Vika Runs for a Purpose...RUN for ONE!

Two years ago, my dear friend Carolyn, founder of Project HOPEFUL, ran in the Chicago 1/2 Marathon with the names of many children that were waiting for families all over the world, all over their arms and legs.  She did this so she would remember with every step WHY she was running. One of those names was VIKA (my 4 year old daughter who was still waiting in Russia).

Thank you so much for running with Vika this year!

Nearly, three years later Vika now has a family to call her own. Last weekend she ran for those who were left behind, still needing families, with Carolyn, who once ran for her. She ran her lil' heart out in the Chicago 5K and came in 3rd in her age group, with a time of 28:44 (9:15 pace), 9th outta 49 overall 12 and under, 52nd out of 549 female runners and 166th out of 851 runners!  She amazes me! 

Vika ran with names of children on her legs, just as Carolyn did for her.  She knows the value of a family, and the healing that comes from love.  She knows what it is like to wait and be overlooked, in an orphanage.  Sadly, she knows...and because she knows, she cares and has a heart for those who are without mommys and daddys.

She trained with me, for the many ONES...the overlooked children and vulnerable mamas. Each and every ONE of our ONES have a name and a face, whether they remain overlooked or are striving at home in their loving family...they were once a ONE, that make up the 147 MILLION ORPHANS, around the world. We ran to help eyes be open and awareness spread about the many orphans around the globe. We no longer running with our legs, but with our heart, for the many ONES, who have touched and changed our life!!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who supported Team Truth and Vika this past weekend at the Chicago Half Marathon/5K! The team did amazing and the event raised almost the entire annual budget for Project HOPEFUL.  It is the support from each of you, that allow miracles like this to happen...for the name of an orphan girl to be written on team members arms and legs, and then for that child to be home and running with the team just a few years later.  Thank you for supporting this ministry...for supporting orphans/adoptions...and helping vulnerable mamas keep their children.  We love you!

Team Truth 2014

We ran for Mattie...we love the Loux's family

First Day of FIRST Grade

When they are young, show them compassion. 

 As they grow, teach them to be compassionate. 

Teach them to love creatures and people, 

 and they'll go on to teach others the same.

Well, I'm officially a mama of a FIRST grader...and I can hardly believe it!  Today, she walked up through the DE school doors and straight into Mrs. Ferguson's first grade classroom!

Vika with her first grade teacher Mrs. Ferguson

At six and a half years old, this lil' spit fire is excited to make new friends and show her teacher just how smart she is.  She continues to want to be a veterinarian when she grows up...although, the animals have changed.  She no longer wants to help the sick cats and dogs.  She now wants to work on all the zoo animals:  elephants, giraffes, leopards, monkeys, etc. :)

Click on the link: Vika reading :) to have a short book read by Vika, on the first day of first grade!  I can't wait to see how much she learns and how much she improves throughout the year.

VOH Guatemala

We made it to Guatemala!!!!!!!!

Check out the top of that bus!

man walking down the middle of the street selling things

Homes along the drive to VOH

Tin huts along the road, on the drive to VOH

She reminded me so much of the ladies in Zambia

fire house

local "shops" along the road

Well, we finally arrived to VOH yesterday afternoon, and I must say I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it here.

My first impression has been everything I had hoped it would be and so much more.  I love the Block's, and what that family has done here.  They truly understand children and the importance of a family, and EVERYTHING they do is surrounded around doing what is absolutely in the best interest, of the children.  Everything about VOH is so incredibly different from an institution or orphanage...and it is so much healthier, for the children.  They understand pain and the need for healing.  They focus a lot on attachment and building healthy relationships between the house parents and the children here.  Here's a lil' sneak peek of the children's rooms.

the boys' room

the girls' room

another girls' room

the house parents' room

the kitchen

the playground

This morning, we attended their worship service.

Kelly and I ready for church

The children who recently accepted Christ, performed a skit for us.  It was extremely touching and powerful as they demonstrated Christ's love for His children, as He pulls us away from dark places to His light.

The girls also performed a few dance routines which were also amazing to watch, as the children's faces lit up the entire room.

We also were led in worship both by some of the Block children and members of our team.

Also, one of the team leaders shared his testimony, and how God transformed his life.

Later in the afternoon, we did a bible lesson about how God sees us, as His sons and daughters, followed by a craft, where we gave each child a mirror to decorate and serve as a reminder who how God sees them, and who they are in Christ.

We also handprinted the children's hands, to make quilts back in the states...so stay tuned...it may become a fundraiser or raffle to benefit VOH, in the future.

After arts and crafts were over, we quickly cleaned up and rushed outside to play with the children on the playground before dinner.

VOH received some goats as an Easter present...and they finally arrived on Friday!  So, our team had the privilege of feeding...and MILKING the mama...that was quite the experience to watch!!

At the end of the day, we did our bible study as a group.  This week, we are focusing on Colossians 3:12-14, as a group.  Tonight, we focused on humility and how it was tied to the parable in Luke 18:9-14.