Monday, February 02, 2026

 Lots and Lots of Travel...

 I haven't posted much in here for a long while, but that doesn't mean little has been happening with Poetry Art and Global Impact World Relief.  Actually, the opposite is true.  Much has been occupying our time and hearts.  After winter camp in Ukraine, I jetted over to Kosovo to attend a gorgeous wedding of Albanian friends who we had met and stayed with, after the war-24 years ago.  Immediately after my return, my beloved father-in-law passed away at the ripe age of 91.  We also were blessed to see friends in Malta and spend September in the south of France. Marty went back into Ukraine with Jeff and visited vulnerable people on the front lines of the war.  See the website:  WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org for his latest update on that.

Coron, Philippines 

We are still jet lagged from an almost month-long trip to Singapore, the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Australia.  We did a vision trip to an island called, Palawan in the town of Coron to partner with Northgate Church.  We will be bringing a small team back there in May to be part of a family camp that they have just begun last year.  As many of you know, I do lots of camps around the world and love doing art, games and activities with kiddos.  Although May will be super hot and rainy, I look forward to doing camp and making new friends.  The Filippino people are kind, friendly and loving and we have already met so many folks that we are sure we still know for years to come.

 Our time in Malaysia, Singapore and especially Melbourne, Australia was personal.  We had such a full and sweet time with long time friends, who we haven't seen in ages.  I got my fill of kangaroos, koalas and even saw a Kookaburra in an "old Gum Tree."  
It was everything you would imagine "down under" to be!

 

As it appears right now, 2026 is shaping up to be a memorable year.  My new book, He Loves What's Broken should be published in the spring.  We are also hoping to circle back to Ukraine, Armenia, the Republic of Georgia to work with Mercy Projects (Mercyprojects.org) and Marty has a huge class reunion, this fall that we are planning to attend in Ohio.  If all goes well, perhaps, we will also get another month in France.  Fingers crossed and God willing! Okay, I think this update is complete.



 

Tuesday, December 09, 2025

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Back in Ukraine for Winter Camp...

 

 Right after Christmas, I hopped on a plane to Warsaw, Poland in order to do the arduous overland trip to Kyiv, Ukraine.  I am not a huge fan of cold or snow, but I wanted to be a part of Mercy Projects winter camp in a beautiful facility in Cherkasy.  This area is a few hours south of the capitol on the Dnipro river.  The kids were a lot of the same ones from summer camp, who come from all over this war torn country.  So we adults and young adult counselors had the benefit of building on relationships that were forged this summer in the Carpathian mountains.  Sometimes, when I mention that I am heading back into Ukraine, people will say, "Oh, they are still at war?"  Yes, regardless of the fact that it is rarely mentioned in our US news cycles, these people are still being bombarded with missile attacks, drone warfare, air raid sirens, decimated lives and interrupted electricity, careers and education.  Others wish to debate their political stance on whether we should have sent millions to this nation or if indeed their government is corrupt.  I don't go to Ukraine for political reasons, nor do my husband Marty and I do our work in other countries for that motive.  I go because innocents are unfairly being harmed, many of them friends for many years. I have been involved with Christian humanitarian projects with the same non-profit since 1997 and Marty has been going even longer. 

Yes, I believe that their government is corrupt, as is ours and every other government on the earth.  It is my humble opinion that no government puts their citizens firstVulnerable people are my number one concern, I cannot help what my nation or other countries choose to do at any given time. So that's my two-cents on that subject.

 At winter camp, I was privileged to do my best to spread love, joy and friendship to traumatized young people-who want a future like any other teen their age.  By the way, the thing that will always stand out from this camp in my mind is not the art projects that we did, although those were fun.  And the vibrant music and dancing, which was fantastic too. There were outside activities such as zip lines and obstacle courses that were phenomenal for confidence and team building the passion.  There was exceptional zest for life despite their circumstances.  But what I will always remember most is having to tour the bomb shelter that was essential for the safety of each and every person there, including myself, should life shattering weapons fall from the air.  Can you imagine sending your child to a winter camp that needed a bomb shelter as an amenity? 

 

                                


                                                           
                                        

                                                

 
Joyous despite the war...


To find out more, visit WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org and find out about our partner,              Mercy Projects and all they do in Ukraine through family sponsorships and camps for children of war.

 

 

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Summer Fun in a War-Torn Country






                                       https://youtu.be/Qsy4hX-eZlA?si=VA-5RogoZ0WS8LwM

 

https://youtu.be/nXGiKjwHygQ?si=rb-txapYBquk3M5W



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 05, 2024

 How can you help those who have been rescued from the human/sex trafficking industry? Buy purchasing a child sized rocking chair for $50.  We donate 100% of profits to organizations that run rescue homes for the less than 1% who come out of and survive this world-wide atrocity.  Watch and share this video on your social media platforms. Thank you-

WWW.Globalimpactworldrelief.org


https://youtu.be/BowvMsis6bE?si=ARCeGoiG-0MRE5uw
 


Thursday, February 01, 2024

See the Art in Me

Just a quick video that highlights all of the therapeutic art that I have been able to lead over the last few years.  We call the program, See the Art in Me.  If you or your organization wants more information, contact me at Poetryartist@yahoo.com

 

 https://youtu.be/UkJq9WFnf7U?si=PxT81tlg_0NtDAFh
Click on the triangle to be directed to Youtube