This spring, Sveta and I visited Ovidiopol church and we had a wonderful time with the children and youth. Our Students Scholarship Program currently supports only two students, because mostly students study remotely.
Valya studies at the pedagogical facility at the University. She will graduate next year and plans to work as a geography teacher. To become a doctor of anesthesiology, Daniel needs another 4 years of study. As a Christian family, Daniel and Valya show a good example for teenagers who joined the music group in the church.
Daniel and Valya met with us in Platon’s home. We discussed in depth their ministries, university education, and the youth whom I spoke to after the church service. I am so impressed with the energy, and love for God in these two young adults.
We visited them again in October. This time we stayed 5 days with Platon, Daniels father, the pastor of the Ovidiopol church. Among other ministries, Platon continues to distribute humanitarian supplies to those in need. There is no storage area available at the church, so he uses his garage.
We attended Sunday service in their small church, the congregation flowing into the next room on one side, and the kitchen, on the other side. When the war began, more than half of the people of this church left the country, or relocated in Ukraine. In two years time, this congregation, adults and youth, has doubled, and then some.
In the Chornomorsk massage clinic of Dr. Natalia, we had a nice meeting with Vika. She was one of the first children that we treated when MUCH began. We were not a big enough organization to work with all of the children in need. We set a limit of eighteen years old. Because so many children left the country or relocated, MUCH can help Vika. She is now 32 years old. We are able to maintain a quailty of life for her through the treatment program available at the clinic. Her mother was very thankful to MUCH for this help and sends big thanks to our sponsors who helped her daughter during so many years!
Andre, Dr. Natalya’s son, met with us to discuss their program that treats soldiers suffering from physical injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Andre is reaching out to MUCH for help, first as a massage therapist, but also for his friends. Many entered the military voluntarily to protect their country. Their needs are very close to his heart. We look forward to more stories of how MUCH can help these brave soldiers.
Andre shared with us that there are about 85 children with some type of cerebral palsy in Chornomorsk, a figure that I needed to know. MUCH helps sponsor treatment for children with severe disabilities like Phillip, at this clinic.
In Chornomorsk, while walking to the sea, we saw damage done to five levels, in the middle of a high-rise. It was not far from the sea. We heard this explosion the night before. One flat is occupied by a pastor that Platon works with. Another is occupied by the family of one of the children we treat at the massage therapy clinic. The miracle is that a part of the missile that entered this second flat should have exploded, but didn’t. Their are so many stories like this one that show God’s grace.
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