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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!  

On the news

Nicole and J.D. Hanks of South Carolina organized the Lowcountry's Biggest Baby Shower in Charleston, South Carolina this past weekend. The goals of this event were to raise awareness for adoption, Kazakhstan and to collect supplies to send to the orphans. It was very successful and Nicole is getting ready to send us 18 boxes!

Thank you Hanks Family and all that participated in this event!!!

March 20th!

Please remember that March 20th is the last day to make a donation for the children in Qostanay.

Our thanks to the following families for their donations to date:

The Falk Family (IN)
The Hochstetler Family (IN)
Evelyn Willis (NY)
Maureen Powers (TX)
Leesa Schlimgen (WI)
Inga Bass (MS)
The Floyd Family (OH)
Sabina Colangelo and family (NJ)
Mary McNab (MN)
The Morgan Family (AL)
The Robey Family (MD)
The Moore Family (MS)
Margaret Kammerud (PA)
The Bilbro Family (TN)
The Miller Family (MI)
The Elrod Family (IL)
Nicole and JD Hanks (SC)
Brenda Menard (RI)
Daniel Soukas (PA)
Sandi Martin (FL)
Renee Rudis (TN)
Allison Donohoe (PA)
Jonathan Bumgarner (TX)
The Stone Family (OH)
The Combs Family (IN)
The Tuttle Family (PA)
The Hoffa Family (PA)
Jennifer Bryson (KY)
The Brody Family (CT)
The Miller Family (IA)
The Serra Family (FL)

We would also like to thank the following families for the donations we received this week:

The Hochstetler Family (IN)
The Elrod Family (IL)
The Owens Family (FL)
The Palazini Family (RI)
The Wood Family Family (TX)
The Kudwa Family (MI)

Don't forget March is pajama month!!

Wow!

We are happy to report that we have had a great response to our Nauryz Celebration campaign. Thank you to the following families who responded within the first 24 hours of our posting:

Carrie Brody (CT)
Jennifer Bryson (KY)
William Combs (IN)
Allison Donohoe (PA)
Tricia Hoffa (PA)
Sarah Miller (IA)
Betty Nusbaum (MO)
Renee Rudis (TN)
Michelle Steinley-Bumgarner (TX)
Rebecca Stone (OH)
Susan Serra (FL)
Kirsten Tuttle (PA)

Please consider donating $10 to help bring joy to the orphans as they celebrate the Kazakh holiday of Nauryz. Your donation will make it possible to provide a cake celebration, books and small toys for the orphans. You can make a donation on our website, www.twoheartsforhope.org, until March 20th.

Thank you to the following families for the great donations this week:
The Altschuler Family (CT)
The Bilbro Family (TN)
The Birnett Family (VA)
The Blackburn Family (AL)
The Clark Family (AL)
Angie Frakes (WA)
Nika Guida (NY)
The Sumner Family (MA)

Help the orphans in Qostanay

Please read the poster below and check out our website!

We are going to Kaz, who is coming!

We were finally able to "lock in" travel dates for our mission trip:

Saturday, September 19, 2009 - depart for Kazakhstan
Sunday, September 20, 2009 - arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Monday - Friday September 21-25, 2009 - work at the Kara-Kastek orphanage
Saturday, September 26, 2009 - depart for United States

In the next few days we will have the registration form up on our website. A $500 non-refundable registration fee will be due. Registration ends June 15, 2009.

We will be planning a "camp" for the week that will include sports and crafts as well as time to just "love on" the children. We will also be doing any work the orphanage may need. We will all be required to take one large bag of donations as well.

The cost of the trip will be an estimated $4000. This includes travel visas, travel to/from Almaty, lodging, all meals, transportation within Kazakhstan, and translator services.

We are waiting for our website "person" to put the info on there. It's our first time doing something like this so we are still learning. :)

If you are interested please leave a comment or email us at: kim@twoheartsforhope.org for a registration form. Payment is due in full by June 15th, no exceptions.

Hope you will come along and change a life!

Celebrate Kazakhstan

Here is a look at the great Kazakhstan gifts you could win this month! The two dolls were handmade in Kazakhstan. The wooden puzzle map is a great tool to teach your kiddos about Kazakhstan. There is also a tote bag, mug, and bib.

Please visit our website, www.twoheartsforhope.org, to purchase your tickets!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Suzette Jeckel of Illinois 

for winning our January raffle! 

A special thank you to Robin Jonas of Spoiled Silly for donating a blanket!  Go check out the beautiful blankets!  We appreciate the support!

A note about taxes - Tax time is right around the corner and we at Two Hearts have been busy organizing receipts. We are only required to issue receipts for donations over $250 in one year and have emailed them to all this applies to. If you have not donated over $250 but would still like a receipt, please contact us and we will send one to you. Keep in mind, receipts for donations do not include money spent on cookbooks or any raffle ticket.

This is great

A few weeks ago we were contacted by Nicole who lives in South Carolina and is in the process of adopting from Kazakhstan. She works for a radio station and created this spot:



You must listen! How awesome is this! The commercial is now playing on one station in SC every hour and they will add it to another station next month with the hopes of getting it played in more cities! Thanks so much for your support Nicole!

From Kaz

We wanted to share this picture with you -



Anna recently traveled to Kazakhstan and brought a donation box with her. She repots back that her box was very well received by the orphanage director. Thank you Anna!

If you are traveling soon and would be interested in taking a box with you, please contact us at info@twoheartsforhope.org.

By donating a little luggage space, you are making a big impact in Kaz!


Thank you this week to the following families for your donations-

The Blackburn family (AL)
The Fordham Family (NY)
The Hoffa Family (PA)
The Kitzman Family (KY)
Mary McNab (MN)
The Moore Family (MS)
The Stevens Family (MO)

Remember this month we are collecting hats and gloves!

Also, please check out our website, www.twoheartsforhope.org, and purchase a raffle ticket! Our baby bundle will be great for anyone expecting a baby in 2009 or knows of someone that is!

One year ago -

One year ago this week Stacy and I embarked on a journey that would forever change our lives.  With one phone call, and many, many name ideas, Two Hearts began.  Stacy was ready for a change in her life and wanted to take action.  My goal since high school has been to run a non profit organization for orphans.  Put those two desires together and nothing would get in our way.  We heard the Lord's call and here we are, one year later totally amazed at how a little can do a lot.  

We are thankful to each and every person who has donated an item, their time, their hard earned money, and their prayers to assist us in making our dream a reality.  With your help we have collected over 20,000 items to send to Kazakhstan.  We are thankful to the families who have donated their luggage space to bring donations.  

It is unbelievable to see how much work all of us have done in one short year.  You trusted us, embraced our cause and made us stand in awe many many times.  The true and genuine giving we have witnessed is overwhelming.

Thank you seems like it is not enough.  Know that we mean it from the very bottom of our hearts and the deepest parts of our souls.

This week we would like to thank the following families for their donations:

The Bell Family (TN)
The Birnett Family (VA)
The Blackburn Family (AL)
Teresa Craft (SC)
Susan Helms Daley (MA)
Cathy Williams (FL)

Also, please don't forget about our raffle.  Here is a picture of one of the items you can win.  



Visit our site for more details, www.twoheartsforhope.org

January Raffle

Happy New Year! We are starting off the year with a great raffle! This month we are calling our raffle "Bundle up Baby." For $5 you can win all of this:

~ A Spoiled Silly Blanket (color to be chosen by winner)
~ A Sling
~ Infant Snowsuit
~ Organic hooded towel and washcloth
~ Teddy Bear
~ Two Burp clothes
~ A Bib
~ Hand print Plaque maker
~ Photo cube
~ "Who loves baby" photo album
~ 6 organic wash clothes
~ Small Elmo book
~ "A Mother for Choco"
~ Puppet Toy

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on our website. The raffle will run until January 30. The winner will be announced on January 31. Please consider buying a ticket to help our efforts in Kaz!

Now this is what Christmas is all about -

We received an email this morning with pictures of the children in Taraz receiving their New Years gifts.






Look at those smiles! Look at the glimmer in their eyes! YOU did it! Once again, a great big THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! You have made 2009 already a wonderful year for these children.