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.

Wednesday, July 22, 2010

Prevyet! (Hello!)

Yesterday was amazing! That’s all there is to it!

It rained overnight, which was a blessing as it cooled the 100-degree temperatures considerably. Since we have been serving outdoors in a tent, our VBS and adult services had to move into the actual church so as to steer clear of the mud. The building was not very large, but even in the small space the Lord moved among the 60+ children and adults who attended.

Karen, Tim, Josh, and Larry have been huge hits with the kids. They run the games portion of the children’s service and have quite a following of kids. Josh and Igor, a translator, did an amazing job with the story time. Several parents commented that young children need to hear the message of Christ and they enjoy the way we present it in a fun, quick way that helps children to focus. All the kids have been doing a GREAT job with their memory verses and corresponding actions. I (Angela), along with Elodie, Carolyn, and Bill, have been organizing the craft time. The first day’s craft took forever! However, yesterday’s craft was much better. The kids made mini-breastplates of righteousness (the piece of armor for the day). They had fun being creative with the stickers they were given to decorate with.

The evening service was just awesome. I hope the Lord is blessed with the way our cultures are mixing in the service. Amy and I were privileged to sing a few songs with Olya, Oleg’s wife who is also the worship leader. It is such an amazing feeling to be singing the same song to the same Lord but in two different languages. It is such a sweet sound. Becky gave her testimony during the adult service. She has become good friends with Marina, who translates for her. Please be praying for Marina. She is here with the church, but is not a Christian. She had been attending an Orthodox church, but because of recent circumstances in her life, she has really been doubting. I really believe she was touched by the service last night. This morning she asked if we would pick her up an English Bible in Kiev, but Josh willingly gave her his. I think this is a big step for her and please just be praying that the Lord would do a good work in her life.

Also, please be praying for:

· Clear communication between the American team, the translators, and the Ukrainian team.

· Tomorrow’s baptism of four new believers (we are privileged to attend)

· Those who speak at night, clarity and that the Lord would speak through them

· Continued good weather

· A strong finish (we have two days left of VBS and the adult service)

*Because of time constraints and internet issues we are uploading pictures to only one website. Visit www.kievkonnect.com to view pictures and learn more about Joel and Mary Ellen Ragains’ work in Ukraine.

Molitva za Ukraina! (Pray for Ukraine)

Angela

Getting Started

WOW!

What an amazing beginning to, what is sure to be a great week! After we arrived, we had lunch and then met our host families. We are truly blessed to be staying with some great people, here in Ukraine. The first night, we met our team that we were going to be working with, here in Ukraine. After devising a game plan for the week, we left our team and enjoyed some much needed sleep!

Monday morning is when all the fun began! We met with our team at the tent, where the event is being held, and we split up into teams. With our teams we walked the streets talking with many people and inviting children to come to the event in the afternoon and the parents to the event that night. We quickly learned that Ukrainians do not plan too far in advance. (It is a very nice change of pace) Once we handed invitations to Ukrainians, we took a little break before the events started on Monday afternoon.

THE TIME HAD ARRIVED!

All the planning and preparation was starting to pay off. Kids started arriving and Karen, Larry, Tim, Charity, and Bill were all helping the kids play games! They were having such a great time playing. After the games, Josh, with the help of Dennis, (our translator) taught the kids about the Belt of Truth. The children heard the story of Job and how Satan is the Father of Lies, and how God is always truthful!!! After hearing the story, the kids made belts that they could wear to remind them about the truth that God provides. Elody, Caroline, Angela, Amy, and Melody led the kids in the crafts. The whole day was a team effort!

Later that night, the parents came and enjoyed worship and fellowship with each other. The heard a great worship team and then Josh shared with the adults on Monday evening. From everything that we saw, the adults had a great time going to their service. After the adult service, our team took the kids to go play some games. While we were playing with the kids the youth were inside the tent enjoying a service, just for them.

Monday was a great day, and we know that God is really using this team and the Ukrainian team to reach the hearts of the people. Slava Bog! (Praise the Lord)

Greetings!!!!!

Team arrived here in Rovenki safely from LONG, HOT train ride. Arrived early this morning. Ate lunch, met a couple of members from our team and are now all resting. We will meet remaining members this evening. There are a lot of logistics still yet to figure out. Keep us all in your prayers. It is HOT here, well over 100, forecast for tomorrow is 104. WOW.

Not much else to write at this point, will have more details, more exciting stories to share tomorrow.

Ukraine Team 09

The Arrival

We made it!!!!!

After making all of the connecting flights, (without losing anyone) we have made it to Kiev. We are very excited about getting started with the trip.

As we wait for the train ride, some of the team is getting cleaned and showered while others continue packing the other items for the trip. We are still adjusting to the time, but I know we are going to be just fine!

Slava Bog! (Praise the Lord)

We made it!

The 24 Hour Countdown

Well here we are, time for final preparations. We are each scurrying around to try and finish all those last minute details before departure, all the while trying to remind ourselves, He is the one that is in control.

As we read Oswald Chambers this morning we were reminded of this very important fact:

Jesus said there are times when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but you should trust Him. At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the thought that the mind of God is behind all things strong and growing. Not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God’s will is behind it. Therefore, you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but is an attitude of the mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. "Ask, and it will be given to you . . ." (Matthew 7:7 ).

I love that quote, "not even the smallest detail of life happens unless God's will is behind it." What an amazing comfort in knowing He has ordered our steps for this journey that lies ahead. Whether it is finances, tight turn around times in between flights, luggage making it to its final destination, health, happiness, well being, effectiveness etc, He wills it all.

Be praying for our team of 12 as we make our way to Rovenki via Kiev. Pray also for those Ukrainians we will be working alongside as well as Joel and Mary Ellen Ragains. Most of all pray that everything that is said and done over the course of the next 10 days would bring Him glory and honor.

Thanks for your prayers, they are a lifeline! Melody

Final Preparations

Here we are, one week out from our "official" team packing party. Hard to believe after all of this time we are preparing to embark on our journey. We have seen the Lord do some amazing things over the course of the last several months:

* Bring a unique group of men and women together
* Give us vision and insight for what we will be doing while in Ukraine
* Ticket us all, well almost all, at a very reasonable rate
* Grant Josh the ability to stay on task and complete the writing of our material
* Formulate craft ideas
* Complete all the IMB requirements in a timely manner
* Oops, purchase that one remaining ticket (sorry Josh)

There is no limit to God's amazing provisions. A few things to be praying for in this final week:

* Resources, there are a handful of team members that are still needing their funds for the trip. Monday is their deadline
* Wisdom in packing, the airlines have imposed some pretty strict guidelines
* Travel safety for our team members that are joining us from out of town
* Our Ukrainian team as they gear up to host us for a week
* Mary Ellen Ragains as she escorts us from Kiev to Rovenki
* Travel safeties and all of the logistics that come from moving from point A to B to C to D to E (you get the picture)
* And then of course for family and friends as they stay behind and assume responsibilities in our absence.

Our theme for the week: The Armor of God, It's a Way of Life. Our prayer is that we will be shining examples of men and women who are clothed in His Armor.

On behalf of the team (Melody, Angela, Becky, Tim, Karen, Amy, Charity, Larry, Josh, Bill, Elodie and Carolynn)

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING

The Team

I know that as a team, we are very excited about the task set before us but, there is still a lot of work to be done on the home-front. 

We have a GREAT team for this trip!!! And everyone has their own unique contribution to make towards the team.

Melody Ragains:  Our FEARLESS LEADER...hahaha

Becky Dorman:  the one that keeps us ALL, especially me, organized

Angela Dorman:  the one who teaches us Russian!!!  

Charity Leonard:  the Tech-savvy one...she finds all the cool stuff!

Larry Leonard:  the one who helps us all stay focused one the main thing, CHRIST!

Karen Croft:  the Game-lady EXTREME

Amy Austin:  the one who has EVERY craft material you could ever want, need or desire!

Josh Kornberg:  the loud one!!!

Aside from Graceland folks, we have some Joel and Mary Ellen's family joining us from IL. We also have a great contribution from Angela's fiancee, Tim.  We are so excited to have this team come together and  really do great things for the kingdom!!!

We continually need your prayers and support!!!

-Josh Kornberg