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 

Interpreter Oxana

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.

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.