A Letter from Erin, a team member:
Ochen Preatna!! Mn’nya za voot Erina… Oops! I forgot, I’m back in America!
What an amazing trip! From the moment our plane left the U.S. and touched
down at Borispol Airport in Kiev, Ukraine our awesome Lord was with us. The
team consisted of seven women: Debby (Emmanuel Christian Center, Mpls) , Brenda
(Emmanuel Christian Center Mpls), Sandy (Crossroads Church, Prior Lake ), Amy (Mt. Olivet, Apple Valley), Erin (River of God Church), Marie (River of God Church), and Sandy (Liason in CIS/Baltic Area) who
met us in Kiev.
As we were coming home and I was pondering what to write about this trip,
the Lord brought a famous verse to my attention. Isaiah 61:1-4: "The Spirit
of the Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news
to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim
freedom of the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide of those who grieve in Zion-- to
bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the
display of his splendor."
From the moment we left Minneapolis Airport and touched down in Kiev, the
Spirit of the Lord was upon us. And we walked in that presence that whole
week. On Tuesday and Friday we were able to attend the Cafeteria ministry.
Dr. Irina Vlasenko and the Mercy Ladies currently use a cafeteria in a local
university to feed the elderly a free meal. Mercy Ladies are Christian women who
volunteer and are trained to do the work of the ministry, catering to the needs of the elderly.
They were not only fed, physically but spiritually with praise, worship, a time of teaching, and
fellowship. This was their church time. Our team was able to preach the good
news both days and three people received Jesus Christ as their Savior!! We
also passed out 60 bags of oil, sugar, sausage, fruit, and of course,
chocolate.
After the Cafeteria ministry, our team split into two groups with a Mercy
Lady and an interpreter in each group. From there we went out into various
parts of the city of Kiev to clean the homes of the elderly. During this
time, hearts were cleansed as well as the homes. Communion was taken,
devotions were given to encourage the brokenhearted and weary, and feet were
made beautiful as they were soaked and washed in a warm soapy bath. On
Friday, my team entered a dark home filled with depression and dirt.
Our team
was able to talk to the man who lived there about Jesus as we cleaned. We were able to pray with him and he
accepted Jesus into his heart!
Saturday afternoon our team was able to provide an Appreciation Luncheon
for the Mercy Ladies. We made a delicious lunch of salads, cheeses, meats,
and Ukrainian pop and for desert, hot fudge sundaes! Each Mercy Lady was
presented with a bag packed full with gifts. Tears of gratitude were flowing
from most in the room. Then, Dr. Irina and the Mercy Ladies gave each of us
a beautiful oil painting, an orange Revolution scarf, and a book on Kiev.
Dr. Irina talked about the Revolution and how we were all in a revolution
together, no matter where we come from. We were in God’s revolution fighting
the enemy together!! After that we sang together in Russian and English and
gave thanks to our great Father in heaven. What a special time it was; women
from two different countries joined together praising our God and giving
thanks to Him!
Wednesday we went out to the newly purchased Hospice site. There, together
with some of the men from the Drug Rehabilitation program the church
organizes, we planted 60 fruit trees. We cleaned the small cabin for the men
to live in so they can maintain the land and get it ready for building the
Hospice. The trees planted and the new site are a planting of the Lord for
the display of His splendor! (vs. 4) Sandy and Dr. Irina were able to
purchase a tractor that week as well, to help maintain the land.
Well, not only was there work but we had play time, too!! We were able to
visit the sites of Kiev such as the Lavra, a beautiful monastery. We went to
the National Opera House of Ukraine and saw the ballet, The Nutcracker. We
shopped on Andrevski Street for Ukrainian treasures. We ate and ate of the
Ukrainian delicacies, and then we went for Ukrainian American food at
Arizona BBQ!
All together, this trip spoke of who we are in Jesus Christ. Each team
member has her own story on how she got to be involved in this trip, but one
thing is the same. Each one stepped out in faith and trusted in her God. I
believe that Isaiah 61:1-4 became a reality for each one of us on that trip.
No matter who we are or where we are, when we step out in faith in our great
God, His spirit and anointing will be upon us. We will become great
revolutionists, fighting, and winning in the army of God!
Kiev, Ukraine April 22---May 2
By: Erin
Anastacia and Erin
Paulina and Brenda
