July News

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Take a look at these photos of Alyona age 11, and Diana age 12, two girls I found on the streets.

They were staying with some kids who are heavy drug users. That was June 10th. They said, they had been on the streets about 4 months. They have probably known street kids for longer. After getting them on the phone with my psychologist , Alla, I invited them to visit the shelter (The Way Home). They agreed and got in the van. After a much repeated, “Are we there yet” we arrived and, to my surprise, they stayed. Farther down at the end of the photos, there is a photo of me with them at camp. It’s hard to describe the feeling of success when it happens because you are so afraid that the next day they will run away, but no, they are still with us. Soon it will be a month.

Listen to this all you medical professionals out there: Lena, pictured left, was back in the hospital. Again with a blood infection and low blood count, so low the doctor said she might need blood. “Do you have a blood bank?” I asked.

“Yes but the blood is not good…do you know anyone who would donate,” he asked. I shook my head.

“My nurse, Natasha, has the same type.”

“Do you mean she would give her blood? What would that cost?”

“Three hundred Grievna.” (Or about $40)

“Can I take a picture of your nurse doing this?”

“No, it’s not legal.”

So far Lena has not needed it.

Alma College students (Rick Allen and Sarah Bechtold ) came in June and brought $1000 in cash, plus a bag of t-shirts and sweatshirts. Here they are with Dima who just got his head shaved. Ina, our social worker does it for free when they ask. And here is a line up of kids with shirts, trying to look tough for Alma.

Camp is so much better than last year. We have toilets, showers , running water, trees for shade, the beach 2km away, and a barnyard of animals next door to wake us in the morning. Here are some shots. In one shot, you see a boy from Moldovia. Four came to camp this summer, but sadly, all four ran away.











































Here is an unusual photo: me in my Coast Guard Academy cadet drill uniform. I never dreamed I would wear it again. But when I gave it as a gift to a local Maritime academy, they insisted I wear it and speak at graduation. About 250 graduates stood in the hot sun for a lineup of speakers, so I think I had 5 minutes. And after, many cadets wanted their pictures with me. The uniform still fits.

The final shot takes some explaining. Yesterday I sat down at about 3pm and began planning my trip in Sept-Oct to the states. Each post-it is a day with a place to be. Trying to match places and times, appointments already made, and get everywhere with a minimal airfare and driving time, takes some time. At 9:30 pm i think i have a plan. There's the dinner i made, my russian books; that white thing with a cable attached gives me internet anywhere in Odessa, even at camp. And, yes that's Enya in the CD.

Grace and peace,

Robert Gamble