Thursday began like Wednesday, only on this day we somewhat knew what to expect. We were so encouraged when we finally arrived at the park — some of the children from the day before had returned and some had brought friends with them. Hooray! And the impatient grandmother from the day before also returned with…
Read MoreUMO board member Tom Saxon is very much devoted to the challenge of autism in Ukraine. As a former missionary with Mission to the World, he and his wife lived for two years in Odessa, Ukraine. During this time he became aware of the plight of families with children with autism, and in March, Tom…
Read MoreWho doesn’t remember playing “Connect the Dots” as a child? We played. Our children played. And our grandchildren will soon experience this classic. As we drew lines connecting the numbered dots a pattern would emerge. In the end, we would recognize the pattern and color in the details. Sometimes our ministry feels like this. Several…
Read MoreEvery day in Ukraine brings a little something different with it. As much as we think we have a schedule, we really just have some daily guidelines. Or goals. Things we’d like to accomplish. But when you’re a pediatrician, especially trained in the West, you get some extra-special visitors from time to time. And the…
Read MoreWe have been hearing some rumblings about the extravagant funds that were needed to properly co-host Euro 2012. And for what? If you’re not a sports enthusiast, and particularly futbol, do you really care that stadiums were upgraded? Do you really care about the huge fan zones, added security, tourists? Some businesses — particularly beer…
Read MoreJune 21. Only 10 more days to vote. What? Vote on what, you ask? Thanks for asking. Ten years ago autism was forbidden to be diagnosed in Ukraine. It was Ukraine’s little secret. The stigma of such a diagnosis was just too much to handle. Now, thanks in part to friends in Alabama, autism is…
Read MoreEncouraging medical professionals, building relationships and learning what is happening in medicine throughout Ukraine frequently requires Jim to travel. Typically these trips are by overnight train, maximizing his time and allowing him to arrive at his destination reasonably refreshed. Recently Jim and his assistant Anatoliy had the opportunity to travel to Odessa. They stayed with…
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