This Child Here

10/07/2024

We really need sponsors (help with paperwork and support) under the US program "United for Ukraine"

www.https://www.uscis.gov/ukraine

for two families from Ukraine. We know them personally and vouch for their integrity, responsibility and dedication.
If you wish more information send me a message. We will send you details and resumes personally.

Below: Olli and I speaking at Bower Hill Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh on Sunday morning.

09/13/2024

Beginning a trip today with Olya for 8 weeks on the road, doing presentations for www.ThisChildHere.org on our work with families displace by the war in Ukraine. This is a trip to visit churches, friends and offices of Presbyteries in mostly the eastern half of the USA(except for a quick trip to Albuquerque). We are busy during the day but we often have time to meet for dinner. Some events may get moved or postponed. We have a little more free time in NY, DC, and Central Florida. Here is a link to the schedule. Meetings are usually small groups and all are welcome to attend. See if we will be near you. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oanGx1OopfUkIxZ1Qkl0F7sKOFHEBC47SxShk87eV4Y/edit?usp=sharing

06/07/2024

https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/pcusa-pastor-brings-stories-from-ukraine-to-a-us-audience/

In a presentation that featured a Zoom conversation with three people on the ground in Ukraine, the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, executive director of This Child Here, spoke on the topic “The Lamentations of Ukraine” with clergy and members of churches in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery last week.

06/01/2024

If you have any connections in restaurant world....let me know
THE FINEST Fine Dining Chef in southwestern Ukraine seeks position in the USA.
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013264567753Facebook:

05/19/2024

Bruce Costa (https://brucecostaphotography.com) took this picture. Photography is his avocation. A pilot in the US Navy and a faculty member (teaching Finance) at the Montana State University in Missoula, we have known each other since the 90's. In the background is the city center of Missoula, Montana. I've passed the half-way mark in my trip around the states.

05/04/2024

Long Beach, California, parking lot for the Belmont Pool, (located on the beach) after a morning swim. If you have an aching back, start swimming. Go slow and relax. I will drive 12,000 miles during these 8 weeks of travel around the states. Swimming laps is the only thing that works.

04/30/2024

I think our main task today is to help people learn to live in uncertainty.
Despair, depression, a constant feeling of anxiety, instability and uncertainty - this is what Ukrainians are experiencing now, in the third year of the war. This leads to a lack of security as a core value, and many people choose not to live, but to wait for greater certainty. Do not have children until the situation becomes clearer. Do not return from abroad until the situation becomes clearer. Do not open a business until the situation becomes clearer. Do not look for another job until the situation becomes clearer. And so on.
But it won't clear up. Perhaps never or within the next 25 years. And you need to learn to live with this.
Such permanent trauma: living in the center of uncertainty and accepting it. Because there will be no certainty.
But Ukrainians are resilient, right? We need to persevere. Therefore, we accept the new reality and build a new life step by step. For your children, your family, your country. -Olya Balaban, Program Manager in Ukraine, This Child Here

04/21/2024

Words can't express my gratitude at the vote on Saturday for aid to Ukraine. I'm relieved, pleased, happy, grateful and more....Here's an interesting article on the vote. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/21/ukraine-aid-mike-johnson-house-speaker/?utm_campaign=wp_post_most&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_most&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F3d7767a%2F6625320d69422c5a899f19a2%2F5bfbf43a9bbc0f6245c2be37%2F8%2F45%2F6625320d69422c5a899f19a2

03/24/2024

On April 7th, I will begin a trip across America and back, speaking to leaders of Presbyteries, churches and individuals about This Child Here and the work we are doing with families displaced by the war in Ukraine. We are helping with the basics, building a trusting community of support, and placing teens in schools and colleges in the United States.

Below is a list of the cities I plan to visit, but it's not written in stone. Sometimes people cancel; sometimes I get requests from others who live in or near the cities listed. If you would like to meet for a meal or coffee, or arrange a group to meet in a home, church or restaurant, send me an email: [email protected].

Grace and Peace
Robert Gamble

April

7 Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, Bluffton SC
8 Charleston SC, Fayetteville NC, Raleigh
9 Raleigh
10 Charlotte, Camden SC
11 Columbia and Greenville SC, Athens and Atlanta GA
12 Atlanta, Rabun Gap (near Clayton, GA)
13 Atlanta
17 Birmingham, Tuscaloosa AL
18 Shreveport LA
19-21 Sunday, First Presbyterian Ft Worth TX
22 Abilene, Midland, Lubbock TX
23 Roswell, Albuquerque
24 Albuquerque
25-26 Farmington
27-28 Sunday, Covenant Pres, Albuquerque
29 Phoenix
30-May 5. San Diego then Los Angeles area

May

6 Camarillo, Santa Barbara, San Francisco CA
7 San Francisco, Sacramento
8 Reno NV
9-10 Portland OR
11-14 Seattle, Sunday 12th, Sammamish Pres, WA
15-16 Missoula MT
17 Kendall ID, Salt Lake City UT
18-22 Boulder/Ft Collins/ Pueblo CO/Amarillo TX
23 Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Tulsa OK
24 Little Rock AR, Collierville TN
25-29 Memphis/Germantown/Collierville TN/Oxford MS
30 Franklin, Louisville KY
31 Louisville KY

June
1-2 Louisville KY
3 Lexington KY, Charleston WV, Cumberland MD
4,5 Washington DC
6 Harrisonburg, Wyethville VA
7 Kingsport TN, Knoxville TN, Asheville NC
--
Dr. Robert Gamble D.Min, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Executive Director, thischildhere.org
828 318 2149 (when I am in the States; this is also my number on Viber and Telegram)

To donate via PayPal or Debit or check CLICK HERE

01/21/2024

At our Winter retreat, UKRAINIAN families presented This Child Here with the Ukrainian flag. These are the words they wrote on it.
This Child Here” Thank you for not leaving us in an anxious and difficult moment. We will never forget all the good things you have done for us. I bring sincere words of thanks. There are only a few such people left in the world. Thank you for your sensitivity and kindness.
Sincerely, the Zhukova family - Makirya, Yulia, Yana Kramorets.
Kherson region, Berezhanka village

Thank you for the long-forgotten sense of peace, for the opportunity to be with the child without responsibility for the routine. You are the best!!!

Thank you, Robert
From Anastasiia L.

This is the best trip of my life! Thank you!!!
From Lesya T., Kherson

Thank you for making dreams come true.
P.S. We look forward to visiting you in peaceful Ukraine.

Thank you "This Child Here" foundation for the emotions, for the quality time spent with the children. We love You!
With love, the family of Maykovich from Khersonshchyna

Thank you for new meanings of life. I wish you prosperity!

Many thanks to the center for a break from the war. May god bless you. We wish peace, joy and love!

Thank you for the trip and emotions. May God help you!

Thank you so much
From Max Jukow

Thank you for the happy moments you give children!
From Olena, Mykolaiv.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful atmosphere for children and mothers. You are the best!!!
From the family of Popov from Mykolaiv.

Warmest thanks to center, we wish prosperity, strength and inspiration
From Ira from Kherson

Thank you. I wish you inspiration!

Thank you for the wonderful emotions! We wish you prosperity and new successful projects!
From the family of Shutak

Thank you!!! Wish you further development and inspiration!!!
From Valia from Khersonshchyna