Global Aid Network Mission Reports

As reported by William R.:

The chocolate bus drove to a communications business center which Zahyst Social Services had rented for two hours this morning so that we might make a presentation of the plan of salvation to local financially challenged families of invalids.  There were about 65 persons waiting for our arrival and a few more babushkas came in as we entered.  One mother and father had brought in their crippled daughter who could not use her hands and legs.  She had to be carried up and down the stairs and held in front of either mother or father and lifted with each step of the parent.  They had trudged through the slushy snow to attend and receive the precious bag of food staples.  We gave out macaroni, rice, flour, buckwheat, and similar non perishable staples along with a school supple carepacks, Bible storybooks, Gideon New Testaments, “More Than a Carpenter” and other books.  When the two hour rental time was up, we had given out all of our gifts and we personally greeted each family with a cheery “God loves you” and goodbye.

The second site visited was Ziekiv Boarding School for Boys which cared for 150 invalids.  As we arrived, we were greeted by the local pastor and one young woman who ten years earlier had prayed the sinners prayer after the gospel bead presentation the last time GAiN –then called Operation Carelift- was in this area of Poltava.   She told us that her life had been changed by that simple prayer, and when she heard that we were going to be at this school, she felt led by God to testify to the importance of our ministry. We were allowed to meet with 50 of the children in two separate auditorium settings.

Once again God had ordained a special kitchen presentation.  The director’s permission was required to enter this kitchen, so after asking to allow a small number to go into the kitchen, the director showed them the way and stayed.  When the invitation was given to pray the sinner’s prayer, the director along with the cooks prayed aloud.  Praise God!   As we left, the director, pastor, and young woman all bid us God’s  blessing.

As reported by William R.:

This morning the chocolate bus headed back in the direction of Kremenchuk and pulled off into a side road and a few other little roads until we arrived at Kremenchuk Area Boarding School where we met with 100 elementary age school children.  Forty of the children were orphans and the remainder were from farms too far from any school to stay with their parents.  The director, Valeriy R., has been in that school for 33 years and is now beginning to receive the children of his earlier students.  We divided into five small groups according to age and made classroom presentations of songs, introductions, explanation of why we come all the way to Ukraine, and then made the gospel presentation with the use of the gospel bead bracelets.  Children were invited to repeat the sinners prayer and those who responded were welcomed into the family of God.  Gifts were then distributed: teddy bears and carepacks had already been given out before our arrival, but we gave out the Bibles and “More Than a Carpenter” books.  This was also a poor facility in need of repairs to their outdoor toilets and septic system.

In both the morning site and again in the afternoon site of Novosanzkarskaya Boarding School, gospel presentations were given to the cooks in the kitchens, and as at yesterday’s site, each one of the cooks prayed the sinners prayer with conviction and  joyfully accepted the gift aprons and gospel of John.  This ministry to adults at each site is shared with another GAiN volunteer each day; it will be one of the memory highlights of this mission trip.

The afternoon site wanted an assembly style presentation for their 112 students; the directress, Oksana B., thought that would be a better method for her students.  We began by singing “Lord, I lift your name on high” in both English,  and with the help of our six interpreters, in Ukrainian.  Individual volunteers led the gospel bead presentation and sinners prayer.  As is the custom in Ukraine, all stood to their feet for the prayer, and many listened and repented.  We gave out Ukrainian explanations of the plan of salvation to help them explain their bead bracelet to others.  Then it was time for gifts of carepacks, Bible books, balloons, stickers, bears, and candy. 

As  we left this site, the sun was dipping in the west, bringing another sunny day to conclusion.  We returned the young youth pastor and his wife to the nearest village where they live; he visits this school and another one each week, so follow up mentoring will take place.  The humanitarian aid from GAiN of books, clothes, shoes and socks to each of today’s sites will continue to provide reminders of God’s love as this pastor tends these tender seeds.

As reported by William R:

Myrgorod Boarding School for the Deaf was located down a long narrow snowy road off the highway.  It had snowed several inches over night.  The children were waiting for us in the assembly room and waved wiggly fingers at us as we entered  -their sign of greeting.  The introductions, gospel presentation and sharing took much longer as the words we spoke had to be translated into Ukrainian and then into sign language.  It was a precious time of great sharing.  They were extremely appreciative. 
the director Yeugen Yeugenovych was pleased to show us the whole facility which was neat as could be, though the conditions were very poor.

The afternoon site, Mykilske Boarding School, was again down an unplowed road and set in a beautiful forrest.  Here the children were waiting in their classrooms acording to age.  They were model students and extremely attentive even though they were in this school because of various handicaps.  The youngest ones sat around in wrapped attention especially to the Bible story reading which concluded our session. 

These traveling safety days and lovely weather and interested children who prayed the sinners prayer with us are in a great part due to your prayers.  Please continue to pray for us.

As reported by William R:

Even before Adele and William left the SFO airport, ministry began.  While standing in line to get our boarding we heard Ukrainian being spoken by the two next to us.  We showed our Kiev Ukraine destination to them.  Only the son spoke English; his mother was returning to Ukraine after having enjoyed her newest grandchild.  When we approached security checking, the son had to say good bye.  We assured him that we would help her with any language problems.  Between our slight bit of Russian and Ukrainian, and her bit of English, and a grat deal of hand waving, we carried on a conversation of sorts and helped her along.  The flight took off on time to a clear sky.  Thanks for praying!  When we arrived on time at JFK we helped this “babushka” navigate through the airport to the proper  gate.  We had been explaining  the purpose of our trip and GAiN  to her, so she understood when we introduced her to our waiting volunteers.  We exchanged email addresses and will continue  contact with this sweet  woman. 

God had another “appointment” for us as we boarded the next plane; one young believer from Florida saw our name tags and said he wanted to talk to us once the flight was under way.  He has made several trips on his own to missions in Ukraine and surrounding countries and was looking for a group to go with next time.  We gave him contact information and a card to help him remember us when he chooses his next trip.

The second flight was through clear weather as well as speeded along with a tail wind so that we landed early, but our Ukrainian director was waiting there for us with a bus to take us to the first hotel.  It was mid morning and sunny, so after lunch we all walked down to the metro station and four stops later found ourselves in the center of old town Kiev.  We walked around, got our bearings and enjoyed the walking after so long a plane ride.  From California it was exactly 12 hours of flight.

The next morning we carried our suitcases down to the waiting bus and were on our way to our home base for the next while, Poltava.  Again God provided brilliant sunshine over the frosted fields.  You must have been praying to have so many lovely days in a row.

We began our ministry at a Baby House where we were told that there was an epidemic of flu and we would have to stay off of the carpets, not get close to the children, and be careful.  The children had other ideas and ran up to us and gave us hugs and enjoyed the love that we returned to them.  We were able to see more of the facility than we had been told, and were able to hold the children, and were able to take all the pictures we wanted.  Praise God for this change in attitude.

The second facility we visited that first day (Feb 18: Kremenchuk Shelter for Minors) had mostly young children under the age of 13, but there was one 17 year old by the name of David who remained sitting quietly in the back of the room during the gospel presentation and even afterwards as the younger children enjoyed the fun and games we provided.  One of our 18 year old interpreters sat down in front of him and began talking.  His story was very unusual.  He had been arrested five days earlier because the police said they had photographic evidence that he had committed a crime.  The drove him the hour and a half from  Poltova to place him in this shelter temporarily, only to tell him shortly before our arrival that they had apprehended the real criminal, and he would be free to go the next morning after the paper work was completed.  This David went on to say that he had been having vivid dreams that Jesus and Satan were talking to him.  He had grown very angry over the five days.  The gospel message rang true to him and he promised that he would go to the interpreter’s church next Sunday.  He said he would also bring his sister.  Praise God for the way this tragic mistake opened up eternal life to this young man.  Pray for David that he will follow through and be drawn to God.

From an update sent Saturday, Feb 16:

“The team has safely arrived in Lviv with all their luggage.  One person missed the flight due to some transportation problems getting to the airport.  He has been rescheduled on the flight today and they are all set to pick him up when he arrives and take him to Poltava.”

The Kaluga team has had some challenges getting internet access, but team leader Jon W. sent in the following stories this morning:

Story 1. We visited the Azarovsky orphanage on Tuesday or Wednesday, then on Sunday the church’s children’s coordinator brought 12 teen orphans to the service.  They joined us at the service, interacted more, and stayed to eat and play ping pong.

Story 2.  Six years ago, Global Aid Network sent the first team to Kaluga and partnered with Grace Church at that time.  It was the beginning of their social outreach as a result of that initial visit.  Over and over the pastor told us and others that Global Aid Network helped motivate them to start reaching out to orphanages, etc.  Now they have outreach to over 30 facilities including orphanages, pensioners, handicapped and they have started 2 drug & alcohol rehab centers.

Story 3.  Grace Church worked with city authorities to invite 30-50 families ‘with many children’ to the church to attend a program Global Aid Network and Grace held in their honor last Saturday.  Many of those families had never attended a church before.  They enjoyed the program, interacted with our team  in small group settings and appreciated the 25 pound food parcels and other gifts they received.  The pastor reported to us that many indicated they would return to visit the church on Sunday.

Story 4.  Our very last mission visit was to a drug/alcohol rehab center started and managed by Grace Church.  It was approx 50 miles from Kaluga in the beautiful snow covered rolling hills of the Russian countryside.  One large house had enough room to accommodate 30-40 men–sleeping side by side in one large bedroom.  To help cover the rehab expenses, all men worked daily in cattle ranching and helping at the on-site bakery and chopping wood.  They currently have a herd of 48 beef cattle and they produce 400-500 loaves of bread fresh daily.  The bakery workers start in the evening and by 4:00am the bread is ready for delivery.  They are learning a "trade" and also learning to work hard daily.  We had a fellowship meeting with the men and one after another shared their testimony of not only being "free" from drugs and alcohol, but also being free in Christ and enjoying new life in Him.  The men go through a 2 year program–with a growing level of leadership as time passes.  It is such a privilege for Global Aid Network to help sponsor this program through the efforts of Grace Church! 

Reported by Kathy R.:

Greetings from Uganda.  I wish you were here with me.  The ministry here is going so well.  Our team has been working in the home with these precious children and caretakers (aunties).  On Monday we met with the children in the Christian school they have started on the grounds.  We walked by teams into the village and went to some of the homes of the students.  We witnessed to the parents of the students and took them sugar and soap and a gospel apron as a gift.  It was an incredible blessing.  Tuesday and Wednesday we did the same thing in the villages.  On Saturday we will have an outreach/through the school with a morning of activities with the children and an afternoon outreach with the parents.  Please pray for these times.

Words cannot express the beauty of the children and the country or the depths of the poverty of the village.   

Many of you know the story of Jefta.  The little baby who was found burned and covered with dirt.  Yesterday, beautiful little black naked bodies were running out of the home to greet us as we walked back from the time in the villages.   What had happened.  They had just had their evening baths and hearing us, escaped from the aunties and ran out to greet us.  2-4 years olds, healthy and beautiful.  We helped get them back into the home and started putting on nappies-diapers and clothes.  I picked up one, really healthy-read “a chunk of change” to put a diaper on him and his jammies.  It was JEFTA.  He was constantly smiling and laughed as I blew on his tummy and counted his toes.  What a joy to give him hugs and kisses and silently pray for this sweet boy.  The wounds have healed so well, but they are still well seen.  There are so many stories like this.  But to see their joy, happiness, all the food they want and great education now with the school along with big doses of love is a huge blessing. 

 Our team taking tour of Noah’s Ark Children’s Home upon arrival.

New Construction of Health Center

Students pray before lunch on the first day of school.

(120 Students grades 1-4)

Sunday Divnogorsk as reported by Mary K. 

What a glorious Lord’s day! We visited the church in Divnogorsk where we were warmly welcomed by some familiar faces. A visiting pastor playing a twelve-string guitar sang praise to God with a beautiful voice. Worship is awesome in any language! After the service we went to our interpreters home for lunch. We had a wonderful meal and talked for a long time with her family. Her Father is a wise and godly man. I could’ve listened to him for days. I’m sorry our time together couldn’t be longer. We also visited the pastors home for more dessert and conversation. Such wonderful families -all true warriors of the faith who had been through much in the name of God. We are reminded how good we have it when we hear of underground churches, and building a church on nothing more than on faith and trusting God to provide a miracle or two when needed. Praise the Lord!

31 January 2008 Krasnoyarsk as reported by Lise’ B.

One of the most exciting thing on this trip for me, is to watch the faces of the kitchen and wash (laundry) help as we hand them the Gospel Aprons made by so many of the women across the United States. As I tandem with my interpreter, Ksusha to the kitchen, the kitchen help can hardly believe they have a visitor, let alone someone from America! When we speak and let them know they are receiving a gift from someone in America, they can hardly believe it. Often I let them know that the woman who made these prayed for them. Their response many times are tears and huge, huge smiles; each grin displaying gold teeth.

I wish you could see their faces. I wish you could see the big soup pots and the kitchen facilities where they cook and labor until the beads of sweat roll down their faces. You see, in their world, the cooks and the wash (laundry help) are considered to hold one of the lowest job positions. They are flabber-ghasted when we come bearing gifts….truly. They cannot believe that some one in the America would even think of them. Receiving these small gifts, brighten their day, and bring great hope and much joy. And, of course, the Gospel explanation cards are in the pockets, are very important. So keep on sewing ladies, and any men brave enough to join in.

Each day we come back tired, but I think, so far, we have handed out around 60 aprons.

 Sunday Krasnoyarsk as reported by Cathy K.

On Sunday my group went to a small church that has only been in existence for one year. The pastor was so excited and he arranged for an interpreter to be there. Jenya, the pastor, introduced our group to Irina. Even though there was no possibility, I felt as if I knew her. As we walked to the pastor’s home for lunch, Irina said she had been praying to have someone to speak English with because she felt she was losing her skills. We talked all afternoon and in a few short hours, we developed a friendship that I believe will be a long one.

When it was time to leave, we walked outside toward her bus stop. It was cold and snowing and she grabbed my arm. We looked like many other Russian friends who walk arm in arm down the street. It was an amazing and somewhat surreal moment.

I plan to give Irina lots of opportunity to keep her fluent in her English with lots of email and hopefully we will even get to see each other in Russia again.