It was April 2011... We just registered Traveling Light as an official non-profit organisation. Our first project was a huge faith project: we needed 10.000 euro for the purchase of a building in Onyfrievka, Ukraine. Why huge?
Because no one knew about our organisation yet, there were no supporters, there was only an empty bank account. We had no money to advertise, no budget for flyers or a good website. It all started with this weblog and the faith that God was on our side. Wow, so much has happened since that April in 2011. We are very thankful for all our contacts, projects and supporters!
Please, watch the video below. It shows the orphanage in Onyfrievka (which already existed) and the new rehabilitation home that has been divided in a men's and women's section. The video also shows the new fence around the property (another project we raised funds for) and the students at work. Wonderful, such a blessing to see that all donations have been put into practice. This past August we visited the place and we were very pleased to see it all so well taken care of. This is how we want to continue in 2014.
Currently we are fundraising again for the purchase of a home in the Ukraine, this time it will be a rehab home for women and their children in Berdychiv. We have received a large donation which has really sped things up, we still need 900 euro. Will you help us?
Europe supporters, you can send your gifts to Rabo bank nr. NL91RABO0118582275 t.n.v. Traveling Light. BIC: RABONL2U
USA supporters, you can send your tax-deductible gift to Eastern Europe Outreach, make sure to mention BERDYCHIV, UKRAINE
We just came back from a visit to the Ukraine. We had an incredible week, we could write a book about everything we experienced. It was a very useful, encouraging and blessed trip, in every way.
We were invited to speak at the annual Teen Challenge conference, we visited the Coffee House in Kiev and made a trip to Onyfrievka, the place of our very first project, the establishing of a residential rehabilitation home. Do you remember?
Residents and workers at Onyfrievka house
In the summer of 2011 we raised 10,000 euro which was enough for pastor Aleksander Fedorov (from Church of the living God in Onyfrievka) to purchase a building where they wanted to start a rehabilitation home for people with life controlling problems. At the beginning of this year we donated another 6,000 euro for the construction of a fence around the whole property. On the property is a children's home, a rehab home and several other buildings. Last week we were able to see everything with our very own eyes.
We were given a tour
The home is not completely finished, but it houses several men and women already that are well on their way to start a new life. The children's home was already there, which is also being managed by the church of pastor Aleksander Fedorov. At the moment sixteen children are living there. The church will try to find families in the Ukraine who want to adopt these children. One of the ladies in the rehab center has her child close by, in this house, which is a huge relief for her and makes her time in the program a little easier.
Nap time in the children's home
The rehab home and the children's house are looking great, and the fence is perfect, very good quality. It provides protection for everyone in the center and children's home. It is so wonderful to see how the donations of Traveling Light are being used, that makes us really happy. The gratefulness of the people who live and work in the home is overwhelming, it is beyond their understanding that help came all the way from Holland. All these happy faces and changed lives...that is why we do what we do!
We would love to help them again in the near future.
2013 has barely started and we already have lots of fun things (read: good news) to share with you. In the first place we are very happy and thankful that we are able to donate 6,000 euro towards Teen Challenge Ukraine, for project fence men's rehab home Onyfrievka.
It is absolutely awesome how fast the gifts for that project came in. We are planning to visit Ukraine later this spring. At the rate they have been working there, we will probably see the men's home open and we hope to take some new pictures then. For now: thank you so very much for your donations. This house will be a blessing for many men and their families, as they will find deliverance from their addictions, healing of their pains and an encounter with the love of Jesus.
Marathon ice skater Krijn Donk
In our previous blog post we wrote about Krijn Donk who is going to skate 200 km on the Weissensee in Austria. Up till now 575 euro has been pledged towards this marathon skating event. We would like to donate all proceeds of this fundraiser to pastor Sokrat and Lena Apostolovska. They have started a church in the Gypsy quarter of the city of Skopje, Macedonia. This is the largest Roma ghetto in the world! Last week we were there for a visit... well, we will write about that in a next post. Pastor Sokrat & Lena are doing a marvelous work among Gypsy children. They teach them reading and writing and tell them about Jesus. Through the kids they can reach out to the parents. We would love to support them in this work.
Besides our Extreme Ice Skating fundraiser, we want to announce our next project. Do you remember we raised money for Teen Challenge Czech Republic, for project Coffeebus? Well, buying and importing a second hand city bus was more complicated than we first expected. So, we all started looking for a minivan or motor home. In the meantime they received some more gifts towards this project and last week they were able to purchase a motor home which will be used as a mobile coffeehouse for outreach purposes. Hooray! Photo's will follow soon. Right now they are still in need of 1,500 euro for winter tires, logo's and adjustments to the interior. This will be a great follow-up project for Traveling Light. We have plans to visit Czech Republic in April, so we will be able to see the bus with our own eyes :)
Well, as you can see we have many plans and projects. We just came back from a vision trip to Macedonia. We will write more soon.
All gifts are welcome, please make sure to specify whether ICE SKATING, FOLLOW-UP COFFEE BUS or GENERAL
Rabo bank nr. 1185 82 275 St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht, The Netherlands
IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275
BIC: RABONL2U
As promised a blog post about the fun events that some of our supporters organized during the last week of December. Events that brought in quite a sum of money for Project Fence Onyfrievka, Ukraine. We hope this will inspire you!
The Donk Family
On December 29th Krijn Donk celebrated his 50th birthday with a party for family and friends. He decided to place a collection bin for Traveling Light at the party. At the end of the evening they were able to donate 350 euro towards our project. Awesome, thank you very much.
Christian church De Hoeksteen in Etten-Leur (yes, yes, the church where they cut Jan's pony tail) decided to give their Christmas Eve collection to Traveling Light. They donated 850 euro towards our project for Teen Challenge Ukraine. Thank you so very much.
The Stehouwer Family
Krijn was not the only one celebrating a birthday. Arjan Stehouwer and his brother Chris Stehouwer celebrated their birthdays with an outdoor winter garden party. They also placed a collection bin for all to see, we received 488 euro towards the Onyfrievka project. Wow, what a great idea guys, thank you very much. Here's a cute picture of Arjan and his family. Chris is way too handsome to put on a blog, and besides that.. he's dating someone :)
We also received a beautiful Christmas card from our long time Californian friends, better known as the Biddle family. They emptied their pockets right before Christmas and surprised us with 300 dollars towards this project. You should have seen our faces when we opened the envelop. Thank you dear ones!
These are just some of the fun ways people have come up with in order to help us fund raise. We are happy and thankful of course with ANY gift that comes in, no matter how, whether it is 5 or 500 euro. We might as well put you all in the spot light :)
It is our goal to keep our overhead costs as low as possible, also in 2013, so your donations will actually go to the projects. In 2012 we were able to donate more than 30.000 euro and the cost for international banking was 212 euro. All other expenses and costs were paid out of private funds.
All right, enough about numbers and money. It's all about having a generous attitude and joyful giving, which will bless everyone involved. That is our prayer for you in 2013: May the Lord bless you abundantly.
At the end of 2012 we would like to take you back to April 2011... Believing that God went before us, we announced our first project to you all: the rehabilitation home in Onyfrievka, Ukraine. That was a big step in faith, for we had no clue how the money would come in, if there were people willing to donate and how long it would take to raise 10.000 euro, but we did it! After donating the money, it took more than a year for the sales contract to be signed. We waited in expectation, knowing that all was going to be alright.
Home group
And now it is December 2012. This past week we received news and pictures from Onyfrievka (about 350 km from Kiev). This update was a very pleasant surprise for us because a lot of work is being done. The directors of the work, Yura and Ira, already have four (!) people at their rehabilitation program.Those people take an active part in church events (home group, seminars) and they also help with the renovation of the home. That is of course awesome news.
New windows everywhere
Despite the cold winter weather much work is being done at the Onyfrievka house, so it won't take long before it will officially be opened as a Teen Challenge center. As you can see in the pictures, much material has been donated, such as beds, mattresses, water heater, windows and doors, firewood etc. Their biggest need at this moment is a fence around the house and the property.
Beds are already there
The fence will be approximately 300 meters long and will serve as protection for the property, the people, the building materials and household items; for it is not unthinkable that things get stolen there... We believe this is a great moment to offer them some more of our help. Building the fence will be a pretty big and expensive job, but we have no doubt the materials and labor will be provided.
Fixing up the entrance room
They have estimated that the total cost for such a fence will be around 100.000 UAH, which is about 12,500 dollars. So, what do you all think? How much of the money needed, will Traveling Light be able to donate? We can't wait to find out. If you are inspired by the work that is being done in Ukraine to get the homeless and addicted off the street and into a home where they encounter the love and peace of Jesus... please, join and help us to bless them! All gifts, large or small, are welcome.
Bank account number 1185 82 275
IBAN: NL91RABO0118582275
BIC: RABONL2U
St. Traveling Light, Papendrecht, The Netherlands
Make sure to mention: Fence Onyfrievka, Ukraine
PS: You can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.
Many of you will remember our very first project: raising funds for the purchase of a building in Onyfrievka, Ukraine which would be used for a men's rehab home.
There was 10.000 euro needed to purchase the building, not a large amount, but to us it was enormous. We had never done such a thing! But the gifts started coming in and in a short time we were able to donate the money to the Ukraine. But then... the real challenge began.
There were some problems with the paper work. It took months and months to get the official paperwork in order. In the meantime we kept praying that everything would work out fine and we did not worry about it. Last week we received news from Sergey & Mariana Glushko in Kiev that all the necessary papers are there and the building can be purchased. Hooray!
Now, we would really love to go and visit the place...
As you all know by now the first project we would love to support through our Holland based non-profit is the purchase of property in Ukraine, also called the Onyfrievka project. We are currently raising the 10.000 euro's needed to purchase this property. We thought it would be fun and interesting to ask Sergey Glushko, the director of Teen Challenge Ukraine, a few questions. Here we go!
Sergey, can you tell us how you became involved with Teen Challenge (TC)
First of all I’m involved in TC Ministry because I was a drug addict myself. Second, from the year 2000, after God saved my life, I have always been working with people with life controlling problems. The last few years I was really dreaming about transformation in the Ukraine through rehab ministry. Then I met Kevin Tyler (coordinator TC Eurasia) and after a conversation with him I went to TC Poland and then to TC Czech Republic where I found a new way how we can help addicted people. After this trip I received the vision to start TC in Ukraine. Because through this discipleship/rehab program I saw how many people are able to continue to live clean after they leave the program. Many of them become good and great people in society and church.
What are some of the things Teen Challenge is doing in Ukraine?
We serve in 10 methadone clinics where we are doing counseling and motivate the addicted people to start a new life with Christ. We are sharing testimonies and the Gospel with them and invite them to our Coffee Houses and rehab centers.We also serve on the street and train station. This is an area where we try to reach homeless adults and street kids. We lead a Coffee House Ministry. Today we have already 6 Coffee Houses for people with life controlling problems. After they come to the Coffee House we encourage them to enter the Residential Rehab Program.
Today we have more than 10 centers already, who would like to be a part of the Teen Challenge family. Then we encourage those who are in the program, and will finish soon, to build close relationships with local churches. Because we believe this is one of the keys for them to be strong Christians; belonging to a good and healthy church. Also, we are doing many other trainings, seminars and conferences where we teach leaders and other workers who are involved in Christian ministry. Every year we organize camps for people from rehab centers from all over Ukraine and other countries.
How did you find the property in Onyfrievka?
Kevin Tyler knows one of the pastors in this area for more than 15 years. And in this church they have a few rehab centers, but far away from church and civilization. We started to visit them in 2009 with seminars and training. Later they decided to become part of TC. I recognized that one of the reasons why they always struggled (no support, no result) was because they live far away from people and a church. I started to encourage them to try to find some building close to civilization and close to the church. Finally they found this empty house. And now we have the dream to buy this facility and use it for God’s kingdom.
What are your plans with the property?
We would like to renovate this building, because this house is very empty. And start a rehab center where about 30 people can go through a Christian discipleship program. Also, these people will be involved in local church ministry (Coffee House, orphan shelter and many other activities) and they would like to start some small business with chickens. Through this business they want to raise their support for the center (I think this is great idea!!!).
Any words for your supporters?
I just want to share with you from my heart: We have had this project in our hearts for many years. I know we cannot do anything alone, but with your help, support and participation we can influence many people who are still lost, broken and addicted. Thank you that you believe with us!!! Your participation means a lot for Teen Challenge in Ukraine. Thank you for your investment in many people's lives!
With love Sergey Glushko (Teen Challenge Ukraine).
Thank you Sergey for taking time to tell us a little bit more about Teen Challenge Ukraine. We are believing with you that with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
As we posted earlier on this weblog, the first project we want to financially support is the purchase of a building/house in Onyfrievka, Ukraine. This property will be used for the establishing of a Teen Challenge rehabilitation center for former addicts. Worldwide more than 1100 such centers can be found in over 85 countries. Each center takes care of their own fundraising, some generate income through work projects while others are being supported by local churches and families. Although circumstances differ from country to country, each center relies on the goodwill of donors and supporters. The other day someone asked us why we choose a project so far away. Where in the world is the Ukraine?
Sergey teaches Bible study
Well, it is a European country north east of Romania... does that help? :) When we started this non profit, we wanted to support small projects in countries where the local people have decided to put their hands to the plow and change the social, economic and personal circumstances of individuals and families... and eventually towns and regions! We would love to inspire and motivate them to keep up the good work. As a result of our traveling we already have useful contacts in Holland, Sweden, Germany, Slovenia, Serbia, Romania and Israel, and yet our heart was captured by Sergey & Mariana from Ukraine. Teen Challenge Ukraine was established in 2008 and currently Sergey & Mariana are the national directors. Within a few years time six centers and seven coffee houses have been opened! Sergey was a drug addict himself but Jesus Christ has set set him free from a destructive lifestyle. He now has the desire to help others! And it works, we have personally seen it work like this in many countries. People like Sergey have a drive, a passion and a love for their fellow men. There is no lack of enthusiasm...
Bible in many languages
Many Teen Challenge centers have started with a coffee house, a place where addicts can come for a cup of coffee and a listening ear. Often this is the place where many people hear the good news of Jesus Christ for the first time: they can be FREE! When addicts decide they want to start a new life they can enter a residential program (if one is available in that country). In the Ukraine, as in many other countries, there is no lack of addicts...
Street work
So, what is lacking? Finances and encouragement. When we heard Sergey's story and saw the pictures of the house he would love to purchase we were sold out: 12,500 dollars for a place where an additional 20 or 30 men can live, work and study. Can you imagine how many lives, how many futures and how many families will be positively affected when these men have a safe place to stay and grow in their new found faith? It is a lot of money if you don't own anything, it is nothing if we decide to collect it as a team. Yes, the house will need an extreme make-over in order to make it into a home, but that is the next step :) We seriously want to do our best to help this young couple to reach their next goal. Sergey e-mails me a few times a week, asking for updates. I can't wait to tell him we are on our way...
For our friends in the USA who asked us if they can make a contribution: YES! It is certainly possible to give a tax deductible donation. Please e-mail us at janandmarja@gmail.com when you do. Click here to donate!
During the Europe Teen Challenge Conference we had several talks with the directors of Teen Challenge Ukraine, Sergey and Mariana Glushko. A young and dynamic couple that have a heart for those suffering as a result of drugs and alcohol addiction. Sergey knows what the power of God can do in such a life, he was a drug addict himself and is now totally free!
Sergey told us about his dreams and vision and, we must admit, his enthusiasm is very contagious! Currently there are already six centers in the Ukraine, also an orphanage! There is however a need for more residential homes, so even more former addicts can live, work and study. "The house we are currently looking at is perfect", Sergey told us. "It is close to the church and to the orphanage, it even has apartments where staff members can live and some land so we can start a vegetable garden. It is in the village of Onyfrievka." The house will offer room for an additional 30 people! Just imagine the difference this will make in the lives of people who think there is no hope and no future!
The price of this property is 12,500 US$. We went home and just couldn't stop thinking about it and so this will be the first project we would love to support! We believe it can be done! We already started fundraising in Holland and we are planning to visit TC Ukraine as soon as we have all the support necessary to really bless this young couple! If you're in the USA and feel you want to join us in our efforts, it is possible to give your tax deductible gift HERE. Make sure you mention ONYFRIEVKA UKRAINE!
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