Women's Prison

Two Hearts is helping purchase some items for a women's prison in Almaty, Kazakhstan this Christmas Season after we received a call last week saying that the Ministry of Justice in Almaty needed help!

Some women come to the prison pregnant and/or with children and instead of sending the babies and children to the orphanages the prison does it's best to keep the families together. The prison has an orphanage for children up to 5 years old that is very poor and lacking a lot of basic necessities. The prison also acts as a maternity hospital for pregnant mothers. If the women choose to keep their child the prison helps them to do that.

We are trying to stop the cycle of orphans by helping these women with items that will allow them to keep their children with them in prison. If not, the children will be brought to the orphanages.

The prison is in need of many items but the most important to MOJ are the necessities for the orphanage in the prison.

These are some of the things you can help us sponsor this year:

$147 for plates and spoons
$300 for Diapers
$150-$180 for 25 pots and pans
$700 for 14 radiators
$100 for 4 irons
$250 for 5 strollers
$300 for baby wraps
$100 for sterilizer for baby things
$100 shelves

You can sponsor one whole item or just a part of something specific. You can donate $5 or $10 towards something. However you want to do it. If you want to do it in honor of one of your loved ones please let us know and we can mail them (or you a card to give them) and we will honor them on our website.

We are excited about this opportunity to branch out and feel blessed the Lord has trusted us to help these women and children. Thank you for helping us to make a difference this Christmas season!

- To make a donation through paypal - go to our website and select "DONATE NOW." Please indicate in the note what you would like to sponsor.

The playground is delivered!!!

The playground has been delivered to Kazakhstan! We are halfway through our fundraising goal!

Please consider making a monetary donation, purchasing an ornament or calendar to help us reach our goal so we can construct the playground in May!

Fundraisers

Two of our board members are hosting online parties for Mary Kay and Pampered Chef to raise money for our playground project! Perfect way to get some holiday shopping done and support Two Hearts as well!

Need Mary Kay? Shop on line at http://www.marykay.com/Denise-Miller--for every $40.00 you spend between Sunday Nov. 30th and midnight Friday Dec. 4th, Denise will donate $5.00 to "Two Hearts for Hope" playground campaign--to build a playground for an orphanage in Kazahkstan. Just put "Two Hearts for Hope" in the comment section when checking out. Also indicate if your order is needed by Christmas. Spread the word to anyone you know--lets make this a huge success for the orphans in Kazahkstan. Thanks!

Pampered Chef: These cooking items make wonderful Holiday gifts.
The best part is that 20-25% of the sales of this party will go to a charity very dear to my heart, Two Hearts For Hope. Two Hearts For Hope works very hard to bring hope to the children in Kaz living in orphanages. The money raised from this party will go to fund a playground for an orphanage in Almaty. Please consider a purchase anytime. It doesn't have to be made at the party! Order now until December 11 to receive your gifts by Dec 18th. Thanks for your support. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/angelahays?showId=2352020

Mission Trip

We are excited to announce the dates for our 2010 Mission Trip! We will be traveling April 30th through May 9th to Almaty City where we hope to build our playground at the Children's Complex! If you would like more information on joining us on this life changing trip to see first hand God's work, please contact us at info@twoheartsforhope.org

Christmas Ornaments!

Introducing our first Two Hearts for Hope Christmas Ornament. This ornament will be the first in a series we hope to continue for years to come! 2 1/2" diameter custom pewter ornament, hand sculpted, hand satin pewter finish, with green ribbon! These ornaments will be $25 (includes shipping) and make the perfect holiday gift for anyone in your life! Give as a gift and we will enclose a note card stating a donation has been made in honor of the recipient. What a perfect way to give this holiday season! All proceeds will go towards our playground project in Almaty City!

You can purchase them from our website, http://www.twoheartsforhope.org/ornaments.html.

Preorder your calendar today!

Visit our website today to preorder your calendars! www.twoheartsforhope.org

Calendars are $20.50, this includes printing, packaging and shipping. 100% of the proceeds will go towards building a playground at the Children's Complex in Almaty City. We estimate the calendars will be shipped towards the middle of November, plenty of time for the holiday season! These adorable children will make any home a little brighter in 2010!

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY WITH THE PICTURES. WE HAVE 90 KAZ KIDDOS AND WISH WE COULD ACCEPT THEM ALL BUT SIMPLY CAN'T. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.

Don't forget there is only 6 days left to vote for your favorite charity. Click here to vote for Two Hearts for Hope, Lebanon, MO. Thank you for your support!

Preview - take a look!! UPDATED

Here is a preview of two calendar pages! Look at how adorable these kiddos look!

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE REACHED CAPACITY WITH THE PICTURES. WE HAVE 90 KAZ KIDDOS AND WISH WE COULD ACCEPT THEM ALL BUT SIMPLY CAN'T. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.

2010 Two Hearts Calendar

We are now accepting photos for our 2010 calendar! Please send us one picture of your Kazakh cutie to kim@twoheartsforhope.org by October 15th. We will have them shipped to you in plenty of time for the holiday season.

All proceeds from the calendar will go towards the playground project in Almaty City.

The calendars will make a perfect gift and help a great cause!

Don't miss out on being included in this awesome and adorable calendar!

Blind children, Special needs and the Children's home

Playground site!

What a day, what a week, WOW. How do I begin? Today our day started with visiting the blind childrens home in the city. There are 212 children there. It was a wonderful home where orphaned children and children that have parents study and live. It is for children that are blind, partially blind or have vision problems. If they are orphaned the government pays if they have parents the parents have to pay. These children are in a wonderful place. The director is SO kind and caring and asked us many times if we could visit a blind school in America and then come back to tell her what they are doing there so she knows if they need to add anything to her school. She genuinely cares about the children, she genuinely wants them to be something in life. She did tell us that in Kazakhstan the people view these children as throw aways and will not hire them even if they have a university education. It was very uplifting to know that some people really do care about the kids.

Our next stop was the special needs orphanage. 250 kids live here. Talk about a pathetic place . Very eye opening and very sad. We first handed out some wheelchairs, the kids were so excited. We had 5 and we could have used 50 at least. The first boy was so excited. He wheeled his chair EVERYWHERE. When we got to the 2nd floor to hand the last one, a little boy crawled in and said he heard that we are handing out wheelchairs and at this point we were out. It was the most sad thing I have ever seen. He cried and cried until finally we went and got the one that we were saving for the little girl in the hospital. None of us could take it so we had to give it to him. It was a very enlightening and heart wrenching experience. Knowing that most of these children will never be adopted is so very sad! But knowing that we made a bit of a difference makes it all worth.

Our last stop was the children's home where we are building the playground. Oh what a FABULOUS place, I mean fabulous an in clean, caring and way better than we have seen all week. The assistant director is such an awesome woman. The regular director is in America right now so we toured the facility with her. I bet she knows every kid by name and they all come running to hug her when they see her. She is definitely a very caring and sensitive woman! We could not have picked a better place for this playground to go. If the children have to live in a orphange setting without parents this is the place they will learn about love and life skills. This CH houses 350 children. Yes I really said 350, it is the largest orphanage in the country of Kazakhstan. It used to be CH#3 but now it is called the Children's home complex and it houses children age 3-18. I asked her if people come for the older ones and she said yes sometimes. She also told me that she loves americans because they don't just pick the kids with the best looks, they pick the kids that are close to there heart. She also Thanked me at least 50 times for the playground and for the help. She said we were welcome anytime. It was still sad to know that that are so many children with no parents but at least these children are in a loving environment and are thriving and learning life skills. The playground will go to good use!

As we wrap up our trip, we want you all to know that all of your support whether it be large or small is making a difference. Our organization is one that was started to care for the ones that were left behind. That is and ALWAYS will be our primary goal for the children of Kazakhstan. God tells us to take care of the orphans, if we don't who will?? Thank you for following our journey this week. There will be a next time, so start praying now. If you would like to join our team next year please let us know. We haven't got the dates set yet but we are working on some projects that will need your help! Thanks again!

Karakastek Day 4

Well today was our last day at Karakastek. It was another hard and emotional day but I actually held it together for most of the day until our goodbyes. We brought the kids pastries, yogurt, apple juice and candy. THEY LOVED IT! We set up a party in the cafeteria for the 33 older children not including the ones in isolation which is 12. There are also 30 babies. So all together as of today there are 75 children. Most of which are unadoptable for reasons beyond my comprehension. People here use the orphanages as babysitters or temporary housing for their children. The orphanage is like a prison for the innocent children, These children have no future, no hope, no love. There are several children that have parents that will not sign away their rights and unlike America, in Kazakhstan they do not make them. Even if the parents haven't seen the children in years, they still control their future. The government here protects the parents rights instead of the children. It is sad. That is something that needs to be changed, maybe I can work on that.

The party was fantastic and the children all gave us hugs to say thank you. Then we played a little and visited with the director and doctor. I cried while saying goodbye to each and everyone of the children. Of course thay have all captured my heart and there are several that I will NEVER forget. They are truly the innocent and have no idea what their lives could be like. This week we brought them coats, hats, gloves, vitamins, medical supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear, socks, blankets, pajamas, toys, art supplies and playground balls. I am not naive to think the some of these things will not be taken from them. I know that some of the people here will pilfer thru it take what they want and then the children will get the rest. But I know that even if the children get at least one more thing than they had when we got here we made a difference. As we drove out of the driveway today I thought to myself that I know someday I will return. Someday I will be back to love on the children, God willing someday I will return!

We have enjoyed our time in Kazakhstan so much, people have been so cordial and kind. We have had many feasts and lots of tea. This experience has changed us both forever. Almaty is a great place for a mission trip there are 11 orphanages with a 60 mile radius. This orphanage building is so old and is in need of so many things, Windows being the most needed. Tomorrow we go to the special needs and blind orphanages to drop off some more donations and the wheelchairs.

We (Kim and I) really want everybody to know how much we truly appreciate your support. This trip could not have been possible without your generosity, support, donations and prayers. This week has been emotionally and physically draining and SO worth all of it!!!! We know that GOD can move mountains for these children, so join me in praying for their future. Join me in praying that GOD can find them all a home, someone to tuck them inat night, someone to love them, someone for them to call MAMA. Thanks again!

Karakastek Day 3

Today has been an overwhelming and emotional day and I don't even know where to begin. I can't sit down to gather my thoughts so I will just let the pictures do the talking.

We delivered tricycles and ride along toys along with bananas. The kids were very excited! I just want to make sure and ask everyone to pray for these precious children. They need mamas and papas. I cried from the time we entered the orphanage until about and hour after we left. It hit me more than ever today that these innocent sweet precious babies are rotting away inside and out. I can't help but want to take them all home. This trip has changed me even more than I had already been changed...

Karakastek Day 2

This morning when we woke up it hit me when I was reading all of the comments that we really are here trying to make a difference in the lives of these orphans. The drive was a little quieter this morning just thinking about all of the sweet precious children that are in need of a mommy and a daddy to love them. It is not just here, there are orphans all over the world that need a home. If you have ever thought about adopting or you are now PLEASE follow your heart. Your life will forever be changed !! Ours has in more way than one!

When we arrived today we went straight to the Baby floor to give them some toys for their cribs and a bouncer to hopefully help with the atrophy in their legs. The babies in this specific BH are below average size and pretty understimulated. Most have never been out of their crib and most have never had a hug. I know from first hand experience that they are definitely not the healthy bouncing babies they should be. It make me sad that with just a little bit of love they could be so much! When we were handing out the toys their were a few that would yell out to us and even a few that yell MAMA. Yes I cried. I told the doctor today that I was going to bring them home in my backpack and she just smiles. Little does she know that I am serious :-)). They need mamas, send mamas!!! It amazes me how nice they are to us since we are here to help. They let us pick up the babies, take pictures, enter rooms and roams the floors. We even got to see the isolated babies (11 one year olds) today.

After we were done with the babies we went to the second floor where the 18 month-3 year olds (15 in the group) and the 3-7 year olds (22 the group) live. There are 2 seperate groups so first we seperated the toys for the proper age and then we started with the younger group. They sat so good for us to hand them out. I even took a video so you guys could see what a difference the little things are making. They we so excited with their new toys. We also brought them bananas. They each got their own. Then we made it down the hall to the older kids and passed out coloring books and crayons to each of them. They each got 2 toys and 3 cans of playdoh and some stickers. They were so excited, so excited and some of the kids built Beautiful things with the playdoh. We blew up some beach balls and played for awhile.

I asked about he availability on some of the children today and found out that most of the older children are unadoptable because one of their family members have not signed away their rights. It makes me sick that they don't have a better system here. So basically these children will grow up in an institution and be kicked out on the streets when they are 16. Makes my hearts sink that they will be sent to the children's home at age 7 and their innocence will be taken from them as they fend for there life. Being here as a guest you learn so much more about what is going on in the orphanages. Just trust me when I say that it is not a pretty situation when they arrive at the children's home. From Rape to selling children. How could people be so heartless?? I just keep thinking that those people will pay someday for their corruption, but it makes me sick that they are taking innocent children down in the meantime.

This has been a very emotional trip for me partly because I never thought I would be back and partly because I know my daughter could be one of these children that has no love, hope or family. As I sit here tonight in our hotel room I am thanking God that he brought me to Kazakhstan to adopt my precious Haven and for opening my eyes to the reality that their are children all over the world that are suffering. Knowing that we, all of you reading this, have helped bring hope, smiles and a little bit of love even for just 4 days, makes me smiles thru my tears. I know this time that we will be back, we will be back to love on these kids, we will be back to hug them tight, we will be back to Kazakhstan.

We miss you Kim and wish you were here. Next year my friend, next year!!!

There are 143 million orphans in the world. They know what it is like to be abandoned and afraid. Who will tuck them in at night or wipe their tears? Will you be one to make a difference in the lives of the orphans around the world???? Thank you for helping us make a difference!!

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Karakastek day 1

As I sit here with tears streaming down my face, my emotions have come over me and I don't even know where to begin. First off the drive to the baby house was perfect. Thru the mountains with a stop in Uzynagash to buy treats (cookies) for the kids, it took us about an hour and a half and as we were driving down the last part of the driveway into the orphanage a wave of emotions came over me and It felt like we had just left yesterday. We arrived and went straight to the directors office to give her and the doctor some medical supplies that were raised by a young boy, Kyle Gashler, in Utah. They recognized us right away from when were we here 2 years ago and started asking about Haven. So we took that opportunity to show them pictures of the children that people had sent. They LOVED seeing the pictures!! They looked at them for a long while! We also brought desitin, neosporin, bottle washers, pacifiers and wash cloths for the doctor and directors. For the kids we brought Pajamas and Blankets and cookies. They even let us put the pajamas on the older kids. After they got their pajamas on we had them sit down to get the cookies. You should have seen how the little 18 month old kids sat so quick and quietly with their hands out far reaching for the cookies. We played some with the older children and then they put us in the room with the toddlers. WOW Talk about heartwrenching. They all cired out mama and reached their hands up high to be held. So you know me, I reached down to pick them up. Just as soon as I picked up one, they all gathered around my legs crying and reaching. Then they were reaching to Brad and he threw them up and played with them too!! Yes I had to hold back the tears! We played for about 45 minutes and then they had to go to drink their tea, so we made our way down the hall to the older children and sat with them for awhile until they had to go to school. We then went to the third floor where the babies live. It is definitely a different experience than when we adopted , they are so cordial and nice. When we were adopting they slammed doors in our face and we were not allowed to see the babies ever! This time we took pictures, tickled them, made them laugh! Kissed on the them, hugged them. It was so sad to see them laying there with no mommas ans papas giving them the proper love and care that they need. They do there best but it is not very good and it is more sad than I ever could imagine. I knew that is was bad , but never really comprehended the poverty and filth these children are leaving in. I am so glad we came they need so much but most of all a little love and a few kisses. Tomorrow we will bring art supplies and toys, that shall be interesting and fun all in one. We have decided to purchase some tricycles here in Country to bring to the children on the day we bring the balls and sports stuff. On Thursday we will wrap it up at Karakastek with a party with cake an juice and some more donations. Our first day was FABULOUS and we can't wait to go back tomorrow! If we do not speak for the ones that have no voice, who will?? Together we ARE making a DIFFERENCE just let the pictures tell the story

Mission Day 1

We have had a very eventful trip so far. In Springfield, MO it took us over 2 1/2 hours to check in because we had so many bags and they had no idea how to check them in. Then we found out we were booked on the wrong flights. They had us staying in London 2 days, so in Chicago we had to run to ticketing and see if they could change us to going to Almaty. That all got fixed and then when we got to London they made passengers that were between rows 26-30 (we were row 28)stay so they could question us about an "incident"! (never found out what it was). We had to call Ayman (our coordinator) in Almaty and let her know we were coming in a day early which sent everyone into a mad scramble to be at the airport at 2 am. When we landed in Almaty customs was a little scary trying to get 21 boxes, wheelchairs and suitcases through without having to pay. We did it and EVERY SINGLE thing made it!!!! Praise God!

Our time in Almaty has been FABULOUS. We got up had a great breakfast made by Ayman, attended a Russian speaking Christian church with about 75 Russian, Kazakh and American people in attendance. THAT was AWESOME to see His work here! Brad went to play Extreme Frisbee with the guys from church and Ayman and I sorted donations.

This morning we are off to Karakastek to love on the kids! We are excited and will update as soon as we can tonight with lots of pictures. We have DSL so it should be good.

Thank you everyone for your prayers!

Almaty, Kazakhstan

We made it to Almaty safe and sound! I will tell about our "adventures" after we get some much needed zzzzzzz's! Thank you for all of the prayers and support we could definitely feel them. More later when I can keep my eyes peeled open!

Off to Almaty

Today Brad and Stacy take off for Almaty. Here are some pictures of the donations they are bringing:





Stay tuned for more updates through the week!

Please pray with us: Lord, may your presence be with Brad and Stacy. Guide their way so that we may continue to do your work. Watch over their travels and safety. Bless their time with the orphans and help them to touch lives. We pray this week will bring awareness to the needs of the orphans in Kaz, a renewed desire to help, and open more hearts. In your great name we pray - AMEN!

Mission Trip

Our mission trip is in 3 weeks! We are busy planning and packing for what is going to be a great and life changing trip. We are packing 12 big boxes of donations that will include:

1 Wheelchair
Hats/mittens
Snowsuits/jackets
Blankets
Pajamas
Underwear
Art supplies
Toys
Crib toys
Sports equiptment: includes soccer balls, uniforms, cleats, and shin guards.
Baby carriers
Vitamins
Hygiene products

If you have donated any of the above chances are it will be in our luggage! Please check out the blog daily from September 21 - 26th to see your donations blessing the orphans!

We will be visiting the Karakastek Baby Home in Almaty Monday through Thursday. Some of the activities we have planned are: an arts and crafts day, a day playing sports and a party! We are very excited to spend time with the children and show them some love! On Friday we will be visiting a few orphanages in Almaty City and dropping off donations. Please keep this trip in your prayers! Come along next year!

Thank you to the following families for their donations this summer:

The Elrod Family (IL)
The Marcacci Family (CA)
Diana Combs (IN)
The Marsh Family (MO)
The Fox Family (MO)
The Doan Family (MO)
Holly G Bows (NJ)
The Blackburn Family (AL)
The Smith Family (AZ)
The Altschuler Family (CT)
Kazapalooza
New Haven Lighthouse Ministries (MO)

And a special thank you to The Bell Family (TN) and the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church for collecting 1200 art supplies during Vacation Bible School.

Newsletter

To our faithful supporters -

Our newsletter will be late this month. Kim is in Russia meeting her new baby girl and will be back over the 4th of July weekend. Look for it then. Thank you for understanding!

Remember July is toy month!! :)

While we were out....

It has been awhile since we blogged, the end of the school year has been a busy one! While we were out, the following families sent in donations for May! Thank you all!

The Birnett Family (VA)
The Blackburn Family (AL)
The Place Family (IN)
Mary McNab (MN)
The Reinhardt Family (CO)
The Combs Family (IN)
The Trawick Family (GA)
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This weekend we had the pleasure of being invited to Kazapalooza as this year's charity. Kazapalooza is a yearly gathering of families with children adopted from Kazakhstan that aims to unite families and raise money for Kazakhstan charities. The weekend was amazing and we had a wonderful time. Thank you to all the generous families! With your support we raised $2590 for our playground project.

Thank you to the following families for bringing donations to the event:

The Falk Family (IN)
The Hochstetler Family (IN)
The Wilons Famiy, especially Tamar who collected donations at her birthday party!
Muriel Collison and Christ United Methodist Church of Deerfield, Illinois for organizing a shoe drive and collecting 50 pairs of shoes!
The Printy Family for their unbelievable and very generous cash donation.
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"Project Playground" - We are excited to announce we are at the beginning stages of building a playground for the Children's Home in Almaty City. Our fundraising goal is $25,000. In addition to playground donations, each month our raffle proceeds will go towards this goal

We hope you consider donating to help these children. A little goes a long way! Please visit our website, www.twoheartsforhope.org, to donate.
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THIS MONTH'S RAFFLE - This month will be raffling off a fantastic prize. For $5 you can win a Canon EOS Rebel XSi DSLR camera. All proceeds will go towards "Project Playground" in Almaty City. The winner will be announced on June 30th! Please visit our website today!
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June is ART SUPPLIES month!

Coat month

April is coat month! For those that have traveled to Kazakhstan, you will recall how cold the weather is in the winter. Children need warm coats so please consider donating one or you can always make a monetary donation and we will shop for you!

Thank you to the following families:

The Mechem Family (MD)
The Hanks Family (SC)
The Place Family (IN)
The Elrod Family (IL)
The Woods Family (CA)
Mary McNab (MN)
Mary Schwieter (MO)

A special thank you to Holly Grigoli for donating a portion of her bow proceeds to the orphans of Karaganda.

*Don't forget to keep us in mind if you are traveling to Kazakhstan soon. We would love to supply you with a great box of donations or your child's baby home.

Thank you to The Robey Family, traveling to Taraz and The Frank Family, traveling to Astana, for taking boxes this month!

*Check out our website, www.twoheartsforhope.org, for a great raffle this month!