This ministry often focuses solely on the kids to the exception of the new mothers.  That is where the Mommy Bag come in.  The idea is to provide the mothers with the essentials to help get them started with their new baby.

(Click here to download the packing/shopping slip)

• Please attach $5.00 with each bag for shipping.
• If possible, place the items in a diaper bag.

Please include the following in the bag:

• Pacifiers: 2 of the same kind
• Teething rings
• Oragel
• Baby toy
• Baby washcloths and towels
• Baby Socks
• Baby T-Shirts
• Tiny shoes
• Bibs
• One piece baby suits
• Receiving blankets
• Plastic bottles with nipples
• Diaper pins
• Dove bar soap
• Cloth diapers

There are many things that can be included in a J.O.Y. Box. Try to include things the children will enjoy. If you have children of your own, you can use that experience to guide you. If you don’t have kids, think about your own childhood. What would you have enjoyed?

Here’s a list if you still need some help getting started:
(Click here to download the packing/shopping list)

• Please include extra batteries.
• Plastic shoe boxes are preferred.
• Please attach $5.00 with each box for shipping

TOYS:

This one is obvious - what kid doesn’t like toys!

cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES:

Don’t forget about school supplies! They might not be fun, but these children want to learn.

blue ballpoint pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, ruler, etc.

PERSONAL HYGIENE:

I believe someone once said, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.

toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, deodorant (for teen), etc.

CLOTHING:

It gets VERY COLD in the Ukraine and these children need to bundle up. These items are seasonal and may sometimes be hard to find.

warm knit hat, gloves, scarf, socks, mittens, etc.

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Guns or knives
  • I think this speaks for itself.
• Military toys
  • These are banned for the same reasons guns and knives are banned.
• Playing cards
  • Gambling is a big problem in the Ukraine, so we don’t promote it.
• Shampoo
  • Many of the children have never seen liquid shampoo and will try to drink it (remember, they’re very hungry). Don’t include ANY liquids or lotions for the same reason.
• Chocolate
  • Really, you shouldn’t include any candy that will melt. Dumb-dumbs do melt, by the way.
• Damaged items
  • This one should be obvious, if it is broken throw it away. NOTE: Used items are fine as long as they are in good condition. Just remember it like this - if it isn’t good enough for you, it isn’t good enough for others either.
• Medications or Vitamins
  • These children aren’t used to the same kind of medical care that we are and their bodies might rejects our medicines. Besides, this just isn’t a good idea.
• Breakable items
  • Remember, if it can break it will.

1. Choose to send a J.O.Y. Box to either a boy or girl and take a packing slip when you go shopping.
   • Click here to download or print a packing slip
2. Please use a standard size plastic shoe box. They hold up better during shipping and the children keep them for storage long after Christmas is over.
3. Pack the purchased items in the shoe box.
   • You can wrap the shoe box if you’d like, but it isn’t required.
   • If you do choose to wrap the shoe box, just line the inside of the box with the paper.  If you put paper on the outside of the box, it will just get ruined in shipping.
   • Please wrap the lid separately.
4. Include the packing slip and $5 in the shoe box. The money is used to help cover the shipping costs.
   • The shoe boxes are shipped by freighter across the ocean in huge rented shipping containers. The costs are astronomical, so please include $5 in each box you send.
5. Include extra batteries. If you include a toy that requires batteries, please include extra batteries in the shoe box. It is nearly impossible for the children to get more batteries later.

The Mission Team is in the beginning stages of planning an adult mission trip to take place in April 2008.   A member of our team is in contact with the state VIM (Volunteers in Mission) coordinator and others about this.

We’d like to hear from you!  Let us know if you want to go or just have ideas, suggestions, and/or concerns you’d like to share.