Off we go

It really amazes me to look back on all the ways God worked on behalf of Two Hearts to get us on the plane to Russia.

He has been so incredibly faithful to us over the years. We are blessed to be able to spend our lives living out James 1:27.

We LOVE because we are loved.
We ADOPT because we are adopted.
We give HOPE because that is what we have in Christ.

Please join us in prayer over the next 10 days. Pray for our safe travels, our time in Russia, and the orphans we will be loving on.

Pray that we have clear eyes to see Gods plan for us. Pray that we are welcomed into the orphanages we hope to help in the future.

Father God we thank you for this amazing opportunity to be in Russia!!!

An Orphan's Hope 5K

Registration for our 2nd annual 5k is now open! Please join us on October 22, 2011 in Nashville TN to run or walk for HOPE!

Details can be found here - An Orphan's Hope 5k!

Early registration ends August 1st, don't delay!

T-1 week

Our Visa's are here, we are going! One week until departure!

200 beanies ready to go!

It was simply amazing to watch the donations pour in for our trip to Russia! We are so very thankful to everyone who has supported us! We were able to raise the money needed to purchase each orphan a small beanie baby and whatever else may be needed once we arrive in Russia.

Thank you to the following families for supporting Mission Russia: (for a complete list, please see the previous post)

Madison and Maverick Stone

Lanetta Gobble

Dana Parisi

Kelly Bhagat

Lindsay Conway

Kimberly Strieby

Kristen Deyo

Lori Anderson-Printy

Karen Kady-McCarthy

Monte Lockwood

Jessica Hodge

Kristina Prutch

Karen Floyd

Kelly Sandaris

John and Debbie Edwards

And a special thank you to Mary and Hannah McNab, Julie Rolfes and Dianna Combs for sending Beanie Babies!

Generosity in action

Yesterday we sat back and watched God work in the lives of the Russian children. We started the day with only 25 orphans supported and went to bed with 22 LEFT to support! This morning we woke up and only have 14 to go!

Thank you so much to the following people who have donated/pledged to support Mission: Russia!

Ann Hochstetler

Beth Rosenberg Sanders

Muriel Collison

Antares Foundation

Laura Rosier

Kami Dykes

Kim Jury

Stacey Pynn

Kimberly Hinderegger

The Snyder Family

The Ruopoli Family

Paula Chaffin

Dustin Stone

Carolyn Tarpey

Maureen Powers

Sandi Arbolino

James Brad York

Holly Trawick

Melissa Heaton

Philip Brotherton

Jodi Mechem

Barbara Hines

William Combs

Julie Rolfes

Marla Davison

Jennifer Collins

Khadine Kubal

Mary Swarts

Mitzi Hicks

The Sykora Family

Kimberley Morrison

Kim Glass

Elizabeth Cohen

Trudi Behr

Jennifer Heckert

Theresa Craft

Patricia Hoffa

Kristan Struck

Mary Griffin

Melaney Sems

Marianna Herron

Kathleen Walker

Stacey Pynn

San Aye Tin

Susan Serra

Amanda Vigale

The Falk Family

John Archambault

Jim Hansen

The Friesen Family

The Siefer Family

Julie Clifford

Darleen Doan

Robin Windsor

Angie Jackson

Doretta Roderick

The Ballard Family

14 kids in 13 days, we can do it!

Mission: RUSSIA!

Two Hearts has been invited to travel to Russia! Kim and Nanette will take a short term service trip to the Novgorod region where they will start to build relationships with the orphanage directors and meet the kids we will be supporting. The goal of this trip is to assess the needs of three specific orphanages; 1 baby home and two children's homes, where about 200 children reside.

Help us greet each child with a small gift! Your $10 donation will support 1 of the 200 orphans living in the three orphanages we will visit. We will purchase a beanie baby for each child before leaving the USA to present upon our arrival at the orphanages. Since there are only two people traveling we do not have the capability to travel with a lot of donations. To be good stewards of your donation, the rest will be put towards items specifically asked for and purchased in Russia by us.

Take a moment to think about these 200 children going to bed each night alone, each day is the same as the day before. Nothing is ever new and they hardly have anything to call their own. Help us show love to the children and bring a little excitement to their lives.

To donate visit our website or send a check to:

Two Hearts for Hope
P.O. Box 1928
Lebanon, MO 65536

The deadline to support this project is May 10th. 200 kids in 15 days, we can do it!!!

Exciting news!

We are very excited to announce that Two Hearts for Hope will be branching out to Russia! We welcome Nanette Korepanov to our team as our new Russia Coordinator!

The number of orphans in Russia is staggering. Recent estimates put the total number of orphaned children, children that have either no parents or have been abandoned by their parents, at 800,000. Some have lost parents to death, many have been orphaned because of economic factors, alcohol abuse and other social problems.

Many children leave the orphanages as young as 16 years old with a passport and the equivalent to $30. Statistics show that only one out of 10 orphans becomes a functional member of society. During their FIRST year out of the orphanage 60% are prostituted, pregnant or convicted of a crime, 50% become addicted to alcohol and drugs, 60% are homeless and unemployed, and 15% commit suicide. Millions of Russian children live on the streets and in underground sewers with little to no food, clothing or medicine.

Two Hearts for Hope is working with the orphans in Russia, specifically western Russia, to help provide hope and the basic necessities these children lack through the programs we organize and the donations we collect.

Over the next few months we will take the beginning steps to what we pray is a long relationship with the children in Russia. Please check back for updates or follow us on facebook to see how God leads us to help these children!

Nauryz Celebration - Esik

Here are the pictures from our last Nauryz celebration at the orphanage in Esik. In addition to the gifts provided by your support, the orphanage also received 36 new plates, bowls and glasses, each bed will have new sheets and blankets, and a new swimming pool!

Thank you once again to each person/family that supported these children for Nauryz!

Nauryz Celebration Esik - slideshow with music

Trunk shows

Trunk shows are a great way to support Two Hearts! Recently Muriel Elrod held an online trunk show for the clothing company SOFT! It was a huge success!

Thank you to the following people who shopped to support Two Hearts and to Muriel for this great idea and continued support!

Susie Pearson
Frank Ruopoli
Julie Collison
Deborah Collison
Susan Serra
Lisa Chaney
Maureen Stateman
Carrie Brody
Tori Frighetto
Karen Floyd
Gretchen Bilbro
Kami Dykes
Dawn Holmberg

We have a Stella and Dot fundraiser going on now....

Ready to update your wardrobe for Spring?

Come browse the new Spring line of Stella and Dot Jewelry and help the children of Kazakhstan at the same time!

A portion of all sales will benefit Two Hearts for Hope!

Drop by our on-line jewelry trunk show:

When: April 8-22, 2011

Where: www.stelladot.com/pambaldwin

To order:

Visit, www.stelladot.com/pambaldwin
Click on "find your hostess"

Under "hostess first name" type in "Two Hearts"

Two Hearts for Hope Trunk Show will come up.

Click to confirm Two Hearts for Hope trunk show.

Enjoy shopping for beautiful jewelry while you are helping Two Hearts for Hope!

Chilik Nauryz Celebration

Here are some pictures from our Nauryz celebration held at the orphanages in Chilik and Pavlodar.

A very special thank you to Jennifer and the Almaty International School Honors Society for volunteering to facilitate our Nauryz celebration in Esik, Chilik and Karakastek. We could not have arranged all of these parties without them and we are forever grateful for the love they show all these beautiful children!

Karakastek Nauryz Celebration

Here are pictures from the first Nauryz party, held today at the Karakastek orphanage. Tomorrow will be the celebration at Shelek and the party for Esik will be in April because the orphanage is under quarantine due to an influenza outbreak.

LOOK at those smiles! You are making a difference, thank you!

They need you now!

On December 15, 2010 Kazakhstan suspended intercountry adoptions stating a review of adoption policies was needed and there needed to be reform in the process. When word of this first broke, Kazakhstan had said that all would be well by March 2011 and dossiers would be accepted once again. It is March and nothing is happening.

The effect this will have on Kazakhstan's orphans is heartbreaking to us. In a recent Washington Times article, Andrea Poe points out that

"Even better orphanages in Kazakhstan are underfunded and must feed, clothe and shelter their charges for around three cents a day per child. The result is that orphans here tend to be less developmentally advanced than their American counterparts and are smaller due to malnutrition."

Please take a moment to watch this video and see how Two Hearts is making a difference in the lives of these children. We need your help now more than ever to continue our mission. We thank each and every person who has supported us over the years!

Donations to Karakastek

As part of our Nauryz celebration we have donated $1000 each to the Shelek, Karakastek, and Esik orphanages. The orphanage directors asked for specific items that will be purchased with the money. Karakastek requested formula, porridge, juice, yogurt, diapers and medicine. This orphanage was in desperate need of these items so the decision was made to purchase them now instead of waiting for Nauryz on the 22nd of March. The items were dropped off yesterday.

Some of the orphans that benefit from your giving.

Shelek and Esik will receive the items they requested closer to March 22nd.

Thank you for supporting Two Hearts. Without your support this would not be possible.

Nauryz: Mission Complete!

A genuine "thank you" to the families and individuals who felt called to help support three orphanages in March. With your support ALL 126 orphans will celebrate Nauryz with a party, small toy and book!

Thank you to the following:

The Siefer Family
Alison and Jeff Lyle
Regina and James Oleary
Victor and Kristi Tiller
Dennis and Darlene Fiorentino
William and Lisa Chaney
The Windsor Family
Michelle Burg
Kathy Sykora
Muriel Collison
Kari Vogt
Jennifer Collins
Denice Gustafson
Marla Beasley
Angela Reinoehl
Kimberley Morrison
Jacqueline Izzo
Maureen Powers
Marie-Claude Bedard
Lou Ann Quast
Teresa Blackburn
Janice Travers
Amanda Vigale

(For a complete list, see the post below)

We were overwhelmed with donations and are happy to report that we collected an extra $450! We will put the extra towards a Nauryz celebration in the city of Pavlodar. The Gobble Family has graciously agreed to throw the party when they return to Pavlodar to bring home their new daughters.

As always, we will post pictures when we get them!

THANK YOU!

Are you one of the 27?

Only 27 more orphans left to support by March 20th! Are you one of the 27 people we need to make 126 orphans smile a little brighter on Nauryz?

Thank you so much to the following people who have answered our call to help these children:

Scott Peterson
Shauna Freiberger
Stephanie Hines
Ann Hochstetler
Robin Jonas
Regina Ruopoli
Davina Garrett
Lynda Robey
Beth Rosenberg Sanders
Elizabeth Cohen
Susan Serra
Karen Floyd
Mark Wood
Heather Roach
Jim Meta
Leesa Schlimgen
Jennifer Thompson
Alaina Falk
Holly Trawick
Erin Herman
Pamela Catania
Aaron Woods
Jodi Mechem
Quaintance Miller
Christine Kasianczuk
Susan Collins
Stacy Segebarth
Rose Hughes
Kate Ampleman
Kami Dykes
Laura Rosier
Mary Griffin
Kellie Walden
Julie Clifford
Donna Perkins

Please consider donating $15! http://www.twoheartsforhope.org/nauryzcelebration.html

Nauryz Celebration!

Help the children in Issyk, Karakastek, and Shelek celebrate the spring holiday of Nauryz by sponsoring an orphan.

March 22nd is the Kazakh holiday of Nauryz which celebrates the end of a long, cold winter and ushers in spring. Nauryz is generally celebrated with a great meal among friends and family. The holiday lasts for one month with cultural events, games, song and dance. The main theme of the holiday is joy and renewal.

Your $15 donation will sponsor 1 of the 126 orphans in three orphanages. Our goal is to provide a Nauryz party for the children who will otherwise not celebrate this traditional holiday. With your sponsorship, the child will receive a toy, candy, and a small book.

To donate visit our website or send a check to:

Two Hearts for Hope
P .O. Box 1928
Lebanon, MO 65536

You may specifiy which orphanage you want your donation to go to. All donations are tax-deductible.

Help us bring joy to these orphans!

Thank you

Thank you to the following families for your recent donation boxes!

Luke Kudwa for donating his offering money.
The Meta Family OH
The Warwick Family VA
The Oleary Family PA (in honor of Adam James Alibek Meta)
The Clifford Family WA
The Jeffries Family OH
The Tague Family IN

Our biggest project yet!

Ust-Kamenogorsk Window Restoration Project

Did you know the average winter temperature in Ust-Kamenogorsk is between -4 and 15 degrees F? The windows at the baby home are in need of replacement. They are drafty, old, and rotting away. The children inside deserve to be warm during the long cold days of winter. Children exposed to these cold temperatures are at higher risk of asthma, heart problems, cough, and "walking pneumonia."

The orphanage is home to 122 children age 0-4. The building has three floors with 45 windows on each floor. There are seven windows in each group; three in the bedroom, three in the living area and another one in the locker area. There are thirteen groups of children.

The cost to replace all of the windows is approximately $81,000. The cost per floor is $27,000 and the cost of each window is $600. Our goal is to replace the windows a floor at a time and to raise the funds in a year or under.

Please consider making a donation towards this project. There are many ways to donate; either make a direct donation on our website or consider purchasing something in our shop. All the proceeds from our merchandise will go towards this project. You can also send in a check to:

Two Hearts for Hope

P.O. Box 1928

Lebanon, MO 65536

Help change an orphans view and donate to the window redo!

A great response

Thank you so much for the awesome response to our need for hooded sweatshirts and blankets! As we move through the year we will be collecting various items to bring with us on our mission trip in September.

Here is a list of items that we are always in need of:

- Pacifiers
- Nail clippers (infant and regular)
- Socks
- Sleepers/PJ's
- Coats
- Shoes
- Cloth diapers
- Sports balls, football, basketball, soccer - deflated
- Tights
- Clothing for older children

All hygiene products need to be new and clothing items should be new if possible or very gently used.

As always, if you are unable to shop but would like to make a monetary donation we will put it towards any item on the list.

Thank you for your support!

Blankets and hoodies needed

Start off the year on the right by helping us collect receiving blankets and zipper hoodies for the Chilik orphanage. This orphanage is 100 miles north of Almaty and has about 47 mostly special needs children. Hardly any adoptions are done from this orphanage and because it is so small, it is often overlooked by the government. It truly has no support.

Hoodies and blankets should be new. Blankets can be any size and hoodies can be any size from 0-5 years.

Donations can be sent to:

Two Hearts for Hope
P.O. Box 1928
Lebanon, MO 65536

If you can't go shopping, you can make a monetary donation on our website.

Thank you for your support!