Mission Trips

Spring 2010 Mission Trip Report

Read our trip blog or visit our Photo Gallery to learn more!

May 2, 2010

This trip changed my life! – Gary Bruce, Board Member, Heart for Orphans - It’s one thing to hear about all the group homes, and all the Bible classes, and another thing to see it and to get to know the kids and the house parents.

Visiting the Baby House and hugging those orphan babies was one of the high points for me. It broke me. I will never forget it.- Sherri Thrift

Heart for Orphans + Agape = great ministry!!  - Faith Olson, Director of Missions, Williamsburg Community Chapel

On Wednesday, March 31, 2010, nine people from Williamsburg Community Chapel left on what would become a life-changing trip to Ukraine.  The team set out to spend Easter vacation in Kherson and Berdyansk with orphans in three Heart for Orphans group homes, and in many of the orphanages where we work. “When we first arrived, after an overnight plane trip to Kiev, and then the overnight train down to the south of Ukraine, we were exhausted. But we were whisked right over to the Baby House and it woke me right up. This is why we were here. To go into a room full of cribs and all these little hands outstretched as if to say, ‘pick me! Hug and love me!’ well… this is what it’s all about.” said Beverly Bruce.

Heart for Orphans, and our Ukrainian partner, Agape, have three group homes: Mel’s House (named for long-time supporter and Chapel member Mel Rosche), a house for 10 boys in Berdyansk; Joshua’s House, a house for 14 boys in Kherson; and Esther’s House, a house for 4 girls in Kherson. The houses are homes for orphaned teens (ages 15-20) who have aged-out of the orphanages, and who want to be discipled. The kids have lived on the streets without love or family or food or shelter, and they don’t want that life anymore. They are hungry for Christ! They have attended the Bible studies and want to learn to live with Christ guiding their life. The house parents are also Bible teachers in the orphanages and trade schools, so the kids have developed a trusting relationship with them.

 The two boys’ homes had dedication ceremonies while we were there. Local pastors, heads of the major denominations, regional bishops and even government officials were in attendance. Each of the key pastors spoke to packed houses. Nancy Hathaway, Director of Heart for Orphans, shared at each house how God had brought everyone together for this event. “I am here representing many people in the USA who have prayed for you, many people who have donated to make this possible, many people both here in Ukraine and in the USA who have worked together: the Agape team, the construction workers, the house parents, the local churches and others who God has used to create a home for you.” Then, the house parents knelt and everyone laid hands on them, praying for them and charging them to stay close to the Lord. The presence of Holy Spirit was overwhelming! There wasn’t a dry eye in the room!

“One of the highpoints for me”, said Nancy Hathaway, “was seeing two of the boys that we brought to the USA in 2007 with the OLD RUSSIAN SHOEMAKER are now living in Joshua’s House! We brought 15 kids here that year and many were not adopted. These boys came from an orphanage way out in the country. They have only outhouses and use horses for transportation! Igor told me he first heard about Jesus on that trip to the US, and had continued to pray.” God had directed him to Joshua’s House when he left the orphanage! Not only that, but on Easter Sunday Igor and Sergei went to the altar and asked the Lord into their life! Hallelujah!! It must’ve been the sermon preached all in Russian by the Chapel’s Jay Schell! Or the testimony given by Gary Bruce that had even the Pastor in tears!

Agape and Heart for Orphans also partner on full-time Bible classes in 32 state-run orphanages and 10 Trade Schools. Our team visited several orphanages and saw the classes in action. “I was very impressed with the teachers and how they loved the kids.” said Faith Olson.  The team also saw the Agape Puppet team. The hour-long show features live music, song, games, prizes and a delightful puppet show that shares the story of Christ. The team travels to orphanages and entertains and inspires both children and staff. Many jaded orphanage directors have been so charmed, that they now allow Agape to teach bible classes at their orphanage. This is the main purpose of the show: to share Christ with orphans, and to open the door to full-time Bible classes within the state-run orphanages.

A highlight for the Bruce family was visiting the Berdyansk orphanage where they adopted Erin three years ago. Fifteen Chapel kids have been adopted from this orphanage! For Erin, visiting her old orphanage was emotional, but she enjoyed sharing her favorite foods with the team and acting as interpreter. The other teens on the trip, Abby Bruce and Rebecca Schell, found that language wasn’t a barrier when it came to soccer, UNO games and basketball! New Facebook friends were made!