Reflecting

As I have been reflecting on the past several days, I was first saddened because I thought I hadn't served as I could have. Maybe I should have done more, or something differently. Normally I am more hands on with the kids, but this trip I wasn't. God quickly showed me that I had served how He had called me to. He allowed me, because of photographing, to watch Him working in the midst of all of us. From the moment we landed in Kiev, I was able to see how God was using each of us.

At times it was the gentlemen helping the ladies carry their luggage. I saw Melody step into the role of our team leader, where she absolutely excelled. I watched Becky form a bond with Marina (our lead translator) that will never be broken. I saw Karen was able to communicate around language barriers, to show kids the love of Christ through recreation. I listened as Josh taught God's truth from a curriculum he wrote. Larry, as he entertained and loved on kids, creating smiles and laughter. I witnessed Tim and Angela ministering together in Ukraine for the first time as an engaged couple. I got to see children's faces light up when Bill and Carolynn would play with them around the parachute. Elodie and her master craft making skills, left something tangible behind for the kids to have. Charity as she bonded with kids and experienced her first international mission trip.

There are so many more things that I can't begin to express that happened while we were there. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to go again, Lord willing. Until then, I will continue to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ on the other side of the world.

~ Amy

After Trip (Continued)

My first short term mission trip was amazing! After much preparation, it was such a blessing to see how God used each one us - all in different ways. Mary Ellen did a great job in the introductions of both the American team and the Ukrainian team! Despite the language difference, we did unite a one team. We worked as a unit to share the gospel with the children and adults. Words cannot express the blessings I received. Thank you to each team member. May God receive the glory for our work in Roven'ky last week.

Becky

After the trip

Well, the trip was amazing to say the least. We were physically stressed in all kinds of ranges from the heat to long walks after long days. But there wasn't one person who had any troubles. God was there from beginning to end. His glory was shining bright. Everyday was unique and we got to spend time with some great kids and some awesome Ukraine team members. The experience was unique. I can't wait to go again!!

Blessings,
Charity

Time to say goodbye.

Here it is Sunday morning and the gang is all up and preparing to make their journey home. I can't say enough about this group of people that the Lord assembled. It was an amazing assortment of talent and personalities that the Lord used greatly.

Please be in pray for the group as we make our way home today. We begin with a 10 hour flight into JFK, followed by a flight to Atlanta and from Atlanta on home. We make our landing in Louisville sometime after 10:00 p.m. (well some of us do anyway) The Englands we leave in Kiev, they head out this afternoon. They are taking another week to vacation in England, Scotland and Ireland. Pray as they travel on. Then the final member of our team, Tim, we depart ways in New York. He heads back to Dallas.

Once again, we are so thankful for your prayers, it has been an AMAZING week with an amazing group of people.

Mdog (that's for you Josh)

make sure to check out pictures that are posted on www.kievkonnect.com

What a great day! We were privileged to experience a Ukranian baptisim in the morning. In Ukraine, baptisims are a much bigger event than they are in the States. The church went out to a beautiful location with a small pond set in front of sunflowers as far as the eye can see. The women being baptized walked into the water wearing white robes and flowers were set out in the water. After a brief time of fellowship (where we tried to teach the small children how to skip rocks and tried to avoid the local swimwear styles) we returned to the church where there was a celebration service.
We returned to VBS in the afternoon with about 55 children ready for us to play with them and watch the different stunts they like to perform in front of us. They are quite entertaining and love using the five English words they know. After working with these kids twice a day for 4 days, most of us were throughouly exhausted, but we were given the grace and strength to persevere through one more day.
In the adult service at night Joel and Amy sang two songs in English that the Ukrainians would have known in Russian, and I (Tim) gave a short message. After that the American team went outside to do crafts with the children.
It was a full day, but the team is doing well. We are looking forward to the barbecue tomorrow with the Ukrainian team. Time is short right now, but that’s a rough summary of our day. Thanks for your prayers- God is truly blessing this trip!
Tim
check on www.kievkonnect.com for photos

Hello! This is Amy. Well, today we were back at the tent for the children’s ministry after being rained out the day before. I had the opportunity to take more pictures of all the kids. What a great time!! The children here are so excited to see all of us that most of the time they are already at the tent before we arrive. Karen started a game of tug of war that was so fun to watch and photograph. If you haven’t guessed by now, I am the team photographer. J In addition to the games with all the kids, I was able to communicate with some of the ladies from the Ukranian team. They are so welcoming and nice. I have made new friends that I expect to see on the other side of eternity one day. After the children’s part of the day we started the adult time. Joel and I were asked to sing some worship songs in English. It was such a treat!! The Holy Spirit moved and it was a great time of worship. God was uplifted and glorified. I have thoroughly enjoyed singing and worshipping with Olya, Oleg’s wife, and her worship team. They are all so transparent in their worship. It is so refreshing and humbling to be able to worship with my sisters and brothers in Christ, though we can’t understand each other. God is so big and He never ceases to amaze me. I don’t know that I will be ready to leave when it’s time for us to say goodbye. Sigh…. Here am I, Lord! Send me!!! I will leave you with that last thought. May we all be ready to answer His call. I love all these people and hope that God will allow me the opportunity to come back sometime in the future.