Fri 18 Jul 2008
Both bus teams drove off east of Chernivtsi to similar hospital and elder care visits this morning. We drove by miles of planted sunflowers that stretched out for many acres across rolling hills. The sun was brilliant and made each blossom glow as it reflected the light of the sun. It was a parable for our teams to be the light of Jesus and shine forth with His glory.
After a bit of searching the Yellow Bus team was greeted by the hospital administrator who escorted us to four separate wings where we were free to minister to the needs of patients. We had brought toys for the children’s section in addition to Bible story books for the parents to read to their children. We divided again into smaller groups to better minister to the families in each small room, and proceeded to explain the gospel bracelet to the parents and children. We were well received in each room and had opportunity to relate our reason for coming to the situation of each patient.
One mother especially related to us as she told us that she had undergone heart surgery some years ago, and now her son needed the same. Adele R. explained and showed family pictures of her own daughter who had also undergone heart surgery. They had matching scars. When I began to explain the heart bead on the gospel bracelet, the mother interrupted me to say that she was a believer and gave all the credit for her healing not to the doctors, but to God. We cried together and prayed in a circle of fellowship. Her son was old enough to be able to read the Bible stories himself, and we left with the assurance that they would both be praising God.
Similar experiences were encountered by those in the other wings of this large hospital while those on the Brown Bus had opportunity to minister to the needs of the elderly in the Home for Women that was visited.
As we ate our sack lunches on the bus it began to grow warm, and we were happy to see that our afternoon site was surrounded by large shade trees. Pastor Anatoly met us there and we were able to place all of the food and gift bags in the public building before the crowd arrived. The early arrivers were treated to a bit of sport as three beach balls were tossed and caught and returned again in utter delight to the children. 
Soon every child in the village was participating and then suddenly at the appointed time they all rushed into the auditorium to get their choice of “best" seats. By this time the parents had arrived as well, and after a long walk in the heat of the day the cool building was a welcome relief. Our mission was explained through our translators, several songs were sung and translated, testimonies were given to further explain our backgrounds, the bracelets were given out and the gospel was presented to a full room of attentive souls. After the sinner’s prayer was presented, a review was given as the small card explanations were given out. Then the gift bags were given out to each row and visiting began. More pictures and testimonies were shared individually, and the children enjoyed more time with the beach balls.
When all the families had left, Pastor Anatoly invited us into the nearby former school house that was now a community gathering spot and treated us to ice cream which was very refreshing in the late afternoon. On our long bus ride back to Chernivtsi clouds gathered and lightning flashed as rain poured down, watering this verdant countryside which stays perpetually green. As the rain refreshed the golden sunflower fields, so too our ministry this day refreshed our hearts.
One of the orphanage directors complimented us on coming from half way around the world with humanitarian aid, but asked specifically for prayer. Today we finished three days of working with Masha (Maria) Vasilli at the orphanages and care homes for invalids where she regularly ministers. We were given a list of prioritized items that each of the facilities needs. Tomorrow we will be taking up an offering for those needs. Pray that sufficient funds will be raised from our volunteers to provide for these needs.
The Brown Bus went to a home for 180 women ages 18 and older who have mental handicaps. At the same time the Yellow Bus went to a home for 120 male and female invalids from ages 4 to 39 that need constant supervision. When we arrived, the residents were very nervous and several were crying loudly. We walked in and began shaking hands and saying good morning to each one with some success, however, when we began to sing ”How Great Thou Art” they became much more quiet and attentive. The gospel presentation was shortened to a simple emphasis on the love of God the Father and the shed blood of Jesus. After a prayer for their well being, gifts of stuffed teddy bears and stickers were handed to to them. These were received with great big smiles. Some of the residents were able to read the brief gospel explanation that is attached to each stuffed animal. The care givers suggested that we not give out the backpacks as they already had much more stimulation than they were used to having. We avoided taking flash pictures in order to not disturb them. As we left with more handshakes among the men residents, there were more smiles and relative quiet. We felt humbled to be able to minister to the least of these for whom Jesus died.
The Yellow Bus went to one of the Baptist churches which was named House of Prayer. A church outreach program had been planned for 100 children and their parents, but the heavy rain in the afternoon kept about half that number from coming. We sang for this group and explained where we had come from. We had a fun time with the world map trying to locate where Ukraine was; one adult couldn’t find it, but a child did. The full gospel bead presentation was made with encouragement to consider what had been explained, and either pray the prayer now of when the individual was alone. The distribution of food, Bibles, New Testaments, and Josh McDowell’s ‘More Than a Carpenter’ was supplemented by choices of shoes and clothes. Most left much burdened with goodies.
When GAiN persons were introduced, the congregation again stood to say “Thank you.” There was no clapping for soloist or testimony or choir, but there were a few vocal “amen’s” and “praise God.” The tall curved ceiling of the sanctuary created a perfect acoustical balance for the choir renditions which were mostly native hymns. Congregational singing was joyful and harmonious. The final choir piece was “Majesty” done acapella with Ukrainian words: this was a foretaste of heaven!
When Esther S. finished the gospel bead presentation, one of the male residents came up to another one of the Americans and asked for her address. Though the man took a photograph of the whole group, Charlie B. did not feel quite right about giving out her address, so he tactfully said that our home is not here on earth, but in heaven, and if he had sincerely prayed the prayer, we would all meet in heaven! 
Both buses also went to Christian campgrounds today, driving through lush countryside vegetation of pink thistles, blue chicory, white daisies, brilliant orange asters, buttercups, and wild rhubarb. We soon learned why this forested area was so abundant. The camps fortunately had buildings, for the heavy clouds began to rain and the rumble of thunder occasionally drowned out the sounds of joy as many games, motion songs, and activities followed the gospel explanation. One of the camps in a remote location had come into existence during the communist period some 42 years ago as a Baptist camp. This facility now has many dormitory cabins, several meeting room, a kitchen and dining room. There is even a swimming pool for use on warm days. We enjoyed the refreshing rain as a change from the warm weather of the past two days.
The volunteers in Ukraine divided into two bus groups to cover more ministry sites. The Yellow Bus first went to a baby home for infants up to three years of age who have been abandoned; we saw and interacted and played with about sixty of these precious little ones including those with neurological damage, bone degeneration, and Downs Syndrome. There were a number of curly black haired Gypsy children among the blonds. They were a delight and difficult to leave.
The Brown Bus first went to an elder care facility where one bed ridden woman broke into tears of joy because someone had come to visit her. Much sharing and distribution of soap, shampoo, and hand cream left these senior citizens with pleasant memories. Next the Brown Bus went to the region of Chernivsti called “Sad Gora,” which means “Gardens and Mountains.” When the volunteers finished showing their pictures to explain our backgrounds, some of the children ran back to their bedroom to bring out pictures from their homes. These children have been placed in this temporary shelter for a variety of reasons such as alchoholic addiction of the parents. The children are blameless for their temporary separation from home and enjoying the clean mountain air and park like setting.
The Yellow Bus arrived at a similar youth shelter in the afternoon where the gospel was explained and the children were encouraged to repeat the sinners’ prayer. Many age appropriate games were played with the children who had been separated into four age groups ranging from 4 to 18 years. Gifts and Bibles were given out and all had a wonderful experience.