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The Youth Ministry International Ukriane/Slovakia mission trip, 2002
This July, I had an opportunity to go on a multicultural mission to the countries of Ukraine and Slovakia. It was a great experiance that taught me a lot about what it means to have faith in Christ. This was an undertaking that has rarely been attempted. The American team arrived in Kiev, Ukraine on June 29th,2002. We spent a few days getting aquainted with each other, which was made difficult by the language barrier. If we had not all shared a common faith, I don't think this kind of endevor would have worked. We then headed into western Ukraine, to the city of Uzhgorod, which is close to the border of Slovakia. our ministry was made up of music, drama and testimony. This helped draw a crowd so we could get our message across. We then crossed the border into Slovakia and arrived in Levice the next day. We spent four days in the city. The Ukrainians and Americans got divided up to stay with host families. That was quite the experiace! We would do two programs a day, one outdoors that passerbys could stop at, and then at the Christian meeting house in town, in close proximity to the host church. At the end of the four days, we went to the capital city of Bratislava for some sightseeing. I saw the Danube river, but it certainly wasn't beautiful and blue :P Then began the long drive back to Kiev, over 24 hours on the bus, followed by tearful goodbyes. I arrived back in America on the 12th of July, and promptly went through reverse culture shock. I'll never forget this experiance, and long for the day when I can return. This is only a summary of what we did. There is so much more to tell...don't be afraid to ask me questions! I would love to answer them.
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The Ukrainian and American team sightseeing at Uzhgorod castle.
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A view from one of the walls at Uzhgorod castle.
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Independence Square in Kiev. Celebrates 10 years of independence from Russia.
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St. Sophia's cathedral. One of the oldest buildings in Kiev.
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A carving depicting the horrors of war from the standpoint of civilians.
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Kryschatic street. The main throughofare in downtown Kiev.
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A view of the Ukrainian countryside in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains.
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A part of the ceiling in Uzghgorod castle.
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St. Andrew's cathedral in Kiev.
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Mother Russia. Built by the Soviets in 1980.
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A monument to the thousands killed at Babi Yar by the Nazis from 1941-1943.
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A puppy who lived by the church at Uzhgorod. Isn't she cute?
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