Sunday Post
Hey! This is Christina. Our team, along with all of the older children from the orphanage, visited the children’s hospital yesterday evening. The children sang a few songs and shared some scripture. We (the American team) sang a few Christmas songs, Jillian shared her testimony, and Stephen performed some of his tricks. Edik seems to be doing well and in good spirits. His leg is continuing to heal and he will enter rehab in the near future. It will be approximately a month before he returns to the orphanage. One of Edik’s friends from the orphanage told him not to come back until he can run 
All of the children on that floor of the hospital really seemed to enjoy our visit and seemed to be encouraged by it.
We gave the children their Christmas letters last night. They were ecstatic! They have been carrying their pictures and letters around showing everyone!
I was asked to share what a birthday in Ukraine is like. The team went to Litin this morning for church. When we arrived, Pastor Paval informed us that we were leading a two hour service. We quickly put together songs, testimonies, and preaching. We sang Amazing Grace, You Alone, and Sanctuary. Caleb and dad (Mike) both preached and did excellent. Immediately following the service, we had lunch at the church. After we finished lunch, we held a youth conference at the church. We did a bunch of Q/A time, and dad taught on Uzziah and Hezakiah from 2 Chronicles. It went great. Right before we prayed, a guy named Pasha raised his hand for one last comment. They taught me the birthday traditions of Ukraine. I had two “options”. The first was to get my ears pulled 19 times. The second was to sit on a chair and be raised straight into the air 19 times. They decided on the second option. After finishing a delicious meal at Vova and Tanya’s house, I was surprised with cake, ice cream, a card, and birthday decorations. I really enjoyed it!
There should be more updates to follow.
Christina DeGuzman
My name is Maddie and I am 14 years old. I came to America 2 1/2 years ago. I used to live in Ethiopia in Africa. My father died of HIV and my mother has HIV and is dying. I have two sisters and one brother. My mom wanted us to have a better life and sent us to orphanage. I had prayed to God when I lived in our village in Ethiopia to know who He was and He answered my prayers. When my new family was ready to adopt us we were sent to the capital city of Addis Ababa. The nannies at the care center shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me and I became a Christian. It was the greatest gift I ever had. I then prayed for a strong Christian family. God has blessed me with parents who love Him and brothers and sisters who love God as well. I want Jesus to be the center of my life always. I am grateful to be with all my family and I pray that other kids like me - parents with HIV - will also find a Christian home. I desire to be a nurse so one day I can help my people by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ before they die.