Hello everyone,
In two days Nadine and I will be returning to the States after over six weeks of ministry and travel here in Ukraine. I am ready to see my friends and family, but at the same time, I don't quite want to say goodbye to this place that has been "home" this month and a half.
I celebrated my 21st birthday in the small town of Vapnyarka. The day consisted of getting off the overnight train and spending most of our time in town before leaving for the village of Gorodkivka. We rested for a while, catching up on sleep, since our train ride was from about 1am to 7 am. Vica took us to see the new children's center--when it is ready, about 100 children and staff will be able to live there. It was great to see that even more children can be helped, and that they will experience Christ's love! We also went to the bazaar to buy a few groceries, and stopped by the meat market for a minute or two. The meat market wasn't as gross as I thought it would be (maybe because we weren't there for long), but seeing pigs' feet and pigs' snouts outside was definitely gross!
To get to Gorodkivka, we traveled about 45 minutes in a van with all our stuff (on the way back, it took close to 2 hours, since we were bumping around on back roads--picture driving through fields). It is a tiny village, in the middle of nowhere, but the views of the surrounding landscape were amazing.
For the 3 days we were there, we hosted an afternoon VBS for about 12-14 kids. Having just done VBS in Zaporozhe, we pulled a number of our activity ideas from those we had done last week: origami patterns, a puppet skit, games, and songs. The kids loved the "A vot morye" song--it is like "There's a hole in the bottom of the sea", but the verses are "There's an eye, on the fish, on the pole, in the hand, of the fisherman, in the boat, on the sea of Galilee." It is very repetitive, with lots of motions, and a few of the kids wanted to sing it by themselves in front of everyone! We told the stories of creation, the fall and Christ's redemption, and Paul's conversion over the course of the 3 days. On the second day, Pastor Oleg prayed with 3 kids who had not yet prayed to become Christians, and it is my hope and prayer that they would remain connected to the church and continue growing in Christ.
A few updates ago, I wrote about helping with banana boxes, and how cool it was to know of the final destination of those boxes. When we were in Gorodkivka, I think I finally found the destination of some of our boxes from my district. One of the boys, Sasha, had shirts with names of Pennsylvania towns on them--towns that are on my district. I am pretty sure that those shirts came from the Mid-Atlantic district!
Yesterday was our last Sunday at the Kiev church, and we said goodbye to Ira (children's worker), the Skinners, Ree (from NNU), and a few of the youth from Kiev, as they left last night for the children's camp. These last few days will consist of finishing up anything we need or want to do in Kiev, like last minute sight-seeing. We will return to El Paso for re-entry camp, and then I will return to MD on the 29th!
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement over these last few weeks. It has been a great summer of getting to know the kids here, and sharing the love of Christ with them. We have been able to partner with the churches here and their work in the communities, so that they can connect with the children. Not to mention, it is encouraging to see all that the Ukraine church is doing for children and adults here.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
update #6
Hi everyone,
Nadine and I are in Kiev right now, and will be leaving soon for Gorodkivka in the wee hours of the morning.
Last week was a wonderful week of VBS/camp in Zaporozhe, with the youth from Kiev and Vinnytsia and the local kids. The theme was Tumbleweed Gulch, so we used the Nazarene curriculum from last summer. Each day from 9am to 3pm, we had songs, games, crafts, origami, lunch, and of course Bible stories with about 30-40 kids. I am glad that we were not the only ones there to work with the kids, because the youth here actually know the language. We helped in various ways, whether it was to help supervise the kids as we walked to the schoolyard for games or to the restaurant for lunch. Each morning, all the staff did a sort of dance to one of the songs, and so we were a part of that. We sang the song "God's Love Changes Everything" in Russian, and I think I know most of it....It helped that I knew the tune, but some parts of the song I would just mumble along something that sounded like the Russian. We also learned a few more kids' songs, but I don't have the words written down to be able to practice saying them. We also were asked to do games on Wednesday, so between the 5 of us, we brainstormed games that could be done. We then explained them to Vica, our translator, who then explained them to the Ukrainians.
The kids really liked to practice their English, which was great, sad, and odd to me. Some of the kids would ask me, "What is your name?" or respond to my basic questions in English. A few, like Dasha and Diana, could ask more questions (with help from some of the older girls), like if I had pets. Some of the boys, like Nikita, would ask what my name was, and respond for me, saying it was "Flower"; he was simply practicing the words he had memorized, I think. However, some of the younger boys knew a few swear words in English--I tried to tell them not to say that, but I have limited language skills.
What was really neat throughout the week was that we were able to walk with the kids, and talk to them (or at least try to). A lot of the time, I didn't know what the kids were saying, so I just smiled at them, and tried to understand what they were saying. At lunch one day, a couple of the boys were mimicking me praying (since I hoped that by looking like I was praying, since we were, they would catch on), so I told them--"I talk (to) God; I love God." I hope that God will use the seeds that were planted this week to show them His love and to know that God wants to have a relationship with them.
Two girls, Anya and Marina, were prayed for one morning. As we found out later, those two wanted to pray and become Christians. Praise God! :) Keep them in your prayers, as they begin this new life in Christ, and that they will stay connected to the local church.
On Tuesday we celebrated Nadine's 20th birthday with pizza and ice cream. Tiffany and I went on a quest for a pizza place with Andriy, finally finding one, and then bought the fixings for ice cream sundaes. We had the Ukrainian leaders in on the surprise as well--Vica even talked about the plan in front of Nadine, without her knowing what was being said (of course, it was in Russian!).
Last week we went sightseeing to the Oak Grove park with Max, one of the local guys that knows English. He came to one or two of the days of camp, and I was able to try and answer some of his questions about Jesus, like why doesn't Jesus come back now, and show himself to more people... I let him know I didn't have all the answers, and so I hope that he will find out that crawling into the lap of Jesus won't take away the questions, but it will provide peace and security.
On the evening of the last day of camp, the parents and other family members were invited to come to the church to see the kids sing their songs and recite their verses. There were about 15-20 mothers and other family members there, and as the kids watched the slideshow and shared what they had learned, there was so much energy and excitement in the room. It was great to see some of the kids at church on Sunday morning, and I hope that they continue to come as the weeks continue.
Tomorrow we are traveling to Gorodkivka, which is just outside of Vapnyarka. There we will be working with Pastor Oleg, and I think we will be doing a sort of VBS with local kids. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and work with kids. Also be in prayer for the kids of the community and for their families. This is our last assignment before we leave for the States, as well.
Nadine and I are in Kiev right now, and will be leaving soon for Gorodkivka in the wee hours of the morning.
Last week was a wonderful week of VBS/camp in Zaporozhe, with the youth from Kiev and Vinnytsia and the local kids. The theme was Tumbleweed Gulch, so we used the Nazarene curriculum from last summer. Each day from 9am to 3pm, we had songs, games, crafts, origami, lunch, and of course Bible stories with about 30-40 kids. I am glad that we were not the only ones there to work with the kids, because the youth here actually know the language. We helped in various ways, whether it was to help supervise the kids as we walked to the schoolyard for games or to the restaurant for lunch. Each morning, all the staff did a sort of dance to one of the songs, and so we were a part of that. We sang the song "God's Love Changes Everything" in Russian, and I think I know most of it....It helped that I knew the tune, but some parts of the song I would just mumble along something that sounded like the Russian. We also learned a few more kids' songs, but I don't have the words written down to be able to practice saying them. We also were asked to do games on Wednesday, so between the 5 of us, we brainstormed games that could be done. We then explained them to Vica, our translator, who then explained them to the Ukrainians.
The kids really liked to practice their English, which was great, sad, and odd to me. Some of the kids would ask me, "What is your name?" or respond to my basic questions in English. A few, like Dasha and Diana, could ask more questions (with help from some of the older girls), like if I had pets. Some of the boys, like Nikita, would ask what my name was, and respond for me, saying it was "Flower"; he was simply practicing the words he had memorized, I think. However, some of the younger boys knew a few swear words in English--I tried to tell them not to say that, but I have limited language skills.
What was really neat throughout the week was that we were able to walk with the kids, and talk to them (or at least try to). A lot of the time, I didn't know what the kids were saying, so I just smiled at them, and tried to understand what they were saying. At lunch one day, a couple of the boys were mimicking me praying (since I hoped that by looking like I was praying, since we were, they would catch on), so I told them--"I talk (to) God; I love God." I hope that God will use the seeds that were planted this week to show them His love and to know that God wants to have a relationship with them.
Two girls, Anya and Marina, were prayed for one morning. As we found out later, those two wanted to pray and become Christians. Praise God! :) Keep them in your prayers, as they begin this new life in Christ, and that they will stay connected to the local church.
On Tuesday we celebrated Nadine's 20th birthday with pizza and ice cream. Tiffany and I went on a quest for a pizza place with Andriy, finally finding one, and then bought the fixings for ice cream sundaes. We had the Ukrainian leaders in on the surprise as well--Vica even talked about the plan in front of Nadine, without her knowing what was being said (of course, it was in Russian!).
Last week we went sightseeing to the Oak Grove park with Max, one of the local guys that knows English. He came to one or two of the days of camp, and I was able to try and answer some of his questions about Jesus, like why doesn't Jesus come back now, and show himself to more people... I let him know I didn't have all the answers, and so I hope that he will find out that crawling into the lap of Jesus won't take away the questions, but it will provide peace and security.
On the evening of the last day of camp, the parents and other family members were invited to come to the church to see the kids sing their songs and recite their verses. There were about 15-20 mothers and other family members there, and as the kids watched the slideshow and shared what they had learned, there was so much energy and excitement in the room. It was great to see some of the kids at church on Sunday morning, and I hope that they continue to come as the weeks continue.
Tomorrow we are traveling to Gorodkivka, which is just outside of Vapnyarka. There we will be working with Pastor Oleg, and I think we will be doing a sort of VBS with local kids. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and work with kids. Also be in prayer for the kids of the community and for their families. This is our last assignment before we leave for the States, as well.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
update #5 -- Zaporozhe!
Hello from Zaporozhe, Ukraine! Or maybe I should say “Howdy, ya’ll!”
This past week we have been preparing for this week’s day camp/VBS. It has been a week of building relationships with the kids here, by playing basketball or other games with them, and just trying to talk to them. The VBS theme for this week is Tumbleweed Gulch…sound familiar? I know, it makes me laugh (last summer on YIM my team helped with 2 Tumbleweed Gulch VBS’s).
The kids…
There have been maybe 8-10 different kids here throughout the week as we have been here. Some of them include 7 year old Vladik, Rustan, Roma, Katya, and Nastiya. Vladik is my little buddy, it seems. After a couple days of playing basketball or hot potato or just kicking around a soccer ball with the kids, I brought out my camera, and then allowed him to take photos as well. Now he keeps asking if he can watch the video Rustan made of playing basketball, or make a little video (“choot-choot” means little bit), so I let him. I think he’s also picked up saying the word “Okay”. :)
Last Sunday morning we met most of the kids. Andriy asked us if we would teach the Sunday school lesson this morning, and if it could be connect to his sermon on Hebrews 11, “Heroes of the Faith”. We did a lesson on Samuel anointing David, and involved a number of the children to represent David’s older brothers. Tiffany (another volunteer) and I donned paper beards and acted as Samuel and Jesse, and we all worked on paper props.
More connections…
Today (Ukrainian) teams from Kiev and Vinnytsia arrived to help with the camp, and there is another American team arriving soon. We met a local teen named Max who took us sightseeing in the Oak Grove park, and I think he will be helping with the camp as well. Ree, an NNU student, has joined our team as well, bringing us to a total of 5 (in addition to Vica, Tiffany, Nadine and I).
Sound familiar?...
Tumbleweed Gulch is a cowboy-themed VBS (it was the Nazarene curriculum last summer), so we have made cutouts of cacti, wagon wheels, animals, and cowboy boots. The neighborhood kids have also helped us decorate, which has been neat to work alongside them. We created a town backdrop out of cardboard—consisting of a hotel, general store, jail, and bank—that we got at a nearby warehouse. It was quite the adventure bringing the cardboard back to the church on TOP of Andriy’s car!
Today we discussed the daily schedule for the camp, practiced the song motions for tomorrow’s song (“God’s Love Changes Everything”, but I don’t know how to say that in Russian), and walked to the playground/schoolyard where the games will be held.
Prayer Requests….
*Pastor Andriy and the workers for the camp
*The children in the neighborhood, that they would come and that God would be working in their lives and draw them closer to Himself
*That we as a team would be well rested and that God would fill us with His love, so that we can share Him with the kids
Thanks for all your prayers, and I look forward to seeing what this week holds!
This past week we have been preparing for this week’s day camp/VBS. It has been a week of building relationships with the kids here, by playing basketball or other games with them, and just trying to talk to them. The VBS theme for this week is Tumbleweed Gulch…sound familiar? I know, it makes me laugh (last summer on YIM my team helped with 2 Tumbleweed Gulch VBS’s).
The kids…
There have been maybe 8-10 different kids here throughout the week as we have been here. Some of them include 7 year old Vladik, Rustan, Roma, Katya, and Nastiya. Vladik is my little buddy, it seems. After a couple days of playing basketball or hot potato or just kicking around a soccer ball with the kids, I brought out my camera, and then allowed him to take photos as well. Now he keeps asking if he can watch the video Rustan made of playing basketball, or make a little video (“choot-choot” means little bit), so I let him. I think he’s also picked up saying the word “Okay”. :)
Last Sunday morning we met most of the kids. Andriy asked us if we would teach the Sunday school lesson this morning, and if it could be connect to his sermon on Hebrews 11, “Heroes of the Faith”. We did a lesson on Samuel anointing David, and involved a number of the children to represent David’s older brothers. Tiffany (another volunteer) and I donned paper beards and acted as Samuel and Jesse, and we all worked on paper props.
More connections…
Today (Ukrainian) teams from Kiev and Vinnytsia arrived to help with the camp, and there is another American team arriving soon. We met a local teen named Max who took us sightseeing in the Oak Grove park, and I think he will be helping with the camp as well. Ree, an NNU student, has joined our team as well, bringing us to a total of 5 (in addition to Vica, Tiffany, Nadine and I).
Sound familiar?...
Tumbleweed Gulch is a cowboy-themed VBS (it was the Nazarene curriculum last summer), so we have made cutouts of cacti, wagon wheels, animals, and cowboy boots. The neighborhood kids have also helped us decorate, which has been neat to work alongside them. We created a town backdrop out of cardboard—consisting of a hotel, general store, jail, and bank—that we got at a nearby warehouse. It was quite the adventure bringing the cardboard back to the church on TOP of Andriy’s car!
Today we discussed the daily schedule for the camp, practiced the song motions for tomorrow’s song (“God’s Love Changes Everything”, but I don’t know how to say that in Russian), and walked to the playground/schoolyard where the games will be held.
Prayer Requests….
*Pastor Andriy and the workers for the camp
*The children in the neighborhood, that they would come and that God would be working in their lives and draw them closer to Himself
*That we as a team would be well rested and that God would fill us with His love, so that we can share Him with the kids
Thanks for all your prayers, and I look forward to seeing what this week holds!
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