After two days of rest, the adventure continued in Kyiv. Relationships are not as deeply developed with our hosts in Kyiv as they are in Lutsk, but they are growing. Olga Pavluchenko was our host last year for the first time. Valentina Shorohova attended the conference last year and offered to provide the lecture halls and assist with translation of materials this year. Both ladies were extremely helpful and worked down to the wire to help us prepare.
Olga (L) and Valentina (R)
Our time in Kyiv presented additional opportunities to practice our flexibility. Our main audience in Lutsk was psychologists, but in Kyiv it was educators. Each group has a different set of interests requiring us to alter our teaching to meet their needs and interests. However we did not alter the Biblical references in our presentations.
God provided evidence that our Christian message was being heard. At lunch an attendee began talking with us. Where are you from? What are you doing here? What is your purpose? As the conversation continued, she said, “I knew you were Christians. I attended one other conference based on Christian principles. What you teach is exactly what my country needs.” It is good to know that people are watching and listening.
UMO assistant Anatoly did the oral translation both weeks as well as the written translation for slide presentations prior to the conferences themselves. We could not have done this without him.
In both cities the information was received enthusiastically. Comments heard over and over were that the information presented was at a very high level. This is very important because we do not want our reputation to taint the name of Christ. By being excellent in what we do elevates our Christian message as well.
The Balametrics program taught by Ron was so popular that many people wanted to know how to purchase
Working with children on the board
such equipment for themselves. Currently there is no way to buy this equipment directly in Ukraine. The equipment provided for each training was donated by a single sponsor from the USA. Ron was always quick to point out that it was really a gift from God to the children with disabilities and their families. Now that the information about the Learning Break Through Program has been taught, there is a real interest in obtaining the equipment. Please pray for Ron as he determines how this can be accomplished. He truly does not want to lose the Christian message that accompanied the equipment, so it is vital that he find the right person or group here to represent him.
Linda Sauke had another busy week. Her time was spent evaluating and making suggestions regarding programs for children attending Kyiv Christian Academy. Marianna was grateful for Linda’s input in UMO projects at a preschool for children either affected by or infected with HIV. Linda is a wealth of knowledge gleened from personal experience in the field of ESL.
As the week closed, we said good bye to the Elsinger family first. Their children accompanied them on this trip so they could spend time with Oksana’s family in Ukraine. The children needed to begin school and Dave had additional business to attend to in the states. The Saukes stayed on for a few more days to meet with members of the Evangelical Free missionary team and sightsee.
The feedback from our work has been encouraging. Most frequently heard were comments about the high level of information, the quality of the teaching and the practical value. The information did not remain long in the hands of the participants. Our powerpoint presentations were posted on the internet by the Kyiv Institute. In November in Lutsk will be a meeting of the National Association of Ukrainian Educators where the Learning Breakthrough Program will be presented by Anton, Ron’s star student.
Most importantly we pray the relationships developed and deepened will have an eternity consequence. May we have compassion on the children with disabilities and their families. May the kingdom of Christ grow and the God we serve glorified.
