Project kitchen Teen Challenge Berdychiv, Ukraine

New addition TC men's home

We regularly write about the fantastic work of Teen Challenge among the homeless and addicted in Berdychiv, Ukraine. As a matter of fact, we always write about Berdychiv (a city about 200 km west of Kiev), but actually the men's and women's homes are in the town of Raygorodok.

Last year we visited (read here) and we could see with our own eyes how beautiful the expansion of the men's home has become, a project that Traveling Light has sponsored.

Front TC men's home

The home offers a safe place for men with addiction and other life-threatening problems. They live and work there for about a year before returning to society. The rehabilitation homes are connected to the Jewish Messianic congregation in Berdychiv.

The first photo shows the new addition that was built next to the dormitory and which is being used as a classroom, chapel and meeting room. In the overview photo of the men's house that new space is located on the right. On the left you see a small white walled extension, that is the kitchen and the old bathroom.

Current kitchen

Director Sergey Romanenko told us last year of the plans to thoroughly renovate that kitchen space. The shower room is now in the new part, so there is room to expand the kitchen. A project much needed when you consider that there are around 10 to 12 men living in the center.

He recently emailed us asking if we want to help with an initial amount so that they can purchase building materials. Winter is over and the men are eager to start a new building project and to roll up their sleeves 😀

Sergey & Irina Romanenko

Many of them have a background and skills in construction work. A building project on site is a great part of the practical program and a healthy addition to the Bible studies and group lessons they follow.

Do you want to help them with a gift for the renovation of the kitchen?

If so, then please send your gift to IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U St. Traveling Light in Papendrecht and make sure to mention BERDYCHIV.

👉When in the USA you can make your tax-deductible gift payable to EEO Inc. Make sure to mention: TC Ukraine, Berdychiv.

PS: In July we (Jan and Marja) we will visit them again!

News and photo's

ETC conference 2019

Last week we were present at the annual Europe Teen Challenge conference (this time in The Netherlands) with a book and information stand. Staff, students from the rehab programs and volunteers from Teen Challenge from 43 countries were present (around 450 participants).

Always a wonderful opportunity for us to catch up with everyone, meet new friends and encourage people! We have received several invitations to visit TC programs all over Europe. Keep an eye on our calendar.

Opening TC coffee house Croatia

Among others, we spoke with Ico Matulić from the Teen Challenge Croatia team. They recently opened their coffee house in Split. We helped them in 2017 and 2018 with a gift for street work and the translation of Living Free study material. They now officially have a coffee house location where conversations and Bible studies can take place. On behalf of them, thank you very much everyone.

Ready to travel

We also spoke with Igor Budanov from Church Novi Sad. At the end of last year we wrote about the new church community that a group of believers (TC graduates) started in Serbia.

We were able to help them with a donation for the purchase of a passenger van. Recently they were able to purchase a nice second-hand Nissan van. Thank you everyone for the help.

Twinkeltje welcomes our guests

Kuanysh & Madina Akkuzova from Teen Challenge Georgia visited our secondhand shop / coffee house Twinkeltje before and after the conference. We had a very inspiring and above all encouraging mission night together. They shared their personal testimonies. Both were born in Muslim families in Kazakhstan. It is wonderful to hear how God has changed their lives (as well as the lives of family members). We prayed with them and everyone gave words of encouragement. It was awesome.

We took up an offering for the work of Teen Challenge, which came to 1,500 euro! Wow, thank you all very much.

👉 Donations are always welcome at St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275 BIC: RABONL2U.