Finding Christmas

Christmas is just over a week away. If you live in the states it is common knowledge. Just look around. From Thanksgiving to January first the holidays are here. Trimming the tree, buying and giving gifts, drinking egg nog and baking Christmas cookies; parties, festivals, and church services fill our calendar; we watch Christmas movies, we visit family, and the whole time we are surrounded by dazzling lights and displays. There is no doubt that it is a beautiful time of the year.

And here I am, in Ukraine, a country where Christmas is not only not that big of a deal but isn’t celebrated until January 7th. I find myself longing for the Christmas spirit to just show up. But it never comes. I miss gazing at store windows, watching the light of the Christmas lights dancing on the snow, the scratches on my hands from putting up my 12th Christmas tree, and that feeling of awe in the pit of your stomach when you read the Christmas story for at least the 150th time. It’s that feeling of knowing that you are celebrating something so big you cannot comprehend it.

We use December 25th to remember a time when God came to earth as man, when a baby was born of a virgin, a time of miraculous signs and wonders. As I trudge through the cold and the mud, I wonder “Where is Christmas?” I asked God, “Where is the awe and the wonder of the season?” And He answered.

It was a day like any other day. I woke up, worked in my room until it was time to go to the children’s center to help kids with English. I bundled up from head to toe. It was cold out, which was to be sure. But when I walked out the door I found something more than cold. God had created something more beautiful than Christmas lights or shop windows. It was white- EVERYWHERE! Every tree, every fence, every electric line, every blade of grass was white. It was as if someone had sucked up all the water from the muddy ground, threw it on the trees and froze it into tiny little white crystals. It was as if something had come down from the white sky and breathed a layer of frost onto the whole earth. And as I walked among this winter wonderland, I gawked in awe at what God had done- He found the spirit of Christmas and He shared it with me. I just wish I would have had my camera.

Turkey Day in Turkey

Relax! It’s His Church

Sunday, November 23 I boarded a plane with missionaries and volunteers from all over Ukraine to embark on a Thanksgiving retreat in Turkey. After a short layover in Istanbul, we arrived in Antalya, claimed our baggage, and boarded a bus to our resort where we would be joining volunteers and missionaries from all over the CIS field and the Eurasia region. Eurasia officials had arrived a week before to take part in their annual meetings and give field reports. The official conference started Wednesday. This gave the CIS field time to spend time sharing, fellowshipping and worshiping together.

As heartbreaking as it was for me to leave behind my first Ukrainian snow, Turkey’s beautiful mountainscape views and beaches of the Mediterranean in temperatures in the 60s grew on me. If the exquisite sites were not enough; being able to rest, worship sessions, fellowship, and having an endless supply of chocolate syrup helped rejuvenate my mind, body, and soul.

Missionaries and volunteers from all over Europe and Asia arrived throughout the day Wednesday. Relax, It’s His Church was the theme of the Conference. Relaxing can be difficult for anyone. For this reason Dr. Crocker, brought in a Christian magician and comedian to entertain us for the first session of the conference. This first session set the mood for the entire conference.

In addition to the adult services, children participated in Kid’s club and teens left after worship for their own message. One of the great blessings for me was working with the children. They sang, they danced, some cried, some ran in circles around the room… They are God’s children, little missionaries. It was refreshing to sing and play and to speak English.

Thursday of the retreat happened to fall on Thanksgiving. Our group gathered into a large conference room to give thanks together, eat turkey in Turkey, and share this American tradition with many from other countries. There was even American football being shown after the evening service.

Fellowship with the body of Christ- people from all over the world, coming together for a few days- to worship, to learn, to fellowship, to encourage, to be encouraged, to share, to pray, to relax, to rejoice- this is how the body of Christ works, and it is a beautiful thing. If you went around the room at Thanksgiving and allowed everyone to share what he or she is thankful for, I would have to say this year, I am thankful for the church, for the body, because it is what gave me the strength and the courage, in the good times and the bad, to follow God’s calling on my life as I serve this year in Ukraine. Thank you for your willingness to be a part of my journey. I pray God bless you as you have blessed me.

A Brief Recap

Back to the Family

After that brief commercial and a holiday break in the schedule, I would like to continue sharing about my family and friend's journey to Ukraine.

Next Stop- Odessa

My family was thrilled about taking another train, this one longer than the last. Upon our arrival we were greeted by warm friendly faces. The Nazarene Church and the Ministry to Street Children is new in Odessa. Currently three men are helping Natalya with the ministry there. All three have completed a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and are now serving for a few months. Two of these men picked us up, met us, and helped us and our luggage get to where we needed to go.

Where did they take us? Well first, they took us to the bus stop… that’s right the bus stop, with eight large suit cases, the dog they brought, and five American. Their plan was to get us all on a marshutka full of people. As soon as we figured out what we were doing, we put a stop to it, and convinced them to find a taxi.

After getting over the transportation hurdle, we made our way to Natalya’s apartment where we stayed two nights while we saw the sights of the city. From Catherine the Great to the Potemkin Stairs, we enjoyed the beautiful sites of the port city.

Kiev, Chernovtsy, Odessa, and VAPNYARKA!

Vapnyarka, was an interesting stop for the family. When we arrived at 4:30am, we took shelter in the train station. Once we woke up, we saw the town (which didn’t take long) on the way to the house where I live. After tea and cookies we were off again to the children’s center to greet the children as they arrived home from school. The beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and the mysteriousness of the Black Sea are little in comparison to the smile and giggle of a child. As I helped the kids with English homework Mom, Beth, Bethany, and Jason kept them entertained by playing games. We also visited the new children’s center to see the progress being made. In the evening, the children serenaded us with some of their favorite songs.

After a lovely evening we made our way back to the train station to await our midnight train to Kiev. While in Kiev, we lethargically visited the WWII and Chernobyl Museums. And then they were off.

A Brief Update From Aquila

Aquila: What have we been up to?

This past month was a very exciting time for Aquila. God has blessed us greatly. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Interns

Six social work students from the local university interned with Aquila for one month. During this time they visited the homes of children with disabilities and their families, visited a nursing home for the elderly, visited a local orphanage for the mentally handicapped, and helped sort and distribute humanitarian aid to flood victims and low income families. It was a very busy month with great success. This past week the students interning with Aquila presented their work before their fellow students and professors. Their presentation was their final exam. They passed with highest marks. To help communicate what they learned during their practicum they showed a slide show photos and explained the work they participated in. They also passed out bells to their fellow students, and led the class in a performance as a bell choir, one of the many techniques they learned to use with their special needs students.

Cinema

Aquila ministry has been blessed by the partnership of a local cinema, wanting to help the families we work with by opening their doors for a movie day. The privately owned cinema is a place where local residents can rent a room for a party and a movie. The owners have offered to donate their time and facilities for Club Pearl participants on a regular basis. Saturday October 31, almost thirty families attended one of two showing of the movie “Open Season”. Going to a movie theater is a new experience for many of these children. The owners not only opened their facilities but their hearts as they actively participated in conversation and built relationships with the families they were serving. The party did not stop with the movie. Pizza, juice, and cake was provided by the cinema. Moms and children alike laughed out loud at the film. Their hearts were filled with joy. The movie party was more than fun, it was a great blessing to all those participating. Aquila is very thankful for the new partnership with this cinema and look forward to working with them in the future.

Beauty

If you are a woman, you understand how important it is to feel beautiful. This is often a great struggle for the mothers of disabled children in a culture that is constantly ridiculing or ignoring them.
Aquila currently has an American volunteer who will be working with them part time in Chernovtsy. From October 26th through November 1st four of her family and friends joined our team. As part of their service here two of them, hair stylists visited the homes of many of our families offering hair cut and color. Many others came to the apartment the family was staying in to have their hair done or to get a manicure. In one week, two girls were able to visit and encourage over twenty families.

While two girls were visiting families and cutting hair, the other two visitors and the volunteer worked on beautifying the apartment offices and meeting place for Aquila. They were able to paint and make minor repairs to make the space functional. At the end of the week the moms met in the newly renovated space for tea, fellowship, and a small devotion about beauty.

Not Just an Ordinary Visit

As many of you know, my work in Ukraine includes working with disabled children and their families. Many of these children are unable to be served at local hair salons because of their disabilities. Many of the moms of these children cannot afford to get their hair done at these places. Most of the mothers are tired and weary and have little time to contribute to their appearance. They often have low self esteem. Bethany and Bethany used their time in Ukraine to serve by cutting and coloring numerous women and children’s hair. They visited homes and hosted many clients in the apartment we were living in. They did a tremendous job. I cannot thank them enough for their willingness to serve.






My mom and Jason also worked hard. They served by helping with painting, cleaning, and finishing of various remodeling projects in the apartment where they stayed, I live while I’m here, and serve as the Aquila offices and meeting grounds for many events. All four of them were a tremendous blessing and an encouragement to me as I continue to serve in the Ukraine for another four months.

Visitors from the West

After seven months of only being able to talk to my family and friends online or over the phone, I received four important visitors; my mom, my sister, my best friend and my boyfriend. The anticipation of their visit was overwhelming, not to mention the fact that I was ill at the time of their arrival and the two and a half weeks before.

On Saturday October 25, 2008 I arrived at the Borispol International Airport to meet my family. My first reaction was undoubtedly shock. It was hard to believe I was standing with them and that they were here in Ukraine. It was like a dream.
We wasted no time. The driver who picked us up, dropped us off down town and took the luggage to the church. We ate lunch at Poozata Hata, which means Fat House in Ukrainian. It is a local fast food chain, offering the best of Ukrainian food in a cafeteria style dining experience. Whether it was because it was the first thing they ate after being awake for 30 hours and had ridden on a plane for 11 hours or because they weren’t sure exactly what they were eating, I’m not sure, but they didn’t really like it. While this quick emersion into the culture was an interesting experience, they discovered something shocking after eating. The girls ventured into the restaurant restrooms… and immediately came back out, wanting to know if it was a joke. If you have traveled outside of North America you have probably noticed that in most areas of the world it isn’t the throne toilet that dominates but the “Squatty Potty”, a porcelain hole in the ground rather than a chair.



Or next venture was the subway, which we rode to our next destination. This experience consisted of lessons like, stick together, keep purses and wallets in the front, and squeeze tight because you can always fit one more person.

Sightseeing- The Golden Gate, the original entrance to Kiev, Independence Square with its fountains, next to a closed Krashatik Street where the weekend festivities were in full swing. To the unknowing spectator, like my friend Beth, the characters seem both unusual and harmless. But as Beth can now tell you from experience, look out for the man dressed as a squirrel. When he asks if you want to take a picture with him, he really means “I’ll take a picture with you for a small fee.” An extra precaution: He may try to pick you up.



My families arrival was a joyous occasion. And as you have probably seen in the photos, an exhausting one. But if you think they were tired from the plane, you should have seen them after their first train ride.

Hospital

Dear friends, last time I wrote I had been ill with a head cold. After being sick for about three weeks, I thought it was time to visit the Doctor. My cold had developed in stages. First I had a horrible head ache and stuffed up nose. This developed into a slight sore throat. My head began to clear up and I was almost completely recovered. However my throat went from slightly soar, to so sore I didn’t want to open my mouth and went everywhere with a scarf wrapped around my neck to keep any cold air away. My sore throat spread so that when I swallowed my right ear hurt. It was in this tired and weary condition that I left Vapnyarka to meet my family in Kiev.

I left on Thursday night to arrive in Kiev Friday and my family arrived at the air port Saturday morning. After dragging them around town to some of the sights we boarded a train to Chernovtsy. When we arrived on Sunday Morning, I was not only tired from the journey but still ill. Era, my friend who had gone to Kiev with me for the children’s conference, was also sick with similar symptoms.

Verra’s sister called to schedule us appointments at the “Nose, Ear, and Throat” doctor. The doctor I was to meet with new I was an American, but it was important to conceal my identity from others working or the price of my visit would have quickly grown from about 100 Grieven to 100 dollars. In other words I was a very quiet patient, who followed the hand gestures and allowed Era and Vera’s sister to do all of the talking.

The hospital we visited that early Monday morning was cinematic. It looked as if it was part of a WWII movie set. The observation room was large. Pale baby blue tiles lined the bottom five feet of the walls. The rest of the walls and the ceiling were white, just like the nurses uniforms. The room was dimly lit. A long table ran down the center of the room, dividing it into two areas. The wall left of the table had some large and interesting equipment. The right side was lined by six small examination stations. The back wall was where you could find sinks and cabinets with supplies.

I was taken to one of the examination stations. It consisted of a chair with its back against the wall. Beside it was a metal cart. The cart shelves were filled with medicines and tools used in the examination process. At each station there was also a light bulb with a pull string protruding from the wall.

I sat in the chair. The doctor pulled up a bench beside me and turned on the light. On the doctors head was a head mirror, one of those round mirrors on a head band seen in pictures of doctors long ago. After Era explained my symptoms, the doctor began the examination. First he looked up my nose using a metal cone with holes at both ends. Then he used one of these metal cones to look in my ears. My mouth was next. He placed a mirror on a stick, like the one most doctors use, on the light bulb beside my head. After it was a little warm I opened wide and he took a look. He asked Era a few more questions and had the nurse come and take me to the table in the middle of the room while he examined Erra.

To be honest, I didn’t know exactly what was going on. The nurse took me to the table and sat me down. She had me put my right arm on the table. Then I was to lay my head down on it, with my right ear down on my arm. To my surprise she started pouring some liquid in my left ear. She left me to sit. I could feel air bubbles escaping my ear through the fluid. A few minutes later, the nurse came back with a plastic bib, which she tied around my neck and placed the bib over my left arm, under my ear filled with liquid. She left and came back again, this time with a syringe of water and a kidney shaped tray. She placed the tray against my neck and told me to hold it. She then sat my head back up, so that the liquid began emptying into the tray. Without warning, she put the syringe to my ear and blasted the water inside. The tray caught the water fall flowing out of my ear. She sent me back to the doctor. He examined my ears again. He sent my two chaperones and I out with further instructions.

It wasn’t till I was outside that I found out we were going to get X-rays. We walked to a dentist office to have the photo taken but they were not able to do it. We got on a bus, rode a few blocks, and went to another hospital. Their X-ray center was not open for another two hours. We walked down the street a little further to another hospital. We arrived 10 minutes before the X-ray center would be open. There were a couple of people here before us. We had to wait our turn. It was while we were waiting that Era informed me that it would cost 10 Grieven, that is less than 2 Dollars. She was hoping that it wasn’t too expensive. I also found out that I was the only one getting an X-ray. Apparently, the doctor thought my nostrils were unusual. When he asked Era if I had problems breathing and if I sneezed often, she told yes that I had lots of problems with it. I am still not sure why she told him this.

It was my turn. Vera’s sister went in the room and guessed the answers to the questions the X-ray operator asked about my birth date and weight. I watched as they prepared a huge machine that reminded me of the shrinking machine from “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”. I sat in front of it on a bench, inches away from a big board. The technician arranged my head so that I was looking up at the ceiling with my mouth open and my chin pressed to the bored. When they asked Vera’s sister to leave the room I decided it would probably be wise to close my eyes while they took the picture. After waiting another 10 minutes, I paid and for my picture. We hurried back to the doctor. He looked at it in amusement. Although I think he found it a little unusual, there was nothing medically wrong. (Honestly, I have to wonder what they were thinking. Even if they would have found something wrong, there was no way they were operating.) With X-ray and prescription in hand we were free to leave.



Era and I went to the pharmacy where we bought two medicines. The first was a nose spray. Two sprays up each nostril, twice a day. The second medicine was drops that were to be dripped into the nose 20 minutes after the spray. We were also instructed to take vitamins. The next morning I woke up and used my nose spray. During my 20 minute wait I picked up the boxes to see if I could figure out what I was taking. I picked up the box for the drop medicine. I found a word I recognized. To my surprise and amusement it was the word for eyes. That’s right, I was supposed to drop eye drops up my nose. I decided to skip this step. The next day I was feeling much better. I believe the cold had finally run its course. I have kept the eye drops with my other medicines just in case I ever have red eyes.

The Spa Treatment

I have had many experiences in the last six months. Most recently I have been able to add being sick to the list. While in Kiev for a children’s conference I developed a slight head cold. It was not a big deal. However, within a few days of arriving in Vapnyarka, my cold grew worse, into nothing more than a common head cold. I was taking medicine I had brought with me and began sucking on cough drops on a regular basis. However, I couldn’t avoid going unnoticed by the people I live with. When they offered to help get rid of it, I agreed to undergo cold treatments I had never experienced in the States.

First of all, tea and honey will not due. Butter was added to my cup to help coat my throat. Surprisingly, this was not that bad. It was only the beginning.

The second treatment went something like this. I sat wrapped in a blanket with my feet in a large bowl. Hot water was added to the bowl. The blanket was wrapped around the bowl to lock in the heat. When the water cooled a little more was added. This ritual continued for probably an hour. After about thirty minutes of the treatment I had started to sweat. Nina, my motherly doctor, said this was good. Beneath the glow of my perspiration my face was red. As crazy as it seems, it wasn’t that bad. The soaking of my feet was like getting a pedicure. Once I my body was heated, my feet were dried and socks put on immediately to keep the heat from escaping. It was to bed I went, to curl up under the covers. Basically, they had given me a fever. (If you try this at home, you should know, as Nina told me, do not take your temperature during or after this treatment, it will be a little off.) It was a restless night as I struggled to be comfortable in my heated incubator. To my great surprise, by morning, I was feeling much better, aside for a little cough and congestion that remained in my lungs. My head was clear and I could once again breath.

If you try this treatment and like it, you may enjoy the second treatment I participated in. In order to get rid of everything left in my nose and lungs, I placed a towel over my head and leaned over a pot of steaming water. Breath in the steam and cough up the phlegm is the theory. In the boiling water was potatoes and soda. This somehow helps in the process. By the time I was finished not only were my lungs steamed but my face as well. It was like having a potato facial. I am yet to determine if it has actually done anything for my skin.

Something to Think About...

Philippians 4:4-9
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – Rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

In many ways, this passage has been haunting me lately. It seems that the personal experiences and conflicts that God is using to stir up my life from the inside out, continuously bring me back to this passage of scripture. No matter what the circumstances, these words of encouragement give me hope. The thing I like most about what Paul says in these verses is that he doesn’t just say have God’s peace in your lives but he tells you how to achieve it. For the size of the passage, it contains a lot of direction. Every time I read it, I have found myself uplifted. With every reading my mind has been opened to how this applies to my life, today.

In verse six it says “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need.” Well that is easy enough- I can pray, especially about the things I’m worried about. Tell God what I need? No problem. But there is an important part of that passage that is missing. If we read it in completion it says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Did you catch that last part? “Thank him for all he has done.” Sometimes I forget this part when I pray. I spend all my time with God, telling him about my worries and my needs that I forget to thank him for what he has already done. Just something to think about…

Getting Down to Business

I have found that some of the time I have enjoyed most with the children is working with them. This of course includes English homework but also includes our time collecting walnuts at the new children’s center the day I left for Chernovtsy.

I did not know quite what to expect when they told me we were going to work at the new children’s center. When we first arrived some of the children who had arrived earlier were busy sweeping up dust and debris from the latest renovation work and adding it to the large trash heap collecting on the property. A few boys finished the cleaning; everyone else could be found under the trees in the yard. If you were to walk by, you would have seen trees shaking. Boys would climb in the branches and try to shake the nuts loose. After hitting the ground, others would collect the nuts, many still in their green casing. Crack, the sound of a casing being stomped on to free the nut from its protective cover. You must be very careful when handling these nuts, because it only takes a little bit of the juice from one of these nuts to turn your hands brown. With a lot of juice they will be black. Once gathered, the nuts went into a large bag to be taken back to the children’s center and enjoyed. It was a time of laughter and joy as we worked together to find walnuts, a simple task that allowed us to work together and further build relationships. It is during these moments with the children when I find myself giving thanks to the Lord for each and every one of them and for allowing me the opportunity to love them. Please pray for the children and the continuing work on their new home. Pray that the funds will be supplied to finish and operate the new home. Pray for the children who will someday live within its walls. Thank you for your prayers and support of God’s children.

Remodeling

When I returned to Chernovtsy two weeks ago, I never expected to be so busy. It was an exciting time for the city and an exciting time for Aquila. Last month the windows were replaced in the office. This may sound normal to us but as an American girl I was surprised at what I found. First of all, many of the windows in Ukraine are double pained. This basically means that there are two windows, one in front of the other, with about 6” between, to help keep the cold out in the winter. Thanks to new technology and thicker glass these windows are no longer necessary. Therefore the new windows are only one panel which is placed at the outside wall of the old window. This leaves six inches of brick around the perimeter of the window inside your house. If you think this may be an eye sore, it is but what makes it worse is that they don’t bother making as little mess as possible nor do they clean up after themselves. After replacing the windows they leave piles of dust, broken bricks, and chunks of cement in their wake. If you ever need to replace your windows while living in Ukraine be sure to order you sills. Yes, you must order them separately, if you don’t you won’t have them, like us. We did order them, and they put them in making a mess as large as the first.

The windows were not the only renovation work being done at this time. This past week just after the window sills were in place professional painters came to paint the three main rooms and touch up in the bathroom. Before this could be done, as much stuff as possible had to be put into the storage room and the large furniture moved to the center of the rooms and covered with plastic. (If I didn’t mention it before, Vera was in the hospital during my two weeks in Chernovtsy. An American girl should never be overseeing renovations in Ukraine. Thankfully, I had lots of help.) Vera’s family came, much earlier than I was expecting to help with the furniture. So as I tried to pack my things to move in with a family across town while the painting was being done, they started stacking the furniture. There are many things that I have difficulty understanding in this culture. Vera’s mother is one of them. She is a very go, go, go, babushka. She has a good heart and always trying to help everyone out, which is why she led the furniture covering brigade. Her first order was in the family room; there were two couches, one love seat, a piano and a few random small tables and chairs- so it would only make sense to put the largest couch on top of the piano. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end.

The paint process was an interesting experience. Vera’s father delivered the paint and Erra, an Aquila volunteer took me to get color for the paint. When I think of picking out a paint color, I think of walking into Sherwin Williams, looking over the thousands of colors available on the paint cards, maybe taking a few home with me to look at with the furniture or carrying a scrap of fabric into the store to find the right color. I then take it to the Sherwin Williams counter, where they type the numbers into a computer (This way if I need more, I will get the same exact color the second time), a machine mixes it and I take it home to use.

This is not the process in Ukraine. There is no Sherwin Williams. There is not even Home Depot. There is a bazaar, a special bazaar for things like paint, plumbing, electrical, and any other home supplies you may need. In this bazaar, you buy paint; which Vera’s father did and delivered to the apartment so that we would not need to carry it on the bus. Erra and I however went to buy the color. Color is bought separately. There are about 30 or so colors. Each can be used to make various shades, depending on how much white paint you add it to. We found the colors we liked and took them home. It was explained to the paint guys that we wanted a light color, nothing harsh; which they did.

And the final product… The biggest mess, I’ve ever seen by painters professional or non. (And if you know how messy I am, you know that is a lot) There was paint on the walls and everywhere else. On the drop cloths, on the floor, everywhere. We can clean it up, no problem- we were planning on doing that anyway and to put a new coat of paint on the floor.

Side Note: Floor Paint- In Ukraine, there are only two colors of floor paint offered; brown or brown. Your choice is brown/red or brown/yellow. Tell me what color would you paint the floor with black trim and a bluish purple room?

There was one problem with our plan, the walls looked awful. Instead of being warm, welcoming pastels the colors of the walls were faded out that for some reason looked like colors you would use to describe an illness in a piece of art. In addition, the coat was so thin that you could see all the patches and flaws in the wall. We had to paint again. Back to the bazaar, this time we were carrying a large bucket of paint on the bus.

After sanding and preparing the doors and trim work to be painted black we swept, vacuumed, and mopped up the dust left behind from the windows, removal of chalky paint (which had previously been on the walls; a common practice in this part of the world; be careful if you lean up against a wall, you may leave with it on your shirt) and the powder we created sanding it was time to start painting. I started with the black trim to keep anyone from changing their mind or keeping us from using this shocking color. Erra came to help. She started repainting the kitchen a springy yellow. With only a third of the work done, I ran out of black paint and the bazaar was closed. So while Erra worked in the kitchen, I worked on what will be the bedroom. Not paying attention to exact measurements we poured the paint from the large bucket into smaller buckets to be used in each room. I added the color, mixed, added some more, mixed again and continued this process till I found just the right cool blue color. Erra finished the kitchen and got started on the living room. GREEN! Spring green, not sick green. I ran out of paint and mixed some more. When I got almost finished and ran out again, it was clear that we were going to run out of paint. Because we would need a ladder before we could finish the room anyway, I decided to join Erra in the green room. Maybe we could finish it. WRONG! We ran out of paint in there two, and we may just have two shades of green.

With half the apartment still needing painted, and all the furniture needing unpacked, Erra and I did the only possible way out- we left for Kiev for a Children’s Conference before Vera can return to kill us.

Happy Birthday Chernovtsy

Saturday October 4, 2008 marked the opening to the 600th Birthday celebration for the city Chernovtsy. A beautiful sunny day graced spectators as they walked along the carless streets. Chernovtsy has four squares, all of which were home to stages where performances of local and Ukrainian culture. Dancing, singing, music, and skits were performed by locals of all ages. Booths were set up for participants to buy Ukrainian souvenirs. A blacksmith was firing iron and bending it into souvenirs for the crowd who had gathered around to watch him. A huge clock was placed in the ground with flowers adorning its face. Among the crowded streets one could spot people dressed in clothes from past times in Chernovtsy. People were getting their picture taken on a large iron carriage gifted to the city. It is said that 52 weddings were to be registered over the weekend. In the rose garden in front of the opera house, was a great competition of floral displays, some beautiful, some creative. In almost every store front 600.

As part of the festivities, a huge cake was cut for everyone to enjoy. Olassia, Erra, and I fought our way through the crowds to find this treasure. Unfortunately, we did not find the actual cake. What we found was a mob and people escaping it with large pieces of cake, many of whom were wearing it by the time they made it out of the crowd to enjoy it. We decided it would be better to just buy our own cake.

The first night ended with a spectacular concert on one of the squares. An Italian singer, who was apparently very famous, serenaded the crowd. One could hardly move through the throng of people. The only time I have ever been in a larger crowd in a public square was New Year’s Eve in Times Square. As a grand finale a laser light show painted the buildings around the square. Fireworks burst into the air showering the sky with brilliant colors. People watched attentively, cheering.

Chaos, ultimate chaos! The fireworks were over and grey smoke still lingered in the air. People, most of them drunk, were ready to go home. There was shoving and pushing to get out of the narrow streets. It was an experience I shall always remember and never wish to have again. It made me thankful for the laws and regulations we have in the United States to prevent the dangers that can be created by an unruly crowd.

Saturday was only the beginning. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday brought new activities and events, leading up to Wednesday October 8th- the official Birthday of Chernovtsy.

Staying Busy

Remodeling, Chernovtsy’s 600th Jubilee, and the start of Aquila’s internship program with the local university. Forms and documents for the internship program had to be created and translated during my first week in Chernovtsy. With Vera gone, I had the privilege of introducing interns to Aquila. I shared with them the sort of work we do and some of the details of what they would be doing. Erra, Lassia and I guided them through their first few days. With five interns in two groups, Aquila volunteers took students to visit homes of disabled children. It was interesting to observe their first responses to the situations and home environments that they were introduced to. After going with them to each family once, they went back a second time on their own. It is very exciting to see what God is doing with Aquila in Chernovtsy. Through this internship program we will be able to help moms and kids build new relationships and connections, create awareness of persons with and affected by special needs and to begin building a foundation for an occupational therapy program for Ukrainian Universities. Please pray that the intern’s eyes would be open to the needs of the clients they are working with. Pray their hearts be filled with compassion for those crying out for love.

On an English Note: In a recent conversation I learned something I found very interesting about the studying of English in schools during the reign of the former Soviet Union. A man was recollecting and explaining how they taught English when he was in school. Translation, Translation, Translation! That is all they did was translate text. They were not allowed to speak English. Why? Because if they can speak a language that cannot be understood by those around them, then they may be keeping secrets.

Prayer- Thank you for your prayers. God is doing great things through them. Please remember to pray for the children of Chernovtsy and Vapnyarka. Pray for World Light Foundation and Aquila as they reach out to those in need. Please pray for me to know how I can best serve each organization. May God bless you for your loving support, Tiffany

Blessings

An Eternal God

2 Peter 3:8 “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord and a thousand years is like a day.”

Growing up I heard this verse many times, used in many ways. I never exactly understood it. While in college my Old Testament professor discussed this verse and gave me a new perspective of time and prayer.

How can a day be like a thousand years? How can a thousand years be like a day? It is a difficult task for humans to wrap their minds around such an idea. It doesn’t make sense. We have days. We have weeks. We have years. A thousand years seems like forever. But God, was there at the beginning of time. He is present now. And he will continue to be present in the future. God is not bound by time. It has no power over Him. He is eternal.

The evidence of God’s eternal presence lies in my prayer life. There have been times when I’ve prayed for something and God answers right away other times I must wait years. I have found that my prayers were often answered before I even spoke them. I have prayed and asked God for many things and time after time I have seen God do great works that He began before I had a need. This past week I witnessed this again.

I recently asked you to pray with me for a little girl named Kotia that needed a bed. Kotia prayed. A children’s Sunday school class in Holland joined us and lifted their voices to their father on Kotia’s behalf. Once again God’s people came together and prayed to Him for a need. Once again God answered.

Over two years ago, a donation of just over and 2,000.00 was made to Aquila Foundation. This donation was lost in the mail. Vera received a phone call a few days ago. The money was found and waiting for her in Kiev. This money will go to help buy Kotia’s bed. Had the money come two years ago, it would have been used to meet other needs. Had it come much later it may have been used for something else or been too late to help Kotia. Some may say it is a coincidence that the money was found at this moment, but I say it was a miracle. God is not bound by time.

Rain, Rain, Rain!

It has been nothing but wet since I have arrived back in Vapnyarka. The weather is cold. I am told we will have a “Grandma Summer”, meaning it will stay cold for a little bit but then become warm again. For now, I trudge through the mud everyday to the children’s center, looking like a Christmas tree with bags of stuff hanging off of me. I have discovered in this rainy weather another cultural custom. In North America, opening an umbrella indoors is considered to be bad look by the superstitious. Here on the contrary, opening an umbrella indoors is a common practice. When people come in from the rain in Ukraine, they open their umbrellas in doors and leave them to dry.

English! English! English!
Every day, I help children with their English homework. I must admit that I do not like homework now any more than when I was in school. It is my goal as their tutor that they not only get their homework finished but that they understand it. Many of them have just gotten by and now are behind in comprehension. Vocabulary is key, therefore each of them now have a notebook containing a page for every letter of the English alphabet. Every day we look up words in the English to Russian Dictionary, they do not understand in their homework. The children then write the words in English and in Russian. I also have a notebook. It has a page for every Russian letter. When they write down words in their dictionary I write them in mine. Children earn stickers when they know three new words from their notebook well. They also earn stickers when they spend extra time learning English. When they earn five stickers they will be able to pick something from a prize box.

In addition to being the English tutor, I will also be teaching lessons. The first will be about strangers and safety tools to use around them. This is a subject talked about frequently in North American schools but is not discussed in Ukraine. I will then be teaching lessons about identity from the Life Skills curriculum I attended classes for when I first arrived. Tolik, the oldest boy who is currently attending College to become a social worker is living at the children’s center and working as an intern. I will working with him to teach some of the material and also to help him understand the lessons and skills being taught. Please pray that as we teach these lessons the children would understand and nothing will be lost in translation. Vitalic will be doing much of the translation. It is frightening for him. Please pray that he would be confident. Thank you for your partnership in praying. God is doing amazing things.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a truly American holiday that is older than Americans. This past Sunday the Nazarene church in Vapnyarka celebrated Thanksgiving. A table at the front of the church was filled with fruits, vegetables and nuts to signify the abundant harvest. The service was focused on giving praise and thanks to God for His provisions and blessings. The children at the children’s center participated in the service by singing a song and acting out a story from the Bible. The song said “Thank You” to God, for his creation, for the joy he gives, for the comfort, “Thank You”. The skit painted a picture of the rich man who decided to have a banquet and share with all of his friends. When his friends were all too busy to come, he sent his servants out to invite whoever they found. Who did they find? -The poor, the lame, and the lowly. After the service the entire church joined together in fellowship over tea, cookies, fruits, and vegetables. It was truly thanksgiving- no turkey, no big meal but a time of reflecting on the blessings God has given and the opportunity to say thank you.

A Very Quick Update From A Very Slow Internet Connection

September 14, 2008

Being back in Vapnyarka brings back the old familiar feeling of coming home from college for a break. I unpack my things and try to settle into my room, remembering that I left this or that back in Chernovtsy. I dig through the bags I left behind, to see what I can find. The kids welcome me back home as my family did. I am caught up on the latest happenings and shown pictures of the first day of school and Russlana’s 15th birthday party, which I sadly missed. It is the warm feeling of being home but knowing I will soon return to Chernovtsy to be part of something that is equally as wonderful. I feel very blessed that God has given me the opportunity to work with two ministries; both working with children shunned by their society- those with special needs and social orphans affected by HIV.

I am happy to report that my Russian skills greatly improved over the summer. Enough so, that I am now able to help the children with their English homework. It is a role that I find very rewarding. I am not the only one who grew over the summer. The children have too. The littlest, Mila has started first grade. Russlana has turned 15. In Ukrainian culture it is sweet 15 not 16. When I left the Uno cards were wearing away. I have returned to find that many of them have been laminated in packing tape to make them stronger. The weather also has decided to turn cold. Cloudy and rainy days have ushered in winter’s first cold winds and I am not enjoying them.

Please continue to pray for the children and for the continued renovations of the new children’s center. Much work has been completed through the help of donations and work and witness teams who were willing to get their hands dirty. The kids have also pitched in to help construct their new home. God is doing great things with World Light Foundation’s ministry both here at the children’s center and in Odessa where they have started building relationships with street children. I hope to soon give more complete and detailed information on the progress of both ministries.

While I am here getting reacquainted and reorganized, Vera is back in Chernovtsy battling the bugs. Please pray that this problem would soon be resolved. Before I left, we also unpacked a huge shipment of flood relief from Germany. It is the shipment that contained the wheel chairs that would be given away in one of the local villages. Customs paperwork was to be done this week, in order to release and distribute the clothes, furniture, and wheel chairs. There was a problem, though. The wheel chairs were not able to clear customs without further paperwork, not just from the regular officials but from the ministry of health. These documents could take up to three additional months to obtain. Nothing from the shipment can be released until everything is approved. Vera called everyone she knew to find a local connection to help get things done more quickly. (That is the way things are done here. It is all about who you know. And if you can, start at the top, go to the President first.) Vera went to the local Ministry of Health to see what she must do and try to work with them to get the shipment released as soon as possible. When she arrived, the lady already knew about the shipment. Someone, from parliament had called to see why the shipment was being held up. It was a miracle. Vera does not know anyone in parliament. She is not even sure who called but we know for sure that it was God who released the shipment. Please pray that the items will be distributed, where they are most needed. Pray for the people who will be receiving them. Pray for victims as they rebuild their lives. Prayer is also needed for the club. Please pray for the families and children involved. The club space is also very crowded. Also pray that God would provide a large club space for the winter.

Prayer is powerful. I have seen the power many times over my lifetime. I have asked you to pray for many things and now I ask you to pray with me for a little girl named Kotia. She is an 18 year old girl in Chernovtsy. She is in bed all the time. Her father died about four years ago. Her loving mother puts all her energy into taking care of her. Because she is unable to move, her joints are aching. Her spinal cord is twisted. She cannot lie on her side. Her health condition is getting worse. She is currently in great pain. Please pray for Kotia. Pray that her pain would go away. Pray for her mother to have strength to take care of her. There is a medical bed and orthopedic for people in Kotia’s condition. Unfortunately, the funds are not currently available for the special bed. It costs approximately $3,000.00. Please pray with Kotia, her family, Vera and the Aquilla family and me. Pray that God will provide the bed or the funds for the bed that will help Kotia and her mother. If you are interested in donating money toward the cost of Kotia’s bed please contact Vera or me.

Thank you for your time. May God bless you, Tiffany

The Good and The Not So Good

Club Pearl

Saturday September, 6th marked the season opening of Club Pearl. Club Pearl meets the first Saturday of every month to offer fun and fellowship to local children with disabilities and their families. A team from Kiev joins with local volunteers each club meeting to give every participant individual attention.

Moms, children, and volunteers met at noon at a local social work building. After a welcoming from Vera, we sang Happy Birthday to one of the participants, Sveta. It was Sveta’s 31st birthday. She was presented with a card and flowers. She was grinning from ear to ear with excitement. Like Sveta, the club is a community of friends.

Following Sveta’s serenade, we continued singing songs together. Ira, from Kiev led the kids in fun songs with lots of motions. Participants sang loudly. Those who could not sing used their hands and arms to do the motions. Others danced and hummed along. Moms enjoyed the singing just as much as the kids.

After singing together, it was time for moms to meet together. Coffee and tea helped to break the ice. Laughing, sharing, just talking about life; something these mom need desperately but find difficult to squeeze into their every day schedule of caring for their children. Vera painted a picture of her vision of the monthly club meeting. New ministries such as Bible Study, English lessons, and an Audio book library were introduced.

While moms met kids had fun. A skit introduced the Bible lesson about creation. The story was told as pictures to illustrate it were painted on a paper on the wall. The empty paper was soon full of sun, moon, and stars. Pictures were then taped on of various animals and Adam and Eve. The story of Adam and Eve continued. The audience heard about the fall of man, the separation from God, and how when Jesus came he made a way for humans to have fellowship with God again. To follow up kids were given a word puzzle paper to do in groups. Children also used construction paper to create a whale of their own to take home.

Three and a half hours after club began we were able to begin packing up. Moms and students hung around to talk and play. It was a successful meeting. Moms, children, and volunteers, are now counting down the days until they can meet again for a time of fun and fellowship.

Living With Bugs

Living in a culture different than the one you’re from, you expect that there will be some difficulty. There will be things that test your patience. The new and unknown brings the unusual and unexpected. In the past months I have been in situations and had experiences I would have never dreamed of… not bathing in over a week and then having to bathe in water filled with paint chips, bitten by two dogs in the same week, living with a mouse, living with a cat who loudly climbs up the door and whelps all night long and now living with an infestation of bedbugs that once hibernated in the old pillows we cleaned out of cabinets and were spread by the roaming cat…

While many of these things have caused physical discomfort and mental unrest, I have come to the conclusion that when compared to the deep sickness of the world they are minuscule. I did not come to Ukraine to battle mice and bugs, I came to serve. It has not been easy or comfortable but that all fades away when I am holding a kid in my lap in Vapnyarka or watching a child who has been shunned by society because of a condition they were born with laugh and smile. I am beginning to better understand what Proverb19:23 means when it says “The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”

Returning To Vapnyarka

Wednesday I will be returning to Vapnyarka for a little while. (For those of you who are wondering and still concerned about the afore mentioned “bed bugs” an exterminator will come while I am gone and kill all my guests before I return.) I am very excited to see the kids. I will also be meeting with Natalia to work on some information and website projects. Please pray for my safe travels. Please continue to pray for the children in both Vapnyarka and in Chernefsi. May God’s work be done not our own ideas of what we think needs to be accomplished. Thank you for your support. May God Bless You, Tiff

The Latest Happenings

Day in the Park
Up and down, round and round, back and forth- Can you feel the wind on your face and the anxiety in the pit of your stomach? In the background you can hear giggles and screams of laughter. The hustle, the bustle, the excitement surrounds you. It all fades away as the ride begins and you find yourself experiencing your own merry moment. You are swept away by an amusement park ride. For children of all ages going to an amusement park is one of the highlights of summer. For kids with disabilities in Ukraine, it is a dream. On Saturday August 23, it became a dream come true for some of these kids and their families. Aquila families met in the local park. We rode rides, ate ice cream, and had a wonderful time of fellowship. Rides were not wheel chair accessible. Children who cannot walk had to be carried up steps to board the rides. A few children who cannot sit on their own had to be held in the lap of either a parent or a volunteer. There are not words to express the smiles painted on the faces of these children.

The day in the park was also a social statement. Children and people with disabilities are often shunned in this culture. Most people who pass by rudely ignore them or make statements that the family must be cursed or the parents terrible sinners. To be seen in public together strengthens these families. It also helps others in the community to become aware of disabled people and how they are a part of the community.

An Inspirational Story

Titus 3:14 “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”

As we were returning from one of the villages we passed a man working in a field. Using a sickle he cut the tall grass. This would not have been an unusual sight in Ukraine except that the man was 74, was sitting in a wheel chair, and only had one leg. WoW! We were all amazed by what we saw. “Turn around” Vera said. “What for?” said the driver. “Let’s go meet him and at least give him some bread.” We turned around and drove back. When we pulled off the side of the road near the man he was quite surprised. His name is Vassili and he is 74 years old. When we asked why he was out here working he replied, “I just can’t be alive and not do anything.” Wow! Powerful words from a man working not just because he had to, but because he wanted to. Many people half his age without a physical disability do not work with such fervor. We gave him bread and a Crisis Care Kit. Noticing the old and worn condition of the wheel chair, Vera looked at him and said, “Do you know how to pray? You pray for a new wheel chair and I’ll deliver it.” The men from our team finished cutting the grass for him and we were once again on the road home touched by what we had just experienced.



During the next week Vera made a few phone calls to see if anyone had a wheel chair. She found one. This past weekend we delivered it. Once again we surprised Vassili, this time at his door step. The two wheel chairs sat side by side, old and new, as he came out the door to see his new chair for the first time. His eyes radiated with joy. “I’ll only take this chair to see my neighbor.” He commented as he sat in the padded seat. “No, take it wherever you want to go.” Vassili was thrilled.



It is amazing what God does when we listen to his voice. You see, Vera heard God tell her to stop and we did. Upon delivering the wheel chair we learned that in that same village, there are four other people who need wheel chairs due to lack of legs. Before we learned of this need a truck was already in route to Chernovtsy bringing humanitarian aid. In that truck are four wheel chairs. They will be here next week.

God’s plans are greater than anything we could imagine and he orchestrates them in such a way that we find ourselves in awe of his masterpiece.



A Culture Snapshot: We were waiting for a bus to take us to the bus station early Thursday morning when a Marshutka pulled up. As several people got out at the stop Vera stuck her head in and asked the driver, “Are you going to the bus station?” He replied, “No, I still need to go to my doctor’s appointment.” This is what the girls on my seventh grade volleyball team last year would have called W.W.W. T.M.I. (Way, Way, Way, Too Much Information!) Instead of just saying no, he shared personal information. This is one of the daily reflections of Ukraine’s history of social living.

Crossing Borders
Traveling alone, to another foreign country with another language is a little nerve racking. I had to wake early. Vera took me to the bus station. She spoke to the driver; to be sure he knew I needed to return with them that day. It was not a problem. The driver and his friend would take great care of me, all it cost was a kiss on the cheek from Vera.
My trip to Romania went something like this:
7:10 Leave Chernovtsy
8:35 Leave Ukrainian Border
8:50 Enter Romania

By 10:30 I was at the bus station. I had till 1:00 to look around. I didn’t stray too far but was able to observe everyday life in the market and bazaar. In one of the stores I found an American product that isn’t sold in Ukraine, Mountain Dew. It is the only souvenir I brought back with me. I save it for one of those moments when I just need something American. At 12:45 I was back at the bus station and at 1:00 I was on my way back to Ukraine. Looking out the bus window one could see mountains on every side. The picture perfect view was a reminder that God was taking care of me. Thank everyone for your prayers during this time. I will need to leave again at the end of November as part of the Visa requirement.

Lessons from disaster

One would think that the more villages I visit, damage I see, and victims that I meet the less they would affect me. However, I have found that the opposite is true. The more sights I see and people I come in contact with the more it leaves an impression on my heart.

I find that I am constantly reminded of the words of Job just after he was told of the loss of his animals, servants, and children. The scripture said that he shaved his head, tore his clothes and worshiped saying the words in Job chapter 1 verse 21
Job 1:21
He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The LORD gave me what I had,
and the LORD has taken it away.
Praise the name of the LORD!”

The Lord gave and the Lord took. It is a powerful statement but what is more powerful is what follows- “Praise the name of the LORD!”

Walking or driving through the villages, it does not take long before you see a destroyed garden of a collapsed house. You hear stories that break your heart but in the midst of all the sorrow you will find something greater than the sadness. You hear people thankful to be alive. They have nothing but life. They are grateful for the aide that has come. The hope they have for a new life is more powerful than the loss they have suffered. I am truly touched by the people I meet, the ones that are not just sitting in anger or sorrow. They have suffered a great loss which they carry with them but that is not their focus. They are rebuilding their lives. Coming into contact with these people has forced me to reflect on my own life. What is important to me? What would I do in this situation? Could the words of Job come from my mouth? “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

Future in Ukraine

Dear friends I am so thankful to be on this journey and even more thankful that I am not alone. Through your prayers, support, and encouragement you have given me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to serve with you. The past five months have been an incredible adventure that at some times flashed before me at the speed of light and at others seemed to crawl like a snail. There were moments that I did not want to be where I was and others that I could not imagine any other place I would rather be. The road has not been easy but God has been here. He has worked in my life in ways I could have never dreamed. I have been witness to his power time after time. I have had the opportunity to work with a many people in several ministries. God has opened doors to place me exactly where he wanted me. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Thus far the majority of my ministry has been in Vapnyarka at the children’s center. I have lived and loved seventeen children. Currently I am working in Chernovtsy with children with disabilities and their family. For the duration of my time in Ukraine the current plan is for me to travel back and forth between the two places. In both places I will be working with the children and also be helping with correspondence that needs to be done in English. I am very excited about this opportunity to work in both areas. In Chernovtsy I will also be helping to organize the current programs and help prepare it for growth. One of the new ministries we are in the process of creating is a library with both regular books and audio books. The books will be available to the families we work with and to volunteers to take with them to visit children. Audio books are important because some of the children are bed ridden and blind. Books on tape offer them a new form of entertainment. I will also be teaching some basic English to parents and children who are interested. This will provide an opportunity for me to build relationships with them and offer them the ability to learn something new. Being able to speak a little English is also helpful when teams from the United States come. Please be praying for me as God sorts out exactly what my role here is. Pray for the programs, that they will be organized in the most effective way and that God will provide the funds for the various projects such as the library. Once again, thank you for being a part of this journey. You have been a great blessing to me and to those I work with. May God Bless you and keep you.
Tiffany

Proverbs 16:33 “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.”

A Personal Thought

Naomi
Many tears were shed this last week by flood victims who shared their stories of heart break and devastation. Men, women, and children – the flood affected everyone. Many were left with little, others with nothing. Tear filled eyes, heartbreak, and hopeless faces were a common sight as we distributed humanitarian aid last week. Of all the faces we saw there is one that will be burned in my memory for a long time to come. Barefoot, little chubby cheeks, and not even three feet tall, Naomi ran in circles. She pointed at birds. Her eyes open wide as they flew away. And off she goes again. Her squeaking shoes always told you where she was. Everyone else, including Naomi’s mother was digging through boxes of shoes and piles of clothes. Naomi’s father watched her as she ran around to be sure she didn’t go anywhere she shouldn’t. In his arms, was newly born Nastia and a bag containing bread and sugar in the other. The home in which Naomi’s family lived had received terrible damage. Taking shelter with friends they had cleaned their newly remodeled home of anything they could salvage. The dreams this young couple held for life in their new home had been washed away. As for Naomi- The world around her had fallen apart and she was none the wiser. She had no fears of where she would sleep or what she would eat. She knew her parents would take care of her. In Naomi’s eyes she had everything she needed. With great joy, she ran about playing and taking pleasure in everything she saw.

This made me think of my own life. When floods come into my life, why don’t I trust God to take care of me? He got me through the flood didn’t he? When something happens that turns my world upside down, enjoying life is the last thing I do. I become so busy trying to rebuild what I had or trying to build something new that I forget to be thankful for what I do have.

Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Like a little child- to have faith that God, my father, will take care of my needs, to look at the world around me with eyes wide open, to be amazed at the beauty that surrounds me, to stop busying myself long enough to spend time in the presence of God, to let Him hold me, to comfort me- this is what it is to be a child.

Flood Relief

Chernovtsy, an international city of 250,000 people nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and less than an hour drive to Ukraine’s Romanian and Moldovan Borders. Walking down the stone streets of the city or the dirt roads of the surrounding villages any of a multitude of languages can be heard; Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, and occasionally English. The Chernovtsy University draws students from all over Ukraine and the surrounding countries. The Austrian, Romanian, Polish, and Russian influences can be observed in the city’s brilliant architecture. In September Chernovtsy will celebrate its 600 year jubilee. It is promised to be a birthday party that will never be forgotten. Plans are being made for a variety of entertainment from singing and dancing, to fireworks, and displays of national and local heritage. As the celebration draws closer and preparations are being finalized, Chernovtsy’s citizens should find themselves in escalating excitement. It is a time they will be able to commemorate their rich past and hope for the future.

However the last three weeks have not brought abounding joy and merriment but devastation. July 26th, 27th, and 28th storms poured water, almost constantly, on western Ukraine bringing with it the worst flooding in over 100 years. Water cut through the soil on the mountains creating rivers and landslides. Due to the lumber industry there were fewer trees to drink the water falling on the mountains. The boundaries between land and water no longer existed. River banks could no longer contain the flow of water. It flowed over banks, over bridges, and over roads. In the city of Chernovtsy, citizens were trapped in their homes. Gas, water, and electricity were shut off for a period of 3 days. The Pruit River that runs along the city’s border over flowed, placing the city’s largest market place under its rushing waves. Booths and merchandise were drowned. Roof tops could be seen peeking out a few feet above the mighty flood. Millions of dollars of merchandise was ruined, leaving owners in mounds of debt and unsellable goods. Chernovtsy’s way of life was disturbed. But Chernovtsy received a minimal amount of the devastation brought by the flooding.

As the city of Chernovtsy begins to clean up and recover their way of life there are thousands of people in over 200 villages whose primary concern is not recovery but survival. The rains brought loss, destruction, and death. Flood waters claimed gardens, home, and lives. For most people it was not a matter of days or hours but minutes that they found their lives turned upside down and their plans for the future shattered.

August 18th, 19th, and 20th Aquila Foundation, a local Ukrainian Baptist Church, and The Kiev 1st Church of the Nazarene partnered to distribute bread, food packages, clothes, and crisis care kits to flood victims in villages surrounding Chernovtsy. The sights they saw and the stories they heard were tragic.

Women were pulling apart dilapidated houses to salvage any wood that could be used to rebuild their lives. Men were sorting through piles of rubbish. Covered in sweat and dirt, they worked to save and clean anything that was not destroyed. Mattresses hung over fences to dry out. In remote areas water reached heights of 8, 9, and even10 feet. Few animals survived the high tides. Horses and dogs swam to safety but most people lost chickens and cattle, primary sources of food for their families. Gardens that were once full of vegetation were washed away, leaving victims with very little food to survive the winter. Roofs sat on piles of collapsed beams and floor boards. Under the rubble, one could see toys, clothes, and furniture trapped- remnants of life, of family, of better times. For most they did not lose their possessions or even their homes but their way of life.

As people recover from the shock, that comes with suddenly losing everything people are beginning to pick up the pieces of their shattered and broken lives and try to piece them back together. It is an overwhelming task. Where do you begin? Where do you find strength? Where do you find hope? Where do you find help? Your neighbors and friends are all suffering similar losses. Together you struggle to survive. Some victims will be able to stay with friends and family outside of the flood zone for a short time, but then what. Eventually they will have to return to the haunting place where they once lived. Rebuilding is a difficult task but not the most urgent. August comes to an end in a few short weeks. September will come, ushering in fall. It will not be long after that winter will arrive. Even if victims are able to rebuild their homes enough to shelter their family for the winter, they may not be able to feed them. For many, the charity of strangers is their only hope. The Orthodox Church has brought some aide, but only to their own. So, who will help the rest, the believers and unbelievers, the poor, the down trodden, the broken hearted? Who? Will it be you? Will it be me? Will it be the body of Christ? -Not the Baptist, not the Nazarenes, or the Orthodox but the body?

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 paints us a picture of the body of Christ, “The human body has many parts but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jew, some are Gentiles, some are slaves and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”

As Christians we are part of this body. God has given each of us different gifts and recourses. When we come together to function as one body, each giving what we are able we can make a difference in the world around us.

2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is brought to full expression in us.”

The flood is a time of sorrow and devastation for many but it is also an opportunity for the body of Christ to stand and function as one- as hands and feet distributing aid and comfort, as the mouth and heart of those who pray for the families affected, as those who are willing to give time to put together Crisis Care Kits and collect clothes to replenish supplies, and as those who are willing and able to give financially to help pay for bread, clean drinking water, and gas to distribute it to areas in need. How is God calling you to contribute to the flood victims of Western Ukraine?

If you are interested in contributing financially, donating clothing, putting together Crisis Care Kits, or volunteering your time to come and distribute aide please follow the instructions below accordingly. Thank you for your time. God Bless.

To Contribute Financially:
You can make a tax deductible donation by making checks payable to “General Treasury Services, Church of the Nazarene” In the memo line include “Ukraine- Chernovtsy-Flood Relief-Vira” Checks can be sent to:
General Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City MO, 64131

If you are interested in putting together Crisis Care Kits please follow the instructions located at this website http://www.ncm.org/pdf/cck_instructions.pdf You will also need to include an inventory list inside each Banana Box of kits this sheet can be found at http://www.ncm.org/pdf/cck_inventory_sheet.pdf


If you are interested in coming to help to distribute aide or help renovate collapsed houses in October or November before the cold winter please contact Vira Kushnir
+380372575652-(H)
+380677089221-(cell)
+380503519093-(cell)
bee1302@gmail.com

Chernovtsy

Home Sweet Chernovtsy

It has been a little over a week since I have returned to Chernovtsy. I have begun to settle into my new surroundings. While here, I am living in an apartment that also serves as the office, storage, and distribution center for Aquila Foundation. No worries, I am not living here alone. I have traded my mouse in Vapnyarka for a kitten, named Zoosie. We are learning to live with each other. My neighbors are elderly women who think it is there job to make sure I am doing what I am supposed to. When I took my trash out the other day, one was sitting outside her door. She stopped me to look in my bag. Shuffling through kitty litter and moldy bread she soon discovered I had nothing to offer and gave me directions to the dumpster. Only in Ukraine could I have experienced the Trash Police.

I have discovered another interesting cultural difference. In the United States we use North, South, East, and West to give directions. Because most people drive themselves it is important that they be somewhat directionally aware of where they are going. For example, I know that if from my house I go South on I-71 I will soon arrive in Cincinnati but if I go North I will end up at the outlet malls in Jefferson. If I don’t know which way I am going I could end up in the wrong place. North, South, East, and West are not used as often here in the Ukraine. This is partly due to the fact that the majority of people use public transportation. They do not care which direction they go as long as they get to their destination. They do have a way of identifying where they are that we do not use in the United States. Instead of North, South, East, or West they use Lenin. There is a statue or bust of Lenin in every city, town, or village square. From Lenin you can find your way anyway in the community.

It is still uncertain as to how long I will be serving here in Chernovtsy. God has blessed me with work organizing and developing ministries for the local community. Thus far much of my time has been spent working with the flood relief efforts. Please pray that God will guide my steps as I continue to serve in Ukraine. Pray for the Aquila Foundation as they serve their community. I will also be traveling to Romania for the last weekend of August in order to fulfill the Ukrainian Visa requirement of leaving the country every 90 day. Please pray that God will be with me as I travel and for the ministry of the church in Romania. I hope to have news and updated photos of the flood relief efforts posted soon. Thank you for your continuous prayers, support, and encouragement.

God Bless, Tiffany

NYC Eurasia

Ephesians 2:18-20
“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”

Being a Foreigner

For the past five months I have been living as a foreigner in the Ukraine. I have observed cultural customs, learned new ways of doing things, and have been studying a new language. This past week I found myself in a world within a world; where people from different countries, cultures, and languages came together under one God. It was a common ground. Everyone was a foreigner and no one was. August 2nd through August 7th marked the dates of the Eurasia Regional NYC. The Eurasia Region consists of a numerous countries from six different fields, including “Commonwealth of Independent States”,” East Mediterranean”, “Northern Europe”, “South Asia”, “South East Europe”, and the “West Mediterranean”.

The Kingdom of God

What is the kingdom of God like? This past week, I and about 300 others from Eurasia and the U.S. were challenged with this question. We explored several parables and scripture verses to discover the answer. The Kingdom of God is often thought of something in the future, when the king returns and we are all living in heaven together. However, when we take a closer look we see that the Kingdom of God, God’s reign, began at creation when he established the world. It exists today where God is transforming lives. God’s Kingdom is where He reigns in the hearts of men. Some day Jesus will return and His Kingdom will be united in heaven where we will live under His reign forever.

Romans 14:17-19 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude you will please God and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”

Skits, videos, and speakers illustrated what it means to be part of this Kingdom. We were challenged to take our light and spread it in the darkness that plagues our world. Throughout the week many illustrations of the Kingdom of Heaven were shared, but I think the most beautiful was the reality of the world we were living in for that one week. A prayer in Hungarian, a song sung in Armenian, sermons preached in English, worship lead in Russian, Bible passages read in Arabic. On a brisk walk through campus one could hear people speaking in Dutch, German, or Ukrainian. We were the Kingdom of God… A plethora of colors, cultures, and tongues but only one body, one mission, under the authority of one King. It was a beautiful portrait of what is yet to come in heaven and a challenge to live and work for the Kingdom today.

Disturbed

Mokolov

The most disturbing place I have ever been in my life was in an orphanage for disabled boys in the village of Mokolov. When I walked through the gates I already knew that I would see horrific sights of neglected children. In my mind I thought I was ready to see what I was about to see. It wasn’t long until I realized this wasn’t true. It was one thing to know that this place existed and even to know of the tragedy that lay behind the wall but to see it, to smell it, to touch it was to experience it. The boys lived like animals. Children were wondering around. Some of them were drugged to keep them quiet. One of the older boys was in charge of the others. As a farmer herding his animals, he kept them in contained areas. Some of the children would sit for hours after using the restroom in their pants before someone would bother to change their clothes. Caretakers stood around, in their clean white coats. The boys were dirty. Some of them were drooling. Some had disfigured heads. Others had twisted bodies. Everywhere you looked you would see one of them holding their knees to their chest, rocking back and forth. The smells were atrocious. It was difficult for me to wrap my mind around this world. I sat beside a blind boy, unable to move, unable to stand up. What I saw disturbed me.

I watched in amazement as Saskia approached the boys without hesitation. Many of them she knew by name and they all knew her. It was a beautiful thing. It was Jesus in the flesh touching the least of these. I am thankful to God for this disturbing experience and the inspirational testimony of my friend.

Flooding of Western Ukraine

Flooding
My week at camp at short but very eventful. The first three days of camp it rained non-stopped. It poured through the night. Rivers rose. As water flowed over the banks the worst flood in forty years became a threat to many in Western Ukraine. In the city of Cherneftsi the gas, electric, and water was turned off for a few days. Out from the city, at the camp we the electricity flickered off and on throughout the day and night. By the time camp was over the rain had stopped and the waters had started receding, leaving disaster in its place. It has been reported that 30 are dead including 6 children, due to the waters. Approximately 30,000 people were evacuated. It is estimated that 38,000 homes and 55,000 hectares of agricultural land were flooded. This has a destructive impact on the western part of the country. In the cities, millions of dollars were lost because of the flooding of homes, markets, and bazaars. In the villages the devastation is multiplied. Many have lost not only their homes but the gardens and farm lands that supply them with food for the entire winter have been destroyed. Please pray for people of Ukraine as they suffer this great loss. Pray for their government to make wise decisions concerning the clean up stages and the rebuilding of communities. Pray for the aid being distributed from several sources including the Nazarene Church through the Aquilla foundation. God Bless you and Thank you for your prayers. I will be returning to Chernefsi in a few days and will hopefully be able to update you on the situation by the end of the week.

Getting Involved in Chernefsi

Chernefsi

As I rode the train from Vinnitsa to Chernefsi, it began to rain. The sky darkened, the air became cold. The gentle rocking of the train put me to sleep and then with a jostle I would awake as we made stops during the night. Loud noises from children in the cabin next to me opening and closing doors and pumping into the wall caused me to wake with a start. Finally I arrived.

The sky was still gray and the air cool. Everything was wet. I waited in the station for Vera to come and pick me up. I would be here until the end of August, except for the next week, when I would be in Kiev at a Eurasia youth conference.

I was taken to a Ukrainian home, where I would stay a couple of nights, one before the camp for handicapped children and one afterwards. I was nervous about this because of my previous experience, with a Ukrainian family who yelled at each other at all hours of the day or night. When we arrived, it was Saskia, a girl from Holland who opened the door, not a Ukrainian. Saskia has been working with Verra and the club for children with disabilities for over 5 years now. This trip she was only staying two weeks. In March she will be moving to Chernefsi for a year. Saskia helped me get settled in. As we were drinking tea in the kitchen people began to wake up. People coming and going, laughing and having a good time. I was not sure who they were or if they lived in this home but they were all happy people. I later found out that the home had once belonged to a large family (10kids I think). Six years ago all but the three oldest moved to the United States. Two siblings were visiting for the first time since they had moved. One of the sisters, who had stayed in Ukraine, was married with one son, 3 years old. They all lived here in this apartment. A boy from their church and Saskia were also living there. It was a full house, but a house filled with love. Throughout the day and evening, the door bell rang often- people stopping by to hang out. It was a fun place to be.

Shortly after getting settled in, Saskia and I met Verra at her apartment(The one that I had stayed at a month ago with the American girls and Vica). When I had last been here there were several banana boxes. Since then, they had multiplied. Saskia’s church had collected all sorts of clothes and toys and shipped them to Chernefsi. Verra will distribute them to the families she works with. Because of the multitude of clothes, many were given to a government store where the families Verra works with and other poor people in the community can come once a week and shop for free. It is a new program. People from the community can fill out an application. According to their needs they are able to take clothes. At the same facility as the free store, is where Verra will begin her club meetings in the fall. In the past the club was held at the local Young Life Club. The time has come for Verra’s organization, Aquilla Foundation and Young Life to go separate ways. They will have one last camp together. Please pray for the families involved because they will need to choose which club they will go to. Please pray that they would be able to make the best choice to help their family. Pray that it would be a peaceful separation and that it would be for the glory of God. Each will continue to offer a club, which allows more people in the community to be reached.

Several boxes of clothes were also donated to Victims of Chernobyl Relief Organization. This organization was started by the survivors of Chernobyl. Since the disaster that took place, the majority of survivors have received little or no help from the government. They remain on waiting lists. Many people have suffered physical ailments. As you can imagine, it is difficult for these people, who lost everything to move on with their lives. It was touching to hear the founder of the organization tell her story about how her own family was evacuated. People did not realize the danger they were in. Those who were relocated had to leave everything behind. The lady showed us pictures of when her and her son traveled back not too long ago. They entered their own apartment. All the furniture was gone. They found a few toys and school pictures that were left. Even now, as she recalled these events, her eyes swelled with tears. Many people died. Whole troops of soldiers were sent to clean up the rubble right after the catastrophe. None survived. Some people developed diseases and others disabilities due to the radiation they were exposed to. New ailments are still being discovered in victims, years after. It is a truly tragic event in the history of the world. It is very much remembered by those who effected by it. Every year on the date of the explosion, people meet in honor of those who were lost. There is a monument here in Chernefsi, erected in memory of those lost and affected by the event.

Camp

The first large ministry opportunity I was a part of here, in Chernefsi, was the camp for children with disabilities. This was a joint effort between Aquilla Foundation and Young Life. In Ukraine and other former Soviet Countries there is little for people with disabilities. Even in the larger cities you will see few if any accommodations such as wheel chair ramps or easy access to public transportation to help people get around. The majority of children with disabilities, who are capable of learning, are not educated. Many could have jobs but are not given an opportunity to do so. If a baby is born with a disability it is common and even encouraged to send it to an orphanage. There are orphanages specifically for children with disabilities. Given little attention or help, children grow from bad to worse. In addition, mental and emotional trauma is multiplied in the lives of these children. It is a life without love, without someone to care for them, without someone to hold them.

With great courage and at great cost there are a few parents who decide to raise their children themselves. Choosing to raise a child with a disability in this culture is a lonely journey of trials and difficulties. Caring for a disabled child is a full time job. Many of the children come from single parent homes or have at least one alcoholic parent. It is one of the goals of the Aquilla foundation to build relationships with these families. By providing clubs, summer camp, special events, and Bible study a network is created to help people to connect to each other. Through these connections and relationships people not only connect with each other but are given the opportunity to connect with God.

For most children Summer Camp is a yearly summer ritual. For children with disabilities it is a dream. On July 24th this dream became a reality for about forty disabled children and their families. As children and parents arrived on the afternoon of the 24th they were greeted by big smiles, candy, and mineral water.

After being shown to their rooms each child was partnered with a counselor who would be their buddy for the week. Because the counselors are able to help with the students, the week offers much needed rest for the parents.
Every day the kids stayed busy. Breakfast, songs, Bible lesson, lunch, craft, quest, dinner, club meeting, snack, family groups, and finally bed… these are all items squeezed into the schedule every day. Children and parents were divided into family groups. Two family groups were combined to create a team. I was part of the “Newvio” group or “New”. We teamed up with the “Chickensie” group to become the “Newvio Chickensie” team. (For those of you who are wondering, they got their name from the English word Chicken. Since there was more than one person on their team they decided it should be plural. In the Russian language you do not add an “s” to the end of a word to make it plural but the “ie” sound.

Miscommunication

As a team the Newvio Chickensies competed in a variety of tasks or challenges. One of our first tasks was to create a family album. We had to take pictures and create a story to go with it. As simple as this task may sound it was one of the most confusing due to some miscommunications.

A Wedding! That is the best way to start a family album, right? Well, it was. And as commanded I was the bride and the groom was David, one of the boys from the American team that joined us for the week. The mothers hustled and bustled around to find me a beautiful bouquet of weeds. They arranged David and I side by side. We were ready for the picture… so we thought. But you cannot have a decent wedding without the dress. There was a dress, that was brought for the purpose of dressing up, however one of the other teams had it. We had to wait. This was fine. A few minutes later Sasha, one of the team leaders was waving us in side for the photo. We were taking the wedding picture inside. When I came in side and excited mother started telling me to “lesheat” or lay down. Hmmmmm? Lay down for my wedding picture. I repeated her questioningly. “Yes, Yes, Lay down!” Okay, I sat on the couch and leaned back keeping my shoed feet on the ground. Suddenly, I found my legs in the hand of the ecstatic mother. She placed my feet on the couch and spread my legs apart. As I looked up at the other American, I began to apologize because I had no idea what was going on, when PLOP! There was a baby between my legs. Apparently we weren’t getting married, we were HAVING A BABY! They wrapped a towel around the baby and laid him down. They placed David beside me. The baby sat up. They laid him back down. He sat back up. He wasn’t happy this time. Ready, 1,2,3 Snap! Picture perfect!

Now that we had, had our baby, we did the next logical thing we got married. The family album followed us and our child as he grew older, went to school, beat somebody up, got punished for beating someone up, got a job, bought a car, and finally we were elderly.

Being an American

After living in Ukraine for about five months my understanding of the culture has grown. I am not here to change the culture. That is not why I am here. I choose to come into another culture which means I must be cautious of my actions and attitudes. While working at camp a team of Americans joined us from California. To my disappointment, I found it rather embarrassing to be associated with them. I won’t go into all the details but I write this with the hope that if you are reading this as an American traveling outside of your own culture you would check your passport at the door. As part of the family of God, may you serve with a cheerful attitude. Whether you be passing through a country, staying for a couple weeks, a year, or several years it is important to remember that you are there not as a U.S. citizen but a citizen of God’s kingdom. If you can research the culture you are visiting ahead of time. Be prepared to share what God is doing in your life. Don’t hesitate to love, to touch, to smile. I am not saying you cannot miss home or like your way of doing things but don’t complain about another cultures way of doing things. Do not demand things for your personal comfort. And do not argue with nationals or those who live in the culture about whether or not you should have to respect cultural customs, such as sitting on cement or standing in the rain, while you are in the country.

Going Separate Ways

This camp was an important event for the organizational leadership because it marks the ending of the partnership between Aquilla and Young Life. Each organization will offer a club. The families involved must choose one to attend. This will allow more families in the community to be helped. There will still be larger events for all of the students and families to attend. Deciding which club to attend is a difficult decision for many of the families. Please pray for the families to make the best decision for them and not to be swayed by others opinions. Pray that this would be a peaceful separation. Pray for all involved. Pray for both clubs as they prepare to begin this fall. Ask God to provide the recourses, finance, and strength for the leaders to continue their work.