Ukraine Trip Updates

We’ll, we’re back.  Every flight was delayed so we were sure not to miss any connections.  Injuries were minimal.  Bobby smacked up his ankle and it is reportedly on the mend.  Katie was a little dizzy one day.  Cindi is a bit under the weather with some bug now that we’re home but seems to be getting stronger everyday.
Thanks for all your prayers.  We’ll be having a dinner sometime soon to share all the great stories and pictures.  The trip was wonderful and God is faithful (and wonderful too).

God’s Peace to you,

The Ukraine team

Greg, Cindi, Katie, Bobby, Amy & Jane

I can’t believe we leave tommorrow morning.  This trip has been incredible.  We’re all astounded at how fast the time went.  We just finished some group time of prayer and singing.  God was so interesting in the way he used each of us to do different stuff.  It all came together in just the right way.  More and more kids each day heard some great news about Jesus.  And some major seeds were planted for New Hope’s work right at their door step in L’viv.  Members from Roman’s church are already planning a kid’s club to move these 10-13 year olds into a closer connection with the church.  New hope already has a Bible correspondance program with thousands of kids accross Ukraine.  Now, the youth right around the office can be connected into that as well.  We helped build some major bridge to the neighborhood.   Many of the Orthodox and Catholic neighbors/parents that were worried that New Hope was some kooky cult are now open to letting their kids be involved and trusting that Roman and his team are on the level (in spite of the crazy Americans!).  Can’t wait to see all of you.  Thanks for all your prayers, they surely made a big impact on us and the camp.  God’s Peace to you!

 Greg and Roman with kids

  Crazy singing downstairs.

Here’s Amy making balloons.  She seems so depressed!

  Here the photographer must have been too low on Coke Light.

We got the word today from our hosts that there is no more Coca Cola Light available in town.  Roman and his family have seen our addiction and graciously try to bring us the nectar we need to survive in the heat.  However, today, the sacrifice started, rationing of Coke light ensued.  Still everyone is in high spirits.

cindi and amy showing off their handiwork    

Jane with little victor in Raklanetz 

Our friends from last year’s camp in Raklanetz

The team by the wall they painted at Roman’s church

2 hours of worshipping goodness!  We had a great time visiting Roman’s church on Sunday.  Earlier in the week we help paint a nice colorful mural on the back brick wall of the the church yard for the children.  We’ll post some pics of that soon.  Sunday morning Greg preached and Roman translated.  They laughed at some of his jokes and didn’t seem too offended by the other ones.  The team sang “How Great is Our God” as a special music.

 After lunch at The Belly House (the real name) we drove to Raklanetz at breakneck speeds passing like crazy with no seat belt.  Bobby and Greg were sitting on an ottoman in the back of the van.  Potholes that could swallow your average bathtub.  Good times!

 We saw our friends from last years camp in Raklatnetz and had a great meal.  We brought gifts and share stories.  We sang lots of songs together like “As the deer”  “Lord I lift your name on high” and “How great thou art”.  They sang in Ukraine and most of teh team sang in English (ok, all of us did)  They shared some beatiful Ukrainain songs too.  We got home late and today are preparing for the first day of the camp.  Rain is threatening but we are prepared.  Thanks for your prayers.  More later.

Here we are putting up flyers for the camp,    Here Amy is in town.   Here we found an exotic foreign restaurant and we were very anxious about trying the new food

Our ladies got to try their hand at Verenikis.  Fortunately they had some help!  The verdict… Delicious!

We had a great day yesterday.    Bobby and Greg did some labor in Roman’s church yard, getting it ready for children to play.  The ladies learned how to make Vereneki, a ukrainian delicacy similar to potstickers but filled with all kinds of yummy things.

 Greg got his bags and is enjoying clean clothes.  We hiked around L’viv and saw the sites.  Today, we meet with youth from Roman’s church that will help with the Sport Camp and we’ll finish our service project at Roman’s church.

Last night we ate crab pizza with corn on it.  A first for all of us.

See us in our fine room!