These are the days of ACTS in Kyiv

It’s been well over a week now since we arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine and it’s been quite the time again. Unsure at first, exactly what we would be doing in this new location then discovering God had much planned and ready for us here. Our few contacts resulted in more contacts and many more ideas.

Instantly recognizing the intensity of sexualization of women in this city and knowing that Ukraine has a high trafficking rate we found ourselves surrounded and in the middle, identifying the many connections between this issue, alcohol and drug usage and the fact that Ukraine has the fastest growing infection rate for HIV.

One of the outreach ministries that we are connected to here is with Teen Challenge. Every Tuesday they go out, first to a Methadone Clinic (well, outside the clinic, as they are not allowed in) and then to the main train station for the purpose of building relationships, providing of limited medical care and handing out invites to addicts and the homeless for a coffee house Teen Challenge puts on the following night. The purpose of the coffee house is to share of God’s love and salvation for all and as well in hopes of helping men and women with their addiction through their own rehab centre.

We also have the opportunity to tag along with our translator and visit a women she has befriended, who has sadly contracted the virus of HIV through her lifestyle as a prostitute. She is currently 47 years old and only this year through a friend, came to accept that Gods love is for her as well. She recognizes that it is only through God’s strength that she has been able to quit many of her habits, including selling of her body for money. She noted that in her past there had been many times where, if she could have, would have left this industry and stopped her addiction to drugs.

These are just a couple ministries that we are connected with here.

One of our biggest excitements, that ties everything together, is our combined vision for Kyiv and for Albania – to spread awareness of Human Trafficking. We are a group of many talents – art, design, media, photography, and music and a heart for those effected by injustice. It is our hope and plan to use all these things, to research and investigate as much as we can about this issue here in Kyiv and combine it all into a presentation to present to the people here in Kyiv and to each of our own contacts and Churches back home in our many countries.

I am so excited about what God is doing in this group, in this city and in this vision. Before arriving we were not sure how we would fill our days and now the time is flying by with our many activities and brainstorming sessions.

I’m especially excited about the idea of an instillation art design piece in the main centre of Kyiv to put on display during the final weekend we are here, as well as a final documentary of all we have learned and experienced, sharing of the many personal stories we have encountered.

We have less than 3 weeks left already and they are going to fly by. Please continue to pray for the group, for strength, courage, boldness and for patience. Pray for open doors and please pray for a blanket of safety and protection over this group.

Til’ the next time, blessings ☺