07.31.09
Day 3 of VBS, Friday July 31th
Youth Perspectives:
I didn’t know how much I would really enjoy this. I expected it to be fun, but it’s more than just fun. It’s deeper than that. Some people get a lot out of singing or listening to people speak. I get the most of serving people and making people smile. I think that’s what it’s all about anyway in following Jesus…actually getting out there and doing things. It’s been cool to get close to some of these kids and show them love when you can tell a lot of other people haven’t before. It’s hard to give them all up at the end of the day because you will miss them, but also because they won’t let go of you. Ukraine seems to be a peaceful place. Everybody has been very respectful and humble toward us, and that’s very nice to see. I’ll be sad to leave but hope to return next year. – Daniel F.
This trip to Ukraine is sort of what I expected and sort of not what I expected. I really like the older kids because I can talk to them more. They understand me. It feels like these kids are like the kids back home. They are not different. They like the same things and need the same things. The difference is they don’t have people they can go to like the kids I work with at home. So, it means a lot when we come to play with them. They want the attention, so it’s easier to actually go up to them and play with them and talk to them. I will remember everything about this trip. - Jessica K.
Yesterday, we went to the Pahinets Center to play with the kids with disabilities. Before we went, I was a little worried about what the parents would think and if they would be too overprotective. When we got there, it was neat to see how the parents actually weren’t that nervous and to see their faces light up when we started playing with the kids. The kids themselves were great! They were playful and just wonderful kids. They are really funny the way they would play with you and throw the toys to you and smack you in the face with them. The atmosphere in the whole building was fantastic… It was everyone’s feelings. I was with several children… mostly three who had Down syndrome. They were responsive. They came up to you and showed you what they wanted to do. They showed me what they wanted to do, and I took the lead. We were told that people here don’t respond well to these children, and it was great to see them realize that we care about them. -Kyle D.
This is my third year coming to Ukraine to work in the Children’s Home and the Intake Center. I came back this year because every year the kids just touch my heart and make me want to come back. These kids are different from the kids back home because they want your attention all the time and they don’t get that attention. I feel I’m used here by just giving them attention and spreading God’s Word and showing them someone really does care. There’s one child who was here last year at the Children’s Home and is still there. His name is Igor, and he’s seven year’s old, so this will probably be his last year at the home. He’ll go to a boarding school next year. He’s a very sweet kid…very outgoing. He loves to laugh, and it feels really good. It makes me really happy to see him laugh and enjoy himself. Not having parents has got to not be fun. I don’t feel I’d have as much joy as they do in the same situation. They are always so happy when we are here. When I leave this place, it is touching to me. When I leave, I just them to all know God and what He did for them. -Kendall H.
Thoughts from Katherine:
Today is Friday and for several of us who will be going with Vera to meet her family tomorrow, this is our last day with the children. The children are really starting to remember us, and we’ve already connected with them even in these three days. So far today, we’ve been to the children’s home and are visiting the “baby house.” The children here are well cared for, and we took a tour of the facility. To protect the children from foreign germs, we were unable to touch these little ones, but we saw many of the preschoolers and a few babies. From here, we’re off to lunch and then the intake facility for more games and stories. Everyone is healthy and well, and morale and stamina are both good. We are grateful for the comments we’ve been reading on the blog and, most importantly, for your continued prayers. I would be so grateful for anyone who would be interested in keeping a log of what you’re praying each day so I can let you know how God is answering those specific requests. Paka! -Katherine
In their own words ~ Intake Facility
Some of the children at the Intake Facility shared a bit of their stories with us:
My name is Sasha, and I’m seventeen years old. I’ve been at the Intake Facility for three years now in the summer because I didn’t obey the law. Instead of putting me in prison, they put me here. I grew up in an orphanage. I love to play soccer with your guys. That’s one of my highlights. I like Josh and the ants story. It was very funny. I was laughing. (A tough guy laughing like a child.) I want to become a military man. I had some times when I have seen God helping me. Some Christians come here, and I go to their church meetings sometimes. Fridays, Sundays, and Tuesdays, I go to their meetings at a Pentecostal Church. I think it would be good for you to come back again and tell young kids about God and pray with kids…and to play games. I wish when you come back, that you would bring your children, and they should speak Ukrainian, so we could speak freely and have more fellowship.
My name is Tanya, and I am ten years old. I have been at the Intake Facility three or four months. I am here because my father is drinking. He is pretty aggressive, and he batters the whole family. My brother is here and my sister is with my mother. I haven’t seen them for six years. More than anything in the world, I like to sing. I love to sing in concerts here in the Intake. My favorite song is “In the Morning, the Sun Will Smile.” When I grow up, I would like to be a singer. I feel like God is caring for me. I love to talk with everyone this week and communicate with people.
My name is Diana, and I am ten years old. I have been at the Intake Facility for eight months. I have three brothers here with me and one sister in the orphanage. She is half a year old. On the 27th of July, I went to the court and saw my mother and stepfather. I am here because my mother is consuming alcohol and is very violent to me and my brothers and sister. I feel safer here than at home. My brothers and I have enough food, and I don’t feel any danger here. I like to sing. I feel God is close to me. When I grow up, I want to be a singer. I will sing for you this week.
My name is Tasha, and sometimes people call me Tanya. I am sixteen years old. I have been in the Intake for six months. I am here because my parents have died, and I don’t see my other family members. I love the children here like younger siblings. I feel these people are my family. More than anything, I like to paint and do different types of crafts. Later, will be demonstrated all the crafts we do, and I will show you mine. I want to be a medical nurse when I grow up, because I want to help other people. I would like to work in the hospital or a facility like the Intake Facility. I put my hope in God. God is my friend and father and mother. I go to the local church. They let me go and visit the meetings at the church. Tonight at 7 I will go to the meeting. When I go to the meetings, I love to hear about the life of Jesus and what He was doing here. This week, I have enjoyed the crafts…especially the bracelets we made today.
In their own words ~ Interpreter Sasha
From Sasha A., one of our interpreters from Kiev:
First of all, I was glad to meet your group…people who were filled with love and compassion here. I was glad to see that besides bringing Gospel, you brought some practical ways to help families, orphans, and children with special needs. One of the things I noticed in the Children’s Home is that you don’t only influence children here, but you also influence staff (teachers, workers, administration). When they see your care, your smiles, presents, it encourages them also to love children more, to have more patience with children, and to have hope and be more optimistic. If you didn’t believe things could change, you wouldn’t come back here. They understand that.
My pastor always told me, if you see the Holy Spirit working somewhere, then stick around there. I hope and I pray that when you come back, I would love to help you as a translator, a social worker, serve you coffee, or clean your shoes.
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Update on Camp Ministry – Dee and Bill A.
Hello from Ukraine.
We have been busy, busy. It has been good doing the Lords business!! The children at the camp are a joy. They lack affection and the amenities we take for granted in the States. The camp staff are doing their best. We see many smiles on their faces which puts many smiles on our hearts.
Couple days back, we went to the local meeting place and began to street witness to the Ukraine youth. They were friendly and kind. They are thirsty for the gospel. It is truly needed in these parts. The Lords Holy Spirit is needed in these parts. Many of the adults walk stoney faced, lifeless. They are in need of hope. The translators have been great. The country is beautiful, much like the States. It is farm country with large cities here and there. - Bill.
Do-bry-den All,
I guess I don’t really know where to start so, here I go. So much takes place here in a days time. So many emotions rise that I don’t know if I’m on a hi or a low. There are children here so starved for love, that they move from person to person to be hugged and held, and only stop long enough to participate for a few minutes. I hold back tears and pray. Then today, two small groups of children gave their lives to Chirst. I held back tears (for a while) and rejoiced. I miss you all so much, yet know that I could stay longer if asked. Love You, Dee
P.S. ali, get mom to take you over to love on the little girls and Dewrok. Hug yourself, Adi, and James for me. I’ll be home soon. Love, Grandee
p.p.s. Dewrok, tell Miss Shewa that we appreciate her very much. Also, tell Izzy and Joy that Shewa told on them and Mama will be home soon so, they better behave themselves.
07.30.09
Day 2 at the Camp Ministry (and what a great day it was!!)
We had such a great day yesterday and went to bed very late, after meeting and sharing our thoughts on our first day. Everyone is so excited about what God is doing here! We are takinig lots of pictures and hope to post some on the blog this week.
We headed to the camp again early this morning and were greeted by the sight of the children waitinng for us, happy smiles on their faces. Our translators continue to be so helpful, anticipating needs and jumping in where needed. And all the folks on this team are awesome….everyone is so encouraging to one another, and so loving to the orphans and special needs children we are working with! Already many of the children are bonding with the people on our team, wanting to be stay with them, be held and hugged by them. These orphans seldom get individual attention and crave our affection (which we are glad to give!!). The sight of them tugs at our heartstrings – they do not have any clothes or possessions of their own, wearing whatever is given to them, often mismatched summer and winter clothes. They run up & wrap their arms around you and it just melts your heart!!
At this camp, we have found several of the children that were at the Intake Facility we worked at last year. and while it is wonderful to see them again, it is bittersweet, because we know that they have now moved into the orphanage system, with no family to care of them. There are many other stories like that…..yesterday while the children were playing with bubbles, one boy sat apart from the rest, eyes red with tears. Through an interpreter, I learned that Egor’s father had died a week ago, and with an alcoholic mother who was unable to take care of him, he and his brother were now being placed in the orphanage system. After offering skittles candy and pictures of my own children, I was able to coax a smile from him! Seeing him there this morning in front of the camp, waiting for me, makes me wish I could scoop him up and take him home with me!
We did special drama sessions today, one for the younger children and one for the older. We talked about having Jesus in our hearts and were encouraged by the number of children who have been exposed to the Bible. We see God’s fingerprints all over these children’s lives…..from the “Jesus” they write on the journals we helped them make, to the “God loves you” they write on the concrete with the chalk we brought for them. Today, we finished our journal project, enjoyed wonderful sports games, and led the children in Ukrainian worship songs (yes, we are learning ukrainain songs!). We had to say our goodbyes early because of visitors to the orphanage from Sweden, so we went back to the same restaurant from yesterday, where we enjoyed a local delicacy of stuffed whole fish. We were supposed to have one fish for 4 people and ended up with 4 for 4 people, language translation issues!. (and these fish were quite large!!). Allen had a little talk with the fish head once it was detached (photo will be posted soon)
We then headed to an orphanage in the village of Klevan where we met with the Director. He gave us a tour of the facility where up to 95 special needs children, ages 7-18, live together with staff to care for them. The range of issues varies, from children who cannot care of themselves and have Down’s Syndrome, to those that are called “mentally delayed.” The children live at this orphanage and learn vocations. The main vocation for girls is sewing and gardening, while for boys it is carpentry and shoe repair. If anyone out there has any carpentry tools they want to get rid of, we can arrange to get them to this orphanage. (this was one of his greatest needs, as well as playground equipment). They teach these special needs children vocations in order that they might provide for themselves. They are always teaching the children about being self-sufficient, and you can see it in everything from the garden that the children create every year, from seeds they harvest the previous fall, to the back-up heat pump they built (and later needed when Russia cut off the oil supply).
On the grounds, there is also a school for these children and we are able to tour it and see the special desks and books made just for them. We saw the classrooms and listened as the director described how his dedicated teachers address the needs of these special children. They also have a Psychologist, a Speech Therapist, and 2 Doctors on staff. It is apparent how much they care about these special needs children.
In the evening the team participated in the event at the Pahinets center (see other Blog entry)
Allen and I have enjoyed talking to you through this blog….in the next couple of days, you will get to read posts from some of our other team members, including our youth! Thank you all for your comments to our team! We are passing your kind words on to them. Please continue to keep us in your prayers – we are experiencing some trouble sleeping and sickness . Pray for God’s protection over our us
Well, it is almost 1am here in Rivne – time to rest up for another wonderful day at the camp! Good night to all our precious friends and family across the big pond! 
-Amy & Allen
Thursday, July 30th, from the youth
Today we went to Pahinets Early Intervention Center to have a parent meeting and a party for the children with disabilities. We saw about 12-15 children and I didn’t really know what was going on at first. I was feeling tired and worn out from working at two other places today and wasn’t sure what to expect because I’ve never been to Pahinets before. As we were taking the kids to their classroom, I saw a little girl with Down syndrome who the team members had been having trouble moving. My friend tried to pick her up and the girl was struggling. I was standing watching and and she suddenly just put her arms out to me. Then we went into the other room and started playing with the kids. It was a different experience from the other facilities in the way that we played with them, but it was really fun and interesting. The kids have a lot of personality. I was trying to manage that same little girl, Inna, but she didn’t want me to put her down. Whenever I did for a minute, she would head to the other room and try to sneak some snacks. Eventually, she went to another team member too, and we spent most of the time making her laugh. We would smile and laugh and she would laugh right along with us. Later on, people asked me how I was able to connect with her, and the truth is, she held up her arms and I picked her up.
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VBS Reflections on Day 1
Dobraden from Rovno . . . Good morning from Rivne! Today is Thursday, July, 30, and the pigeons on the rooftop next to our hotel seem to be enjoying this beginning of this beautiful day. Sitting next to this open window is refreshing, as the outside air is far cooler than the hotel room temperature. Just be careful not to get too close to this sixth-floor window, since there are no screens!
We’ve had an amazing start to our journey and everyone has been safe and healthy. The food we’ve sampled has ranged from Chicken Kiev (or “Chick in Kiev” as listed in the menu in our restaurant in Kiev) to borscht—both green and red—to pizza and McDonalds. We’ve also figured out the difference between “still water” and water with gas—both the super carbonated and the medium carbonated versions. There is ice cream galore, and with the highly favorable exchange rate, we’ve been able to get such treats for less than $1 US. Going to the market has been a fun experience, and we have gotten cartons of delicious juices (peach seems to be a favorite) for about 50 cents each.
Yesterday (Wednesday, 7/29) felt like a lifetime of experiences wrapped up in 24 hours, with a full range of emotions for many of us. We loaded up on the bus and arrived at the children’s home (orphanage for children aged 3-7) around 9 AM. We divided into three stations for serving during our two hours there: Bible story/singing, crafts, and recreation. The youth did a fantastic job of presenting the story of creation, while involving the children by giving them an opportunity to wear a hat with a felt appliqué of the items of creation. The stuffed animal hats were an especially big hit. The crafts were animal masks that the children loved wearing, along with the hats the craft team provided, and the children couldn’t get enough of the youth at the recreation station, chasing, laughing, playing, and relishing the attention. From the smiles on the faces of the team, it was hard to tell who enjoyed it more!
After lunch and a quick trip to the bazaar, we headed to the intake facility, the temporary transition home for children who may soon be placed in orphanages. Thanks to our wonderful interpreters, many on the team were able to talk one-on-one with children there after our time of games and a story. There were a number of teenagers in that group, and it was easy to feel a bit intimidated by some of them, especially some of the boys who looked so tough and aloof. Yet as we talked with them and played soccer and other sports, we soon discovered that they seemed genuinely pleased to have us there. The girls had a blast painting their nails, and almost all off the children selected items from our prize bag (aka suitcase), which included jumbo plastic sunglasses, armbands and a variety of other goodies.
From there, we headed back to the hotel and off to dinner, followed by an outing to the market and internet café. We closed the first day in Rivne on the front steps of our hotel sharing our impressions and highlights of the first day here. In just a few minutes, we will head back for a similar routine, with the added blessing of a party in store for tonight with the pahinets, children with special needs. The natural tiredness is catching up with many of us, and we’re trying not to think about the fact that it’s only 2:30 AM at home. Despite that, we also feel energized by the children and are eager to start our day with them. More to follow soon!
-Katherine
From the youth:
Yesterday I led the creation story with Kyle and Kendall. The kids were amazing and were so eager to listen and participate. We started out with a few songs. One consisted or us dancing in circles with our eyes closed, tongues out, and behinds in the air. Of course, none or the children danced, but they sure had a great time watching us. They loved the story about how God created the world and how he loves each of us so much, and they loved the animal hats. It was just so rewarding to spend time with these amazing kids. They are such a blessing. Bye!
-Jackie
Yesterday at the Intake Center, we went to play outside after our lesson and craft time, and it was so wonderful to see all the kids playing. I noticed a tiny, little girl named Katia standing alone. As I went over there with a translator to talk to her, I found out that she does not talk very much. Vera explained to me that even though she may not say it, she may enjoy just being with someone. So, I ended up sitting on the swings with her for a long time. I just held her and rocked back and forth. We just sat together and didn’t talk, or she didn’t talk to me. We just watched the kids play, and I could feel her getting more comfortable in my lap. I definitely think that she began to realize that I loved her and the Lord was sending His love to her through me. I just think it’s so special because I could see the Lord using me in such a powerful way. I don’t think she had just been held for a long time before, and it was so special to me to be able to show someone that I love them and God loves them, and there is someone out there who cares. Then, she went in for lunch. She came back out with a peach and led me all the toys we had out there. We ended up playing with the rocket balloons, and she began talking with me and trying to communicate with me. She was happy to be there and have the toys. It was a clear sign that God was sending some love and care to that little girl. I feel honored to have that special connection with someone and feel thankful the Lord used me in that way.
-Rives
07.29.09
Day 1 at VBS
This trip’s VBS program is being led by the Youth groups from Fork Union Baptist Church and New Hope Church (Lorton, VA). Here is a blog entry from one of the youth:
Today our youth group went to the VBS at the Children’s Home and Intake Facility and had a great day. I played at the recreation station with all the kids. We jumped rope, played ball, soccer, and jumped rope. We played with chalk and colored. All the kids loved this. They all loved swinging and playing in the sand. Playing with them felt special because I used to live there and was adopted from a boarding school three years ago. My sister was in the Children’s Home, and I was at the Intake Facility that we went to in the afternoon today. I feel like I have a purpose here. God didn’t just tell me to go on a mission trip to just come. I think that He might have a plan for me that there is something special that He wants me to do here that I’m beginning to figure out. When we play with the kids, that’s when God speaks to me… through kids. When I play with them, it was like every kid had a different need and they were all different. I felt something that I could do for them that I could make them feel better. This was God speaking to me. Now that I feel I’m connecting with the children and figuring them out and knowing their names, I can get started on the next step…. I can’t wait until tomorrow!
- Vera
Day 1 at Camp
The Fluvanna-New Hope team had a great first day today at the Klevan camp. Klevan is a small town to the NW of Rivne (about a 30 minute drive). The drive to the camp was beautiful as many of the crops are at a stage where the vegetable gardens are beautiful. We passed a beautiful blue domed church that is surrounded by the graves of Germans from WWII. (Rivne was a HQ city for Hitler during WWII).
We arrived at the camp and discovered that with the exception of two buildings the grass and weeds were over growing the dilapidated buildings. It was a real post Soviet era site. It didn’t diminish the enthusiasm of the team or the kids. As we rounded the corner the kids looked at the bus and wondered who was arriving this time (last week they had a group from Denmark) There were numbers “Sabackas” (Ukrainian for dog) that greeted us (including 4 small puppies).
As we surveyed the 84 faces of the kids lined up to meet us it became clear that there would be no time for petting puppies! The kids were in need of love and attention. The ages of the children are 3-17! Of the 84 there are about 20 who have special needs with just a few who are in need of constant attention due to their condition.
We completed introductions and greetings and then went to work with crafts and sports. The craft team was able to explain to the younger children how to construct a journal. They were quite a hit. Two groups of older kids played Kick Ball and Frisbee Futbol dodging the many piles of cow leftovers!!! (I always get a kick of filling out the USDA form at Dulles airport and answering the question about having been on a farm or near livestock. The agent asking the question gets an ear full about the precious children we work with). After a snack time the music and drama team took over for all 84 kids. The kids heard the message from the bible and got to sing several Ukrainian kids church camp songs. Of course as always the candy at the end went over very big!
Taras and Nadia (both of whom will be featured in subsequent reports) really helped with the translation.
The team ate lunch at a roadside resort near the camp. The food was very Ukrainian and very good. Thanks to Nadia she talked them into giving us a 10% discount. All of the team wanted to utilize the spa but alas there was no time!!! (the same type spa where part of the procedure is to hit you with the leaves of a certain tree being sold on the road from Kyiv to Rivne).
The team had a great pizza dinner by the river and then walked to the store to purchase breakfast (tomorrow will be an early day due to an early departure from the camp). We thank you all for your prayers as so far everyone is healthy and there have been no issues with either air or land travel!
-Allen
07.28.09
Good Morning from Kiev!!
[this post delayed due to internet problems]
We arrived here safely yesterday with no lost luggage, were even able to bring some special equipment for the children onto the plane with no extra charges! Praise God! We had a delicious dinner at the Excalibur beside the hotel, then had meetings with our wonderful translators who are as excited as we are for what lies ahead….
It’s early in the morning here – we will leave in about an hour for Rivne, with a quick stop for lunch. Please pray for safe travel. Tonight in Rivne, we will meet with the rest of our translators and prepare all the supplies for tomorrow. Internet is veerrryyy slow here in Kiev, look for more detailed updates once we get to Rivne. Thank you all so much for the prayers and comments, I am passing them along to the team. Judy – we miss you, thanks for your kind comment.
Love,
Amy
