Our Autumn Newsletter is now available.  You can read it on-line or contact the office on 020 7940 1370 and we’ll mail a copy to you.

Hungry families given seeds, pesticides and fertiliser grew massive harvests.

Villagers across Ukraine are struggling to grow enough to feed themselves. They’ve been suffering from poor crops because of bad seed, lack of money to buy pesticides and fertilisers, and changing weather – particularly drought.

That’s why Mission Without Borders gave as many as 374 families boxes of seeds last year. In Rivne, families received parcels of carrot, onion, beetroot, corn and cabbage seeds. In Sarny, other families also received seed potatoes. They were given the necessary pesticides and fertiliser to support their crop-growing.

These families benefitted massively with bumper harvests. It meant that last winter they had more than enough to feed themselves – with produce left over. That’s why MWB is eager to give many more seed boxes to hungry families this year.

Instead of just 374 families planting good quality seed this spring, we aim to distribute 4,500 seed boxes to needy families.

Help us to give away as much seed as we can. You’ll be giving hope to families to grow enough food to survive.
Donate now to plant seeds of hope.

The Prymak family with some of their massive cabbage and onion harvest

On Friday we travelled to Kiev in preparation for our return to the UK on Saturday.  We felt sad as we bid farewell to some of our newly found Ukrainian friends.  But it has also been a time for reflection.  We spent some time this afternoon wandering around the tourist souvenir area.  It felt right to share the Eucharist on Friday evening.  The person administering Communion noted that it was possible to live in isolation and not to change, but if we live in the World as a Christian then we will be changed.
We have all been changed by this week.  Some have grown closer to God.  Others have faced up to the emotions of meeting a sponsored child. Everyone has been changed by meeting the Mission’s staff here in the Ukraine.  They are a dedicated group; their eyes seem to shine bright when they talk of their experience of God in their work and lives.  We have all been encouraged by them and challenged by them too.  The Beneficiaries too have been an encouragement to us: it is not a case of the rich helping the poor.  It is about one Christian Brother or Sister helping another.
No Change?  Lots of change! And we are still processing some of those changes on our return home.
On Saturday we visited the Chernobyl Museum here in Kiev.  The disaster 24 years ago has had a huge impact on this country.  It would be wrong to leave Ukraine without acknowledging and trying to understand the impact that Chernobyl has had on Ukraine and will have for many years to come. 
We pray that the readers of this blog will be blessed by our thoughts.  We appreciate the prayers and support that has been extended to us.  We have identified a number of things that we want to change here and many of the people on the tour are looking to raise funds.  If you would like to contribute towards those projects then you can donate here and just drop an email to the Mission’s UK Office to say that you want your donation to go to the “Ukrainian Blog” projects – they range from the Mother & Baby parcels to the provision of improved equipment and facilities to the beneficiary families and homes and to the Mission itself.
Thank you for joining us on our journey.
God Bless!

Today we visited the Mission’s Rivne Office and warehouse.  It was the culmination of the week in many ways.  We had visited many beneficiaries and small groups of workers but today we got to say “Wow!” to more of the MWB Ukraine staff.

They really are an amazing group of people.  They seem to be “on fire” for God.  We joined with the staff to share in their daily devotions - a privilege to spend time with them and to sing songs to one another.  We were joined by three different languages and yet united by one God; one in the Spirit.  As Mykola, the Mission’s Ukrainian Manager said, “In Heaven we will all be singing together in one language” - and one of his staff quickly added, “Yes, and it will be Ukrainian!”

We met some of the Christian Input workers.  Two ladies deal with the correspondence with two thousand children - writing personalised responses to expressions of hope, ambition and fear.  And then the family and children co-ordinators; the Christian radio workers; the logistics staff and the administrators and finance staff.  Amazing people who seem to be devoted to their work and seeing God lifted high.

After lunch we visited the warehouse.  A huge place that is emptied quickly after each delivery.  There were beds, clothing and tinned food from the UK.  A wonderful example of the “Godly Investments” that we can make through Gifts in Kind.

This evening we invited our hosts and their wives to join us in a  farewell party.  Fun yet it gave us the opportunity  to express our feelings about the week and to thank everyone. 

Tomorrow we travel to Kiev on the first stage of our journey Home.  Returning changed and yet the same.  We’ve missed our family and loved ones and we have so much to tell everyone and think about.

Today we thought about the Parable of the Talents.  We would all want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” and yet it involves us listening to God and doing what He says.  It isn’t always easy.  But this week we have met many very talented people and we wanted to say to them: well done, good and faithful servants.

Today involved a lengthy drive to visit a Home and a Children’s Centre.  They were worth the drive!

The Home’s Director had good connections within the Government and they received funding for educational “experiments”.  Basically the school would not have looked out of place in the UK.  They had many technical gadgets and the furnishings were good.  What they looked to the Mission for was Spiritual and Emotional support for the children.  It was good to see what was possible with suitable funding.  The Summer Camps and visits by Mission staff and local churches are obviously appreciated.

We were accompanied on our journey by the MWB Ukraine’s Puppet Team.  We were as enthralled by the performance of “The Treasure Hunt” as the children.  It was of a very high standard.

But it was followed by what was described by one of group as the highlight of the visit and the best thing to happen to her for years!  Our group was invited to take part in the distribution of the Mission’s 50th Anniversary Bibles to the children.  The Mission aims to send one million Bibles to Eastern Europe to mark its 50th Anniversary.  It was a huge privilege to be able to take part in the distribution of 100 Bibles today.

We moved on to a Children’s Centre which was in direct contrast to the Home in terms of buildings and material goods.  And yet the same love was shown and care given.  The Children came from poor and dysfunctional families 5 days a week.  They received a hot meal each day plus time to play, attend a Bible study and assistance with homework.  There was a computer training room and a sewing workshop  to provide vocational training.  We ate a late lunch at the centre and the food was magnificent.  This was followed by the children coming together to be entertained by the UK group inviting them to join in singing “if you are happy and you know it”.  It quickly melted the ice and the children responded by singing several songs to us.  It was a very special time. 

As we travelled back to Rivne, we reflected on what a special time it had been and we were definitely happy - and we know it!

It is odd really: today was all about Love.  The people that we have met today were all about love.  They clearly demonstrated their love for the children in their care.  The love permeated the Homes that they helped to run and it all came as a working out of their faith. 

Today involved visits to two Homes for children to visit three sponsored children.  The first Home was for slow learners and slow developed children.  “Mild mental retardation” was the phrase used.  But the emphasis must be on the word “mild”.  They were lovely kids.  The first, a girl, showed her pleasure in meeting her sponsor; the second child was extremely shy and withdrawn and it too quite some time before he appeared at ease.  The Deputy Director of that Home was very proud of the children’s achievements.  She was proud of her staff and their love for the children.  She was proud of “Big Family”.  There were needs at the Home but she wanted to show us only the good things - and there were many good things to show!

The second Home had very obvious need of major renovation.  The long promised re-building work had stuttered into action two years ago and had made the present situation much worse.  The Financial Crisis has cut Government funding and was much more evident in this Home then elsewhere.  Yet the kids in this Home were extremely happy, lively and outward going.  The UK Supporters sprang into action on the playing field armed with footballs, basket balls, Frisbees, bats and balls and were soon surrounded by 90 children eager to meet and greet the visitors.  Love was evident everywhere.  These kids had big material needs by some standards but had the kind of practical love that many materially rich kids are missing.

It was truly humbling.  We witnessed the love of God through faith in action.

It was John 13:5 that was running through my mind:

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Well that was the thought until we were nearly back to our Hotel this evening when everything changed as a result of a chance remark.  One of the Sponsors asked our translator how he thought that the meeting with the child had gone.  He said: “you made her feel worthy; it was good”  and that was when everything fell into place.

It can be an uneasy balance between the potential benefactor and beneficiary.  Neither wants to feel unworthy - either in need or taken for granted.  Thank God that He was present.  Today we needed to demonstrated that we recognised the worth and the work of the staff of the Homes.  The on-going love and care that they demonstrated on a daily basis.  The sacrifices that they make.

After today we can all echo “He is Worthy” and we can all see and appreciate the worth of the people that we have met today.

In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12)

Amen!

Today has been an overwhelming day in many ways.  We visited the Mission’s Sarny Office.  We have enjoyed a mixture of experiences ranging from vocational training (in Computing, Tailoring and Cookery) through to Mother & Baby meetings.  From Meals on Wheels for the elderly through to a very ad hoc game of football with a young lad with a huge grin.

So many different emotions, smells, locations and feelings.

 But one thing struck us all: none of this would be worthwhile or lasting without it being centred in Jesus.  The family we visited last today comprised a mother and four children.  The Father was away in Moscow working in construction to provide for his family over the fast approaching Winter.  But there were plenty of signs that the support given to them through the Mission over the past few years would no longer required within 2-3 years.  They were becoming self-sufficient whilst at the same time appreciating the love of Christ through the things they were being given.

The eldest child is in hospital with eye problems.  A common complaint in the Sarny region which is not far from the Chernobyl area.  The second eldest was shy initially but soon joined in with the group in very loose game of football.  The ball had been brought from the UK as a gift and the Mother was pleased because the school had no ball or games equipment and now they would be able to help.  A second ball was quickly found so that the young lad could keep his ball and the school could still benefit too!

But before the football began, the young boy had quietly picked small bunches of grapes and presented them to each member of our group.  This small act of kindness struck us all.  Connected to the True Vine we can do much; disconnected our actions are short-lived.

The Mission staff that we met today are visibly putting their faith into action every day.  Showing God’s love and giving hope to many.  We witnessed comfort given and material needs met for the elderly; training and improved prospects for the young people.  It was truly inspiring.

In the Mother and Baby unit we met a group of expectant Mothers.  The co-ordinator of the unit found it difficult to choose which Mothers to help and which to turn away.  But she frequently had to choose if she was to stay within her budget.  We learned from one of the Mothers-to-be that here husband was an ambulance driver - but his salary is around fifteen pounds a week.  How could she pay for the vitamins and hospital stay required without the Mission’s help?

“I am the Vine, you are the branches …”  Lord, may we bear fruit for you.

It seems that we have all worried about coming on the Supporters’ Tour:

• Who else will be there?  Will we get on?
• How will I cope with the experiences?
• Why did I say that I’d come? I don’t do this sort of thing…

But this morning we all arrived at Heathrow. David was joined by Jim, Liz, Terry, Pauline, Sylvia, Rose and Helen.  And off we went…

We’re all seasoned travellers and we all took today’s itinerary in our stride.  The irksome but necessary security at the airport, the gentle boredom of the three hour flight, the “free-style” queuing at immigration, followed by a five hour mini-bus ride to reach Rivne.  A long journey but nothing terribly unusual …

We were travelling, nothing more.

Mykola (the MWB Country Manager) and Volodymyr (our tireless interpreter and guide) couldn’t have been more welcoming.

The outskirts of Kiev were bright and the numerous advertising boards were unusual because of their Cyrillic script.  But still it felt that today was all about travel – something to be endured … until part way through the drive to Rivne.

Volodymyr was explaining about the arrangements for first few days of our Tour.  He explained that he is an Assistant Pastor at a Baptist Church that we will be visiting on Sunday.  Someone asked how his week was split between MWB and being a Pastor.  “Five days for the Mission, One day for my family, One day for the Church and Seven days for God!” was his reply.It was at that point that it stopped being merely travel and became the start of a journey.

Our generous hearted hosts had given up their “one day for the family” to spend 5 hours driving to Kiev and hour waiting for us to negotiate immigration and five hours driving back to Rivne.  They want us to experience the work that MWB does in Ukraine; to feel welcome; and to have the opportunity to come closer to God.

When they call us their Brothers and Sisters in Christ they mean it.  This is a partnership between the Mission’s Supporters and the Mission’s Staff.

When we stopped for dinner this evening, Mykola offered to say Grace.  Obviously we didn’t understand a single word of his Ukrainian prayer but somehow we all understood the true meaning and the blessings that were being heaped upon us.

We’re on a journey.

And it is our responsibility to be open to God’s prompting throughout that journey.  We hope that you will join us via the web site on our journey!

This year’s summer camps in Ukraine have already benefited over 700 children. And there are still more than 200 waiting their turn.

‘It’s the best time of the year for me!’ is the cry from children both in Child Rescue homes and Family programmes. For ten days, Ukranian children like Vadim make new friends, eat well, enjoy the countryside and grow in knowing the love of Jesus.
But Vadim has never been to Summer Camp before. His mother doesn’t have enough money to pay for him to join a camp. Nor even take him, with his two sisters, to the seaside. Instead, Vadim and his friends hang out by the river or on the streets.
He doesn’t remember his father – who left the family when Vadim was small. Yet today Vadim is a brave and lively 12-year old. He loves to play sports, especially volleyball. And he has a quieter side too. He likes reading and cross-stitching.
PRAY

• for more children like Vadim to be able to join a camp
• for the children at camps to know Jesus
• for the volunteer camp leaders.

DONATE  To send more children to summer camp.