Updates and Ukraine Trip 2021
Hi there! It sure has been a while since we have posted on the blog, and we apologize for the lack of posts. If you’re not already, we’d love it if you followed New Song International on Facebook and Instagram. These platforms are frequently updated with announcements, information about Ukraine, or even Bible verses to pray over your children. However, if you’d like to receive the most information and details about New Song International, we’d highly recommend signing up for our newsletter, which will be delivered right to your inbox. As an organization, we are able to share more stories about the mission and work of New Song through our newsletters than we are able to share through blogs and social media.
Like for most people, this past year has been quite the journey and many things have been happening behind the scenes for Leah and Kelly personally, as well as for New Song International. Our latest newsletter goes into more detail, but some major life changes have taken place for both Kelly and Leah. Some of those major life events included Kelly getting married to the wonderful Gabriel Young this last March, Kelly graduating from nursing school in June, Leah and her husband Harris welcoming their first baby to the world in July, and a third shoulder surgery for Kelly in August. Harris has also had two unexpected surgeries this year, both of which have had extensive recovery times. Leah has gracefully been caring for both Harris and their sweet baby while also working toward things for New Song. Needless to say, things have been pretty busy around here, but God is good and we are so thankful.
As for New Song International, things have really picked up pace here the past few weeks. Leah and Kelly are now both blessed to be in a position where they can dedicate more hours to New Song and are praying for God to open the right doors in His perfect timing to really get things moving. The New Song team returned to the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in September in Cincinnati. Kelly, Leah, Harris, Gabe, and baby Alistair were so excited to reconnect with so many incredible organizations and ministries that are dedicated to caring for orphaned and vulnerable children all over the world. Leah, Kelly, and Gabe were especially excited to be reunited with their dear friend and mentor, Katie Chandler, and her husband Kevan. Katie was one of the leaders on the student trip to China in 2015 and has played an integral part in the development of New Song. Nate Renich lived in China with his family and worked at the care center where Leah, Kelly, and Gabe served for two weeks.
Left to right: Kevan & Katie Chandler, Nate Renich, Gabe, Kelly, Harris, & Leah
Kevan, Nate, & Katie during one of the many incredible workshops at CAFO
New Song has a trip to Ukraine right around the corner! Kelly and Gabe will be in Ukraine for two weeks starting November 21st. The original plan was for the entire New Song team to go, especially since it’s been a while since the last trip, but Leah and Harris decided it was best to stay home this trip with the baby and because of Harris’s recovery. It was a hard decision, but we all have peace about it and are hoping for another trip in 2022. The major goal for this upcoming trip is to meet with government officials and discuss the next steps to making New Song’s vision for a resource center and alternative care center for children with special needs in Ukraine a reality. We have been working closely with our partners in Ukraine and have given our 30-page business plan, which has been translated into Ukrainian, to several government officials in the region. They have all had time to look over the business plan and they all want to meet with New Song to discuss it in person! This is huge. Praise God! We have also been working hard on creating our resource center and alternative care center building models on SketchUp. It’s pretty cool to finally be able to turn drawings into 3D interactive floor plans with colors, furniture, and landscaping.
A typical New Song meeting these days
New Song has had an ongoing relationship with Ukrainian government officials over the years and we are praying this upcoming meeting will be the next big step in propelling the vision God has given New Song International. We pray these two weeks in Ukraine will continue to build connections and relationships with the wonderful people there and we can be reunited with many of our dear friends.
Providing a place for vulnerable families and children to receive desperately needed medical resources may be the goal, but the relationships and ministry opportunities we’ve had both in the U.S. and in Ukraine along the way are absolutely beautiful and rewarding. We believe it’s only a glimpse of what is to come. Thank you for your dedicated support and partnership each step of the way!
