Thank you to each of you who helped pray, financially support, and believe for God's best through this trip. It is a real joy and honor to be your extended hands and feet to a world around us in such need.
This trip specifically, I began to put myself in the shoes of those around me that I was required to minister to. For the Orphan director, the expectant mother, the traumatology Dr., The young man with a heart for children, the Muslim lost in questions of why, The Mother who loves her children so much she is separated for 10 years from them, and me the individual saying yes to the nudge of the Holy Spirit to go and make disciples of all nations.
We had the joy of setting up a legal Ukrainian nonprofit and placing an individual (Sasha) who has a heart for ministry and knows the people from their culture and perspectives to help the children in need and other humanitarian efforts. Sasha named the organization Grace. This organization will help us to expand the Kingdom in Vinnista as the Lord directs. We fitted Sasha with a suit to be able to meet with local officials and others to represent God well in his community and country.
For Dr. Andrey it was refreshing to see him equipped with tools that will make his work more effective in working with patients. We provided him with retractors, stethoscope, and other supplies to help medically reach the people of the surrounding villages and in Vinnista.
Our next goal of outreach medically, is to purchase 10 acres of land to build a home that will contain a pharmacy and living quarters for Dr. Andrey and his wife Julia and then to build the medical center behind their home. The home will also function as a clinic for patients to come and be seen in the interim until the center can be built. Dr. Andrey has completed his schooling with superior marks in truamatology as a surgeon. Dr. Andrey is now in the process of completing his second internship which allows him to build a clinic immediately instead of waiting 10 -15 years before Ukraine would approve him to do so without this second internship. Dr. Andrey’s professors are proud of him and great supporters of his goals to help the people of Ukraine.
Dr. Andrey and I talked candidly about the pressures and persecution this may bring to take on a goal of this size and scope. However, He believes God is calling him to step out and do what He has placed on his heart. This is the one thing I love about Dr. Andrey. He only wants to do what the father has asked him to do regardless of the price.
For the orphans our next goal is to take a team of 10 people to help work in the orphanage scraping, painting, mudding, etc to help bring the 30 year old structure back into good condition. Additionally, we want to begin helping monthly to provide the needed diapers and laundry soap for the children. There is a list of other items the facility needs to provide the level of care that the children deserve.
Compelled by His Love,
Todd Horton
KELLY GILFILLAN: Outside the Brentwood Bubble
Posted: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 10:18 pm
Race benefits ministry, one child at a time
One thing I really like about the racing community is the races are based on supporting a cause. The Inaugural Brentwood Classic race in Maryland Farms will benefit Touched by Grace Ministries programs for children in need both locally and internationally will have an early-morning start. The race takes place on Saturday August 14 at 8 a.m. starting at Personal Best Fitness located at 5120 Virginia Way in Brentwood. The Kids run will begin at 8:45 a.m.
Touched by Grace Ministries is partnering with Personal Best Fitness with the goal to change lives now and for future generations to come. That is why Touched by Grace Ministries is determined to help orphans and children one person at a time.
“This race will be a great way to spread the word concerning how to help our local children in need,” said Todd Horton, CEO of Touched By Grace Ministries. Todd and Rose Horton began the full-time ministry in 2007 and work globally in the Ukraine and Israel and locally with marriage counseling, women's retreats and life coaching. You can learn about their ministry at www.tbgrace.org.
The Brentwood Classic 5k and Kids Fun Run is geared toward bringing the community together and helping children locally and globally. Some proceeds from the 5K fun run will go to help the Tennessee Baptist Children's home locally here in Brentwood. Another use of the proceeds will be to help orphans and children in need in the Ukraine.
“This is a great race for first timers, one where everyone can win something, not just the fastest participants,” said Christopher McClintock, owner of Personal Best Fitness. The race route is 3.1 miles through the Maryland Farms business park and the kids race is a half mile long for ages 10 and under. Each participant will be guaranteed a race T-shirt if registered before August 1, and the first 200 participants will receive a pair of Swiftwick Socks. All kids receive a T-shirt and Medal.
There are many sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses. If you are interested in Sponsorship opportunities you are asked to contact Todd Horton at 615-497-9577.
The cost is $25 to pre-register for the 5K Run/Walk, or $30 race day. The Kid's Race is $10 per child and will start promptly after the 8:00 am start time for the adults.
All race registration fees and corporate sponsors are eligible for tax-deductible. Register online by August 12 at www.BrentwoodClassic.com , or at Personal Best Fitness, Fleet Feet on Friday August 13 or Race day at the registration tables.
