Hello!

Kids Camp in Bogdanovka is over and here are the highlights from our team…

What did you enjoy/remember the most?

I really enjoyed constantly running around with the kids. I helped out with the youngest group, and the coolest thing was seeing the way the kids changed over the course of the camp. At first, some of them cried because they wanted to go home, but after a few days, they seem to go through a “trusting process.” We were able to become each child’s family for a few days. It was really awesome to see them open up their hearts to love us and to be loved by us. –Angela Mishchuk -

What I really enjoyed was working with the pre-teens and seeing their hearts change during the days we had together. A lot of them were very bitter in the beginning, some not even wanting to talk to us. But by the end, they really opened up and became our friends. Seeing the hearts of these kids changed by God is what I remember the most. God brought out the best in these kids. –Elona Demchuk -

The most memorable things for me were working with the kids, talking to them about their problems, their worries in life, and being able to bring the hope of God to their lives. –Elena Kravchuk -

For us, kids camp was a mommy experience. We led the youngest group, which required a lot of babysitting. It was an amazing thing to be able to influence these kids at the beginning of their lives. Introducing them to God. Bribing them with gum. Simply loving the kids. It was obvious that some of them are literally hungry for love. The way they clung to us caused us to respond with God’s love. The saddest thing was seeing that a lot of the kids don’t even have the basic necessities. This experience really helped us to realize how blessed we are, both spiritually and materialistically. –Vita Guydyk & Diana Silchuk -

I saw that every child has incredible potential, though they are all unique and different. The best thing for me was getting to know them better, seeing the talent God put into them, and being there to encourage them in their potential. It’s sad to see that so many kids throw it away. My favorite part was connecting with the kids and getting to know them personally. There was a kid named Alex. I don’t know what stood out to me about him. I saw myself in him, I think, because I could connect with him in a special way. He had a real good heart, always willing to help. He’s one of the kids I’ll miss the most. He’s the only boy in my group who cried when we said goodbye. –Vadim Zanko -

My favorite part about kids camp was getting to know the kids. Looking at a person, you don’t know what they’ve been through. I was challenged to see past my first impression of them. There are kids that look okay on the outside, you’d never think that anything would be wrong with them or their families. For example, this one little girl, when her mom called, she cried because she was so afraid of her mother. It’s sad to see such broken family relations. A lot of these kids don’t understand what normal relationships are, so they have a hard time reacting normally to kindness or love. This experience encouraged me. I have a desire to possibly work with kids in the future. I was also very encouraged to tell others about Christ after this experience. I already miss the kids. –Nelli Shilo -

This was my first time being involved with a kids camp, and I really enjoyed it. I really liked building relationships with the kids, to the point where they weren’t afraid to talk about their problems or ask questions. The whole experience went by really quickly, and I will definitely remember it. –Alex Makovey -

At the end of the week, the thing that stood out for me the most was the change I saw in the kids. There’s this one boy, Dennis, who came a troublemaker but left with a changed heart. I especially felt that God was able to use me to show Dennis how much He loves him. This was my first time helping at a kids camp and I really enjoyed it. This quote really rang true for me throughout the week: “God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.” I feel like God was able to use me. –Diana Babiychuk

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The work in Radsad has been mostly with the orphanage. The administrators of the orphanage have allowed us to spend a few hours every day with the orphans. Yesterday some of the kids were supposed to join us for guitar lessons in the morning, but to our disappointment, none of them came. A little while later, one of the administrators called to cancel our afternoon time at the orphanage. She said we might be able to come again on Saturday, but that is also our last day in Radsad. We were troubled by the news, but we are glad that we were able to serve the kids for the past week. God’s ways are higher than our ways, and we pray that His will be done in this situation. Please pray that the seeds that were planted in the hearts of these children over the past week will only grow with time.

Please continue to pray for us; your prayers are our strength.

God bless!

Wow, it’s unbelievable but a week has already passed in Radsad. We are amazed at what our God is doing here. He opens doors that we thought were impossible to open. The words of Jesus in Mathew 19:26 have been with us, “with God all things are possible”.

Early last week our group was divided in half with some staying in RadSad and other’s leaving to a church camp at Stara Bogdanovka . The separation was hard but ministering in two places allows us to reach more people for Jesus.

In Radsad, the doors to a kid’s camp and orphanage were miraculously opened. The camp had about 20+ kids from poor and struggling families, all non-Christian. We were so happy to witness to them about our hope in Jesus Christ. Three days in a row we had Bible lesson’s with them, we also played games and spent time together at the river. Friday morning the camp ended and they left but our hope is that God’s Word changes their lives and families. The orphanage is another amazing door through which we can reach 15 young people. At the orphanage we have the opportunity to witness everyday with lessons, games, and Christian films. Our relationship with the orphans is growing and we pray that they see the light of Jesus and accept Him as their personal savior.

In Bethany Church camp, our group provided most of the instructors needed for over 70 non-Christian kids from the surrounding villages. It’s exciting to know that nine kids from Salanchaki attended the camp. The camp is ending today and the whole group will be together at RadSad and more stories of God’s amazing work will be posted soon.

Yesterday, July 11th, Bethany Church had an outreach; members invited their family, friends, and neighbors to church. Our group was drafted into the main choir. With only two practices God gave us the ability to learn three songs and praise Him victoriously. The main speaker was an American pastor from Atlanta, Georgia who came with twenty young Americans on a short mission’s trip. God spoke through him to 40+ people who came to the alter to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We pray that all of them keep coming to church and growing in faith.

Thanks for all your prayers, together we have the power to preach God’s love with boldness and courage, to proclaim His love to all. Please continue praying for Radsad and Salanchaki, these villages need God’s healing hand.

Hello, Ukraine! Today is July 4th. Back home this would normally be a relaxing day spent with friends and family. This year, however, we are spending it in Ukraine, fully aware of how blessed we are to be able to call America our home. Today, instead of fireworks, we saw the Spirit of God working with fire in the hearts of many people.

What we are up to

Wednesday We flew into Kiev, Ukraine, after a safe and sound flight from San Francisco to New York, and then from New York to Kiev. Everything was blessed and we were really excited to finally hit the ground of Ukraine. After arrival in Kiev, we were transported by bus to Nikolaiv, where we arrived late Wednesday evening. Pastor Slavik, his wife Tamara, and the staff of Bethany Church accepted us warmly, for which we are thankful.

Thursday After some much needed rest, we took part in a youth service at Bethany Church, where we are currently staying. It is truly a blessing to worship God with people outside of our home church circle. What unites us here is not location, language, or culture, but Jesus Christ.

Friday Bethany Church is currently hosting a camp for about thirty-five students from a trade school. We were invited to spend time with them, talking, singing songs, playing volleyball, etc. Hearing their stories was heartbreaking. They are all from unchristian backgrounds, and most of them have been through a lot in their young lives. We will be more with them during their stay at camp and our desire is to show them that there is hope in Jesus Christ and Him alone.

Saturday We spent more time with the youth from the trade school, playing ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, and hanging out at the river. In the evening time we headed over to Solonchaki, the village that our 2009 Ukraine Missions Team worked in last summer. For those of us who were there last year, we had a joyous reunion with the children. They were so happy to see us, telling us they’ve been waiting for us to come all year. We played “futbol” with the kids, sang their favorite songs from last year, and had an evening service. It was bittersweet. Sweet because there are a lot of kids who keep coming to the weekly services, and bitter because there are many folks who have stopped coming. Our plan is to hold a service in Solonchaki every week during our stay, and our hope is that the people of this village are reminded to seek the Lord while He may be found.

Sunday Today is a great day! We woke up bright and early to attend Bethany Church’s baptism, where twenty two people committed their lives to Christ. Afterwards, we attended Bethany Church’s communion service. It was a beautiful morning. We were overjoyed to see our new friends from the trade school also at the service. Tonight we are heading over to Shevchenko village to join a group from SMBS in leading an evangelistic service.

This week our group will be splitting up into two groups; some going to serve at a kid’s camp for unchristian children, and the rest of us going to the village of Radsad. We are excited about what God has in store for us and the people who will hear God’s word.

All thanks to God for our safe and blessed travels. Our prayer requests: 1) for the trades school youth to find the Lord, 2) for God to bless Radsad with His grace and that people’s hearts be ready to accept His Word, 3) for the unchristian kids who will attend Bethany’s camp so that they believe in Jesus Christ. Your prayers will greatly bless our missionary team and the people we serve. Thanks and God Bless You!

We will try to keep this blog as updated as we can.