve as an advocate for abandoned children and young adults in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. I get to partner with the established organization Shade for Children and together we work with the orphanages, Social Services, and churches to see children reunited with family or welcomed into one through adoption or foster care. Our greatest desire is to see the children of Ukraine given the opportunity to break the cycle of abandonment in their families and grow up knowing love and care.
There are more than 100,000 children in state-run orphanages in Ukraine, including more than 3,000 in the Transcarpathian region. 92% of them have a family – they are considered "social orphans", institutionalized because of poverty, neglect, health, or other reasons – this leaves these children in the institution until they age out. Social orphans are often never granted official orphan status, therefore are not eligible for adoption. Our goal is to find these children a loving home. I also hope to start a program for the teens who do age out of the system without a family. This will look like mentorship, summer camps, and/or home groups that give these teens an opportunity to encounter the love of Jesus and a community that will support them.
Because of your generosity, I’ve been able to book my one-way flight to Ukraine for late January 2022! I am so incredibly eager to get there and see how God is going to bring all these dreams, hopes, and prayers to life.
As part of my preparation, I’ve been searching for the right platform and covering for my time in Ukraine. While my time with Adventures in Missions has shaped me as a missionary and woman of God, it was time to find an organization designed to support individuals. I’m so thrilled to partner with The Cause! They not only provide a 501(c)(3) covering so that all donations are still tax-deductible, they also have a beautiful support team that will come alongside me throughout this wild journey.
Please take a moment to check out my new platform here: https://thecause.org/partners/ukrainian-orphan-care/ – the ministry name is still pending, if inspiration strikes you, feel free to send ideas my way!
A very generous donor has already kick-started my move to Ukraine! I now can focus on building out my monthly support for the sustainability of my ministry. The goal is $2000 in monthly support! This amount will cover my living expenses and ministry costs so that my full attention can be on the children and building out the ministry. Prior to getting to Ukraine, here are the ways the financial support will be used:
Continue my online Missionary Training School – $500
Finish covering moving costs (luggage, ground transportation) – $350
Savings fund to purchase a vehicle once I arrive in Ukraine – $5000
Cost of continued Ukrainian Language classes – $250
Whether you have supported me in the past or simply like to follow my journey – I am so thankful for you! Your support strengthens my faith and perseverance to bring this ministry to the children of Ukraine.
I do invite you to join this team in consistent support. If this feels like a ministry you’d like to invest in, I’d love to set up a call! I want to meet you, thank you, and share a bit of the passion God has given me for Ukraine and her children!
Thank you, my friends. I’m so humbled by this opportunity!
with love,
Lina
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