2007 Ukraine Winter Missions Trip

Journal

Saturday March 3

Our final travel day – Air France to Paris, a 3 three hour delay there and off to Boston. The airport in Paris is VERY expensive! A small coke was 3.75 Euros! The flight was great and we arrived home just a bit late, 3:45 instead of 3. The team kids were truly happy to see Moms & Dads waiting – lots of hugs!

Friday, March 2

Sightseeing & shopping in Budapest – the Market, the Vaci Utca, and the lights at night were amazing!

Mrs. Urban met a missionary friend stationed in Budapest, and was happy to ‘catch up’ with news of the ministry there.

Dinner on a boat on the Danube and then to bed – we have to be up to leave at 4:45 tomorrow morning!

Thursday, March 1

Travel Day – We took the afternoon train to Budapest. The boarding is always chaotic, and it is a real education watching the local cigarette smugglers ply their trade! Some of us who have been before recognize some of them by now.

Tonight we had a lovely dinner at the Center Cellar (aka the Cave) in Budapest, with live music and lots of atmosphere.

Wednesday, February 28

The team accompanied the kids back to Domboki this morning. Stephen spoke to the entire group of orphans there, exhorting them with the Gospel, and Tiana shared a moving testimony of her faith. Lindsay and Catie performed beautifully with flags to Ukrainian praise from Julia Biley’s CD and the whole team sang Breathe. We were blessed to visit the classes for awhile before leaving at 1:00.

In the evening the team went to visit a ministry to the homeless kids in Uzhgorod. Josef, from New Testament church in the city, is passionate about saving these kids. We joined them at one of their three regular weekly meetings for worship. Several of the street kids gave testimonies, many referring to ‘the man” (Josef) who goes out to the parks, under the bridges, etc to find kids in need and invite them to the center, where they are fed and welcomed in the Lord’s name. After this, the street kids ate and our kids taught them how to make hats from polar fleece to wear and/or sell. We left a huge stack of fleece, patterns, thread, needles and scissors with the ministry volunteers for future use. They were truly blessed.

Tuesday, February 27

When we invited the Domboki kids to prayer after breakfast this morning, the girls got quite upset. Valla, our translator, explained that they had been told by the nuns at a convent next to the orphanage that they could not enter a church or pray because they were sinners. What an awesome opening to tell them how welcome they are in God’s family and how very much He loves them! Both Lessa and Eboya prayed to receive the Lord; they were beaming as we prayed with them!

All four Domboki kids went with us into town this morning and to Zarichevo (a rural gypsy camp) in the afternoon. When we prayed for people at the gypsy camp, they came up once more, this time the boys too, to ask for prayer. Back at Nehemiah in the evening, they seemed to really enjoy the movie Cars, even if it was in English. We sent them to bed reluctantly tonight, knowing they would have to leave tomorrow.

Monday, February 26

The orphans from Domboki came to Nehemiah right after morning prayer. We welcomed 4 kids – 2 girls, Lessa and Eboya, and 2 boys, Sasha and Slava. Sasha and Slava were 11 and 12 years old respectively, though Sasha was the size of a 7 year old. The team spent Monday getting to know them - playing soccer and Frisbee, doing crafts, and just talking as we shared a meal. All enjoyed a fast pace game of Earthquake (ask one of the team J) after dinner, and by their 8:30 bedtime we were ready to rest!

CHURCH MINISTRY : Sunday, Feb 2 (Email from Jonathan Kempe)

I was driving to church today with Slavic and couldn't keep my eyes off the beautiful river we were following.  At first I was concerned that the color of the water was a little too rich...it was a bright glowing blue-green (almost radio-active looking: I was afraid that if one were to fall in, one might come out with an extra arm or leg...or perhaps one's skin might glow in the dark...)  But Slavic informed me that the water was clean and excellent for swimming.  And it is true; many Ukrainians from Kiev and other eastern cities retreat to places like Uzhgorod to enjoy the outdoors (camping, swimming, etc.).  
 
Content with Slavic's pride in his boyhood stomping-grounds, I decided I wanted to swim in the river.  It didn't matter that it was snowing earlier in the morning, or that I had no other clothes (lost in transport!), or even that I would most likely be swimming alone.  I have a hard time passing up an opportunity to swim in a river (except for perhaps the Nashua River, which might really make my skin change colors!!).  We agreed that I might have an opportunity to swim later in the day.
 
Then, at church, toward the end of his sermon, Marlow invited the congregation to jump into the river of the Lord with him:  To abandon all that might be holding us back, and jump directly into the river; To trust that the Lord will be faithful in his promise to us.  
 
So, of course... I jumped into the river (the metaphorical river).  And as I was standing in the aisle, or swimming in the aisle, it dawned on me that I was doing just what I had said I would do earlier...Swim in the River!!  
 
Thank You for your Prayers!!  

PRAYER DAY: Saturday, Feb 24 (Email from Jen S.)

Saturday was a very renewing day of prayer.

We prayed for God's work in this land, and he revealed his desires for the team to us. The adults encouraged each of us to realize that we are a very important part of this team; that this group is composed of these specific students for a definite purpose. Alan Ross also prayed over each and every one of us regarding leadership. We were encouraged to reach out beyond our comfort zones, and open our lips to speak.

A common realization among us all was that this country is desolate, and in need of refreshing. In the midst of winter, the view from the prayer room windows is one of bleak fields and buildings.  We were reminded that Christians are "the salt of the earth" to bring the flavor of God's grace to the world through our testimonies. 

We then heard from a few of the nationals here who have sacrificed greatly for the spiritual welfare of Ukraine.  They encouraged us in this mission and we prayed for them as well.  The most joyful time of the day was a time of thanksgiving when we realized all God has done here already. 

The Lord has given us great vision for the upcoming week, and we can't wait to dive in!

TRAVEL DAY: Thursday & Friday, Feb 22-23 (Email from Chris Urban)

We were very glad when the ticket agents at Logan issued us Standby seat requests for the 3:00 flight at check in. We had been a bit concerned about the quick change at JFK - just 45 minutes to change planes! When we reached the gate after a smooth passage through security, we were not quite so pleased. The earlier flight was delayed to 4:10 and our confirmed flight was now at 5:00 departure  - not good news for a 6:25 connection.

After half an hour or so, the gate agent managed to get us 5 seats. Those went to Mr. Kempe and the boys, as they were first on the agent's list. At that point the girls began to pray intensely! Over the next hour, the agent found us 3 more seats, and when we thanked her at boarding she responded that she was calling the pilot to try to get us three more seats. That would include the whole NCA student team, leaving Steve and Janet Whissel, Pastor Slavic and Natan for the later flight. We continued to pray during the boarding, and one by one the girls arrived. Then at the last minute, Steve and Janet boarded too! We later discovered they took off luggage to get us on together; the agent had been negotiating the weight limit!

When we arrived at JFK we were right on time and the connecting flight had been moved to the gate next to ours. More prayers - thanks and for Slavic and Natan. We boarded our international flight on time and as we waited - who should appear? Yes! Slavic and Natan - we were all back together. The flight, time at a downtown mall in Budapest (next to the train station - largest mall in Europe, I'm told.), and train trip to Uzhgorod were relatively smooth. Did I say we lost 7 of our bags?

We all agree we are still happy they put our people on the plane instead of the missing bags, but please pray for a speedy return of the luggage! The owners went into the city today and we got them the things they needed, but they would still appreciate their own things.

A long day - leaving NCA at 1:00 Thursday afternoon and arriving at Nehemiah at 3:00 PM Friday (10:00 PM their time). Thank you for your prayers. All are well, safe and admirably content. In fact one student, who lost all her luggage, commented "What an adventure!" and another shared she was thankful because she had prayed for humility to prepare her for service here. She sees being without her own 'stuff' as an opportunity to connect with those who never have their own 'stuff'.

God is visibly at work in this team already!

Friday, Feb 23, 4:54 p.m. EST (Text from Pastor Paul)

"All settled into Nehemiah House.

We received favor at the border.

The Nehemiah House had a nice meal waiting for us upon our arrival. Everyone seems encouraged and ready for a good night's sleep."

Friday, Feb 23, 5:44 a.m. EST (Text from Pastor Paul)

"Just gathered all together and now in Peter's van heading to train. Seven bags missing but they will catch up with us at Nehemiah. Even Slavic and Natan made it.

"Slavaboghul" ~ "Praise God!"