Returning to School

I will be returning to school this fall and restarting my internship next year in Canada or America. Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Carpe Diem

Home

After a two day trip from Odessa to Halifax I am finally safely home. A few highlights from my trip

- All of my flights were late
- I missed my flight from Prague to Frankfurt
- Was switched to a different airline and had three seats all to myself
- Had to ask for Euros from some men to call for my shuttle to my hotel
- Had a hot shower and a comfy bed to sleep in
- After more late flights finally arrived home during a Tropical Storm (oh how I missed Maritime weather)

God kept me safe and allowed me a good trip even with the difficulties. I have a meeting with my school on Thursday and 1pm Atlantic Time about different things (including whether or not I am able to complete my internship so late in the game). Please keep this in prayer.

Carpe Diem, Deborah

Coming Home

I am sorry to announce that I will be leaving Odessa, Ukraine on July 21 2008. This past month and a half has taught me so much about missions work and about loving through actions and not words. There are many reasons for my early departure but it is in God’s hands and He has a plan.

Culture shock is something that affects everyone that comes on the mission field, and it affects them in different ways. For me it was not the being able to get around the city, or ride the buses and go grocery shopping. For me it came in a way that I would have never expected. Since the day I arrived I felt very homesick and because of that I was never able to fully engage in my ministry. As I tried to overcome it each day and week it just seemed to get worse and manifest itself into physical and more emotional problems. I feel that because I am not able to give myself 100% to the ministry here it would not be fair for me to stay. I am not able to be the best that I can be to the team that I work with or the kids that I minister to every day.

I want each of you to know that the ministry that goes on here in Odessa is amazing and has life changing effects on all of the kids. I have been able to make great friends while here and really feel the touch of God in my life and those around me. I have learned so much in the past seven weeks and I am so excited to share with anyone that will listen to the things that God has taught me and the things that I have seen.

I want to thank everyone that has been praying for me and keeping updated with how I am doing. Your words of encouragement have gone a long way and really helped me.

The next step for me after I return home is unclear right now. Because it is so late in the internship program I am not sure if I will be able to continue my internship in North America or not. At this point I am fully in God’s hands and know that whatever happens will be with good reason and completely in His will.

Please pray for:

- The seeds that I have been able to plant while I have been here

- That the good-byes are not more difficult then need be

- For the children I was not able to meet and show God’s love to

- That the remainder of my internship goes with God’s plan and not human plans

- For Ally as she adjust to the new culture and ministry (Bethany intern who arrived July 1)

- Please pray that I have a safe flight home and that my overnight stay in Frankfurt goes okay

Carpe Diem

(Seize every moment and experience God gives you, no matter what it is and how hard it may be)

Deborah Guptill

Camp

I just spent the week out in a village running a camp with the team that was here from Ottawa (Ally is also here now). It was a lot of fun and a great chance to interact with the kids. This was a chance to reach out to kids that have a likely chance of ending up as street kids. It was a lot of fun to just be able to play with them and to see how happy they were to have us there. I have posted pictures and you can go and see them at the following link
http://picasaweb.google.com/deborahruth1987
I hope you enjoy my endless pictures from this week alone.

Carpe Diem

First 2 weeks

I have now been here two weeks. I have gone through some ups and downs and a lot of homesickness. But God has taken me through the many tears with the prayers of many friends and family. I have been able to make friends with a few of the kids that I will be working with (when I say kids they are actually teenagers). I hope that I will be able to make an impact on their lives as I am here. If you are on my facebook I have posted pictures on there, and if not you will have to wait until I have internet on my own computer so I can set up a picture site.

Carpe Diem

Here I am

I made it here safe and sound. I have been around the city a few times, and been on the crazy buses (which are not that bad). I also went out to Hope House today and did some clean up work in garage and met a few of the kids. It has been a good time so far. I am excited for the work that I will be doing. I will be putting some videos up soon as soon as I get internet on my own computer (I am currently using my roommates Mac). Bye for now

Carpe Diem

3 flights left

me in the Toronto airport...only 3 flights left.

The trip begins

Here I am in the Halifax Airport...waiting for my flight. Who knows when I will have internet again, just thought I would let you all know where I am. Please pray for a safe flight and time in the airports.

Video Journals

I have decided to start doing some video blogs so you can see and hear how I am doing. This is only video number 1...hopefully they will get more interesting once I get there. Carpe Diem.

URGENT PRAYER

Hi everyone I just got my Visa back which was great. Until I realized that instead of a 6 month double entry visa, they sent me a 1 year single entry. This is a problem because I am suppose to go to a conference in August in Germany. I have been trying to get a hold of the Ukraine Embassy but they do not open again until Thursday. Please pray that when I call they are able to work it out via the phone and hopefully a fax from the Embassy that will allow me double entry. Thank you for your prayers. I will be calling the Embassy between 9am-1pm Atlantic Time on Thursday morning. Please be praying. Thanks again.

8 Days

I leave in 8 days. My flights start in Halifax on June 1 (Sunday) and I leave at 10:45am. From Halifax to Toronto (arrive at 12:05pm). I have a long wait in the TO airport and fly out at 5:30pm to Frankfurt Germany where I will arrive at 7:00am. From Germany I leave at 9:25am to Prague Czech (arrival 10:30am). From Prauge I leave at 11:25am to Odessa Ukraine (arrival 2:30pm).

Please pray that I am able to make all my connections and that my flights go smoothly.

Carpe Diem

Update and Prayer Requets

Dear friends and family, I want to update you on everything that has been going on lately. I have enough money to go (as long as the funds promised to continue to come in). I have been so blessed with people who believe in my vision.

At the present time I am just waiting to receive my visa into the country and waiting to confirm my plane ticket. Now I am just waiting to get there. I leave in less then 3 weeks and I cannot wait. My fly out date is June 1.

A few prayer requests that I would appreciate prayer for right away would be:

- The other girl going with me, Ally is having a hard time getting all of her funds in. Ally has such a heart for missions and has grown so passionate about the young girls that we will be working with. I know how blessed I have been to get all of my funds in. Please pray for her as she tries to convey her heart for the lost souls that we want to help. She needs about $5000 to be able to go. Please if you can pray that her funds come in that would be great.

- Please pray that my Visa comes in as soon as it can. It is suppose to be back to me by May 27, please pray that it comes straight through with no problems.

- Please pray for the hearts of those we will be working with, and for the safety of the kids on the street.

God is great

As we are getting our budget worked through we are finding areas where we can save money, which in turn means my budget will be coming down (what to I do not know) but I am almost there and I am super excited about that.

On another note part of my wish list has been answered. A very good friend here at school has offered me his digital camera which is high quality but will be great for carrying around. God is truly great, and provides everything. Thank you so much everyone for providing the things that I need.

Carpe Diem, Deborah

Videos

Hi everyone, once again I want to thank you for everything you have done. God has faithfully been working in your hearts to bring in my funds. I am almost there. If you would like to hear some of the stories of the girls I will be working with I suggest you check out the two videos that have been put together to promote what World Hope is doing. The link is www.youtube.com/westernaire. Amazing stories told by amazing girls, I am so excited to work with them. Thank you again.

Carpe Diem

Financial Update

Hi everyone. I would just like to put a reminder out there that if you have pledged a faith promise for me and have not given it yet please do not forget about it. At this point I am very close to being at my clearance amount (I have to have a certain amount of money in cash at Global Partners for them to give me clearance to go and the rest of the money can come in while I am there). My clearance number is $7546, almost all of this has been pledged but has not come in yet. For me to be able to starting booking my flight there however I need this money in. Thank you again for all being apart of this vision with me. The more updates I am getting from Ukraine the more my heart is getting excited to go. If you have any questions for me please email me (deborahruth@hotmail.com) and I will try my best to answer them. If you have any prayer concerns of your own please let me know so I can keep you in my prayers.

Carpe Diem

Almost there

This last month has been busy and full of adventure. On our way to Ontario for march break we were in a car accident but luckily no one was hurt (I ended up selling my car for $100 however which really put a dent in my life).

I just got home from a wonderful Easter break with my family and friends and it was great to see everyone at Church.

Great news however I just received an update from my treasurer and the money that has come in so far is $6215, plus some more that has gone straight to Global Partners in the States. This means that I am almost at the amount that I need to go to Ukraine (I need at least $7500 to leave in June and the rest can come in while I am there). But I think it would be amazing to have the complete amount before I leave. So that means I need about $3631. Thank you again for all your support and prayers.

Saint John First Wesleyan

This morning I was privileged to speak at Saint John First Wesleyan church to share my vision and my passion for Ukraine. After service I stayed at my little table and talked to people that wanted to know more. There was an offering plate on the table and I collected $456.37, and many people took letters saying they would give. This is such a huge blessing. I am going to reach my goal very soon, because we have such a faithful God. I want to thank all those people who said they would pray for me and support me.

Carpe Diem, Deborah

Wish List

A wise man always told me that if you do not ask for something then the answer is always no.

So my wish list for my Internship in Ukraine is this:

A point and shoot camera - one that is small, but takes high quality pictures

A video camera - digital or mini disks, so I can capture some of the more memorable times

Thats all really. It is a short list...just a pricey one.

well Carpe Diem for now

Presque Isle, Maine

This past weekend I was blessed with a trip to Presque Isle Maine with the other Global Interns for 2008. We went to two services at Presque Isle Wesleyan which were very missions focused. We heard HC Wilson preach and were very blessed by that.

We also hung out with a few families whose hearts are so missions focused, they themselves have done short term trips and their children also. They shared their stories and their dreams with us, this was incredible.

Then Ally (my friend who is going to the Ukraine with me) and I were placed in the home of the most wonderful family. Barb and Phil spoiled us rotten and blessed us the whole time. On Saturday night we just relaxed with Barb, ate pizza and m&ms (my fav.) and watched Miss America. It was great.

I was able to share my passion for the children of Ukraine with them and show them my heart. I hope that I was able to be a blessing to them in even the smallest way. God is truly great, and is giving me the best opportunities to share my heart.

Until the next time, Carpe Diem

Just kidding

Just found out about another $750, which means I now have $4458.50 raised...Sweet...God is amazing.

Almost half way

I am almost half there. I have just received the update on the faith promises and givings. So far I have been promised/given $3708.50. This means that I am almost half way there, this is so very exciting. I now only have $6165.50 left to raise! I know that there are others out there who have not given yet and who wish to so this is also exciting because I know I will reach my goal within no time. Everyone has been so faithful to our Lord, and have given Him charge of your finances and this is such a huge step in today’s world. Thank you for giving this part of your life over to God, He will surly reward you for it. Carpe Diem, Seize every opportunity that God provides for you.

I am so happy

I have just arrived back at school and things are going great. This weekend I spoke at my church (Cornerstone Wesleyan). I spoke at both of our services and the people in my church were so receptive. They came up to me afterwards to tell me how excited they were for me and how they wanted to help.

On the Saturday night a man came up to me and shook my hand and started speaking to me. The problem was I could not understand him, which caused a very blank look on my face. He then realized that I have not started my language lessons and I could not understand him speaking Russian to me. This allowed for a very humorous experience for me, and one that I am sure I will experience way more once I get there.

So for the big numbers. So for this weekend alone I was given roughly $1100 just from people handing in their cards. This does not include the money that was previously given. So for a rough total I have about $2850 raised.

That means I only have $7224 left to raise.

Thank for everyone who has already given, or has put down that they would like to be prayer partners.

Carpe Diem

Job Description

We received a list with all the different things we will be participating in while we are on our internship. This list is not complete other things will be added once we get there. Hopefully this will give you a glimpse of what my life will be like for five months.

1. Language Study (a must) we will be learning Russian
2. Teach English as a second language at Hope House, Shepard's House, First Step and Kremidovka
3. Visit and do follow up when children from the street are placed in state run orphanages with World Hope staff ,
4. Help with day camps in the summer
5. Attend all staff meetings
6. Help with hosting incoming teams (teams that come in short time we will help with)
7. Coordinate special events and celebrations
8. Help with monthly programs at Internaut #88.
9. Assist the World Hope U staff as needed
10. Write regular communications to prayer partners
11. Keep daily record of ministry
12. Submit monthly report of ministry to Field Coordinator
13. Be prepared to have Bible Studies with Shepard's House girls
14. Job shadowing and write reports.
15. Work in the gardens (with the kids) :)
16. Work with programming at First Step
17. And lots more :)