Ukraine
New Beginnings
Dr. David Summey's ministry involvement in Ukraine prompted an investigative trip in 2005 to learn how short-term missions might meet needs in that country. Since that time, Paul has led five trips to Ukraine, and more are planned.
Work in Ukraine includes assistance to church camps that reach out to surrounding communities. Orphans, street kids, churched and unchurched youth alike, eagerly await the visiting teams and camp activities every summer. Ukrainians, the Kendalls described, are open and receptive to the Gospel and hungry for the Word of God.
"You’d think they won the lottery," Paul said, referring to kids receiving Gideon Bibles at the camp during his most recent visit. An opportunity also arose to minister at a nearby secular camp. When the invitation was given, he recalled, every single teenager raised his or her hand to receive Christ. "I had never experienced anything like that before!"
Alcoholism and drug addiction are pervasive in Ukraine, as the country struggles to emerge from the communist era. "When you go to the grocery store in the States, there are one or two rows of liquor and such. In Ukraine, it's more like half the store," Paul said. "They bottom out really young," Christie added.
However, with less wealth and relatively less dependency on technology, Ukrainians rely much more on imagination, creativity, music and drama.
Liliya Chernous, a Ukrainian resident of Western North Carolina, has a heart for God's work in her home country. She and many other American Ukranians assist HIM with mission coordination and interpretation. "I see Ukraine as that central place," she said, "that they can be an impacter, too. I want to bring them that fire and that passion that they would be missionaries also."
Having grown up a believer under Soviet oppression, Liliya remembers the persecution that took place and the underground services her family would hold before freedom arrived. She now recognizes a need for leadership among so many new believers, as well as a need to instill Christian values and a solid moral foundation among the youth. "They need to be given that torch of faith. I want to impact them with purpose of life for Jesus, help them to be strong and survive for Jesus and do the same things that Jesus did."
Increased opportunities for musical teams, bicycle teams and plenty more are expected for the 2009 summer trip.
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Ukraine: New Beginnings