HISTORY
In January of 2009, a small group of college students came together with the desire to do something to serve God and people. Within months, a group of 25 young people was formed with this desire at its core. Arrangements were made and we decided to go to Solonchaki, a village near the southern city of Nikolayev, Ukraine. This village is home to 300 people, and over the course of one and a half weeks, we were able to serve the people of Solonchaki in practical ways.
For our group, a typical day in Solonchaki began at 7:30am, when we stumbled outside to wash up before morning devotions and prayer at 8:00am. In the morning and afternoon, we helped local people in any way that we could. This included village cleanup, chopping wood for the winter for elderly citizens, teaching guitar, helping with garden work, transporting supplies, playing with the kids, pulling weeds, etc. On some days, we were able to transport some of the kids to the nearby river for a swim and beach volleyball. Simply spending time with the people of the village helped us build friendships and trust. Every day at 5:00pm, we held Bible classes for the kids. This included an interactive lesson with games, crafts and singing. Every night at 8:00pm, we held services for the entire village in a tent. We took this time to directly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through singing, sermons, plays, Christian films, and fellowship. After these services, we hung out with the youth and shared with them our personal testimonies and convictions.
All in all, we spent a very short 1.5 weeks in Solonchaki. Leaving was tough on everyone, as we all grew to love the kids and the people of the village. Many tears were shed; no one wanted to say goodbye.
Today, it is our greatest joy to say that there is a new small church in Solonchaki. Our purpose was to sow seeds of God’s grace into these people, and we can see that these seeds are bearing fruit. All glory to God!!
For our group, a typical day in Solonchaki began at 7:30am, when we stumbled outside to wash up before morning devotions and prayer at 8:00am. In the morning and afternoon, we helped local people in any way that we could. This included village cleanup, chopping wood for the winter for elderly citizens, teaching guitar, helping with garden work, transporting supplies, playing with the kids, pulling weeds, etc. On some days, we were able to transport some of the kids to the nearby river for a swim and beach volleyball. Simply spending time with the people of the village helped us build friendships and trust. Every day at 5:00pm, we held Bible classes for the kids. This included an interactive lesson with games, crafts and singing. Every night at 8:00pm, we held services for the entire village in a tent. We took this time to directly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through singing, sermons, plays, Christian films, and fellowship. After these services, we hung out with the youth and shared with them our personal testimonies and convictions.
All in all, we spent a very short 1.5 weeks in Solonchaki. Leaving was tough on everyone, as we all grew to love the kids and the people of the village. Many tears were shed; no one wanted to say goodbye.
Today, it is our greatest joy to say that there is a new small church in Solonchaki. Our purpose was to sow seeds of God’s grace into these people, and we can see that these seeds are bearing fruit. All glory to God!!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Our next mission’s trip will take place in Radsad, Ukraine, in July of 2010. Like Solonchaki, it is near the southern city of Nikolayev. This village is home to 5,000 people. Currently, there is a small church of twelve people in Radsad. They are working on a church building that can seat two hundred folks. We will be spending two weeks there. Our purpose remains to serve people and to share with them the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. We desire to plant seeds and to see the new church building overflowing with people!
YOU CAN BE A PART!
One of the biggest barriers for most people when they are thinking about going on a mission’s trip is the cost, and that is no different for our group. Most of us are students and finances are tight. Currently, we are hoping that our car washes and See’s candy sales will contribute greatly to our trip cost, but there’s always room for new ideas.
If you desire to contribute any sum to our missionary trip, we would be very grateful. Your contributions can be made directly through PayPal here.
Above financial donations, we ask that you pray for us and our team. That God would really move in the places we’ll be, in the people we’ll come in contact with, and in our own hearts.
If you desire to contribute any sum to our missionary trip, we would be very grateful. Your contributions can be made directly through PayPal here.
Above financial donations, we ask that you pray for us and our team. That God would really move in the places we’ll be, in the people we’ll come in contact with, and in our own hearts.
