In the month of April our Squad was split up between 5 different countries in Eastern Europe: Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine. My team, Sound of Strength, was the only team that had the wonderful opportunity to be in Ukraine. Not only was it a wonderful opportunity for us to be in Ukraine, but it was also a wonderful opportunity to get to spend the month which such an amazing contact. Our ministry contact was the one and only Clinton White (click his name to view his end of April Newsletter).
Clinton was Squad Leader of A Squad back in 2006, so to us, he is a legend. It’s always a privilege when our contacts are American, but for our contact to be World Race Alum on top of that is a rarity and such a blessing. The ministry in Ukraine was some of my favorite we’ve experienced all year, but simply getting to spend time with Clinton was definitely a highlight of the month. Please check out his blog to see the amazing work he is doing in Ukraine, I can say first hand that your money is going to something that is changing lives by choosing to support Clinton and his mission.
Here is a recap of everything my teammates and I did in April:
- Visited many castles in the area and received many interesting history lessons thanks to a fellow missionary
- Ate the traditional and tasty Ukrainian soup – borsch – with some of our Ukrainian friends
- Ate the traditional and tasty dish by Mississippi native, Clinton – fried chicken (intended to be just like Chick-fil-A’s), french fries, salad and homemade dressing
- Went to several church services that were probably the best we’ve been to all race including a 3 or 4 hour Easter service with wonderful praise and worship
- Was out with strep throat for 5 days but well taken care of by Clinton and the girls
- Shared countless stories about what we’ve seen God do around the world over the past 8 months to youth groups, church services, and coffee dates
- Had a “girls night” sleep over with girls from the youth group
- Taught English classes to all ages every day
- Facilitated and/or funded feedings to street children and Roma adults
- Spent time learning all about and sharing our love with the amazing ministry run by a local pastor, who takes in children off the streets and gives them a wonderful home to live in
(Maggie dancing with one of the girls at the beautiful home for children who were once living on the streets)
- Played a brilliant game invented by Clinton and inspired by the Underground Church in China with the youth group, giving them a glimpse of what persecution is like for Christians in China today and Christians in Ukraine not too long ago
- Held and loved on 4 abandoned babies so much that I felt like my heart was going to burst every day (Please read my previous blog to learn more)
- Had taco night, complete with our teams own homemade tortillas, with some Ukrainian friends the girls made while teaching English
- Did laundry and took warm showers as much as we wanted thanks to Clinton’s amazing hospitality
- Said goodbye at the end of another wonderful month, full of memories and experiences I will cherish forever
