A Long Way From Kiev

April 13, 2008
It is hard for me to believe that I have been in Vapnarkya for a little more than two days. I started my journey to this small town early Thursday morning. Pastors Cliff and Volva and another volunteer Kathy escorted me from the big city of Kiev to the small village of Vapnarkya. We stopped several times along the way to visit some of the other ministries that the Nazarene church is involved with. Our first stop was a men’s rehabilitation center called the House of Freedom. The center is for men who want to recover from drug and alcohol abuse. The Biblically based program offers the men real hope for their broken lives through a relationship with God. While we were there they performed a song of praise to their savior. One of the coolest things is that these men are not just getting help and getting on with the rest of their lives but are using their experiences and recovery to make a difference in the world. The men who have completed the program are now going in to schools to talk to children about the dangers and brokenness that come from using drugs and alcohol.
The second stop was a women’s rehabilitation center. Like the men, the women have found the healing power of God as they recover from their addictions. They also pour themselves back out to their community by connecting with and loving women who are now trapped in the ruthless cycle of drug and alcohol addiction they were once a part of. The women’s center is hoping to finish the attic of the home as a place for the women to practice various skills such as sewing.
Vinnitsa was the third stop. In this city is one of the largest Nazarene churches in Ukraine. It is also home of the closest McDonald’s to where I am living in Vapnarkya. We toured the church and ate lunch at McDonald’s before continuing on to the House of James.
Named for the scripture passage James 2:14-17 which says "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." The House of James is home to ten abandoned children. The house of James is currently preparing to open their second home where they will be able to provide food, shelter, and love to ten more children.
The sun was beginning to set when we reached Vapnarkya. As we drove through the streets I felt a bit frightened. Here I was in a village that looked as though it was falling apart. I don’t know the language enough to communicate well. I have no idea what my living conditions are and what if I just cannot connect with the kids. In contrast to Kiev, Vapnarka was scary for me. We first visited with Natalia the President of WLF. We then went to the children’s center where I met the children. They sang songs for us. I was introduced and able to tell a little about myself, my family, and why I was here. Though I was scared to death on the inside my heart had a peace about when I saw their faces. This is where God wants me right now. After the short introduction the children went to bed my travel companions and I ate dinner and they left me on the door step of the children’s center to wait for a ride from someone I didn’t know. That was right they left me, but only because it was getting late and they still had a long drive in front of them.
I short time later a car pulled up. My bags were loaded and I was told to get in through hand motions and gestures from the children’s home staff. The driver first took me to the home I had visited earlier that evening to meet Natalia. The driver went in while I waited. Victoria, Natalia’s daughter, an American girl came out to explain that I should not be afraid when I saw the house because they were remodeling the outside. After that, we were off. I was welcomed into a Ukrainian home. I have my own room, where they placed my bags. They showed me around the house communicating with hand gestures since I speak a little Russian and they speak no English. I spent the rest of the evening unpacking and reorganizing my things while being watched by a nine year old girl named Ulia. After calling my family to let them know I was safe I laid down to sleep with thoughts, fears, and prayers still on my heart.
It was a scary and difficult transition for me. But the last couple of days I have been able to settle in to my new surroundings. It has been amazing to be able to spend time with the children. My Russian is also improving greatly. I am not completely comfortable in my surroundings yet but I have found a family here. God has given me a place where I feel welcome and loved among my Ukrainian brothers and sisters. I am not sure what the future holds for me here in Vapnarkya or Ukraine but I am certain it will be a great experience.
Please continue to pray for WLF and the Skala family. Please pray that God will open doors and guide them as they expand their ministry here in Vapnarkya with the renovation of a larger children’s home for more kids and in Odessa where they are in the process of planting a new church and children’s ministry. Please pray that God will open my mind as I learn the language. Please pray that I would have faith and strength in my new surroundings. Pray for the children and the community of Vapnarkya. Also keep Dr. Vladimir Khursin in your prayers. Vladimir is a pediatric surgeon and a graduate of the Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is an assistant pastor at the Nazarene Church in Kiev. Vladimir just found out he has a brain tumor. The surgery that is needed cannot be done here. Please pray for God to intervene by healing and also for the process of being able to move him west for an operation. Thank you all for your encouragement, love, and support.
I know this entry is longer than most. Because of my internet situation I will not be able to post as regularly so they will likely continue to be longer. I will try to break them up more in the future. Thank you.
Culture Observation: Always eat your meals with your utensil in one hand and a piece of bread in the other.
God Bless, Tiffany