Ira’s Insights (October 2009)October 29, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterEach time when I get encouraging emails about “Ira’s insight” it gives me only one thought – I am very thankful to my God, for He inspires me to write, to put my thoughts on paper. I do know that…
Doing the WashOctober 25, 2009|Mark Koehler|Newsletter, UkraineWhen I first arrived in Ukraine, I had a mindset of how things would be. The first four weeks fit my expectations according to the correspondences that I had before I moved to Ukraine. The modern conveniences were not available…
The Harvest is PlentifulOctober 24, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterIn all of my experiences, one theme has stuck in my head, has burned within my heart, and made more sense to me than any other. It is the theme that Young Life, a Christian outreach for youth, stands upon.…
SimferopolOctober 19, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterAfter a pleasant conversation with an Odessa sailor and his girl, I had a pleasant night sleep on the train. Arriving in Simferopol around noon, I had some time to explore the city. The independent type that I am, I…
Foster ChildrenSeptember 27, 2009|Mark Koehler|Newsletter, The ChildrenDuring my fourteen days with thirteen children, I learned many things about the value of life. Seven children, ages 5, 10, 12, and 15, as natural as could be, lived out each day in front of me. With so many…
September 2009 MUCH NewsletterSeptember 23, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterAt the end of August, I spent fourteen days in the village of Froonza, Crimea with a family with thirteen children, two of whom have physical disabilities. I had met fifteen-year-old Vanya six years ago. He has been in a…
Ira’s Insights (September 2009)September 23, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterEarly intervention is a very new word combination in my native Ukrainian/Russian language. For many mothers whose children suffer from different disabilities, it is still unknown. I thank God that in Illichevsk at the Massage Clinic many people know these…
My New Little FriendSeptember 21, 2009|Mark Koehler|Newsletter, UkraineThe end of August found me in a small village of Crimea, living with a family of thirteen children. Among them was a twelve year old who had been born with Cerebral Palsy. My task was to evaluate his muscle…
Fourteen Days with Thirteen ChildrenSeptember 12, 2009|Mark Koehler|Newsletter, The ChildrenAfter a most interesting train ride and conversation with a sailor and his girl, I arrived in Simferopol, Crimea. I had three hours to explore before my friends from Froonza would arrive. I had slept ok on the train, so…
August 2009 MUCH NewsletterSeptember 8, 2009|Mark Koehler|NewsletterAugust continues to be an interesting month. In the beginning of the month, I was in the Carpathian Mountains. The children of the Dobromel orphanage were in different camps throughout the region. Most were in the village of Yacinya, 3050…