Letters from "my" children in Kazakhstan!

I love when I get a package from Interlink Resources and it has letters from what I refer to as "my" kids in Kazakhstan. My heart always fills with great joy and a deep pain. I miss these children so much, but am thankful for the Interlink team who makes regular visits as they encourage and build relationships.

One is from a sweet boy who was in my 4th grade class last summer named Daniel. He writes: "How are you? How is your health? I want to say that when you had gone I missed you and cried a lot. But I keep a chin up and decided to report you that I will pray for your coming back to Savva. I will keep in touch with you let you know more about myself. I forgot to write you that I have a brother and sister their names are Alyona and Nikita and my mom's name is Victoria she lives in Taraz. My hobby is to play on a computer and drawing. I hope my mother will get me next summer. Vicki do you rmember how we were saying boodbye to each other I cried so long. Let me finish letter, bye! With love Daniel."

Daniel told me his mother put him in the orphanage because he was a bad and ugly boy. She didn't want him, but she kept his sisters. He had not seen her or heard from her for several years but missed her greatly. He spoke of beatings and rejection and my heart broke.

2003

Vladik, one of my boys from that 3rd grade class. 2007

He wrote: "Hi Vikki. I miss you. I love you. You are very good American. When you come I always run to you, because I love you. You are very good sponsor. Do you miss me? When I grwo up I will go to America. Will you come in December? I will wait for you. I will miss you. I love you. Love Vladik"

I've never been to Kazakhstan in December, but you can see they want me to visit all the time. I don't think they understand how far America is and how long it takes to travel there. I long to hold him in my arms.

Gerta a sweet girl in the 2nd grade

She wrote: "Vikka hello. How are you? I study well. I'm at 2 grade. I like to play with dolls and football. My favorite hobby is reading. I like to embroider. I like to walk in the evening when stars are shining. I want to see you Vikki, I want you to come on the holiday. Vikki you are very beautiful. I love you. Don't forget me. Bye Vikki I love you.

I received several others and each one is just as touching. If you would like to write to one of these children or even sponser one of the children you can do this through Interlink Resources. http://interlinkresources.org/projects/child-sponsorship.php Interlink will translate your letter into either Russian or Kazakh depending on the child then deliver it to them. I can tell you the children treasure each and every letter, reading and re-reading them. They also share them among each other so a few words from you go a long long way with them. You can reach out from the comfort of your own home and touch a child's life half way around the world.

You can read more about the impact letters and visit from the Interlink team has on these precious children by going to Interlinks blog http://interlinkblog.blogspot.com/ . You can also read about a young woman, Ember, from Lynchburg, Virginia who is doing a year internship with Interlink in addition to the team members who live in-country full time.

Thank each and everyone of you for being part of this great adventure.

Vicki

Making Plans to Move!

In May of 2000 I first saw a picture of horses running across the steeps of Kazakhstan and my heart leapt for joy. The country was unknown to my mind but my heart already knew the place. When the bus pulled up to the orphanage and I saw all the children who had been standing out in the cold for hours waiting for our arrival, my heart immediately filled with a deep love for these children. In their eyes, I saw a desperate longing to be loved. In their faces I saw the large family I had dreamed of since I was a child. God had answered my prayers for a large family in giving me these children to hold and to love.

This past summer when I returned from my seventh trip to Kazakhstan I began the application process to move to Kazakhstan and work with Interlink Resources full-time. I completed Phase I and the end of November was given permission to move forward into Phase 2 of the process. Excited doesn't begin to articulate the great joy I have as I enter this next phase which will allow me to be in Kazakhstan working with the children full time.

There is much to do as I prepare for this move with a tentative date of January 2009. That seems like a long way away but in reality, the time between now and then will fly by as my family celebrates Sarah's graduation from high school, completing training, taking care of all that needs doing prior to moving overseas and raising the support I will need to carry out this work with the children.

I plan on traveling in June to Kazakhstan with my regular team to hold an English camp for the children of Savva Orphanage for 18 days. Then I will return home to finish final preparations.

Anyone interested in hearing more about my adventures can contact me at KazakhVictoria@gmail.com. I'd love to share more pictures and stories from my adventures and also tell you how you might partnership in this adventure.

I'll be keeping family and friends update on my progress as prepare for this move through regular updates. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Victoria