June 29th-June 30th
The team of 15 Americans left JFK airport for an end destination of Lut'sk Ukraine. Lut'sk is located in the area near the border of Poland. We arrived in Kiev, transferred to another flight to Lv'iv and arrived there with all but two pieces of luggage. They were on the next flight, so the delay in receiving them was minimal. After a bus ride of about 3 hours we checked into our home away from home in the Ukraine Hotel in Lut'sk.
We have another great team and a very diverse one as well. Of the 15 we have a 9 year old, 2 17 year olds, a 19 year old and up to age 72. Quite diverse for such a small group. I don't know why, but I am always amazed as what God brings together and how well He has it all figured out.
We have another great team and a very diverse one as well. Of the 15 we have a 9 year old, 2 17 year olds, a 19 year old and up to age 72. Quite diverse for such a small group. I don't know why, but I am always amazed as what God brings together and how well He has it all figured out.
Friday July 1st
This morning after breakfast (which here this week is a buffet) we jump into orientation and meet our interpreters for the first time. After getting to know each other and going we are off to our first site, a baby home. The baby home is an orphanage for ages 0-4. We met with the director of the home and the team saw the aid that Global Aid Network had delivered to the site...blankets, shoes, clothing, books for the staff etc. We split into smaller groups and received a tour of the facility as the children were down for naps. After the children woke up we were able to play with them outside and share the gospel message with the staff who were caring for them. It was a joy to spend the time just loving on those little ones. Unfortunately the director had signed an agreement that did not allow us to take photos, but imagine 15 of us, plus 5 interpreters playing with all these little children on a warm summer afternoon and hearing their giggles and seeing their smiles glow in the sunshine. It was hard to leave.
Saturday July 2
We start our day with walking the streets of Lut'sk on the Plaza and distributing books. These books in Ukrainian are More Than a Carpenter/Book of John, How To Be a Hero to Your Kids and The Deceiver (a book that talks about cults and false teaching). We were also blessed to have some bibles with us, but they were translated in Russian and we actually had a couple of refusals due to that...we were in western Ukraine and the political sentiment is umm, well Ukrainian.
We strive to leave politics at home, both our views of their politics and our own.
We met many who accepted the books, some who wanted to know more about what we were doing and shared the gospel message and we pray that all of the seeds we planted that day are grown in the hearts of those that heard.
We took the later afternoon to see a bit of Lut'sk including it's historical focal point of the Lubart Castle. 
Sunday July 3
What a blessed morning to be able to gather at the river to witness 37 members of 4 area churches come together for their baptism. Four at a time walked out into the water to four waiting pastors. It was a sight to withhold. 
Afterward we attended church service at Pastor Sasha's church where one of our team gave a message and another shared his moving testimony of how God gave him strength in time of great grief. The team also participated with singing for the congregation. During the service one man walked forward, crying and wished to repent and receive Christ. He said he could no longer wait after witnessing the baptism and hearing the word spoken to this point. The service delayed to have the pastors pray over this man. Thanks be to God for opening his heart.
We learned that this church was one that remained open during the soviet years of control and all the sermons had to be approved by a government official during that time and only spoken of at the pulpit. Now new freedom has given new life to this congregation.
After church the ladies had prepared finger sandwiches for us for lunch and we quickly ate and were off to a village about 40 minutes away. There we met with a missionary couple from Lut'sk who have been ministering in this area. We did a group presentation of introducing our team, singing songs and sharing the gospel message. Then we in smaller groups spent time interacting with the children while the parents were able to select clothing for their families that was sent by GAiN. The children received CarePacks and children's bibles in Ukrainian and the parents also received the above mentioned books.
Monday July 4th
This morning we visited a Veteran's Hospital/Home. 200 men and women are cared for by a staff of 275 workers in a facility 4 stories high. During our auditorium presentation TJ, a 17 year old on our team, played The Star Spangled Banner on his sax in respect for our Independence Day at home in the U.S.. All of the veteran's who could stand did. When we finished we asked them to join our interpreters in singing their national anthem, with our American team standing tall while they sang. We all clapped together. The respect in their eyes shown as we respected their independence and we had a attentive audience for the remainder of our presentation. After our group presentation we were able to visit the floors and see those who were not able to come to the auditorium. We helped to distribute clothing and slippers that were sent ahead of the team via shipping container from our Pennsylvania Distribution Center. We shared other small gifts of handkerchiefs and socks that were carried in by the team in our suitcases.
In the afternoon we visited a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities. The children receive care and training in communication and motor skills and the parents also receive support and training on how to care for their disabled child. We were given a tour of the facility and therapy rooms and received explanations on some of the therapies used there. Each of the children received a CarePack and Children's Bible and the parents received the other books we distributed.
The apron ministry is especially impactful, reaching the often overlooked and forgotten kitchen staff. On each trip one of the team is assigned kitchen duty, a coveted role I assure you. This trip it was my turn and as a veteran of the GAiN trips we try to take new people along with me so they can see the apron ministry in action and participate. This time it was Brooke's turn. Brooke at 9 years of age had learned to sew these aprons at the PDC and was now able to also deliver them. Best of all she shared with the kitchen ladies the message of the gospel using the colors on the apron pockets. Great job Brooke!
This morning we visited a Veteran's Hospital/Home. 200 men and women are cared for by a staff of 275 workers in a facility 4 stories high. During our auditorium presentation TJ, a 17 year old on our team, played The Star Spangled Banner on his sax in respect for our Independence Day at home in the U.S.. All of the veteran's who could stand did. When we finished we asked them to join our interpreters in singing their national anthem, with our American team standing tall while they sang. We all clapped together. The respect in their eyes shown as we respected their independence and we had a attentive audience for the remainder of our presentation. After our group presentation we were able to visit the floors and see those who were not able to come to the auditorium. We helped to distribute clothing and slippers that were sent ahead of the team via shipping container from our Pennsylvania Distribution Center. We shared other small gifts of handkerchiefs and socks that were carried in by the team in our suitcases.
In the afternoon we visited a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities. The children receive care and training in communication and motor skills and the parents also receive support and training on how to care for their disabled child. We were given a tour of the facility and therapy rooms and received explanations on some of the therapies used there. Each of the children received a CarePack and Children's Bible and the parents received the other books we distributed.
The apron ministry is especially impactful, reaching the often overlooked and forgotten kitchen staff. On each trip one of the team is assigned kitchen duty, a coveted role I assure you. This trip it was my turn and as a veteran of the GAiN trips we try to take new people along with me so they can see the apron ministry in action and participate. This time it was Brooke's turn. Brooke at 9 years of age had learned to sew these aprons at the PDC and was now able to also deliver them. Best of all she shared with the kitchen ladies the message of the gospel using the colors on the apron pockets. Great job Brooke!
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