During our time in the Ukraine, we stayed with an American family, the MacDonald’s. They are awesome. They have 12 children. We were able to meet and live with five of them. We had a lot of fun. It was nice to stay with an American family. We were fed wonderfully and taken care of so well. Bruce MacDonald runs softball camps during the summer as well as eye clinics throughout the year. Both were our focus while there.
our last month of ministry.We arrived at the MacDonald’s and were welcomed inside to our home for the month. Their house is the only house on the street without a gate around it. Every house will typically have a gate because of the effects of the communist and Russian era. The MacDonald’s are influencing those around them even with something that seems as simple as a gate.
In the beginning of our stay we went to a local camp and got our feet wet with the softball camps. We also met some of the male leaders of the camp, who later challenged us to a Ukrainian versus American volleyball tournament. We played and had a lot of fun even though the Ukrainians won three out of five games. I was a little intimidated when my turn was on the frontline with some pretty tall opponents waiting to spike the ball right across from me.
We did a two day softball camp in a nearby town. Bruce had the idea to introduce softball to Ukrainians a few years ago. Such a popular American sport, softball and baseball are new to them. He brings gloves, bats, balls and bases. He teaches them from the ground up, how to catch, to throw, to bat, and the basic rules of the game. One field consisted of tall grass and a cow right in the middle of things. In the beginning we help them with catching, throwing and then eventually we move into batting and finally we play an actual game. They seem to really enjoy it, particularly when we announce that we, the Americans, will challenge them to a game. We have a time where we share with them about our trip and about God and then each night a movie is shown in Russian. The movie is shown out on the field with a projector. One night while the movie was being shown and as laid on the tarp, I
looked up to see the sky filled with stars, and had one of those how did I get here moments. It was a beautiful night. Both nights we were there, the local pastor who was a part of the camp, invited us to his house for dinner. We were treated so well. The food was authentic and amazing! It’s just awesome to be welcomed in by another culture and to sit and dine with them. There’s something about eating that just builds a bridge between people! (picture with pastor and wife who served us dinner)
We then had a softball camp for four days that was in a city a few hours away. A church put on the camp. Some of the church members opened their homes up to us and my team was divided into different houses. Every single one of us was welcomed in with open arms. I stayed with a married couple, Lida and her husband Igor. They were so nice and Igor is one funny guy. They gave up their bed for us and their one 
and only fan in the apartment in the middle of a hot summer in the Ukraine. They heated the water up for us so we could have hot showers. Even when there was a shortage in water in the area, they made sure we got a shower and drove us to other church members’ homes that had water. I was blown away by their hospitality. How they gave up their comforts to serve us. It really challenged me. For me, being with them was the highlight of the softball camp. Each night we would come home and talk for a few hours. We shared our testimonies and beliefs about things, such as drinking, tattoos, etc. It was an awesome time of being able to share my heart and what I believe. Igor would ask his questions and Lida would translate. When she stepped out of the room, he would continue talking and it was like playing a round of charades with him. He was good at acting things out! On the race, I continued to be surprised at how welcoming people were to us. Lida, Igor and the others from the church were amazing.
Towards the end of my stay in the Ukraine I went to an eye glass clinic with Bruce. He goes to different
communities and pays an optometrist to see and treat those who come to the clinic. Typically around 90 people show up for each clinic. Flyers are placed around the communities to inform people of the upcoming services. Most people who come to the clinics have never been given a chance to have their eyes checked and corrected. These clinics give them an opportunity to receive the treatment they need in order to see properly. Bruce buys glasses in bulk. At the time of this clinic, 4,300 people had received glasses so far this year. That day 93 people were given eye glasses. Before they are informed of an upcoming eye clinic, I wonder if these people even know that it’s possible to see better or if they have a mind of resignation about their poor eye sight. Once again, I see what I’ve taken for granted and what is readily available to me each day: basically any treatment I need. Thank you to Bruce and his team who help improve the lives of many people.
The Ukraine was a great place to be for our last month of ministry. Ending the race at an eye glass clinic was fitting, since my perspective has been radically altered because of this trip. My eye sight has been improved, ye-yah!
