Hey friends,
We started the day with breakfast with the Ukrainian team and then the campers starting arriving both new and those that were here last year. Many of the campers were here last year and it was exciting to see their smiles when they recognized me and I felt such joy in my heart that I could be with them again.
We played a game where we hold a parachute and then place balls on top of it. The kids shake the shute to make the balls bounce. So simple but the kids loved it! We then split into our groups. Natalie and I are in the same group along with leaders Nadia, Zhenya, Oksana, Anton, Heazer and interpreter Maryna. We have 8 campers in our group ages 16-22. All 8 are mentally disabled, as opposed to physically so they appear younger than their ages.
We came up with the name "Smileeki" for our group which means "smiles". The kids are very sweet and smart considering their disabilities but they temporarily forgot that I can't speak Ukrainian. It is funny how they just ran up to me and started "rattling off"! I love these kids!
The rest of the day was good but we are all very very tired and ready to go to bed to try to catch up on some much needed sleep. Please keep us in your prayers. Also, our luggage is still not here so pray that it arrives soon. Most of all, I ask for your prayers that the campers and their mothers hearts will soften because many are not open to help from Americans.
I love you all,
Ashley
