Ukraine Challenge

UPDATE 1:  June 16 – 22, 2003

“Wow!  Our teachers are MEN!!!”

This was the report given by the children at the orphanage to the director when they returned from camp the first day.   We were concerned that a handful of guys and a few young people might be lacking the abilities to lead a week of activities with children in a totally new environment but God knew exactly what was needed.  All week we have seen God at work and He has allowed us to be there with Him.

 The team is Mike Prescott, Ron Slaughter, Ricky Oldham, Bob Wilkes, Frank Bowers, Jimmy Huffman, Andy Capps, Barbara Dallas, Beth Nichols, Christine Mitchell (NC), Doug Tooker (MO), and Becca Foster (VA). 

 Camp was held each day from 9 until 1 in the community building of a small village called SAVENKA (approx. 500 population) that has no church of any kind.  Twelve children came the first morning not really sure what they were coming for.  The number and spirit grew each day.  On Saturday at the closing service, there were 35 children and a good number of parents, grandparents and other interested adults.  (There is a bar/store in one part of the building.)  The pastor from the nearest church came and preached a simple evangelistic message and the overwhelming response was, “Please come start a church in our village!  We have wanted and needed one for so long.”

 Preparations for the week with the children at NOVA ZALESIA began while the team was in the air.  (Nova Zalissia is the home of the orphanage that Ukraine Challenge volunteers have been involved with for two years.)  On Sunday, June 15 the Director of the orphanage, several of the staff members and many of the children were in the worship service at the new little church in Nova Zalissia.  During the invitation, the Director came forward to make a public profession of faith.  This year all activities were moved from the orphanage to the church meeting from 3 until 6 each afternoon and included other children from the village.  The week was completed with 55 children.

 (Report on conditions at the orphanage building:  The new septic system is complete and the final connections were made Thursday.  All showers, toilets, and sinks are repaired and working.  More rooms have new paint and paper.  Thank you to all of you who donated and prayed.  Continue to pray for the staff and the children.  Pray especially for rain for this entire area.  They are experiencing extremely dry weather.)

 The team was housed at the church hotel in Zdvishivka.  This church was started in 1995 and is really flourishing.  Two evening meetings were held with team members and church members sharing testimonies and memories about the early years of the church.

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