Shelters in Ukraine

While in Ukraine we spent four days meeting with different shelters throughout Kiev and western Ukraine. Not only was I impressed and moved by the women who had come to the shelters to take control of their lives and hope for something better, but I was deeply moved by the Ukrainian workers who gave so much of their time, talents and professions to helping these women. Social workers, therapists, psychologists and other professionals were dedicating their lives to helping combat domestic violence...some for absolutely no financial gain whatsoever, and all of the others for the most minimal salaries.

They greeted us with graciousness and professionalism as we worked together to discover what programs and other needs Courage to Hope could assist in supporting.

Ukrainian Host Family

While in Ukraine we were hosted by a family with 8 kids.... an unheard of number for Eastern Europe. The family is part of a new kind of foster program in Ukraine, aimed at getting kids out of under-funded orphanages and into homes. This family brought in seven children who were each victims of domestic violence...some were younger than a year when they were finally taken away from their abusive parents.

Collecting Supplies for Ukraine

We collected over 300 lbs of humanitarian supplies to take to shelters in Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who donated!

The Return of Glam

It has been far too long since I have really let my GLAM out. Last night I went to a red carpet Glam Karaoke party. Zack, Becca and I stirred the crowd with a rousing rendition of the Neil Diamond classic, "Sweet Caroline."

Good times never seemed so good.

Hong Kong

View from the Peak.
Yesterday we did a session in the Hong Kong Temple.

This is our entire bathroom/vanity/shower area. Terrible place to have the stomache flu.

Poor Rob.

Our most expensive tiny hostel

Welcome to the land of expensive space and lots of people! We are staying in our scariest, smallest and most expensive hostels thus far. People are everywhere, and Rob has been sick for two days. Yikes.

Bouncing between islands

We chartered a long tail boat to takes us from Rai Lay back to the mainland of Thaialnd.

I love this pic with our matching packs. they are totally hammered by now.

The tide was so low on the east beach when we left that we walked out to the boats.

Rai Lay, Thailand

This tiny little peninsula on the Thai coast is only accessible by ferries and long tail boats. It is very famous for rock climbing and boasts the very best beach in Thailand. Very few people were there, and it wasn't touristy at all (compared to other islands.) No cars or scooters on the island. You could walk from the east beach to the west beach in five minutes.

Here I am getting a Thai Oil massage on the beach. 45 min for $7.

Chilling on what Lonely Planet calls the "Best beach in Thailand." There were maybe 20 people there the whole time.

Our $40 a night resort was right on the beach. Every morning we had breakfast here. Spectacular.

Rob joined in with the locals to play soccer at night. He's the third head from the left.