Thoughts, impressions and attitudes from my journey to Ukraine

Brother Kevin spent several weeks with BOM. Here is what he says:

"Thoughts, impressions and attitudes from my journey to Ukraine: A mission trip to bless Bible Orphan Ministry’s missionaries and be blessed in turn by partaking in the joy and heartfelt thanksgiving of those they serve.

Not being my first time in Ukraine nor my first trip to visit Ukrainian orphanages I already had some pre-conceived notions and attitudes of what to expect in regards to the culture, condition of government ran institutions and all that the words “village” and “hospital” resonate to a Ukrainian citizen.

Having been a patron of BOM for a few years I had desired to spend some quality time not just traveling around Ukraine and helping at the institutions but gaining more insight and knowledge about the workings of BOM and spending time in Christian fellowship with my brothers and sisters.  After two unsuccessful trip attempts in 2014 thwarted by the war I was finally blessed to spend two weeks with BOM in September 2015; Praise the Lord!

Disembarking the airplane I noted that they did not lose my luggage. (A positive as last time it was lost for days and I never truly got it all back).  Waiting to greet me was BOM and Olga Kozac with the biggest smiles and joyful demeanors.  After many handshakes, hugs and photos we were off to a yummy Ukrainian café for some fine traditional food.

During my Two Weeks I had the opportunity to visit the mental institutions, create art and crafts with the children, feed Misha’s church, visit former orphans at the trade school, attend first bell ceremony, live like true Ukrainian in an apartment engulfed by a smoke cloud, experienced and cried with rest of BOM at “fine” Ukrainian hospital (A memory I could have lived without but God gave me anyways), Spent a blessed day with BOM and young adults exploring Ukrainian Culture, and performed counseling and prep talks with the young men. WOW it was a blessed two weeks that just flew by. It seemed I was there only for a moment and then I had to go home.

https://youtu.be/9hOh1kTqb-g?list=PLeAqboiUxglkEkn1KCJgHdNXmUJakZ7-Y

Some things that impressed me about BOM and Ukraine:

The example that Alla, Oksana and Nadia are setting for the young women by their modest dress and Biblical female roles they exhibit in their daily lives.

We were constantly smiling and laughing at the cafes almost to the point of rolling on the floor at times while other dinners were “enjoying” their meal in stone faced silence. (An eastern European trait)

Oksana’s unselfish unsolicited ability to help wherever she saw a need and her intriguing aptitude to soothe, love and entertain any baby or child regardless of its demeanor; which was a blessing to the young mothers who I could visible observe needed a break.

The large variety of sausages (50+), eggs (at least 20 brands) and bread at the supermarket. The variety of Ukraine food at the cafes: Salo, Varenyky, Borscht, Syrniki, Holubtsi…. I wanted to try it all but two weeks was not long enough!

Misha’s uncanny ability to navigate the “fine” Ukrainian roads, joyfully replacing a tire in a rain storm at dusk (all the while a crazy Ukrainian girl was running back down the road looking for the pot hole to make a photo). His inculcation of Biblical wisdom and his own life experiences in a reverent way that was uplifting and meaningful to the young adults, orphans and his church.

Alla repeatedly showed me her unwavering determination to help orphans and young adults by charging ahead to check out if what a director told us was true or just their version of the story’s. Chasing pot holes in the dark, inspecting outhouses at the trade school, inventing creative ways to present Bible stories to God’s children at the orphanages, counseling young mothers…….

BOM and the young adults treated me like family and they felt like family to me. They are true Christians not only in words but in their everyday actions always focused on asking God for direction in everything they do.  They are all constantly living by faith working hard to accomplish as much as possible with their limited resources.  I had the pleasure to often join them in prayer and thanksgiving as the physical, mental and spiritual needs of the young adults, orphans, and their ministry team are great.   

Departing Ukraine on my last day it was difficult to leave all of them at the airport. I dreamt for a moment to linger on there…… “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your

life? It is even a vapor that appeared for a little time, and then vanishes away.”  I came seeking an impression and found peace, I came seeking association and found friendship, I came seeking acceptance and found the Love of Christ." 

“I shall pass through this world but once! Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now, in his name, and for his sake! Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Kevin Ruth