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"Reflections on Russia"
 Kyiv . . . Krapivna . . . Mariupol . . . Vinnitsa . . . Celishe . . . Nekiferatsa . . . Varovichy. In these Ukrainian cities and towns and villages I met lots of people—Vova, Sveta, Nina, Vladimir, Sergei, Koya, Masha, Boris, Luba, Vasily, Pasha, Volodia, Luda, Leo, Dima, Roma, Ivan, Maxim, Valentina, Misha, Sergei, Tanya, Alec—and many more. And through these folks, I fell in love with Russia. Just the mention of their names brings a lump to my throat.
I traveled to Kyiv with 12 others from the Overland Park Church of the Nazarene in Kansas in August 2004. And what a trip it was (pun intended)! Missionaries Bob and Colleen Skinner—along with the missionary team of Cliff and Heike Wright and Roxanne Alexander—ensured that our two-week Work & Witness trip would be chockfull of indelible memories. Along with two work projects, which we completed, our jam-packed experience included church services, prayer meetings, Bible studies, home visits, sightseeing, shopping, a picnic, and several side trips.
Joining with our group were six people from a church in Michigan. Our expanded team of 19 was assigned to finish the basement of the Kyiv Ministry Center—painting the walls and sealing the floors. Plus, we would clean up the backyard, remove a dead tree, spread truckloads of dirt, and landscape the area. According to Bob, these were the last two projects needed for the building inspector to sign off on the Center’s completion. By the time we left Kyiv, both projects were done, including the planting of grass seed.
The first day of work was interrupted by a semitruck that appeared at the ministry center. Every available pair of hands formed a long chain that moved almost 1,200 boxes from the curb in front, through the Center’s hall, and out to the backyard, where the boxes were stored in an old garage. We actually repeated this task a few days later when two semis arrived with 1½ loads. This time the used clothing, medical equipment, and Crisis Care Kits were stored in basement rooms that had been finished. We learned that these gifts of compassion would be distributed throughout the country.
Highlights of my experience are manifold: Visiting the World War II and Chernobyl museums. Observing a wedding in a Russian Orthodox cathedral. Participating in a baptism of four Nazarene women in the Dneiper River. Playing with children in an orphanage. Eating "shashleek" in a park beside a pond. Attending a special thank-you luncheon for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Varovichy. Traveling to Mariupol and sensing the pastor’s heart for homeless people.
The most memorable part of the trip, without question, was the train ride to Vinnitsa and witnessing firsthand the power of God at work in the lives of those who have been bound by alcohol and drugs. To me, every dollar invested in this trip, plus every dollar ever given to missions, is worth the transformed lives of men and women in Russia and to see many of them involved in ministry, serving the Lord who has delivered them.
Am I a different person? You betcha! How can anyone go to Russia and return the same! The Lord is at work in my life, cleansing me of the materialism and consumerism of our culture. My passion for missions now is even greater than before! I praise God for allowing me to see, again and anew, how He is building His kingdom around the globe. And to think, He allows me to have a tiny part!
Wes Eby
Overland Park, Kansas
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