It was summer of 1994, and I had just completed my first year of studies at Bath University. I forget what I studied. And that was the problem. So, Vic Jackopson, who had known me since I was very young, offered me a job during my summer holidays. It didn\'t sound like much fun, but a trip to Ukraine tipped the scales and I agreed.
Little did I know exactly how that first trip, 15 years ago, would completely change my life. I think Vic has the ability to see potential in people when at first it may not be visible to most people. And not only that, but he provides opportunities for people to fulfill their potential. That\'s how it was with me.
David at work when the Hope Now office was in Vic's home
A trip to Prison 62, in Cherkassy, changed my life as I saw the awful conditions there, and yet the Christian prisoners were so \'alive\' and their faith was visible on their faces. From that point on, I fell in love with Ukraine.
As I continued my university studies (some sort of engineering maybe?) I took advantage of the long holidays to keep working for Vic, and traveling out to Ukraine. Our first summer camp was 1995, followed by another in 1996. Summer 1997 and I graduated from university (electrical engineering?) and started working full-time for Hope Now in their office.
During my frequent trips to Ukraine, I got to know Katya, and after we\'d fallen in love, were stuck in a very long-distance relationship. For things to progress either Katya had to come to UK or I had to go to Ukraine. Without hesitation, I moved out to Ukraine in December 1998. The work of Hope Now in Ukraine had developed to a stage where they needed a UK presence \'on-the-ground\'. Alpha House had been purchased and renovations were in progress. Frequent visitors meant logistics and finances had to be organised, so I was given the responsibility of assisting the Ukrainian Hope Now team.
David teaching young people in Cafe Creative
In August 1999, Katya and I were married in Cherkassy, and after two years of seeing Hope Now Ukraine develop into a functional organisation, Katya and I saw new doors of opportunity opening for us.
I got to meet and work with many great people at Hope Now. Margaret Ferguson in the warehouses when we did humanitarian aid, Ian Thomson providing friendship and support in the UK office, Mike Perreau advising and encouraging, Adrian Bruce, whose love for South Africa overtook his love for Ukraine. All of them contributed much to my role in Hope Now and in the years since then.
And so, since 2001, we have been working with young people in Cherkassy, teaching them English, creating business opportunities to give them jobs, encouraging them in their Faith, motivating them to get involved in mission, and empowering them as leaders to make a difference in this broken world.
It has been a roller-coaster ride, with thrills and spills and challenges and blessings. Katya and I have two children, Timothy is nearly 5, and Daniela will be 3 in the summer. Although we do travel to UK a couple of times a year, we definitely come \'home\' to Cherkassy. I probably feel more Ukrainian than British!
So here I am, living, working, and loving Ukraine as a result of something that started with Hope Now in 1994. By giving me that opportunity, Vic and Sue initiated the whole process. It has made a big difference. I am truly grateful. David Bute
At the beginning of this month of April, we rejoice again with the
message and celebration of Easter resurrection. Just as, after a long
hard winter, spring bursts and cheers the heart, so for the Christian,
the darkness and cruelty of the cross is dispelled by resurrection,
salvation, joy and hope.
Dear Partner in Hope, You have no doubt seen the news that Viktor Yanukovych was victorious
over Yulia Tymoshenko in the February presidential election.
Plans are well underway for summer 2010 at Kompas Park
Imagine you are nine years old and live in a cramped apartment in a
crumbling tower block in the poorest part of the city. You long to be
somewhere where you can run outside, play games, go for picnics and
swim.
Greetings to you dear brothers and sisters. Peace be to you. God has blessed me with a ministry in a Christian church called "Calvary". I am an administrator of the church.
01.02.2012 Pray for Alla, Lena, Ksenya and the team presently working in Calcutta for another two weeks with Tear Fund projects
02.02.2012 Pray that the Mission Fund, which undergirds all that is done both here and in Ukraine, will have the finances to meet all our obligations
03.02.2012 Pray for all the older people that came to our Christmas party in Cherkiassy, that the Lord will bless them whatever their situation or background
04.02.2012 Pray for those who had a well installed last year, that as they share their water they will get opportunities to share their faith also
05.02.2012 Pray for all those who are attending the Bible School that they can give adequate time to studying, working and being with their families
06.02.2012 For all the foster parents of children supported by Hope Now, that they will have patience as they have to deal with problems that occur from time to time
07.02.2012 Our auditors visit the Southampton offices today to audit our accounts – pray that all will be in order as figures are checked
08.02.2012 Give thanks for all the volunteers that come into the office and give of their time so sacrificially, doing jobs at times without even being asked
09.02.2012 Pray for Frank and Lin as they plan for the summer at Kompas Park, and visit churches to speak about the varying areas of service possible
10.02.2012 Pray for Misha and all the staff at the Ukraine office as they consider all the requests from those asking for help
11.02.2012 Pray that all the plans for the Annual Weekend Away next month will come together well, and that people will register early while rooms are still available
12.02.2012 Pray for Alla Kostyunina, Director of Kompas Park, that she will be given wisdom in her decisions and management of the Park
13.02.2012 Give thanks that the young people in South Africa are doing well with their education, and pray for wisdom for Margaret Ferguson as she guides and directs them
14.02.2012 On this St Valentine’s Day, pray for the students we support who are in relationships, that they will be sensible and keep up their studies
15.02.2012 Pray for David and Valerie Reddaway as they oversee the Bible School, and the Church planting and twinning programme
16.02.2012 Pray for Jon as he attends a Men Meet meeting in Milford on Sea this evening
17.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Buckinghamshire to attend the Vetinerary Christian Conference this weekend
18.02.2012 Pray for Maria Shevchuki of Kuchkivka village as she celebrates her 86th birthday today
19.02.2012 Pray for the Directors and Staff of Orphanages we are involved with, that they will look after their children with love and dedication
20.02.2012 Pray for the young girls in Swindon House, and boys in Cornah House as they learn new skills which will prepare them for their futures
21.02.2012 Pray for Jon in his many responsibilities, that he will have wisdom in each decision that he has to make
22.02.2012 Pray for Lidia Savelieva and her vision of a sheltered home for older people to be realised, and pray for finances to come in for this project
23.02.2012 For Larisa Vovk in her work of overseeing the work being done with children in the orphanages and cottage homes
24.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Carlisle for the Northern Vet’s Christian Conference
25.02.2012 Pray for Cyndee and Darrell Knight and the work they do in the American Office for Kompas Park
26.02.2012 Pray for the Food Programme in Ukraine, especially through this winter time, that all those in need will receive help and no-one will be overlooked
27.02.2012 Pray for Vitaly and Ludmila Sidenko in their work with the African Students at 2nd Baptist Church, and Ludmila’s work with the deaf community at the same church
28.02.2012 Pray that we may be able to assemble a team of dentists and nurses to treat the children in the internats
29.02.2012 Give thanks for all our supporters who pray regularly for the work of Hope Now, and give sacrificially month upon month – pray the Lord will bless them as they bless the people of Ukraine
