Beyond the seas, beyond the mountains and dense forests, on the eastern edge of Europe there is a splendid land with a euphonic name – Ukraine.
It is the land of still waters, bright stars, green orchards, simple yet elegant houses, golden fields of wheat, honey and milk rivers, where still is heard the song of the nightingale. Ukraine is a wonderful garden of God’s creation. Its widespread plains, blue sky, and undulating slopes of Carpathian Mountains are a witness to the beauty and greatness of God the Creator. (It was from here that Stuart Hone wrote, “How Great Thou Art”)
In one of the picturesque corners of Cherkassy region, in a multitude of gardens, by the peaceful, quiet ponds is located the picturesque village named Mykhailivka. Here a noisy orphanage family of many children inhabits the soil of a former country estate. There are true orphans and those deprived of parental care. Here they study, work and rest.
In 1996, because of the will of the Almighty God, there appeared a van of foreigners. The children encircled the guests, not knowing what they were talking about. However, one of them, a lively cheerful person, with eyes radiating light and kindness, joined the children. Vic, Vic, Vic – one would hear on the children’s lips.
The children did not understand why the people came but waited for something out of the ordinary. That “out of the ordinary” started soon. (God was in control, of course) From the hands of God’s messenger, Vic Jackopson, we received $300 for medications. He became a wise Sponsor of the school family.
That summer the villagers were shaken with intriguing news: a group of English people had built showers, indoors and outdoors toilets. When the work was done, the people of the village came to the schoolyard to thank the people for charity they have shown. Vic, dressed in embroidered Ukrainian dress, was sharing interesting fairytales with the village children. Here again Vic, - a benefactor and a magician produced an industrial washing machine, we needed so badly, detergents, stationery, Christmas gifts and later a minibus. Curtains for bedrooms, a big plasma TV set for a games room, sport equipment, and yet more shoes, clothing and toys for children. Later still came the playground that is a pride of the school.
Vic became a member of our village family. He generously gives humanitarian aid to families with many children as well as shoes and clothing for orphans. All the people of the village lift hands to heaven and thank God the Lord for sending this, God’s man. Everywhere could be heard praises to God. Alleluia! Our Lord! We will never be abandoned, as we all are in your hand. Alleluia! Our Lord!
Moreover, how nice and needed are the buildings that now beautify the yard of the school. There were many sleepless nights in the process of building. There were lots of machines and many people involved in the improvement of life for the children with a new gymnasium, storehouses, a washhouse, and an office for the accountant. All of this was done with the help of Hope Now in harness with the state. How melodious is the name - Hope Now.
In addition to all the practical help, summer camps were held for 120 children, including the children of the village. Those are unforgettable godly days of rest and learning the Word of God. We ate together, had interesting games, creative crafts and competitions until late at night. Those camps can never be forgotten. The image of the Organizer and Vic Jackopson will stay in our memories forever.
The tradition of conducting the camps is continued, but now they are done in Kompas Park. Our children are very pleased to go there every year.
We cannot forget all the prayers, wishes, and dreams of the cycle tour Cherkassy – Mykhailivka route. All witnessed that fairytale event, and their souls and thoughts were in unity with those, taking part in the tour.
When today one just steps in to the grounds of our school, it is to feel the very aura of our brothers and sisters from overseas and their work to improve the living conditions of our children. In creating the comfort and beauty of the gardens, with bushes of peonies and a multitude of flowers so pleasing to the eye we have good reminders of our friends from abroad. These gardens will always blossom with wonderful flowers of friendship, mercy, and God’s grace, because they contain the flowers of hope, goodness, and faith that come from Hope Now and its president. He is a special, kind, gentle man of God who, like the warming sun, encourages and inspires with hope every heart of every child and staff members in particular. He is forever, the long-awaited, desirable friend of our school family.
We want also to express words of thanks to the Ukrainian director of Hope Now, Mikhail Vyshemirskyy. We thank you, generous, merciful people. We thank God, whose name is glorified.
Sincerely with thanks and love Children and staff of Mykhailivka internat.
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
