Testimony from Ivanivka

17 August 2006

One story of our outreach I want to share is that of two Methodist Sisters serving in the village of Ivanivka. The local Orthodox priest has refused to even talk to them during the six months they have lived in the village and has forbidden people to have anything to do with them because they are Protestant. Our first morning in Ivanivka no one showed up, and it was clear the influence of the Orthodox Priest was powerful. We decided to visit the village school and after much assurance that we were not a cult, or subversives, the school director agreed to let us give hygiene and dental talks at the school the following day to the kids who were continuing in a summer program. It was very well received and we felt a small victory for God.

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We were even allowed to do crafts with the kids in their classrooms. We have been invited back and a teacher from the school told me that the kids now see there are people who do care. She would even like an English club to be established in her school. Later that day several of the teachers and children came to our clinic for care. The third day when we arrived in the village there was a line formed in front of the Sisters home. Praise God! Through the outreach God open many doors for the sisters. People in the village saw what the sisters are doing, learned more about their work and saw that the only thing the sisters brought to Ivanivka was love and a desire to help and serve the village.

Our First Outreach

01 August 2006


Mercy Trucks Ukraine had its first outreach in June bringing medical and dental care to three villages. We treated over 120 patients, taught and played with well over 100 kids and gave dental/medical instruction and consultations to numerous other children and adults. We also handed out Bibles and served Christian ministries in the villages.

The villages have no access to dental care and it was the first time many had ever seen a dentist. Our presence and service touched many hearts and demonstrated the kind of love that brings hope to even the most remote places.

YWAM Kyiv together with Smile Alliance Intl., Good Samaritian Ministries, visiting dental students, nurses and a physical therapist partnered with local ministries and churches. It was inspiring to see members from at least eight different denominations worship, pray, work, serve and play together. They often encouraged and lifted each other up in prayer, served one another through menial tasks and did things outside their comfort zones.

It's obvious that the dental van is an amazing ministry tool that will open many doors for ministries and churches throughout Ukraine. In the future it will continue to reach the orphanages and villages that see little dental or medical care. I believe God has huge plans for Mercy Trucks Ukraine and YWAM Kyiv. This is only the beginning! Please pray for this new ministry, for dentists and health care professionals to serve, for ministries to come alongside and opportunities to serve.