Tues 26 JULY - Headed into Ukraine - 20:15GMT- London, UK
My friend John Cashman and I are traveling into Ukraine as board members for Our Legacy. We are going to observe and encourage ministers and ministries with refugees, orphans, sports outreach and camping. I'll also be preaching and baptizing with Pastor Petr Sholka at the sister church of Bethel-Owatonna in Kamenka, Cherkassy Obl. Ukraine.We'd sure appreciate your prayers for our safety and effective ministry. Pray that there will be open doors for the gospel through the wonderful ministry being done in Ukraine. Please pray also for good fellowship for us as we travel.
Here's an inspiring hint at God's wonderful protection... We're in London before our flight in tomorrow. For the past few days, Packy and I have been in Normandy, touring D-Day sights, Bayeux and Caen. We had reservations to stay in Rouen on our way to the chunnel train to London, but cancelled and pushed on through Rouen, to Calais for the night.
Praise God, we weren't in Rouen. Not that we would likely be near the tragic attack in Rouen, but it's a wonderful hint that God has a mission for us to complete.
Wed 27 JULY - 16:05 GMT.
So today is a long travel day reaching Kyiv past midnight and our ministry will be mostly to each other today unless God puts us next to someone we can talk with.
So I thought I would write a little about my engagement in Ukraine, why I'm excited about Our Legacy ministry and the personnel involved here, especially my friend Vadym Kulynchenko. My first trip to Ukraine was a research trip, traveling and ministering with 12 other pastors. My second trip was a connecting trip where we launched the sister-church relationship between Bethel-Owatonna where I was pastor and Light of the Gospel church in Kamenka. We had exchanged letters and I knew that our part was to help complete their building but really to help them learn to do youth and children's ministry. For 70 years of Communism that had been illegal.
So today is a long travel day reaching Kyiv past midnight and our ministry will be mostly to each other today unless God puts us next to someone we can talk with.
So I thought I would write a little about my engagement in Ukraine, why I'm excited about Our Legacy ministry and the personnel involved here, especially my friend Vadym Kulynchenko. My first trip to Ukraine was a research trip, traveling and ministering with 12 other pastors. My second trip was a connecting trip where we launched the sister-church relationship between Bethel-Owatonna where I was pastor and Light of the Gospel church in Kamenka. We had exchanged letters and I knew that our part was to help complete their building but really to help them learn to do youth and children's ministry. For 70 years of Communism that had been illegal.
I was praying, "Lord we'll teach them what we know, but God, would You do something more? Would You make them better at it than we are? And somehow, would You make this a beachhead into places we could never go. I met Vad on that trip and participated in his interview for baptism.
I've had the joy (across my 13 trips there) of watching Vadym grow and mature into a man with BIG vision. He's been my interpreter for every visit since.
A few years ago staff at Bethel were preparing for Light of the Gospel's Pastor Petr and Vadym to visit us in Owatonna. While reading Vadym's email accepting our invitation I was God-shocked by the answer of that dozen year old prayer. He was writing from Bishkek where he was teaching church leaders to use Max7 curriculum - free children and youth material that was translated into more than 70 languages. That assignment had taken him to Armenia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He had already taught the seminar in Belarus, Romania, Albania and Russia. I love how God takes our small faith and blows us away with the grand ways He answers. Vadym is my own personal object lesson on prayer and action in faith.
From Max7, Vadym's ministry has broadened and linked him with others who major in family / children / youth outreach, sports outreach, orphan and refugee ministry - the network of Our Legacy / Our Heritage. The newest venture is called Karabin, probably the first Christian youth camp in Ukraine, now in its second year of operation.
I'm blessed and honored to serve with the board that oversees these ministries, and I just can't wait to see how God wants to surprise me this time!
I've had the joy (across my 13 trips there) of watching Vadym grow and mature into a man with BIG vision. He's been my interpreter for every visit since.
A few years ago staff at Bethel were preparing for Light of the Gospel's Pastor Petr and Vadym to visit us in Owatonna. While reading Vadym's email accepting our invitation I was God-shocked by the answer of that dozen year old prayer. He was writing from Bishkek where he was teaching church leaders to use Max7 curriculum - free children and youth material that was translated into more than 70 languages. That assignment had taken him to Armenia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. He had already taught the seminar in Belarus, Romania, Albania and Russia. I love how God takes our small faith and blows us away with the grand ways He answers. Vadym is my own personal object lesson on prayer and action in faith.
From Max7, Vadym's ministry has broadened and linked him with others who major in family / children / youth outreach, sports outreach, orphan and refugee ministry - the network of Our Legacy / Our Heritage. The newest venture is called Karabin, probably the first Christian youth camp in Ukraine, now in its second year of operation.
I'm blessed and honored to serve with the board that oversees these ministries, and I just can't wait to see how God wants to surprise me this time!
Thu 28 JULY - Traveling from Kyiv to Dnipro - 16:55 GMT
 |
| The city - Dnipro |
Some things don't change. The gospel of Jesus doesn't change. People's desperate need for Christ doesn't change. Human brokenness only gets deeper. The reality of eternity - heaven or hell ahead doesn't change. BUT effective methods of reaching people with the gospel must shift and adjust with the journey of a culture. Just like Paul's message was preached very differently in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1ff) than it was at Mars Hill in Athens (Acts 17:18ff)... just like Jesus' work with the woman at the well in Samaria (John 4) was very unique from his work with Nicodemus (John 3)... so new cultures, new generations, new social dynamics call for a change - not in the gospel or our awareness of people's need, but in the methods appropriate to help them become Jesus-Followers.
Ukraine and it's people are not the same. Ukraine looks different, acts different and even smells different. So how do we reach Ukrainians now? And it shouldn't surprise us that the old methods don't work like they used to. There was a phase after Perestroika when church-based gospel messaging was very effective. It was followed by a phase where crusade evangelism worked wonderfully. Along that same time frame were the new children's &youth programs similar to those we saw in the US with VBS and Sunday School. Now young believers are realizing that Jesus and his disciples "took the gospel to the streets" and moved from Temple-focused worship to life-transforming relationship with needy and broken people around them. These same transitions have been ongoing in America since before the 1780s and perhaps even back to colonial times. The difference in Ukraine is that these changes have taken place since 1991.
So tonight we're in Dniepropetrovsk and tomorrow on the Azov Sea (a bay really of the Black Sea). I never thought I'd get to see the Black Sea and I'm excited! But more important - I want to learn from these young Ukrainians how to apply the life-healing love of Jesus in relationship to family, friends and neighbors. I'm pumped!
Fri 29 JULY - 23:15GMT
What a wonderful day again.
Lots of travel early in the day.
After staying over in Dnipro (Dnipropetrovsk – which was a closed secret
city in Soviet times), we traveled to a retreat center by the Azov Sea (a huge
bay off the Black Sea). 
Here we had lunch with the Disciple Making Movements Team of Our Heritage who have been leading a training seminar here for 5 days for more than a hundred (leaders and families) being trained in this unique strategy that God is using so effectively here. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with these visionary, focused leaders.It was interesting just to watch them tackle the question of whether and how they include music/worship in discipleship groups where some have absolutely no background in the church, others from Orthodox backgrounds and a few more have a background in Evangelical churches. Some expect singing… others have heard it but never participated… and others had no idea that Jesus followers sing. Small question? Not if your focus is to bring everyone you can to know and follow Jesus. Of course I didn’t understand the dialog, but these leaders, each brought energetic passion to the discussion while being so gracious with each other. I was so gratified to be able to say, I help these folks do ministry here..
John and I had dinner with Vadym in a typical old soviet
style resort cafeteria. It looked like
it came right out of a 1960s Soviet film… Have I mentioned that I DO like the
food over here.
This evening was the closing service for the DMM training. Everyone was gathered in a small outdoor
auditorium (open walls under a corrugated roof). There we found Pastor Petr, his wife Kathryn,
daughter Sveta and her husband Yura. I
was nearly overcome by joy to hug him to my heart again. I love this man who has hosted me so many
times. I got to participate in Sveta and
Yura’s wedding and it was a huge joy to renew fellowship. The service included lots of testimonies,
singing, congratulations for the 6 who were baptized today in the Azov sea and
communion.
John and I walked along the beach under the starlit night sky to our place in the adjoining resort. My heart is full as I write and as I eagerly anticipate the chance to get some rest.
Thanks so much for praying for us. We’re right next to the border between Russia and Ukraine here (maybe 15 miles away). Crimea (Russian) is to the West of us. Azov and Krasnodar (Russian) to the East. North East is the Donbas region where the conflict has raged. We’re close to the border, but never have been closer than a 3 hour drive from Donbas. Crowded with vacationers here. No one feels unsafe. But keep praying. We laughed as we walked through the dark tonight, that if we see guys with Kalashnikovs we’ll know we’ve walked too far. God’s in charge… we'll be fine.
Sat 30 JULY - Another Travel Day 12:00 GMT
Very little sleep last night. Our rooms were stuffy and it was either share a bed or one of us take the fold down bed. It was comfortable and I slept from quarter past midnight till a bit after 4 am. We were to leave for Kamenka at 5 - 5:15.
 |
| Bought grapes at this market... risky to eat without washing... no bug yet. |
No one is a harder worker than or brother Vadym. He keeps an amazing pace and sacrifices much for the cause of Christ and to make devoted Jesus followers.
I'm reflecting lots today about this model of discipleship. We all say we know that the church is not a place we go to nor a service we attend. I've long said I believe fellowship is not something we do, it is the lifestyle of a genuine Jesus follower. But what would it look like if we really lived that way. These guys in Our Legacy / Our Heritage do and they'll do whatever Jesus asks of them, whether it fits tradition and convention or not.
 |
| Yura, Sveta and the fam at the DMM Training Conference |
Pray for us. Tomorrow I preach and baptize with Pastor Petr. I think Vad has arranged for me to teach the Elders on Vision Based Budgeting. And I also need to have a couple difficult conversations on Bethel-Owatonna's behalf.
Sun 31 July - Kamenka 13:00 GMT
We finally arrived in Kamenka after a 12 hour journey. Little sleep last night, and the bumpy ride made sleep nearly unthinkable. But I'm crazy alert while driving into Kamenka. My mind is flooded with hundreds (maybe more) memories driving toward that gorgeous church on the rise of that beautiful hill. I love this place. Even more, I love what God has done since I was last here. SO many improvements and changes. The church is gorgeous with its flower gardens, silvery cupola, and shimmery exterior (its plaster made of broken pop bottle glass).
But what's this? I wasn't prepared for the gorgeous ministry building they have erected between the church and the garage. Here's a picture from Sunday. This place is an amazing transformation. It used to be the ugly rough brick storage building extra wood was kept during construction, a scary welding transformer and way more spider webs than I care to clean out. But now it's a beautiful ministry center with small dorms, meeting rooms, kitchen and laundry. It's not only used Sundays but this time of year, ministry interns headquarter here as they train before they deploy to church outreaches or Karabin Camp. It's gorgeous and so functional. Good job people!
We arrived for dinner with the 12 interns (6 Ukrainians, 6 Americans (North Carolina, Texas, Ohio). There we were joined by Larry and Joanie Wiken who will be leading 2 large English camps in Kamenka this week (Younger kids in the AM. Teens later in the day). They're going to have fun in Kamenka!
But before dinner, Pastor Petr toured us through the new building and then over to the worship building. I simply can't explain the emotions that flooded my soul as I walked over tiles I'd helped lay, sat in pews I'd smoothed and sanded and remembered all the bricks I'd helped carry. Tears come, unhindered. Pastor Petr and I stood and cried together. As I hugged him to my heart, he whispered in my ear, "Steve Thank you."
I'm humbled and honored to be again at this place. It's improved so much! They've tiled walls, painted nurseries (gorgeous!), improved washrooms. Good job people! Thanks for wonderfully serving our great God!
This place holds a dear spot in my heart, but more important are the people I've worked and fellowshipped with and the NEW folks I've not yet met. A whole new crew of kitchen ladies... some former youth, now young adults bring by their friends to meet us. This is a new thing in a new day! It's awesome!
Sleep came quickly... I was bushed! Sunday was ahead.
I slept in till 5:30 or so. I'm staying at Pastor Petr's former house. He and his wife Katya live in a sweet apartment over their old garage. That too looks lovely. By 8 we'd had breakfast and headed to the beach for the baptism. We baptized 10 today, Pastor and I at the Tiasmin River. You can see the cupola of the church from there, shining in the sun. It was so HOT! The crowd stood on the edge of the shade, but baptizers and baptized were on the beach. What a joy! Teens and young adults, mature men and women, two babushkas - one of whom hobbled on canes to the water's edge and was assisted by the young men down to us in the waist deep river. Baptizing these new believers will be one of my sweetest memories of Ukraine.
Then it was to church for lots of rejoicing, honoring the baptized, praying over them, communion, and Steve's sermon. I preached on the 5 picture-stories that baptism proclaims. With translation about 20 minutes (Yes I can when I need to). At the end of the service, 2 young men came forward to give their lives to the Lord and 4 others said they will be baptized next Summer. THAT'S what it's all about. That's why we make visits and help them build buildings and learn ministry strategy; for people to encounter God and give their lives to follow Jesus. We come to help these folks reap a good harvest. We're honored to help, but we're humbled by their love for God, tenacity through hardship and their kindness to us.
A great fellowship dinner followed out on the lawn. (I think Swedish Lutherans and Baptists should take some lessons; Not a "hot dish" in view.) It's now mid afternoon and I'm tired. But I wanted to write these thoughts while they are fresh in my mind. Thanks for praying for us. This may be my last, but it may be my most profitable visit to Ukraine. Slava Bohu! (Praise God!)
 |
| New Ministry Building |
 |
| Larry and Joanie Wiken |
But before dinner, Pastor Petr toured us through the new building and then over to the worship building. I simply can't explain the emotions that flooded my soul as I walked over tiles I'd helped lay, sat in pews I'd smoothed and sanded and remembered all the bricks I'd helped carry. Tears come, unhindered. Pastor Petr and I stood and cried together. As I hugged him to my heart, he whispered in my ear, "Steve Thank you."
I'm humbled and honored to be again at this place. It's improved so much! They've tiled walls, painted nurseries (gorgeous!), improved washrooms. Good job people! Thanks for wonderfully serving our great God!
This place holds a dear spot in my heart, but more important are the people I've worked and fellowshipped with and the NEW folks I've not yet met. A whole new crew of kitchen ladies... some former youth, now young adults bring by their friends to meet us. This is a new thing in a new day! It's awesome!
Sleep came quickly... I was bushed! Sunday was ahead.
 |
| At Tiasmin River...Church Cupola in distance |
Then it was to church for lots of rejoicing, honoring the baptized, praying over them, communion, and Steve's sermon. I preached on the 5 picture-stories that baptism proclaims. With translation about 20 minutes (Yes I can when I need to). At the end of the service, 2 young men came forward to give their lives to the Lord and 4 others said they will be baptized next Summer. THAT'S what it's all about. That's why we make visits and help them build buildings and learn ministry strategy; for people to encounter God and give their lives to follow Jesus. We come to help these folks reap a good harvest. We're honored to help, but we're humbled by their love for God, tenacity through hardship and their kindness to us.
A great fellowship dinner followed out on the lawn. (I think Swedish Lutherans and Baptists should take some lessons; Not a "hot dish" in view.) It's now mid afternoon and I'm tired. But I wanted to write these thoughts while they are fresh in my mind. Thanks for praying for us. This may be my last, but it may be my most profitable visit to Ukraine. Slava Bohu! (Praise God!)
Mon 01 Aug - Sweet fellowship - Kamenka 19:00GMT
Today was such a sweet day. John and I visited Natasha Kopp's Kamenka family for breakfast today. Natasha and
Joel Kopp were the couple I married on my last visit here in 2007. Wow has it been that long? Natasha obviously is from Kamenka and Joel is from Bethel-Owatonna. The sister church visits are responsible for many blessings, including two couples who became families What a great time we had. And I had forgotten how great the food is and how much I can eat over here. Not good.
We headed over to church to sit in to observe the English camps Larry and Joanie Wiken are leading with the help of the Regenerate interns.
Wikens have a great time taking their ESL skill and adapting it to a gospel camp. So many kids here want to learn and speak English. It's wonderful opportunity to teach them the Bible and give them the gospel. I haven't heard about the second, teen English camp today, but what a great bunch of kids! John and I retreated to the church basement for some cooler air to catch up on texts and emails, then to Vadym's house for a bit of rest.
This afternoon, I finally got some quality time with Pastor Petr through a great interpreter who was absolutely amazing. When interpreters are great, it opens up so much of the fellowship we're longing to enjoy. Pastor Petr has been an amazing, confident, strong leader here. Much that has been done is due to how God shaped him. He's one of the boldest guys I've ever met. We laughed together, cried together, shared our individual journeys and prayed together. Pastor Petr is just 4 years younger than I. He has a very bad heart and diabetes. He is feeling he needs to turn the church over to a younger pastor, but the right guy is not yet ready. This will be right at the top of my prayer list. I love this man and am grateful that we've had this fellowship. He's comforted me through some huge ministry crises and disappointments. I've tried my best return his grace.
Tonight was an Elder meeting over shashlik at Pastor Petr's place in Repidalivka. We sat together out under his pear tree
and it will be a memory that will be with me forever. Such a great time with these struggling, but committed leaders I shared messages from Bethel-Owatonna leadership that I've been nervous about, but it was much easier than I anticipated. Praise God! Then they'd asked me to do a training on Faith-Based Budget Building. I do enjoy teaching church leadership dynamics. It was longer than I planned it to be... that was bad... but everybody was engaged, most taking notes and the questions were insightful and probative. That's good
This was a rich, full day. My Mom likes to say "You never know when you're making a memory." But I made a bunch of them today. I'm also glad for the discipline of blogging and thinking back across the day and observing what God has done. I think the thing I like most about coming on these kind of missions is that God takes me way out beyond myself and a long way out of my comfort zone. When I'm willing to "faith-it" with Him, He always comes through and provides what I need. Thank you God for a wonderful, faith building day.
This afternoon, I finally got some quality time with Pastor Petr through a great interpreter who was absolutely amazing. When interpreters are great, it opens up so much of the fellowship we're longing to enjoy. Pastor Petr has been an amazing, confident, strong leader here. Much that has been done is due to how God shaped him. He's one of the boldest guys I've ever met. We laughed together, cried together, shared our individual journeys and prayed together. Pastor Petr is just 4 years younger than I. He has a very bad heart and diabetes. He is feeling he needs to turn the church over to a younger pastor, but the right guy is not yet ready. This will be right at the top of my prayer list. I love this man and am grateful that we've had this fellowship. He's comforted me through some huge ministry crises and disappointments. I've tried my best return his grace.
Tonight was an Elder meeting over shashlik at Pastor Petr's place in Repidalivka. We sat together out under his pear tree
This was a rich, full day. My Mom likes to say "You never know when you're making a memory." But I made a bunch of them today. I'm also glad for the discipline of blogging and thinking back across the day and observing what God has done. I think the thing I like most about coming on these kind of missions is that God takes me way out beyond myself and a long way out of my comfort zone. When I'm willing to "faith-it" with Him, He always comes through and provides what I need. Thank you God for a wonderful, faith building day.
Tue 02 Aug - Last Day Kamenka - 16:52 GMT
This is our final day in Kamenka. I rose early to get myself ready for the day and to prepare for devotions for the Regenerate interns. These kids are amazing. Half of them Ukrainian and the other half American working and ministering together in some really challenging work. It's HOT here and I think they've started to wilt a bit. But they were alert and eager this morning as I taught on "Sacrifices that Please God" from Romans 12, the whole chapter. Ministry involves sacrifice... the sacrifice of your life, the sacrifice of sharing your resources and the sacrifice of a forgiving love. God is pleased and pours back joy.
We took a few minutes to photo the kids in the English Camp with the Wikens. Pastor Petr then hijacked us with Vadym to visit a nearby village and a prayer house with only 6 aged believers left. We met Valentine, 91 years old, who lives in the back of the house of prayer and shared the history of the congregation; their persecution under the Nazis and the worse persecution under the Soviets. Stories you wouldn't believe if you weren't listening to the man who had seen them all. He was so crippled he could barely walk. With every step, his hand held his knee and hip in place. Then he showed us the house of prayer and prayed with tears for the glory of God to be present and he blessed us. When we asked what he might need, his answer was just shocking. "I'm happy in the Lord and I have more than I need." His broken teeth and torn clothing made you wonder, but you could tell it came from an honest heart. I told Packy, "Next time I complain, just tell me, I've got nothing on Valentine." I'm humbled and in awe. It almost seems like God is more good in Valentine's mind than He is in mine.
We spent the afternoon visiting old friends. We drove down to Michailovka where Yura and Sveta have taken an old congregation, breathed life into it's creaking bones and turned around decades of decline. It's grown tremendously in the 15 years since I was there last. They've built a gorgeous little church building right next to the old house of prayer where Yura first pastored. We toured his rabbit farm, his vegetable fields and enjoyed the most delicious dinner I've had here. Sveta is a great cook and the rabbit tasty.
We returned to Kamenka for a quick visit to Vadym's side business (a pastry and pizza kiosk) and one of Pastor Petr's side businesses (a sunglasses stand - he also grinds prescription glasses in an office at the hospital.) Pastors here must have an income stream outside the church. I don't know how they pull it off, but I've never seen a hint of distraction from God's work from these guys. Their priorities are abundantly clear.
Dinner tonight was at Vadym's parent's home. John was tired, but he came alive when he walked through this door. He's been housed there for most of his journeys to Kamenka and knows Vad's sisters and parents well. Lots of joy and laughter and lots of pictures of previous visits from the sister church in Owatonna. I think I saw the face of every person who came from Bethel. Great reminiscing for both John and I.
We then spent about a half an hour with the teen English camp we had not yet visited. And ended the evening with tea and ice cream at Pastor Petr's home. When Larry and Joanie joined us, we learned that they'd had quite a distraction from 3 non church guys who spouted the craziest theology. When we recognized that this was sent as a spiritual distraction from the wonderful things God has planned, we took it to prayer and asked God to bring victory and protect vulnerable teens from the spiritual deception advanced by the deceiver. Sweet time of prayer.
We took a few minutes to photo the kids in the English Camp with the Wikens. Pastor Petr then hijacked us with Vadym to visit a nearby village and a prayer house with only 6 aged believers left. We met Valentine, 91 years old, who lives in the back of the house of prayer and shared the history of the congregation; their persecution under the Nazis and the worse persecution under the Soviets. Stories you wouldn't believe if you weren't listening to the man who had seen them all. He was so crippled he could barely walk. With every step, his hand held his knee and hip in place. Then he showed us the house of prayer and prayed with tears for the glory of God to be present and he blessed us. When we asked what he might need, his answer was just shocking. "I'm happy in the Lord and I have more than I need." His broken teeth and torn clothing made you wonder, but you could tell it came from an honest heart. I told Packy, "Next time I complain, just tell me, I've got nothing on Valentine." I'm humbled and in awe. It almost seems like God is more good in Valentine's mind than He is in mine.
We spent the afternoon visiting old friends. We drove down to Michailovka where Yura and Sveta have taken an old congregation, breathed life into it's creaking bones and turned around decades of decline. It's grown tremendously in the 15 years since I was there last. They've built a gorgeous little church building right next to the old house of prayer where Yura first pastored. We toured his rabbit farm, his vegetable fields and enjoyed the most delicious dinner I've had here. Sveta is a great cook and the rabbit tasty.
We returned to Kamenka for a quick visit to Vadym's side business (a pastry and pizza kiosk) and one of Pastor Petr's side businesses (a sunglasses stand - he also grinds prescription glasses in an office at the hospital.) Pastors here must have an income stream outside the church. I don't know how they pull it off, but I've never seen a hint of distraction from God's work from these guys. Their priorities are abundantly clear.
Dinner tonight was at Vadym's parent's home. John was tired, but he came alive when he walked through this door. He's been housed there for most of his journeys to Kamenka and knows Vad's sisters and parents well. Lots of joy and laughter and lots of pictures of previous visits from the sister church in Owatonna. I think I saw the face of every person who came from Bethel. Great reminiscing for both John and I.
We then spent about a half an hour with the teen English camp we had not yet visited. And ended the evening with tea and ice cream at Pastor Petr's home. When Larry and Joanie joined us, we learned that they'd had quite a distraction from 3 non church guys who spouted the craziest theology. When we recognized that this was sent as a spiritual distraction from the wonderful things God has planned, we took it to prayer and asked God to bring victory and protect vulnerable teens from the spiritual deception advanced by the deceiver. Sweet time of prayer.
 |
| Pastor Yura and his Mom in front of church - Michaelovka |
 |
| Packy & Bogdan. "Ukrainian Gothic" |
Thu 04 Aug - Karabin Camp
Yesterday was a long and bumpy ride (as most of them are over here). We finally at our lodgings, a beautiful small resort owned by a solar water heater factory for their employees. It was delightful but the road in there made you wonder if anyone would use it. But yep, plenty were there.
We got up and over to the camp for breakfast with 100 campers and 40 staff. The place is still in development. 2 cabins are up and the dining hall is under construction. Tents presently house the assembly hall, dining hall, lounge area, camp store, offices and camp store. Showers are constructed of corrugated metal with a wood fueled water heater. Activity areas are all throughout the property and include archery, volleyball, climbing tower, zip line, ropes course and a few that are foreign to me.
Packy of course found kids eager to practice their English and the interviews were astoundingly positive. One 12 year old came up saying, "Are you Americans?" She said she lives most of the year in Switzerland and summers in Ukraine. She loves it and says she's been to many camps but this is her favorite and she's returned for a second year.
70% of these kids come as not-yet-believers, hear the gospel and learn from God's Word as the staff integrates it in the activities and curriculum.
The theme is attached to the Summer Olympics and the kids were effusive in their excitement. Several said, "This is last day and we really don't want to leave."
They leave tomorrow and a group of 120 refugee kids will come in. Each season Karabin hosts a camp for orphans and one for refugees for no charge to campers.
OL/OH leases beach-front from the government on the next site over. The path down there was an adventure in itself. They've added stairs at the steepest points but the walk through the woods had to drop at least 750ft in elevation. Great facilities and equipment at the beach. And rather than make 2 old men go back up the way we came down, the lifeguards gave us each a ride on the SeaDoo back to the resort.
We evaluate Karabin Extreme Camp thusly: the site is amazing, the program is exciting and principled, the staff is awesome, the infrastructure will develop, the gospel is proclaimed, the market is wide open and the future is bright. God has His hand on this ministry.
Tonight back to Kyiv where this journey began. We meet with Sergey Moskovka OH director and get a look at orphans ministry and refugee ministry tomorrow.
 |
| Finished cabin |
 |
| Packy interviewing campers |
 |
| A few campers getting started at breakfast |
 |
| Our digs were nice |
 |
| Vista from above the beach |
Sat 06 Aug - Airport Hotel - Borispil 06:06GMT
Today we fly out of Ukraine. It was a long, intense day yesterday, but we got much more acquainted with Our Heritage ministries that Our Legacy resources. We arrived in Kyiv about 1:00 Fri AM and lodged at Sergey Muscovka's home. Sergey is the director of Our Heritage here on the Ukrainian side. Their whole apartment in Kyiv is outfitted much like a dorm. They have a large family but they use their home to host folks like us coming through. We had a great breakfast with a little bit of time to just chat - sweet fellowship.
Alexei Sumonov and Oxana Mudrenok arrived to take us to
the orphan transitional ministry that we will focus upon today. Oxana will be interpreter. She's excellent and has worked with Bev Solberg a friend from my college years who has led music camps in Zolotonosha. She and her husband have been with Alexei and this ministry from the very beginning. We got the opportunity as we drove to hear Alexei's vision and background. He is son of a Baptist pastor from Russia whose mother died when he was 12. His father, though a Christian leader, descended into alcoholism and was dismissed from the church. He spent several years in an orphanage until dad got his life together and could re-engage as a parent. From that time onward, Alexei saw the needs of kids raised in orphanages and the gap in the social structure when teens graduate and attempt to enter society without education, skills or even a healthy approach to life. The government does give them resources for education and to start life, but most end up in alcohol or drugs, without a home or any employment.
We toured and had tea at the transitional apartment for guys that was quite the place. They track these kids for 3 years... 2 years in the residence, while gaining education and life-skills and the 3rd year living on their own. All of it is infused with the gospel and discipleship and although this ministry is new, their successes are quite impressive. When we met some of the guys, it was clear that years in an orphanage had left them with scars and challenges. Talk about "failure to thrive" syndrome! I'd seen it in infant orphans in '95, now I see what it looks like 18 years later.
From there we went to the new facility for a youth center and church. Impressive. The basement of a vacant cafe serves as location. You from Owatonna will remember "The Bridge." That's similar to the style they're after; a place to provide hope, resources and community for disadvantaged youth.
We sat in a conference room there talking about the nearly impossible transition that orphans must make and how God is capable if their lives are in his hands. Then I heard Alex say, "Would you like to see a place where these kids often end up. It's crude and and horrible." We said, "Sure, show us." He said "Summon your strength and prepare yourselves spiritually."
We went to a kind of crash pad, to talk with a young mother who has a 2 month old infant. The place housed perhaps 20 to 30 people and was meant to house a small family. Squalid is the word. Some guy received this place in inheritance and rents out sleeping spaces. Alex has been ministering to a girl there and encouraging her into treatment and the church. The trick is that if the government gets involved in her support, they will absolutely take her child from her. And this baby will end up in the system that so damaged the mother. The mom wants to get into a Christian center, cause she once walked with God. She show us pictures of her baptism.
But she's drinking again. Alex offered his help and that of his church, prayed for her and another girl there who is about 5 months pregnant, without medical care and afraid. They all have lost their documentation, aren't living legally in Kyiv, hopeless and addicts of alcohol (and who knows what else). But we know and believe God can reach them. I actually don't want to remember this place, but I know I'll never forget. This need is HUGE with thousands of kids coming out of orphanages every year, without direction, without hope, without God.
We went to a more familiar place - a big fancy American style mall and enjoyed dinner with Sergei Muskovka as we talked about the "big picture" of Our Heritage and the challenges of explaining such a broad ministry to American contributors. Great interaction... I learned a lot. And as we parted with prayer, committing each other into God's hands, I know it will be hard for me to leave.
Then we drove closer to the airport where we met up with the Regenerate interns just back from Kamenka. We're tired and it was hard for all of us to make conversation and to stay in the moment with God. Pizza and drinks, just seem like a chore. Vad took us to that old run-down airport hotel where we'll stay. (I think this time we got some of the best rooms.) Vad left us to drive the interns 6 hours back to Karabin camp. This guy is unbelievable! I'm concerned for him but I'm so blessed by his investment and passion.
So we head out today. Fly to Amsterdam for a few days of decompression before we arrive home. Please keep praying for us that we would know how to process what we've seen and how God would help us resource this work.
If you are interested in being part of the support team to fund these amazing ministries, I'd love to hear from you. Shoot me a note through FB Messenger or to this address... pastorstevemn@yahoo.com.
Alexei Sumonov and Oxana Mudrenok arrived to take us to
 |
| Interpreter Oxana |
 |
| Alex and one of the transitional orphan guys |
We toured and had tea at the transitional apartment for guys that was quite the place. They track these kids for 3 years... 2 years in the residence, while gaining education and life-skills and the 3rd year living on their own. All of it is infused with the gospel and discipleship and although this ministry is new, their successes are quite impressive. When we met some of the guys, it was clear that years in an orphanage had left them with scars and challenges. Talk about "failure to thrive" syndrome! I'd seen it in infant orphans in '95, now I see what it looks like 18 years later.
From there we went to the new facility for a youth center and church. Impressive. The basement of a vacant cafe serves as location. You from Owatonna will remember "The Bridge." That's similar to the style they're after; a place to provide hope, resources and community for disadvantaged youth.
We sat in a conference room there talking about the nearly impossible transition that orphans must make and how God is capable if their lives are in his hands. Then I heard Alex say, "Would you like to see a place where these kids often end up. It's crude and and horrible." We said, "Sure, show us." He said "Summon your strength and prepare yourselves spiritually."
 |
| I'll never forget this home or the needs I've seen here... |
We went to a kind of crash pad, to talk with a young mother who has a 2 month old infant. The place housed perhaps 20 to 30 people and was meant to house a small family. Squalid is the word. Some guy received this place in inheritance and rents out sleeping spaces. Alex has been ministering to a girl there and encouraging her into treatment and the church. The trick is that if the government gets involved in her support, they will absolutely take her child from her. And this baby will end up in the system that so damaged the mother. The mom wants to get into a Christian center, cause she once walked with God. She show us pictures of her baptism.
 |
| Alex and 2 mo infant |
But she's drinking again. Alex offered his help and that of his church, prayed for her and another girl there who is about 5 months pregnant, without medical care and afraid. They all have lost their documentation, aren't living legally in Kyiv, hopeless and addicts of alcohol (and who knows what else). But we know and believe God can reach them. I actually don't want to remember this place, but I know I'll never forget. This need is HUGE with thousands of kids coming out of orphanages every year, without direction, without hope, without God.
We went to a more familiar place - a big fancy American style mall and enjoyed dinner with Sergei Muskovka as we talked about the "big picture" of Our Heritage and the challenges of explaining such a broad ministry to American contributors. Great interaction... I learned a lot. And as we parted with prayer, committing each other into God's hands, I know it will be hard for me to leave.
Then we drove closer to the airport where we met up with the Regenerate interns just back from Kamenka. We're tired and it was hard for all of us to make conversation and to stay in the moment with God. Pizza and drinks, just seem like a chore. Vad took us to that old run-down airport hotel where we'll stay. (I think this time we got some of the best rooms.) Vad left us to drive the interns 6 hours back to Karabin camp. This guy is unbelievable! I'm concerned for him but I'm so blessed by his investment and passion.
So we head out today. Fly to Amsterdam for a few days of decompression before we arrive home. Please keep praying for us that we would know how to process what we've seen and how God would help us resource this work.
If you are interested in being part of the support team to fund these amazing ministries, I'd love to hear from you. Shoot me a note through FB Messenger or to this address... pastorstevemn@yahoo.com.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)