Just kidding...

Okay, so I guess the trip to Ukraine was just too luring. :o) John Michael and I have decided that we can work out the details around his work for me to be able to travel to Ukraine once again. I am really excited! The crazy thing is that we only have one month to prepare. There are five of us going (3 physical therapists, 1 speech pathologist, and our trip coordinator.) I think it will be a fabulous team. We have been meeting at least once a week to get things in order. We will be fortunate enough to work in the orphanage where Lance is from (as well as 4 more of our kids), an orphanage for children above the age of four who where not sent to the institution, and the NICU! We are hoping to start making positive changes earlier in the development process to prevent the common delays we see in these children. Please be praying for our team's safety, wisdom from our Heavenly Father, that the orphanage and hospital staff's hearts and minds will be open to our teachings, and that we will be able to gather necessary items for these children.

I have attached the information from a flier we made to be distributed. Unfortunately, I was unable to attach the 'real' version with pictures and pretty font. ;o)

Therapy Mission Trip to Ukraine

March 7-15th, 2009, a group of Children’s Therapy TEAM therapists are traveling to Ukraine to train orphanage and hospital staff in how to improve the life of special needs orphans in Ukraine.
Any donations would be greatly appreciated and will go directly to orphans in Ukraine.

We would appreciate donations of any of the following items...

Exercise/Therapy Balls
* All different sizes: 45cm, 65cm, 75cm, peanuts
* These can be purchased at Wal-mart, Target, etc.
* Also available at various websites such as www.isokineticsinc.com ~ Caddo brand seems to be
the most reasonably priced

Basic Hardback/Board Pictures Books
* Simple pictures of basic objects, animals, numbers, colors, and shapes. Minimal words as it will have to be translated to Russian.

Pacifiers and Teethers
* A variety, must be able to sanitized and must be in original package.

Children’s Music CD’s and DVD’s
* Instrumental music and Baby Einstein type DVDs.

Flashcards
* Simple pictures of colors, numbers, shapes, animals, and basic objects. No alphabet please.

Crib Mirrors
* Unbreakable with washable surfaces.

Small Toys
* Minimal batteries, washable surfaces that can be sanitized.
*Rattles, crackly toys, noise makers, stackers, shape sorters, nesting blocks, pop beads. More examples at http://funandfunction.com/infant-early-learningc-7_29.html

Therapy Equipment
* Seating systems, positioning, medical equipment, sensory integration tools, adaptive feeding supplies, and orthotic equipment will be purchased with any monetary donations.

Monetary Donations
*Any monetary contributions are 100% tax deductible.
* Please make checks out to New Heights Church with “Ukraine Therapy Trip” in the memo.

Donations may be mailed or delivered to:
Children’s Therapy TEAM - 2474 E. Joyce, Blvd., STE #2 - Fayetteville, AR 72703

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27