In Ukraine, we had the privilege of helping with youth groups, church services, English Clubs, Bible studies, and coffee ministries. We also taught a few eighth grade English Classes, performed open airs, engaged in street evangelism, hosted a camp for refugee children from the war in eastern Ukraine, taught dances, and witnessed to drug addicts. I also had multiple opportunities to perform worship dances! I danced on the streets of Ukraine, at English clubs, and even for a group of drug addicts! We were in two different locations during our time in Ukraine. We were in Kiev for six weeks and Ternopil for two weeks. Since we only went to two different locations, we were able to build relationships. Almost every week we were able to see the same people and continually show the love of Jesus to them.

 

There are numerous stories from my trip. The Lord made Himself known! Yet, there are a few stories that really meant a lot to me!

 

During our time in Kyiv, we hosted a three day camp for refugee children at the YWAM base. The refugees live an old, abandoned hotel. There were human feces everywhere, no heating or cooling, and the smell was unbearable. The war had stolen their hope, their homes, and some even lost their parents. One day we taught on Creation, the fall, and the Gospel. I had the privilege of teaching about Jesus, His resurrection, and why He had to come to this world. The children listened intently to the words of Jesus’ love, how He will never leave them, and how He died just for them. I later learned that a little boy accepted Jesus into his heart that day!

 

Another story:
We went to the mall to eat lunch one weekend. The restaurant I was ordering from did not have an English menu so I was having trouble figuring out what to order. But there was a gentlemen there waiting for his food and he began telling me in English what was on the menu. After we exchanged small talk, he sat alone at a table close to ours. I invited him to sit with us and we began asking him about his beliefs. He told us he just tries to be a good person and that there’s good and bad energy (sounded very new agey). We began telling him about our faith! We explained how Jesus doesn’t require any of our “good works” to be loved by Him but that we WANT to do good because of the love He showed us by dying on the cross even while we were sinners. We elaborated on personal relationship you can have with God. We answered many of his questions and near the end of our conversation he states, “What you say is beautiful. I have never heard Christianity taught that way. I love your belief.” Although, he didn’t say a special salvations prayer that day, we know we planted a seed. We praised God for that awesome opportunity to share about Him and His greatness!

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I thought I came to Ukraine just to teach people about Jesus, but I then realized I was there not just to tell people about His love but to show it. We saw a total of 8 salvations in Ukraine! It changed me forever.

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