Ukraine
MAY
12-31, 2003
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Here's a little
background information about our trip...
UKRAINE...has been dominated and fought
over by the Russians, Poles, French, and Germans for centuries, due to its
natural resources and agricultural power and due to its strategic position at
the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Ukraine
is the second-largest country in Europe. It
is about the size of Texas with a population of more than 54 million people and
is commonly known as the breadbasket of Russia.
In 1991, Ukraine declared its independence from the former Soviet Union.
The country is renowned for research in biotechnologies, chemistry, math,
and nuclear physics. It was the hub
of Soviet defense industries and produced 50% of the agricultural output. The
languages spoken in the Ukraine are Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish and
Hungarian.
Most of Ukraine consists of fertile
plains and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west, and in the Crimean
Peninsula in the extreme south. The
climate is temperate. In 1990, freedom of religion was declared in Ukraine.
Still, about three-fourths of Ukraine is without an evangelical witness.
WGM's
MINISTRY: The Ukrainian work of WGM includes evangelism, church planting, and
discipleship ministries, friendship evangelism, and teaching at the university
level and at the Bible college. Together
the missionaries work to share Christ with people whose hearts are hungry.
PREPARATION:
We began meeting on a weekly basis to pray and prepare for our time in
Ukraine. This training included developing skits through which the Gospel
message could be communicated. We also practiced sharing our testimony
with each other. We discussed issues such as culture shock, personal
health, and ministering with children. Near the end of April, the team
sponsored a car wash as a means of raising money towards the cost of the trip.
These regular interactions allowed our group to form a unit committed to working
together in ministry in a cross-cultural setting.
PROJECTS/MINISTRY:
We worked with Ernie
& Anna Smith (click here to view the Smith's website: http://www.sevenloaves.org/INDEX.HTM) in Berdyansk renovating the bookstore/Youth Center facility
called the Home of Hope (click
here to view the video). We
also participated in weekly church services, assisted with English classes, and served in
a city orphanage.
Back to Ukraine Trip 2003
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