Being a Tourist

May 1, 2008
During the Easter holiday in Kiev, I found much needed rest. Easter was not the only part of Ukrainian tradition I was able to observe. While there, I also joined the group of visiting missionaries as they toured some of the local sites.
The first site we visited was an ancient monastery. Thousands of miles of tunnels lay under its grounds. For hundreds of years the priests living there go into the underground tunnels to read, to pray, and to write. Priests would go into an underground room for years with someone bringing them bread and water. They never left. With the lack of sunlight, they would go blind. They died in the tunnels. As we traveled down in the tunnels, holding a candle between our fingers to light the way, we saw the mummified priests who once lived in the tunnels. Orthodox worshipers visit the tunnels. They stop and pray at the mummified bodies. Often you will see them kissing the glass that surrounds them. Signing a cross is often a common practice for worshipers as they stop in front of the dead priest.
The second stop was a WWII Memorial and Museum. The museum was closed for the holiday but we were able to see the monuments outside and hear some of the History from our missionary tour guide, Cliff. During the war Ukraine was completely occupied by the Nazis. 27 Million Ukrainians died during the war. A monument depicts those who fought against the invasion. Among the faces of the soldiers are regular working men, women, children of all ages, and even grandmothers.
The last monument we visited was in honor of the over 300,000 men women and children, many of whom were Jews who were gathered, marched, and then shot into a ravine by the Nazis occupying Kiev. The memorial sits above the land around it. A tower of men women and children stands in honor of those who died that day. The crowning point is a mother cradling her baby for protection.
There is not a Ukrainian that was not affected by the war. People celebrate its ending on May 9th. Victory in Europe day was actually May 8th but they did not receive the news until the 9th, so that is when it is celebrated. It is also a custom for a bride and groom to visit there local war memorial on their wedding day to pay their respects and show thanks for the sacrifice that was made for them.
It was wonderful to see a new side of Kiev but early Tuesday morning it was time to head for home. I rode the passenger to Vinnitsa with the visiting group. I was able to visit some of the work of the church in and around Vinnitsa. Our stops included men’s and women’s rehabilitation homes, churches, and an economic development sight. The economic development site included a tire and car repair facility, saw mill, and a brick manufacturing area. For those of you who do not know, the city of Vinnitsa was a major military stronghold for the Nazis. Hitler’s Eastern Front Headquarters was located just outside the city.
My last stop with the group was the House of James. This is another children’s home in the area. For more information about this ministry you can check out houseofjames.org Only an hours’ drive from Vapnyarka, this is the closest ministry to mine. From there, someone drove me back to Vapnyarka. It was wonderful to arrive at the Children’s Center to all the smiling faces of the children. Due to renovations at the home I was living at, I will now be staying at the Children’s Center indefinitely. This has been a fun experience and given me the opportunity to bond with the kids.
Please continue to pray. Through your prayers I have seen God do incredible work here. Thank you for your commitment to God and to praying for the happenings going on in Ukraine.
God Bless, Tiffany