Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Annual conference Teen Challenge Ukraine, Kiev

A rainy Sunday in Kiev
We just came back from a truly blessed time in Kiev, Ukraine. Remember how you all gave generously to sponsor this conference? Because of your faithful support we were able to donate 2500 euro towards this event. Jerry Nance (director of Global Teen Challenge) spoke on vision, leadership & commitment!

More than 150 people from all over Ukraine, Russia and Kazachstan were able to attend this conference; all people who are in some way working and volunteering in rehabilitation centers, coffee houses, clinics, churches and other places where the addicted can begin a new life. Most of these workers were addicted in the past and are now helping others to become free!

Maksim & Jan

We were so glad to be greeted by  the big smile of Maksim who, just two days prior to our arrival, had his last treatment at the dentist. Wow, he was so happy and thankful for your gifts towards his new smile! It was such a joy to spend time with him!

Yura & Ira
We also met with Yura and Ira, a sweet couple from Onyfrievka. They will be the directors of the new to open men's center. This was our first project when we started with Traveling Light about a year ago. We raised 10.000 euro for the purchase of this building, the final papers will be signed within the next few weeks. A plan to renovate this house has been drawn as well as a rough calculation of the expected costs.

Praying with Andre
We also went to a Methadone clinic where Teen Challenge has a small office where people addicted to drugs can come in for coffee or tea and prayer. They will receive an invitation to come to the Coffee House on Wednesday evening and hopefully they will make decisions to go to one of the many Christian rehabilitation centers in Ukraine.

It was amazing to hear how many broken dreams lay underneath the broken lives... We were able to encourage many by telling them that there is hope, that Jesus Christ can set them free!

Rehabilitation home in Kiev
We were invited to speak in one of the rehabilitation centers, where 11 men live and study God's word. We even had the opportunity to pray with all of them individually, many received confirmation and encouragement from the Holy Spirit in regards of personal struggles and questions. Please pray for this men, that they will learn to walk in God's will and that they will be used for the glory of God!

Pizza party!
We also had a wonderful time at Kevin & Eunice Tyler's home (the directors of Teen Challenge Eurasia). They threw a pizza party for the whole gang and we had a great time of fellowship and friendship. We were able to hear many of the personal stories of the guys, unbelievable stories of pain and suffering, but also stories of hope... because they finally found new life in Jesus!

We were truly, truly blessed during this conference and during our time with Sergey & Mariana Glushko, they have such a heart for this work and together with their team they will make a difference in Ukraine.

They are super thankful for all your support, and so are we. Without you this would not have happened!

PS: The gifts thermometer for Serbia has risen to 2,000 euro. Super!