Who?
Chris and Jill Ashurst, Jackie Perry and Alex Hall travelled from Eastbourne, and David Tice (now living in Ukraine).
What?
Over the last few years English teachers and others from Kings Church in Eastbourne, have at the request of teachers of English from Ukrainian state schools, provided them with seminars.
Where?
As in previous years these were held in towns of Krasny Luch, and Antratsit.
These towns are in the east of Ukraine close to Russia.
Why?
The seminars are provided and arranged in conjunction with Renewal church based in Krasny Luch, who have a desire to bless their local community.
The church also wanted to start an Alpha course for those learning and using English. Our part was to be involved in the Alpha 'launch'.
Journal
Day 1 Monday 11 April
7:30 Met at Kings, and Chris Hartingdon drove us to Gatwick.
Flight to Kyiv and second flight to Donetsk.
A good trip, arriving in Donetsk at 9:30pm to be met by Andrey and Mikhail from Renewal Church in Krasny Luch. A couple of hours in the car when we learned that the arrangements made that we would (as in previous years) be teaching on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, had been changed so that the teachers were actually arriving the next morning at 9am the next morning instead of on Wednesday! Since the programme was designed to give Tuesday to prepare materials and buy necessities this was a problem!
Day 2 Tuesday 12 April
I (Chris) had a stomach upset, but Jill brilliantly reworked the programme, and together with Jackie and Alex delivered an almost complete 'first day' to nearly 30 teachers.
We learned that some of Yuri's school students were also going to turn up for the second day.!!!!!!
Day 3 Wednesday 13 April
I felt hugely better and was able to play my part. David Tice and Jackie delivered a lesson to some students, whilst Jackie, Jill, Alex and I were able to deliver the teachers' seminar. The theme was 'Heroes". Alex did a great presentation, not without controversy, on David Beckham as his hero. The end of the day saw the three groups decide on a hero on whom they would give a presentation the following day. It was somewhat surprising to us that one of them picked the their hero as Jesus, completely uninfluenced by us. We gave invitations to the Alpha launch, which were well received. The evening saw us at a concert in the new, unfinished, building at Renewal Church in Krasny Luch which about 5 local churches attended. A well respected singing group from Kyiv sang, and it was a great worship time.
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| Renewal Church Krasny Luch New building under construction |
Day 4 Thursday 14 April
Jill's presentation on her heroes, was great although she wasn't feeling well (and I forgot to mention that there is no heat in the school, and it was 3-6 C)
I did a presentation on Jesus as my hero. The teachers voted on a selection of heroes, based on various characteristics maximum score 36! Interesting that Ghandi came in ahead of Mother Theresa and one group said he was 'perfect'.
The presentations by the teachers were brilliant, and some of them very moving, especially those on Jesus. Some very hungry and open teachers who are desperate to find out more about Jesus, and have committed to come to Alpha @ School No 9 at 4pm on Saturday.
Quote of the Day from one of the teachers:-
"Jesus is in my mind and Jesus is in my heart all the time.....I think (Jesus) decided to die himself, I think because he loved us, I think he wanted to die because he saved us, and why did he die? And how (did) he help us – I don’t know now, but I want to come on Saturday, and I want to know ‘Why did he die?' "
The arrangements for the ongoing Alpha have been fluid, and I spent some time with the leaders giving some help as to how they will do this. They are going to use an Alpha express DVD with English subtitles.
Jackie went to the 'Project' school for English, run by Michael and Julia with their students.
Day 5 Friday 15 April
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| Some of the Students and their Teachers at the Project |
Jill and I spent some time with the Andrey and Natasha Bondarenko and their delightful children. It was great to hear their hearts and their desire to see the kingdom of God affect their area, and talk of the challenges of engaging with and serving the community in what can sometimes be a hostile environment.
Later in the day we took the lessons for teens/younger students, based around the theme of Easter at the 'Project' school, with another invitation to the Alpha course.
Day 6 Saturday 16 April Alpha Day!!
As a team we were so excited about this day! We had a wonderful time praying, and real encouragement through spiritual gifts. God was very close and very precious.
Over 20 people came to the Alpha 'launch', sadly a couple of people who wanted to come couldn't - but a really good time. Graham Marsh had given me his notes from his Alpha opening talk, and I used them. The only difficulty came with my reference to Tolstoy, as they thought I was saying 'Toy Story'! We are expecting several to follow through on the Alpha course, and will continue to pray for them, and Michael, Julia, Dave Tice and those involved in running it, and the church as they support it.
Day 7 Sunday 17 April
Renewal Church now has two meetings on a Sunday, in their existing building, so that everyone can get in! A wonderful time of worship and preach from Andrey
A very pleasant evening spent with Oleg and Christina at their home, lovely blinis prepared by Christina.
Day 8 Monday 18 April
A sh0rt trip to Antratsit for two more days of seminars based at Specialised School No 5. The seminars here started at 11 am after the teachers had taken some lessons. Once again we were grateful to the teachers and prinicipal of the school for so superbly hosting these seminars and us!
We rearranged the programme to fit the two days, and we had some of the senior pupils from the school attending as well.
Here there was no Alpha follow up arranged, so the dymanics of the sessions changed slightly whilst having the same essential content. At the end of Monday the groups had chosen Robin Hood, Lady Diana, Lord Byron and Michael Jackson, as their heroes on whom they would give a presentation the following day.
Jill and I stayed for the night with one of the teachers, Nataly a good friend of ours, in Antratsit, whilst the rest of the team returned to Krasny Luch. During the evening we were all saddened to hear of the death of our good friend, and fellow Kings English teacher, Peggy Borlace. Whilst saddened we rejoiced that she is with the Lord, but felt deeply for Tony and the family back home.
Day 9 Tuesday 19 April
Our last day of seminars and an opportunity to speak about the uniqueness of our wonderful hero - Jesus. Also to have some wonderful presentations from the 4 groups on their heroes. A huge amount of work had been done by all of them, which showed in the presentations - including a mock round table 'Antratsit TV' discussion on 'The People's Princess - Lady Diana" with guest appearances from Elton John, Prince William and other celebrities. I will certainly not forget, either, the Michael Jackson presentation!
And so we said our goodbyes to Antratsit, and one of the teachers said "We are waiting for you to come!", and that was before we had left!From Specialised School No 5 to the sauna! Antratsit boasts a nice sauna, and we (boys and girls separately!!!) enjoyed a relaxing time there.
A final evening with our hosts, - thank you Michael, Julia and Marina.
Day 10 Wednesday 20 April
Leaving before 10 am in two cars driven by Michael and Oleg we travelled to Debalcevo to catch the train to Borispol. The train left on time (they always do) at 11:35 am for its 17 hour journey.
After 5 minutes someone said 'Are we nearly there?' a question repeated on several occasions throughout the journey. We were so grateful to be accompanied by Yana on the trip. Glimpses of Ukraine through the (very dirty) windows of the train again gave us a different view on life in Ukraine. Watching the ladies selling dried fish from the platform to the passengers on an extended stop was certainly fascinating. After a sleep, taking care to set alarms for 4am, we arrived at Borispol station at 4:36 am. The small station is actually some miles from the Airport, and so we used two taxis to get us to the airport.
Day 11 Thursday 21 April
Having arrived at Kyiv - Borispol Airport at around 5 am we then had to wait for the flight at 10 am.
After a slightly delayed departure we arrived back at Gatwick at 11:30 (1:30pm Ukraine time) to be met by Chris Hartingdon who drove us back to Eastbourne about 1:30 (3:30pm) after about 30 hours of travelling!
We are all so grateful to God for a good trip, and look to see what he will do as a result. We are grateful too, to the church and to the teachers and authorities in Ukraine.
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