Report on LifeNets Vinohradiv Project 2013 by Eugene Kubik

 

Love God, Love People, Change Lives

From a small humble beginning of holding services under persecution in a house church in the former Soviet Union to building up lives in Light of Love Mission in the town of Vinogradiv Ukraine. It is an amazing story of something that starts with a small seed and now is impacting generations to come.

The story begins in the when Vasyl Polichko, director of the camp began a house church under Soviet control. It was against the law to have a church service and to meet with other believers. Yet, Vasyl was convicted that he serves God first and take the consequences of his beliefs. Under persecution and fines, he continued not to waiver from his faith and was willing to take the consequences of serving God.

May 31, 2013

I am looking forward to serving at LifeNets Orphans and Street Children Program in Vinogradov, Ukraine. 

Eugene Kubik

I have never been to Ukraine which is the birthplace of my parents.  I have worked with youth from around the world and look forward to spending time with young people in Vinogradov.  I have heard so many positive reports from so many, and my children have had the opportunity to serve and it has made a huge impact on their lives.  I look forward to see Kingdom work done and to develop long term friendships from people that speak a different language, but still have the same love for God.  

It is a foretaste in what Revelation 7:9-10 speaks about. After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Then when the collapse of the Soviet Union happened, Ukrainebecame independent and offered more flexibility with religious beliefs. This also opened the door to reach out to those less fortunate, thus the beginning of Light of Love Mission. The purpose of the mission is to help the poor, the orphans, the disabled, and to reach out to large families.

From a government that persecuted people for their beliefs are now is donating rent free for ten years a facility to help the needy and most vulnerable. With the success of the program also brings new challenges. The government is so impressed with the work of the Polichko’s that they are asking if they can double the capacity of children attending. They are busting at the seams now and don’t have the capacity to take on more children.

This past summer a group came over from the United States to help teach English as a second language and to also work with the children throughout the day. The classes were valuable, but where the growth happened is when the children were immersed with the Americans in the day to day activities.

One of the older children said that she learned more English is two weeks then in all her years of formal schooling. The children were eager to learn English and it helped that the Americans new little or no Ukrainian. Having Oleh Kubik was a big help since he was bilingual and could speak both languages fluently.

The one thing that stood out though was the growth of the young people over all the years that this program has been running. One of camp workers who has been a camper before has improved her English so much that when Oleh was sick for a day, she became the translator. She also has more hope now than ever and wants to journey to the USA to immerse herself in English so she can go back and help other people. Because the Light of Love mission, she has not only improved her English, she has improved her life. The women who volunteered to cook for the two weeks was rescued by the mission when she was 10 years old and now is a citizen that is giving back more. Not only does she speak beautiful English, she speaks into the lives of the children and is an inspiration of some one that has come off the streets and her life is now a beacon of what the Light of Love pictures.

Even though many of the children’s stories may break your hearts, no one is treated like a victim. They are all treated to make the most of their lives and they are so enjoyable to be around. The focus is on the positive and what you can make of your life. To the older ones where there English is getting better, books were distributed to them to continue to improve. They take it very seriously and now they have hope for a better life and understand they must work hard at improving their situation in life.

Now with the world becoming smaller through technology, the instructors and the students stay in touch via email or face book. Even though they are separated by thousands of miles, they can contact each other daily and continue to build relationships. They don’t have to feel alone after the Americans leave, they can have contact with each other. It only helps with the English and gives hope that everyone is just a few clicks away.

One of the lessons on English was Love God, Love People, and Change Lives. Not only did we pronounce the words, we asked how the words were to be implemented. The kids continued to talk about how to Love God, Love People and Change lives. They recognized that they all tied into each other.

It started years ago with a small seed and great conviction and now it is growing and making an impact for generations to come. To take a life that may not have hope and give that life hope. To take someone who doesn’t have a chance to becoming a person who is now a leader and helping others.

Thank you to LifeNets to have the vision to partner with people that will continue to build something that will impact generations to come. No one person can ever support such a powerful and productive work. It comes from many who contribute to those who go face to face with the kids and give every ounce of time and energy.

It comes down to Love God, Love People, and Change Lives.

by Eugene Kubik

July 9, 2013