While working here in Ukraine we had the chance to do many things. We worked in several eye clinics, helping fit older people with reading glasses and regular glasses. We spent a day working with children at a school teaching them English and then we worked at an English Camp for children at a separate school for the last week of ministry. We have also had the opportunity to go to the orphanage, like my last blog mentioned.
Something that I haven't mentioned much is our time at a Rehabilitation Center here in Lutugino, Ukraine.
Alcohol and drug abuse are very common in every country that we have visited, but this was our first time to go to a rehabilitation center while on the Race. The rehab center that we visited was tucked away in the Ukrainian countryside and nestled into a small village home. All village homes are the same and are mostly small houses with one or two rooms accompanied by two or three other small houses. They are poor living conditions, but this is where they house about five men in the summers and upwards of fifteen men in the winters.
The men come to them in the winters because they are unable to live on the streets, and these men take them in. They give them a place to sleep in the cold winter months and food that they have collected and canned at the farm during the summer months.
The men usually do not want to stay because at this farm, you have to work. That is part of the rehabilitation, work. The man in the blue shirt above has been at the center for five years and has been sober for three years. He shared with us about his struggles at staying sober, and was very open with us about his mistake three years ago. He is now a leader at the rehab center and is helping others to get away from drugs and alcohol. He has a strong passion for this and believes that the only reason their rehab center works is because of God.
Him and another man at the rehab center shared about the success of their center over the other ones. This center has the most success and they shared their passion with us about what they are doing. It is their calling, they said, God called them to do this work and they love it.
The man below is another leader at the rehab center. He had recently been release out of prison for murder. He was sober 3 years and his life completely changed. He was sharing with us about his struggle before he found Jesus as his savior and friend. Sharing with us about his struggle with alcohol and the constant struggle he found himself in. He was a fighter and was constantly getting arrested for fighting. He said that he would get drunk and fight people and couldn't control himself. He spent twenty two years in prison for murder, one third of his life and is now dedicated his life to helping others. He said he will never go back.
Each of these men believes that hard work and a community of believers is the only way to become truly free. Which is something I can relate with. It is a struggle to become free when you are constantly placing yourself into situations where you have no one to fight the battle with you. Without a strong community of believers to keep you accountable it's easy to slip back into your old habits. It's easy to make excuses.
These men are doing it right. They work on this farm and invite men who are struggling with alcohol to come and work with them. They offer them a place to sleep and something to spend their time doing. While we were there one of the men that had recently come to stay with them became a Christian.
It was a time of celebration for the men and for the Kingdom.
My squad is currently on its way to Africa, the Magical Kingdom, and I cannot wait. I am expecting big things from the Holy Spirit during these next three months. We are going to be working with Pastor ChaCha and Pastor Agnell in Morogoro, Tanzania doing evangelism in the local villages there. Doesn't look like I will be doing much skateboard ministry.
The race has been an amazing adventure so far. God is truly rocking my world and changing my life. With 6 more months to go, I have no clue how much more God has to show me. I am amazed at the world He has created and the amazing people He has placed in my life. Thank you supporters who have allowed me to go on this journey! I have $2,334 left to raise on the trip in four weeks.
Thank you so much to the MacDonald family for the way that you accepted all of us into your family. We were feed so well! Bruce wanted to beef us up for Africa and I love him for that. If you are ever in Ukraine you need to come visit the MacDonald family, they have a great ministry here and they are doing amazing work with the people of Ukraine. What a great family.
My next blog will be from the Magical Kingdom of Africa. Can't wait!
