Community News
Easter Saturday - a journey through Smila
Ukraine has suffered a very harsh winter this year which has affected many of the roads to and from the various towns and villages that we frequent. It seems that a combination of poor engineering, heavy trucks and corrupt local mayors have combined into the perfect storm of pothole purgatory.
So, when Cyndee was invited to speak at a Saturday morning conference for budding young Christians who had signed up as leaders for upcoming summer camps, I wished her well. The event was to be held in Lebedyn, about 20 minutes past Shpola...
So, when Cyndee was invited to speak at a Saturday morning conference for budding young Christians who had signed up as leaders for upcoming summer camps, I wished her well. The event was to be held in Lebedyn, about 20 minutes past Shpola...
College Visits for Teen Orphans in Limbo
In Ukraine, after the 9th grade, children living in orphanages age-out or “graduate” and hopefully move onto a new institutional setting. We say hopefully, because education beyond age 16 is not mandatory, and many kids without a support system or even the most basic help simply disappear into a street life of gangs, prostitution, drugs or worse. Recently, we discussed the disturbing situation of orphans in Ukraine.
Teachers Link at Christian Ethics Training
“Today, if money was no object, and you didn’t have to figure out how to achieve it, what would be your biggest dream for your ministry?” My husband asked me that question a couple of years ago, and I brazenly blurted out “For Shpola Orphanage to become a first-class Christian school.”
Christian Education Updates
As part of our Christian Education program, God has called me to use the connections I’ve made in Ukraine, to link orphans and their families to the local community. So, in addition to our Youth Group for Shpola Orphanage Graduates, I recently invited Sophia Christian School’s theatre group to Shpola Orphanage to get acquainted with the children and staff there. Together, the Shpola kids and Sophia School kids put together a great assembly!
The camp I didn't want to do... Sophia School
This summer, we worked alongside the only Christian school in Cherkassy, the Sophia School, to put on a week-long English Language Camp for their students. Five years ago, this school grew out of a desire for Christian education and it has struggled, met challenges and grown. To be honest, back in March, when the school’s principal Nataliya Yebutushenko met with me, scheduling another week of summer camp was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Is it Opposite Day?”
That’s the question I’ve asked myself on and off over the past 2 weeks here in Ukraine. It seems like things have gone from joy to stress to surprise to confusion to irritation and even to peace.
Like today, my coordinator Inna and I simply invited 3 kids to church with us…
This morning, Anya (19 yrs. old) caught the freezing cold 7:20 am bus to Cherkassy from her town 3 hours away, where she is studying to be a Vet Tech and lives in a public dorm.
Like today, my coordinator Inna and I simply invited 3 kids to church with us…
This morning, Anya (19 yrs. old) caught the freezing cold 7:20 am bus to Cherkassy from her town 3 hours away, where she is studying to be a Vet Tech and lives in a public dorm.
Facebook Updates
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