Gift and Latest Track Meet

I have been meaning to post these pictures for sometime now.  A few months ago the Altoona Surgery Center had a celebration for us to welcome Dima to America.  They also graciously donated money to us to give towards the Children's Center in Ukraine.  Luckily, we were able to have the Rose's hand deliver the money when they went to adopt Artyr.  If we would have mailed the money over, their was a good chance the missionaries would not have gotten it.  A check would  not have been an option as the missionaries would not have been able to cash it. Ukraine works only with "clean" cash. That means it has to be brand new dollar bills because counterfeiting is big there. Sending cash would have been like burning it because it probably would have not made it if you know what I mean.  So, we sent the money over with the Rose's and had them ask Artyr what was needed at the Children's Center.  These are the pictures of what was purchased.

Artyr with their teacher.  A camera and accessories were purchased.  The kids loved seeing pictures of themselves as they didn't get a chance to see pictures much.  Many of the children do not many pictures of themselves and the ones they did have mostly came from the missionaries.

The other purchase was something that was like gold in Ukraine, an electrical tea kettle! Chai (tea) was huge over there and the children would make chai at the Children's Center.  It was always cold in the rooms so I think it was a way to warm the poor children up!!

Thanks so much to all of those who helped donate the money! These gifts are were so welcomed as they were very well needed.  Not many gifts are given unless a family has adopted from the Center.  It is custom to give gifts back to those to cared for the children at the Center.  Not many children are adopted so not many gifts are given, until the hosting program in Tyrone! About eight kids have been adopted so far from Dima's old Center!

Also to be purchased with the money, yes money goes a long way in Ukraine, are some boxing gloves for the Center. We feel that Dima gained confidence from the boxing program that was at the Center and wanted to give back.  The missionaries that we were contact with over there are working on meeting with the boxing coach to help get some gloves that are needed badly!

Now onto the latest track meet in State College.  The meet was only for 8th graders, but I think there is something in the water in State College as the kids are tall and fast!!!! Dima had some extra cheer leaders as his best friend Artyr made it to the meet!  Here is a picure of them being blown away, it was pretty windy!

LOVE those smiles!!!!

Altoona tried their best to compete against the big SC field.  Dima ran in both the 1600m (1 mile) and 3200m (2 mile). Here are some pictures:

There were about 15 SC boys and only 3 Altoona boys.  Dima is the one in white on the far left.  The winner ran a 5:02 mile??? Dima did really well and ran a 6:05!

Running in the 1600m

Dima and one other Altoona runner for the 3200m.  Dima PR'd (he only ran the 2 mile one other time:) by 23 seconds to finish at 12:52!! 

Dima finishing the 3200m event

We are so proud of Dima for going out for a sport.  It has made a huge difference in his confidence and his English! I really feel all the other children that have been adopted should do some activity or sport outside of school with their peers.  I watched Dima interact with the other kids during the track meet and am amazed how far he's come in only 4 months.  I truly believe that being in an extra curricular activity was a huge help for him.  Being in an activity gives them a sense of belonging and goals to shoot for.  We thank God he was open to do it as it is really paying off!