"Timeline"

We just returned from the week long camp for adults with disabilities at the Fimiam Retreat Center!

Our theme was "Timeline" so when the participants arrived they were welcomed with a walk through a few historical events, including Noah building the ark...

the tower of Babel, where we tried unsuccessfully to build while speaking four different languages...

Moses with the Ten Commandments...

Martin Luther and his 95 theses...

and a few others stations.  It was a fun way to welcome everyone to camp!

 

The study material which was written to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which we have been celebrating in Ukraine all year. The morning small group lessons and the evening large group preaching followed the theme of the day, leading us from creation to the present day.

God answered many prayers as several recent patients at Agape were able to attend.  We had a few stormy evenings/nights, but otherwise the weather was great for being outside. We were able to take two trips to the nearby lake and each person, regardless of disability, had the opportunity to be in and/or on the water (on a mattress or a boat).  As usual, we had "Spa Salon" one afternoon, as well as table games and all-camp games. And there was plenty of time for fellowship, relaxation and walks through the nearby forest.

My responsibility for the week including living in a room with these ladies and assisting with their needs. I did not know any of them before the camp, but we quickly became friends and had a blessed week together. 

Larisa, on the far right, is pretty independent anyway and she became almost totally independent in the camp once she received the electric wheelchair, so I spent most of my time with Ira and her mom. Ira is 32 years old and has cerebral palsy. She cannot talk, but it's clear she understands what is happening around her and desires to be part of it. She had not been out of her 2nd floor apartment in the past 3 years until coming to camp. So understandably she wanted to be outside every time it was possible. And we wanted her mom to have as much rest as possible, so I and another volunteer on our team spent as much time as we could with Ira. It was a joy to be with her as she was so excited to do anything we suggested!  She had not had the opportunity to swim since she was a child, so we took her in the lake both days, much to her delight.  And on the last day, with Sveta as our captain, we cruised around the pond at the retreat center in the boat. 

We truly had a wonderful week and continue to pray for fruit in the lives of those who heard the truth taught this week. We are headed out any minute for camp for families of children with disabilities (hence the brief blog about adult camp) and we look forward to another good week. Thank you to all who pray for the camps! We are so blessed to be here and be part of serving people with disabilities during these two weeks.

Summer is in full swing...

It's difficult to believe July has arrived already. It seems like June just got started! We have had a busy, but fun kick-off to our summer. We have had some outings with friends, enjoyed morning walks to work, completed another session of the PT Training Center program and celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Agape Rehabilitation Center. We are busier than ever at Agape, with 9 full-time residential patients and almost all other beds filled by temporary residents. Our Agape staff continues to grow to accommodate the growing needs. It is good to see God's hand at work!

Lunch at Agape (half of the dining room)

At the beginning of the month, we took some patients from Agape out on a Saturday to explore the city, stopping at the castle and the zoo.

So close to the lions!

A walk through the central park in Lutsk provides a great view of the castle 

We have recently enjoyed quite a few morning walks to work. It takes us 25-30 minutes and we have come to enjoy our walk, which begins by taking this less than conspicuous path down into the woods...

crossing this fun bridge which Sveta didn't really like the first few times...

then along a little path which is now almost overtaken by the growth around it...

by the soccer stadium / track where I often run...

Our apartment is near that gray building behind us

along dusty village roads...

over the railroad track...

to Agape!

The first class of students in the PT Training Center program completed their 4th and final session on June 16th! I have enjoyed teaching and being around this group so much over the past 10 months. They have been patient with me, showed an eagerness to learn, brought joy and laughter to the process and persevered through the program. This past year has been challenging with developing the program, writing and translating the teaching material, preparing and conducting the six sessions (between the two classes) and rearranging the material and correcting mistakes after each session. God has taught me much about leaning on Him in my weakness and inadequacy, asking and trusting Him for wisdom and rejoicing over His provisions. I am so thankful for each of these students and am excited to see how God uses them in the future.

Our small graduation ceremony:

Graduation was followed by bowling, pizza and lots of smiles and laughter!

Last weekend I was invited to play baseball with some of the young adults from our church. Although I haven't joined them in the past for volleyball or soccer (I was interested in soccer until I learned that no other girls join they guys), I decided to give baseball a try. They were pretty accurate on the rules, with a few twists. Such as, the second time you get on base you can't stop, even if they will easily be able to get you out - you must keep going. It keeps the game "dynamic" I was told! Of course, playing 5 on 5 to start and later 6 on 6 also kept the game dynamic. But we had a good time!

July means that camps will soon begin! Please join us in praying for the adult camp which begins July 18th and the children's camp which begins July 28th. Several of our patients, both children and adults, are planning to come and we are praying for their repentance. We are also praying for financial provisions for the camps, good weather so that people with disabilities can spend the maximum amount of time outdoors, safety and God's work in the hearts of those who come. Thank you for joining us in prayer! I hope you are having a blessed summer too!

I'll conclude with some of the beauty God has put on display in the Ukrainian sky this summer: