Today, we remember 9/11 as we reflect on that tragic event 24 years ago. It is a day to remember thousands of innocent people going about their day with no idea it would be their last. It's a day to remember all the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to help those in dire need. We will never forget, and may we always teach those younger about the events of that day. 

Today, we mourn the loss of a martyr, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in Utah on 9/10. Our hearts are broken as we witness a world filled with sin and evil. 

Yesterday, we witnessed another High School shooting in Evergreen, Colorado. 
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Yesterday, news from Poland was that Russia had sent 14 drones over the airspace of this NATO country. 

Just two days ago, news from the war in Ukraine was that 24 pensioners were killed as they stood in line for their monthly checks.

Our hearts weep as we turn to God, our everlasting hope.

"Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:12-17 NIV

Friends, we are glad to greet you with the love of our Lord Jesus Christ! May His peace and warmth fill your homes and families, and no matter what, His Glory will always be above you. We thank you that despite of this difficult time, you do not leave Ukraine, do not leave our family and support the ministry to orphans in Mukachevo. Of course, we can wish a lot on these holidays, but we want to wish you the most basic thing - that God always fills your heart, gives peace and comfort, that His Father's heart helps you go forward and not give up, and God's blessing illuminates your path!

We love you very much and appreciate everything that you do for us, we send our hugs to your entire team, we pray for you friends, God bless you!

Thank you for your continued financial support! This is a huge help friends, it has become a blessing for 73 orphans in Mukachevo, 6 families of graduates orphans in Donetsk region and our orphans, that we constantly keep in touch with. Also 50 refugees from Donetsk region received Christmas presents, that included not only sweet gifts, but also medicine, power banks, flashlights and one chainsaw for people in the front-line cities.

Once again and again we will not get tired of thanking God for your hearts, thanks to you people of different ages received the necessary help. God bless you! 

Thank you friends for your heart, because of you so many people felt the joy of Christmas and had the opportunity to feel God's blessings! They saw that we bought for elderly people that live close to the front line is working, people help each other to prepare firewood, share food, and the medicine, that we brought they were able to put droppers for husband and wife, the man does not walk, and the woman in very poor condition, after a week of rehabilitation in the hospital, they feel much better.

​In every home where we could we brought a small gift.

​God bless you!

Maxim and Lena
House Parents at the House of Grace

KYIV, Ukraine — The war is far from over in Ukraine with a long winter ahead.  
Analysts who once warned that Ukraine stood little chance of holding out for long against a bigger, better-armed enemy now say Kyiv must be wary of overconfidence and overestimation of the difficulties that lie ahead against a potent Russian occupying force.
The stunning Ukrainian counteroffensive against invading Russian forces that began this summer has been widely hailed as a resounding, if not decisive, “turning point” in the war. Yet even as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting a newly liberated Kherson this week and vowing to press his forces’ advantage, a contrarian, far more sober assessment emerged.
 
Ukrainian forces can boast of a string of victories since the summer — in Izyum, Lyman, Kharkiv and now Kherson — and the government in Kyiv has not been shy about touting its successes and highlighting Russian atrocities and battlefield mistakes.
The Ukrainians encouraged Western media to visit the liberated countryside around Lyman. They pointed to the destroyed convoys and piles of Russian dead on the roads as examples of their success. They also released intercepts of cellphone conversations between panic-stricken soldiers to stoke rumors of a potential Russian collapse.
 
Still, the Russian army is entrenched in large parts of Ukraine’s disputed Donbas region, and the battle lines in the eastern portion of Ukraine have stabilized as the daily artillery bombardments along the front line continue. As the Russian forces pulled back, they shortened and strengthened supply lines, presenting a more compact and formidable force for the looming winter.
Ukrainian soldiers who have just returned to the Kyiv area from the front in the east are giving reality checks to the largely positive media coverage.

One Ukrainian leader described the intense Russian artillery fire as his small, lightly armed company took part in the offensive to recapture Izyum and occasional chaos as hastily assembled and underequipped Ukrainian forces attempted to push forward against Russian armored units.
Lacking anti-tank missiles such as the U.S.-supplied Javelin and other supporting weapons, the officer said, the Ukrainian units sustained high casualties in spite of the overall success of the counteroffensive.

Some skeptics say glowing reports of Ukrainian successes obscure the Russians’ formidable position and their separatist Ukrainian allies.
 
By any measure, as the invasion nears the nine-month mark, Russia has gained and maintained a significant amount of territory in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. Although Ukrainians have recovered large swaths of this territory, it is a minor fraction of the overall ground still occupied by the Russians.
“The Russians know how to fight,” Ukrainian Maj. Roman Kovalev, who is leading a newly configured 500-member battalion on the southern front, recently told NPR. “They learn fast. They’re not the same forces as they were in the spring. It is hard to fight them.”

A close look at the map reveals that the amount of territory that the Ukrainians regained in September and October barely exceeds, if at all, the amount of ground captured by the Russians during their phase 2 offensive in June and July.

During that offensive, Russian forces captured Izyum and Severodonetsk, the de facto capital of the Luhansk region, as well as its sister city Lysychansk. The latter two cities remain firmly under Russian control, far behind the front lines. 
 
Another critical aspect of the battle in the east is the fighting along the south Donbas front, centered largely on the city of Bakhmut. Along the eastern Donbas front, the Ukrainian line forms a salient to the east, anchored in the north at Izyum, extending east and anchored in the south on Bakhmut.
In the south, the Russian pressure on the Ukrainian line has been relentless and continues to advance slowly, even while the Ukrainians were on the offensive to the north. Now, in spite of the loss of Izyum, with the reestablishment of the line to the north, the Russian offensive against Bakhmut is gaining momentum.
 
In recent weeks, Russian forces have made significant gains and have begun to encircle the shell-torn city. Ukrainian units attempting to hold the line around Bakhmut report almost continuous Russian attacks and heavy casualties on both sides.

The stakes are high. The road network supporting the southern portion of Russian-occupied territory along much of Ukraine’s southern coastline runs through the Bakhmut area, and control is key to Russian operations there. The coming weeks will be critical in the battle for Bakhmut and with it the Donbas region.
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Analysts caution that the significance of the recent Ukraine counteroffensive must be measured not just in terms of square miles and towns liberated, or even casualties. It must be viewed within the context of the overall strategic situation in the eastern Donbas area and the occupied southern coast.
While the Ukrainian armed forces have repeatedly demonstrated skill and resolve against a much larger opponent, the Russian position, being fortified by some 300,000 reservists called up by President Vladimir Putin, is strong, and the Russian pressure on the Ukrainian line in many areas remains relentless.
 
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/nov/16/despite-successes-ukraine-faces-tough-slog-russia-/?fbclid=IwAR27i0XdgM8kUw02D0MXVxYVtcJy0r1qZbDo1uAC3Om-pes7X0n5XwXHbLE

​We are thrilled to announce the arrival of a new van for the House of Grace in Kramatorsk! We are so grateful to so many who made this need a reality. As you may remember, the old van was totaled back in mid-December. We praise God that during that accident, Maxim, the house dad, was the only one driving and he has healed from the injuries received!

Our friends with Agape, Sergiy and Oleg, delivered the van to our home in Kramatorsk. Our hearts are overflowing with joy and thankfulness for all who made replacing the totaled van with this beautiful new one a reality! Thank you to all those who prayed, helped with fundraising, donated towards the van and supported us during this time! In three months time we were able to raise enough funds, work with Agape to find a suitable van and now it is delivered!

A van is more then just a set of wheels. It is a beacon of hope when seen in the community. When people see it they know there are either rides being given, donations being delivered, "meals on wheels" for those in need and most importantly, people in the van that show the love of Christ in their neighborhood and beyond.

When I have personally been a passenger in the old van, I have been apart of road trips that visit orphanages, special need schools, hospitals, technical schools, churches and homeless people. Witnessing the pure joy on children's faces as we enter the grounds of a remote orphanage is an expression that is stamped on my heart. When Maxim, the house dad, drives through the metal gate, children start gathering and once he steps out of the van he is greeted with hugs, kisses and sweet smiles.

I look forward to seeing how this new van will continue to carry on in this tradition of "wheels of hope". Please pray with us for safety and protection as the van will be put to work almost immediately!
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Thank you all again!

We give our biggest thank you to our Lord Jesus, for always being so faithful to the needs of serving the least through his people!

When we look back at our journey through our adoptions as well as our orphan ministry, God has been all over it with His hands. There are so many tangible instances in our ministry where God was clearly orchestrating the bigger tapestry of His will, while carefully weaving us into his masterpiece. It is so beautiful to reflect upon His goodness and knowing He will do the work necessary for His glory.  We give thanks to God for his everlasting Providence.                           
 
Provision - In all instances, God has provided what was needed for each moment during our journey. His provision has included not only the finances to be able to do the work we have been called to do, but He has given us rich relationships of dear friends, new and old, that together, we can cultivate and grow His Kingdom here on earth for the least to see His wonderful works through all of us. We give thanks to God for his endless provision.
 
Seeds- God is our Great Cultivator. He teaches, encourages, and shows us how He desires seeds to be planted to expand His Kingdom. He will make them grow and flourish. As we are all ambassadors of Christ, through us, God will nurture, develop and grow His children with the desire for the least to find their identity in Jesus Christ. As part of the cultivation process, God truly does break our hearts for what breaks His. When our hearts are broken it is then that we are rooted deep into a passion that turns one’s life upside-down, with the vigor, anger, discontentment, and call to justice to do something.  
 
That seed for Clarke and I was planted on April 3, 2003, in Lugansk, Ukraine as we completed our first adoption and left Natalie’s orphanage for the last time. The seed that God had planted deep in my heart haunted me at night for months once we returned back home. I would dream consistently of orphans innocent eyes as we waved goodbye to those left behind. My heart cried for the orphans left behind, as I started to understand they need to just be KNOWN. Who would tell their story, who would be their voice, their protector, or their advocates for the sweet souls? Our passion was rooted and started growing.  We give thanks to God for planting seeds in our hearts to live out His will through our lives. 
 
Fruits- As we look at our past and see how God clearly planted the seed in our hearts, we have also seen seeds planted in those who have been a part of Ukraine Orphan Outreach. Whether as a volunteer, a missionary, an adoptive child, church members, the orphans that we work within Ukraine, or our very own families, we have been a part of something bigger, orchestrated by God. While we are blessed to see the fruits from seeds that have been planted, we may never know the eternal impact from all the planted seeds. What a joy, though, it is to see the fruits of God's work here and now. So many celebrations of fruit to be recognized as miracles! From adoptions, to aged-out orphans leading fruitful lives as they start families of their own. We have a handful of young adults that lived in the transition homes who now are serving overseas as missionaries! There are so many celebrations to be had of the fruits of God’s providence and provision through UOO, I would love to share if you would like over a cup of coffee! We give thanks to God for the fruits that He has cultivated and allowed us to be a small part of. 
 
Community- This is where we are reminded how blessed we are to have such a wonderful community that surrounds us as we continue to pursue His will and work in Ukraine. We are forever grateful to those God has brought to us that support us in so many different ways. Through the community’s acts of service, prayer, collaboration, and provision, countless times we find ourselves in awe of how things always seem to work out! While being co-founders and the leaders of Ukraine Orphan Outreach, as humans, we carry a burden. This burden is a bit of a double-edged sword as it can weigh us down. Yet, on the other side, our passion continues to be fueled as we grow and stretch our faith while we get to witness His perfect plan for us! We give thanks to God for YOU and for your support over the years. God’s work could not be done without your love, prayers, and commitment to serve the least! Thank YOU!
 
As we look into 2021, we are planning loosely and with an open posture to see if we will be able to travel on a mission trip hopefully this fall. We also have a goal to keep all our sponsors/donors updated quarterly as to the “news” from both the House of Grace and House of Hope. We also would like to ask for a prayer request for the first quarter of 2021. In December of 2020, the van at the House of Grace was totaled. We are praising God that Maxim (the house dad) was the only one in the van and was slightly injured. He has recovered from the crash, but the van now needs to be replaced. We are currently raising funds and God is so good, we are 64% funded. Our goal is to raise $21,500 for a new van. We covet your prayers. We also ask if you know of any churches in your area that may offer financial assistance through any grant programs, please let us know. (Flipcause – please insert the campaign link her for the “van”)
 
Thank you so much and we love you all! Many blessings to you and your families in 2021.
 
Eternally adopted by HIM,
 
Kris and Clarke Stoesz

Coming to Ukraine I am inspired, refocused, activated for action yet exhausted and sad. I have been wondering what to post about our visit to a very big orphanage known as the “Emerald City”. So when you you think of the Emerald City, what do you think of? We think of the well known story of Dorothy searching. She is searching for her family. She is searching for her home. Family and home….where is that to be found in a place like this? This is a false illusion for over 300 orphaned children that are looking for their forever home. Looking for their family. When you think about it, in the story of “The Wizard of Oz”, has so much irony around an orphanage called “Emerald City”. 

Thank you, Jesus, for loving and protecting all your special children. Lord, please be with the children at Emerald City and have them know that their eternal home is with you and you are their Father and they are known….they are loved!

There’s no place like home.

Our departure is a day away as we enthusiastically finish up final details and packing in anticipation of what the Lord has for the team as we head to Ukraine. Please keep the mission team in your prayers as we continue to prepare our hearts and minds to serve alongside our friends in Ukraine. Although we pre-plan our days in Ukraine with our ministry partners, our plans are His plans first and we leave any expectations at home and be open to new opportunities that are led by the Spirit.

Human Trafficking: My class that I am taking this summer for my Master’s degree at seminary is covering human trafficking. It has been a raw, emotional and poignant journey so far, leaving me exhausted after my daily studies. I have passionately talked about human trafficking very frequently in the past as it relates to our ministry. Through the studies this summer, the profound and overwhelming facts discovered in the readings, the videos, the stories that uncover the horrific evil side of humanity are being exposed and often leaves me physically ill at the end of my day just thinking about the suffering trafficked victims are forced to endure. It’s wrong. It’s evil. I have found myself praying and asking God what must be done in the circle of influence that Ukraine Orphan Outreach is a part of?

If you want to educate yourself as part of our journey together, this video, “Sex Trafficking: How it Works” was part of my assignment this week and talks about the situation in Eastern Europe. While it focuses on Moldova, Ukraine is a carbon copy of what goes on with trafficking. I have to warn you, the images are horrible, the stories are unforgettable, and it may haunt you as it has haunted me. After the fall of communism in 1989 and as the newly formed countries were finding their democracy and independence, a floodgate of consumerism brought with it sex trafficking. Sick. I am sure that many of you already know this statistic that is often stated about the situation in Ukraine that “60% of girls that age-out of the orphanage, sometimes as young as 16-years old, will be lured, forced or coerced into sex trafficking”.

Please come alongside our team as we discover what God has for us to work, advocate, fight for and come along side those who are the weak, vulnerable and potential victims of traffickers. Ukraine Orphan Outreach has been given an opportunity to work with aged-out orphaned girls who find themselves now being new mothers. They are living in extreme poverty and at high risk of their sweet babies being taken away into the orphanage, repeating the cycle of orphans making orphans. These single moms are also at a grave risk for being sex trafficked due to their desperation to survive and provide. Traffickers are predator’s who circle around waiting for their prey as they watch and wait for an orphan girl to get so desperate they break and give in to the lies of a better life that traffickers tell.
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Shining His Light

Through the journey of orphan awareness and care, God has been so good to show us our next opportunity to serve in Ukraine. With the situation discussed above, do you see how God has prepared our hearts and minds through experience and awareness of the current situation in Ukraine along with knowledge and partnerships that allow us to DO SOMETHING? Furthermore, Ukraine Orphan Outreach has been blessed with a large grant from Foundations Church in Loveland, Colorado to be able to plan, develop, and implement a life-giving plan to help preserve, protect and educate single-orphaned mothers. While we continue to pray and discern God’s will in this new endeavor, this trip will give us the opportunity to explore possibilities and start developing plans for forwarding progress.

God is good all the time….all the time God is good!

What we will be doing….

Now for a quick review of what our trip looks like:

The second week we will travel to the east on an overnight train to visit our family at the House of Grace in Kramatorsk. We will be in great hands as Oksana, our Field Director, spends the last week with our team. Our plans in Kramatorsk are to hang out with the guys at the HOG and visit a handful of orphanages. We are also praying and meeting with the Agape team to learn how we can partner to care for the many single orphaned young mothers who are struggling just to survive.

The last two days of the trip will be back in the capital city of Kiev. Our plans are to meet up with old friends, make new ones, tour CBN (Christian Broadcast Network – Orphans Promise) and hopefully a few hours of sightseeing and learning about the history of this amazing country!

We would like to thank you all for your prayers and support as we GO. We are eager to see what God has already planned for our trip.
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Personal prayer request…

As I embark on leading six missionaries, can I ask for prayer? My prayer is for health, stamina, and balance as I feel overwhelmed with the topic of human trafficking and the amount of schoolwork I must do during the trip. While I am blessed to study on-line, the expectations of reading, writing and group participation is exorbitant as well as exhausting due to the content matter. In addition, please pray for my stability of emotions as we as a team are exposed to the suffering of the people we love and serve in Ukraine. Please pray for our meetings and time together with our ministry partners as we come alongside and work together to develop and implement programming to save and assist single-orphaned moms, with the hopeful outcome of saving them from traffickers as well as their babies being institutionalized.

Thank you all, and God bless!
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Kris Stoesz

After our time in Zhytomir we will travel to Kramatorsk via an overnight train and work with our ministry partner Agape. In Kramatorsk we will spend time with the family from the House of Grace. We will ask Maxim (house dad) to take us to a handful of orphanages that they work with.

We will end our last few days in Kiev and have the opportunity to tour CBN (Christian Broadcast Network- Orphans Promise) as well as learn about the rich history of this ancient, beautiful city.

Why: James 1:27
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Cost: Our best estimate is $2,590 which will cover the airline, lodging, food and transportation inside Ukraine.
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Winner!*******************************************************************************************************