Late last year, we heard about the call for the team that would travel to Ukraine to work with a young; but growing church. We both immediately sensed God’s calling to be a part of the team. Over the next months, the rest of the team stepped forward, and we begin preparing. I had never taught ESL before; but was eager to learn, and knew much would involve the personal relationships built with the students. I also began building a relationship with my friend Sergey. He started sharing a little more about the church, and also started sending us photos. He was very interested in seeing photos of us as well, so the church could be praying for us as we prepared. It was exciting to be part of such a close knit group, with so many diverse backgrounds! We really grew close. It was so wonderful to be studying 2 Thessalonians, learning about the marks of a great church, while seeing this playing out in Kiev, at Open Hearts Church.

We heard many stories before arriving; one of the first was about Sveta, who accepted Christ at the ESL camp a couple years ago, and had been transformed by the the Gospel!

Sveta – accepted Christ at a previous ESL Camp (picture by Olga Dovgan)

In the Ukraine, many young people that embrace anything outside the Orthodox (state) Church are looked upon as taking part of a cult. Sveta was one of these students that God was using to reach her family, and many people who didn’t know or understand Biblical Christianity. Later we would meet student after student that had experienced this. It was a joy for all of our team get to know Sveta during our week at camp. She was so eager to serve, and had such a Christ-like demeanor. She was abiding in God’s Word!

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The church in Voronkov, where the camp was hosted.

Voronkov was the village that that the camp was located in, and about 45 minutes southeast of Kiev. The terrain was much like rural Georgia, with field after field, and few mountains. It was green and beautiful. We passed a very long sunflower field on the way in.

Sergey and his wonderfully vibrant wife natasha had really worked hard with the details we knew little about. The had prepared all sorts of activities to get the students excited about the week. There were fun icebreakers led by Niva, wife of Day Wysong, and wonderful praise music mornings and evenings. There were daily excerise times, and the students were even given a short nap time. It was really about building relationships, and showing the love of Christ to those who had never experienced it.

David teaching with Debi Cockerham (picture by Bradley Atkins)

As we worked through the week’s lessons, using the 7 wonders of the world as a precursor to the 8th wonder…. which was each of us, created by a Great God, we had many opportunities to answer questions about our faith.

There were 2 university students named Andrey and Igor that came to what they thought would be a music festival. They found out just before the camp…. that it was a Christian language camp; but came anyway. While they felt a little like outsiders initially, towards the end of the week, they were experiencing something I believe that neither had experienced, the love of Christ. They asked questions, debated, and keep being involved, and having fun.

Igor and Andrey doing some good reggie at the campfire

The last night, Andrey let me wear his “magic hat” and asked me about my views, and let me share my testimony with him. Many seeds were planted, and I believe many of these young people’s faith, as well as many on our team (including myself)

Lorretta and Olya, a young lady who was baptized just a couple months ago, after embracing Christianity

As for Lorretta and I, it was a busy; but beautiful week, and we were both ready to sign up for next year before the end of the week! In the meantime, we will hone in our skills while working with the new hispanic ministry at our church, preparing to do ESL this autumn. There’s also great opportunities to keep in touch and encourage (and be encouraged by) our new dear friends thanks to the internet!