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We spent the morning at the Aquarium of the Americas. Thank you to the Audubon Nature Institute!

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After the birthday bash, we rung in the New Year a little early w/ a huge fireworks display. New Year's celebrations are a big thing in Ukraine, so this was a great way for us to connect over an exchange of our cultures!

There are so many people to thank for all the food, birthday cakes, and fun! We want to say a special thank you to the Phillips & Valentine families for being our hosts again this year. Thank you so much for another huge party at your camp! Also, thank you to Mike Fleener for the awesome fireworks! All we can say is WOW!

Hopefully, we will post more pictures later today, here are a few to get you started!

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Tomorrow, the group is heading out for a full day courtesy of FBC Gulfport, MS followed by girls and guys night out.

Here are a few pictures of our day. Enjoy!

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After around 21 hours of air travel, our guests arrived tired but well. Their travels had involved a 14 hour train ride the previous day to get to Kyvi, so you can imagine they were really glad to see a place to settle in for a while.

After an uneventful busride and most likely the largest takeout order McDonald's had seen in a while, we arrive safely home. Each guest was greeted with a fresh bed, new pajamas & toiletries, and assorted other gifts to get their week going.

The theme of today is jet lag. We will not be receiving visitors today, and our main goal is to let our guests get adjuested to the time change and ease their way into the camp schedule.

We will keep you posted. Thanks for praying,

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pdf_of_invitation_to_donor_dessert_2011.pdf Download this file

We hope you will make plans to join us for this very special occasion!

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We have just 12 days left until our 15 guests (12 children, 1 worker, & 2 interpreters) arrive from Ukraine. Final preparations are well underway. Beginning December 27, you can check back right here for regular updates about camp. We plan to post pictures, twitter updates, and brief blogs throughout each day from December 27 right through the finale of camp on January 7.

You can also keep up with us on facebook at www.facebook.com/promise139 or on twitter at @promise_139.

We hope to see you during Christmas Camp 2011 and hope that you will make plans to join us for our Ukrainian Christmas Celebration & Appreciation Desert. It will be held on January 5 at 6:30 P.M. in the Children's Theater at Temple Baptist Church at 5220 Old Highway 11, Hattiesburg, MS 39402. Our Ukrainian guests will be performing some Ukrainian Chirstimas Carols as well as sharing a video they have made especially for the occasion.

Until we see you, Merry Christmas from the Promise 139 Team!

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We are officially under the 40 day to go mark until Christmas Camp 2011 begins. Time is flying by as we get ready for the arrival of our 12 orphan guests, their caregiver, and our two translators from Ukraine.

Here are some items of news/prayer/praise as camp approaches:

1. Things are progressing well in getting visas for our travel party. The kids and orphanage staff had their appointment at the US embassy today, and we heard that all went smoothly. We are appreciative for all the great work that the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Kyiv does to process these visas and to make it possible for these kids to travel. Kudos!!!
2. Pray for the hearts of the kids that are coming. God has a special plan for their lives, and this trip is part of it. Please join us in asking God to prepare them for all that they will expereince and to use it to encourage them and to show them His love.
3. Please pray for our team. We are in 100%, full speed ahead camp preparation mode. Pray that God will maximize our time and focus as we prepare, and that He will prepare us for the task of pouring into these kids.
4. Please continue to pray that God will provide the resources that we need for camp. We are still a little short of our financial needs to accomplish this year's camp. We are confident in God and His provision. We covet your prayers as we faithfully ask and
   

   Image by Пероша via Flickr

   trust God for what we need.
5. This year, we have partnering churches/ministries in Gulfport. Jackson, MS, and New Orleans who will be hosting the group for a day as well as a number of churches/ministries/individuals from throughout the Southeast that will be joining us to take part in camp. Thanks for including them in your prayers. They are important to us, and we can't wait to see what God is going to do with and through them!!!

Well, that's it for now. We would love to hear from you. Give us a shout on twitter (@promise_139) or email us at info@promise 139.

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TIme is flying by, nad we are fast approaching the anticipated arrival of our Ukrainian guests. Here are some specific things that you can be praying for this week as our preparations continue.

1. Some of those selcted to travel have a visa interview appointment at the US embassy on November 18. This will mean travel to Kyiv for 6 of the kids and a caregiver, and a number of other logistical details to be worked out (wiring money, etc.). Please pray that everything will go smoothly, that everyone will have safe travel, and that all visas will be granted without difficulty.
2. The children who have been selected to come by the Children's Home Director have been informed that they have been chosen. Each of the two previous years, health issues or travel documents have prevented some of the selected children from actually coming to Mississippi. Please pray that all the children will remain well and eligible to travel.
3. Please pray for the orphanage caregiver who will be accompanying the children. She is taking on many extra tasks (paperwork, travel, etc.) to make this trip possible. Please pray for her strength and safety as she accomplishes these tasks.
4. Please pray for our Ukrainian translators who will be traveling with the group. They are a crucial part of our team. Pray that they are physically and emotionally well and ready for the task.
5. Pray for the P139 Board and key volunteers who are attempting to complete the camp schedule, coordinate travel, plan activities, plan meals, prepare devotionals, and many other details.

Thank you for praying with us. We will be updating our prayer needs at least weekly as camp approaches. Please check back for updates!

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Here are 6 practical ways that you can be involved in the orphan hosting ministry of Promise 139:

1. Pray, Pray, Pray - As we get closer to Christmas Camp 2011, a million little details seem to mount up. Pray that all of the final planning and preparation will continue smoothly. Pray that governmental permissions and visas will be issued on time and without issues for all of the kids and adults who are planning to travel. Pray that all in the traveling party will stay healthy and be able to travel.
2. Plan to volunteer - There will be opportunities for folks to help with meals, crafts, day trips, cleaning, games, and many other parts of our hosting program. Soon, we will be publishing a more detailed schedule for Christmas Camp 2011 so you can make plans, but if you would be interested in volunteering, please let us know.
3. Donate a meal or an experience - We have opportunities for individuals, Sunday school classes, churches or businesses ot partner with us to donate a meal or an outing or experience for the kids. We will have a limited number of opportunities for off-site activities & meals or you can bring something to the camp. We would love the help!
4. Make Promise 139 a mission project for your church or group - We have some opportunities for church mission teams or youth groups to come serve with the kids. Contact us to plan a trip down to be part of this awesome ministry opportunity. We are working on housing options for groups that come from out of town this year.
5. Come see what orphan hosting is all about - Perhaps your church or ministry is interested in beginning an orphan hosting program like Promise 139. We have opportunities for groups to come and spend some time with us to experience orphan hosting firsthand! Contact us for more information to set up a visit.
6. Give - Promise 139 is a completely independent non-profit ministry with all volunteer leadership. Each year God has provided the resources to fund our projects through the generosity of many kind individuals and businesses. Perhaps you might consider a gift to Promise 139 this Christmas season or even making Promise 139 a part of your church's budget or your regular charitable giving.

For more information about any of these opportunities, contact us at info@promise139.org

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