Coming back to Ukraine after 5 years was like coming home. Remembering and speaking Russian, eating borscht and Ukrainian ice cream, and the wonderful spirit of Ukrainian hospitality…. I think I am part Ukrainian.
My time in Ukraine was different from former visits, although no less wonderful. Our group of 5 was blessed to spend time with two amazing American missionary families.
We spent a week with Vicki and Richard Nelson, who have moved to Ukraine from Washington State to start a dental ministry, Smile Alliance. Richard does consultations and treatments for clinics out of a dental van and Vicki spends time loving children and their families.
After a week of staying with our new Ukrainian parents,
We moved to Pine Branch Camp with Jenny and Andrew Kelly and their 9 month old daughter Abbie.
There we helped to build cabins for the camp that will house orphans and other Ukrainian children for camps every summer
We were also blessed to spend time helping take care of Abbie, and becoming Aunties. We were even there for her first moments of crawling forward! (She had crawling backwards down pretty well but waited for us to get there to go forward.)
Our month in Ukraine was a blessing. We met wonderful families who poured into us, encouraged us, and showed us what it means to be a missionary.
Our month in Ukraine ended with four days with our whole squad. We enjoyed each other’s company, worshipped together, and ministered to each other. It was a good time together, full of fun, laughter and bittersweet moments
But as we each go on from here, we know we carry not only our experiences but the love and fellowship of community.
