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.

The excitement is already starting as young people in Eastern Europe begin to anticipate a trip to Summer Camp this year.  Here is one young lady in Ukraine to tell you what she is looking forward to this summer!

Dear Everyone,
The flu epidemic in Ukraine deepens and broadens its geographical scale.  After 4 days of quarantine in Ukraine, there have been 64 deaths from the ‘flu A/H1N1.  Quarantine has been declared for 3 weeks in all the educational establishments of Ukraine.  It is forbidden to move from one region to another region of Western Ukraine; this brings difficulties to our activities with the CRI Homes.
In November, we will not be able to have sponsors to Ukraine.  Seven persons from our staff are at home, sick with the common flu.
The government and President of Ukraine appealed for help to other countries with a request for medical commodities (vaccines, medications, mittens) and also to charity organizations to multiply their delivery of humanitarian help.
We don’t yet know the real situation in our country, but if I have any more information, I will inform you.  Please, pray for Ukraine!

With warmest regards
Mykola Bogdanets
MWB Ukraine

A message from Volodymyr Brychuk, one of our workers in Ukraine

“Every year our workers celebrate Easter in the Ukrainian Children’s Homes and Community Centres.   A puppet theatre and songs about the Easter story makes it a very special day for everyone. Afterwards a lot of time is spent with the children many of whom love having their photo taken together. Lyuda, who works on emotional support and Inna who heads up our Bible Correspondence Course are particularly popular.
The children learn that the centre of Easter is not a bunny, nor painted egg, nor the special Ukrainian Easter pie.The centre of Easter Jesus who died for us, came back to life and now lives forever and welcomes anyone who would come to Him.
May God bless all the people who made it possible for us to conduct these events. All together we are working in the Lord’s Great Commission to “Go and teach….”

 The distribution of Operation Christmas Love parcels is underway.  We have received three videos showing the work so far - one from Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.

This year we are aiming to distribute 30,000 parcels to some of the neediest people in Eastern Europe.  Each parcel costs £15 and is packed full of basic food supplies and some Christmas treats.  They are a real lifeline for many and bring hope to all that receive them.

Click here to watch the distribution in action

Many have died and over 20,000 thousand have been made homeless by devastating floods across Eastern Europe.  

Hundreds of towns and villages have been flooded as a result of 5 days of constant heavy rain.    People’s homes have been swept away in the deluge in Ukraine, Romania and Moldova.   Many houses in rural areas are made out of little more than mud and straw and cannot withstand the torents of the last week.

16 people have died in Ukraine, five of which are children.   In Romania there have been 4 deaths reported.  Thousands of kilometers of road are unusable and thousands of wells were destroyed.   In Moldova, wells have also become contaminated by the flood waters and many are left without drinking water.

Next year will see a tragic shortage of food as many crops have been destroyed by the waters.

And of course, it’s the poorest that will suffer the most.

Mission Without Borders is already bringing relief to the most vulnerable and helping them to bring about a better future.