Carelinks | Ukraine
The economic situation in Ukraine continues to go downwards, and the war in Eastern Ukraine is claiming many lives and limbsdespite the Western media going quiet about it. Infrastructure is breaking down, and the nation faces a real risk of descending from the ‘second world’ to effectively a third world country in Europe. Pensioners are especially hard hit. Inflation is rampant but pensions remain the same. So perhaps it is not surprising that we had a bumper attendance of over 70 brothers and sisters at the Winter Bible School this year, where we enjoyed the company of Bro John and Sis Margaret Greenwood from the UK. There were visitors attending from throughout Ukraine as well as Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Poland; one sister came in from Eastern Ukraine, making a huge journey from Eastern Ukraine into Russia and thence back into Ukraine proper to avoid the block posts which both sides have erected along the front line. We also enjoyed the company of two brothers and a sister from Nigeria. It was a wonderful atmosphere to be with believers both new and old, packed into a meeting room all eagerly listening with Bibles open [or the younger ones reading Bibles from their phones] and taking notes- and freely talking about the ideas presented in the evening chats amongst themselves.
Some present were baptized in the early 90s, and we have no greater joy than to hear that our children continue to walk in truth. There were three baptisms, from teenager through middle age to elderly: Darina, teenage daughter of brother Igor and sister Irina; Nikolay, a middle aged man who found us online whilst searching for a new Bible, and who fitted in most naturally with the group as if he had always been with us; and Josip, an elderly man with failing sight who lives in the same village as two of our sisters. Darina is pictured above right with her happy parents just before her baptism.
The final evening was a talent night, with Bible questions, skits of scenes like Joseph blessing Manasseh and Ephraim, and Joseph meeting Jacob in Egypt (pictured above). It was wonderful to see Jacob’s sons played by believers of various nationalities, ages and colours- all gathered by the Lord’s hand in freezing, broken down Ukraine.
We really do deeply thank you all for making these Bible Schools possible, by prayer and donation. We have to pay the fares of most of the local attendees; but without these schools they just would not have much sense of community and fellowship in Christ. So thank you all so much for enabling these happy and truly spiritual events. Do come along yourselves- the next Ukrainian School is planned for the Summer (God willing) and we wonder if any out there would like to come and give some talks? Do contact us at info@carelinks.net.
Here’s a brief summary from sister Margaret Greenwood: “This was my first visit to the Ukraine Bible School and John had not been since 1999. He was delighted to meet some brothers and sisters who were present at that time. It was a particular pleasure to meet Veronica because John has spoken about her after his previous visit. She and others who spoke English introduced themselves and helped us to get to know many others. Although we could not follow the discussions in Russian it was obvious that the brothers and sisters were passionate as they discussed and debated about the Word of God.
John gave talks including a series on Romans, and others on the prophecy of Habakkuk, an introduction to John’s Gospel and the difficult subject of Repentance, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. The temperature outside has been well below freezing earlier in January and there was thick snow on the ground when we arrived, but it was a little warmer whilst we were there and the snow had begun to melt. The accommodation was comfortable and the food was adequate (although we did get tired of grated beetroot at almost every meal!). Our abiding memory will be of brothers and sisters – many of whom live in difficult circumstances – sharing a love of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”.
