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Spring Mission Trip 2016

5/25/2016

Hello friends and family,

Soon Kelly and I will be departing for a mission trip to Ukraine, spending about one week in the country. We will be flying out on May 28th and arriving in Kiev Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival we will catch our breath for a few hours and then climb aboard an overnight train that will take us to Kramators’k, which is located about 60 miles from the Ukraine/Russian conflict zone. Our team has not been able to visit the House of Grace family since the summer of 2013 so we feel it is very important to spend time with Maxim, Lena and the kids. The last time we traveled to Kramators’k with our team, we flew into Donetsk to the new, beautiful airport.

Finding Home: Ukraine’s Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Crisis

4/12/2016

I have had the opportunity realize the dream of a paper I wrote in graduate school at Fuller Seminary become a reality. I wrote this paper and submitted at the end of 2015. The proposal was turned into a reality the spring of 2016!

If your interested in learning more about how UOO will be partnering with Samaratin Ministries to serve IDP’s, please read the below which was written to assess the situation in Ukraine and explore how we can continue show the love of Christ by serving those living in the margins.

March 21, 2016: Reflecting on our decision to adopt back in 2003

3/21/2016

Thirteen years ago today Clarke and I were embarking on an unknown journey with our sites on adopting from Ukraine. The seed of adoption had been planted early in our days of marriage, and we always knew someday we would like to adopt. With the craziness of life, marriage, work, having two wonderful children, life whisked by and it is as if we forgot our intentions of adopting.

2016 Ziploc Bags for Orphans and Widows

3/10/2016

Our Spring Donation drive is now open! We are collecting dental & hygiene packed ziplock bags for our mission team to pass out at orphanages in Ukraine.

Orphans: Items to include are: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, shampoo, hairbrush or comb, Chapstick, and a sheet of stickers. NO CANDY.

Widows:toiletry items, scarves, sewing kits, tea towels, reading glasses, socks, etc.

Mission Trip 2016

3/9/2016

Hello UOO Family,

We are in deep planning for our summer missions trip. Dates will be August 26 – September 6, 2016.

A Note from Clarke and Kris ~ Reflecting on 2015

12/16/2015

Dear UOO Family,

We are grateful for a year filled with excitement, opportunities abound and being allowed to be part of God’s Kingdom work by serving the least in Ukraine. Our hands-on, grassroots ministry will be starting our tenth year of caring for orphans. It has been a wonderful, faith-filled, unwavering journey as we look into new horizons setting our sites on creating fresh new ways for caring for the least. We are so thankful to our family of supporters (YOU!), whether it is through prayer, financial donations, clothing, toys, medical, etc., we would not be able to serve countless orphans in Ukraine. Thank you for believing in our mission!

I want to ride my bicycle….

9/19/2015

20 Bikes were purchased for the orphan graduates living at the House of Grace and House of Hope

Quality bikes were purchased, most of them made in Germany

The leaders and orphan graduates (mostly the boys) took several rides during the trip

Memorial Fund for Micol Woodiel

8/26/2015

Hello UOO supporters, as you know, we have advocated for adoption ever since adopting Natalie Stoesz in 2003. Mentoring families has been such a wonderful blessing as well as exciting to see orphans adopted into their forever families! It brings so much joy to us, the adoptive families as well as the surrounding community every time an orphan comes home to their forever family! About 10 years ago, Bart and Kathy stepped out in faith and obedience and answered the call to adopt. We joyfully shared our stories and journeys together as adoptive families.

Ride Ukraine, July 17th – August 2nd, 2015

4/6/2015

Cycling for Adoption Awareness – Cycle for a Purpose

Share the message of adoption and orphan care with local villages and churches throughout western Ukraine. Ride for a great cause.

Riding with Orphans from Transitional Home – approx. 30 miles per day. Age requirement: 18 years+ Escort vehicle and first aid support. Lodging will be in tents in primitive camp sites.

For more information Clarke Stoesz – [email protected] (970) 290-6587

Ukraine Vision Trip – May 3-10, 2014

1/2/2014

What is Ukraine like? What are the orphans like? Where do they live? How can I help?

These are all questions we get asked on a regular basis. What better way to answer these questions than to experience Ukraine first hand, on a Vision Trip with Ukraine Orphan Outreach!

May 3-10, 2014 we are hosting a Vision Trip in Ukraine.

You will have the opportunity to visit our boy’s transition home for aged out orphans – House of Grace, visit a local orphanage, meet with strategic partners in Ukraine and learn more about about how you can play a strategic role in helping orphans in Ukraine.

For more information and to register for the Vision Trip, please visit HERE.(trade link)