Thu 24 Jul 2008
We are safely returned from our short mission trip to Ukraine. Your prayers for our safety have been answered; our connections from Chernivtsi back to Lviv and flights from Lviv to Warsaw, Poland were times to reflect upon what we had witnessed.
Nicholai or “Kola” as he preferred to be called was a six year old orphan whom we met at Lunka christian summer camp. He lives in an orphanage during the school year and then is sent to camp where he had become withdrawn. We were told that his parents had abandoned him. His face portrayed both sadness and apprehension as he met our American team of volunteers. After the simple gospel was explained and brightly colored bracelets were given to each camper, we sang songs with motions and clapping, Kola began to accept our presence. David P. was just a few years older than Kola and offered to show Kola how to play hackeypack. Kola warmed up to us and really enjoyed the bubble blowing. In the playing and care shown to all the campers, Kola was finally laughing and smiling by the end of our visit.
Other children at Romaska christian camp expressed appreciation with many accented “Thank You’s” and big smiles as they opened their new Bible story books and discovered color pictures to illustrate each story.
Kris T. recalled hearing from one of the elderly women at the hospital we visited that she thought she was to receive clothing, shoes, and socks. She was disappointed when the hospital staff said such things were not needed and requested only funds for building renovation and diapers.
The humanitarian aid we delivered helped to open doors to spiritual aid in the form of gospel bead bracelets, printed explanations of prayer and our testimony presentations. Encouragement for believers and staff at the facilities we visited was an additional bonus of this mission trip. Each care giver and staff person welcomed us and and was very gracious and accepting in receiving both the aid and the message of hope we brought. Believers were strengthened as they joined with us in helping to fulfill the great commission to share our faith with those who have not heard.
Claire J. recalled a favorite ministry moment. The facility was on the grounds of a 17th century country estate where now some 120 mentally disturbed men reside. Our small team met with about twenty men in an enclosed grassy court yard surrounded by their living quarters and a high wall. Some of the men were walking about, and others were smoking. With the able assistance of our translator and several of the staff, we began our way from man to man, explaining the gospel and Christ’s love in simplicity. Some men would not take the bracelet at first offer, and turned away toward the wall. One man listened intently, looking straight into my eyes the whole time as I held his hand and explained a short version of the gospel bracelet. His earlier look of bewilderment turned into an expression of “studied” peace. The Lord’s words were reaching his soul, penetrating bone and marrow. When I hugged him after, we finished, he first stood still, taking it all in, and then broke into a broad smile. I am confident that the Holy Spirit touched his heart, and I expect to see him in Heaven.
Global Aid Network strives to find out what the most pressing needs are for each site in advance as well as promoting donations of funds from ministry team members for additional needs we discover. Through prayer, contact by email, and voiced encouragement, local pastoral ministries are strengthened. Our presence and encouragement, along with the aid we distribute, have been validated as priceless. Kris T. especially recalls both Masha Vacilli and Pastor Misha as fellow believers who were overwhelmed by our additional donations.
The children were very excited overall and energetic, especially Romaska House where I remember them receiving their big Teddy Bears. Every child seemed to bond immediately to the stuffed animal and hugged them repeatedly. The children loved to blow up the balloons and to chase the soap bubbles as they floated toward the ground. Almost all of the children participated in the action songs and generally enjoyed themselves very much.
Telling all we met that Jesus loves them, asking about themselves, and distributing friendship gifts, “Bags of Blessing” and playing with the children all seemed to demonstrate the love of Christ that we are commanded to spread. Personal interaction with the children validated the message that we bring not only physical aid that will soon be consumed, but an eternal way to true life which can be found only in Christ Jesus. We have seen frightened faces turn to joy. We have seen each other become bold in our witness. This has been an experience that changed not only the eternal destiny of many, but changed our own attitudes toward serving Him.
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. 
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.
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.
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.