Leonid had written earlier to tell me about this church, which is in a small village not far from Danila's orphanage. From what I understand, the church is also a Christian school, and the congregation ministers to orphans- out of the 70 children at the church, 30 of them were orphans. On top of that, the pastor had 7 children of his own, adopted 2 more, and 2 of his daughters had adopted 10 more children and 7 more, respectively. Really, really. Talk about walking the walk and talking the talk.
They have a bus that picks up the children from around the village, many of them coming from homes where there is a history of alcohol or drug abuse. They are in the final stages of completing an amazing new building to house the school and the church, where they can accomodate 100 children. They are taught in small classes, like a home-school setting, and then they take their exams at a public school. The people here are so committed to changing these children's lives and giving them more than they could have ever expected. Children's families (those who have them) pay about 200 rph per month (which is about $25) for school, and the church covers those families or orphans who cannot afford that. *If anyone wants more information on this ministry, they are in need of sponsors!!*
When we arrived, we met the pastor and went into the hall where there were children flooding the place. They were almost tumbling out of the bus, smiling, happy, friendly. So many sweet faces. The children sat in rows of benches and small chairs at the front of the hall, the back of the hall filled with the adults. We were led to the FRONT of the church...not just the front row, but up behind the pulpit, front.
In front of the church, at the driveway, they have this sweet little fence:
Leonid was preaching today, and he informed us in the car that we "could say some words about your journey." Ha! Wow. Okay. Vera was also going to talk about her recent trip to Israel, and offered to translate for us should we want to share. Nothing more was really said about it, that we could understand, anyway.
The church service was incredible. The singing was amazing...voices from young and old alike filled the huge hall. I took a video of it before the service actually started (hope that was allowed). There was true JOY radiating from these people.
This was not a traditional service, as there were several groups of children and adults who sang, plus the floor was opened to anyone wishing to do a reading, a recitation, or a prayer. Vera translated some of it, but not all, and assures us that next time we come to Ukraine, she will be better!!
About an hour and a half into the service, we were asked to stand and share our story- Bryan delegated the speaking to me (thanks, honey!) and so I stood in front of everyone and spoke. I didn't have anything written down, but just shared the Cliff Notes version of how we ended up in a small village in Ukraine...how we are all made perfectly in His image...even those who are not "perfect" in the world's eyes...and why we feel so called to speak for children with special needs and provide a home for the least of these.
I'd love to say that I felt the love of everyone in the room...but honestly, I was so nervous, and afraid that I'd say something that Vera couldn't translate...so I wasn't sure how any of it went over. I thanked them for the opportunity to see what they were doing for orphans here, and told them that we felt blessed to share in it this morning. It wasn't until after the service did I feel the love, so to speak, as several older women approached us and said something that we couldn't understand to us...but with kind eyes and faces. Several men shook Bryan's hand as they left, and the pastor thanked me for sharing our testimony, and said that it had already made some families who were contemplating adoption decide that it was something that they could do.
We got a tour of the new school, along with an invitation to have lunch at the pastor's home. They had us at "home cooked food." :) We had a Ukrainian feast...borsch, bread, meatballs, fish, cheese, salami, mashed potatoes with some pot-roasty meat on it... We ate huddled together in a small kitchen where space was limited but family was not. Family in the best sense of the word...happy comings and goings of children, too many cooks in the kitchen, that cluttered, but not messy feel. I *think* that there are 27 people living in the house. I'm not positive...but I think it's true. Additionally, they have a room where children who don't have a home to sleep in can crash for the night. What a humbling experience.
We think in the US that we don't have enough if we can't put anything in savings at the end of the month, or if our children have to share a room, or if we don't have enough storage to put away all our children's toys. We think that we need more money for another extra curricular activity, or for a Vera Bradley bag, or an $80 hair cut. We think that even if we scrimp and save and don't spend money on extras, that we are "just getting by."
We are so, so delusional. Our society doesn't understand where true joy comes from. We could all take a lesson from this village.
I knew that this trip would change our life...but it is not only life-changing, it is perspective-changing.
beautifully said and so inspiring. I'm glad you had the opportunity to fellowship with the believers there and to share in the worship.
ReplyDelete--Renee in NC
so true. I forget it a lot, but I am a very very lucky person.
ReplyDeleteHad to call dad in NY to talk me thru getting to the blog! I think you are being set up to be advocates for special needs adoptions. You are being taught skills and learning the ropes to pioneer for many adoptions to come. Remember when Dad and I fought for gifted programs at Gananda? Other parents thanked me later for paving the way for their children's needs. This is you job, now, to pave the way. Learn and do as much as you can.
ReplyDelete