Praise the Lord for His mercy and compassionate care for us!
Dear friend, we’re thanking God for you since you have this God-given opportunity to read these lines right at this very moment! So, this is how the summer began for the IPO Hope to People employees…
“The Lord delights in those who fear Him” (Psalm 147:11)
Student Contest on the Bible Knowledge
On June 1, the employees of the IPO Hope to People visited the 11th, All-Ukrainian Olympiad “Young Experts of the Bible,” which was held at the National University “Ostroh Academy.” Over 130 students, who have passed the qualifying tryouts in their cities and villages, as well as their teachers of Christian ethics and some parents, have arrived to the Olympiad. The overall 2018 topic was called: “Christianity Is the Spiritual Choice of the Ukrainian People” (dedicated to 1030th anniversary of the Christianization of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine).
Day Camp at the Gymnasium
Thanks a lot to all those who prayed for a day camp, which took place from May 29-June 5, at the Rivne Ukrainian Gymnasium. God has brought our small team together, and blessed them with the spirit of unity. Every day, over two dozen children, who are really eager and keen to study the God’s Word, were making their way over to the campsite. At this school, simultaneously, there were also held two more camps – English and Soccer. So at our camp, there were only children who desperately wanted to study the Bible. This year, we have chosen a curriculum that gives us the insights into the life of the Apostle Paul, called “He Lived Twice.” We had a wonderful time of thinking our way through the theme of the Apostle’s conversion, his hope, his joy, and obedience to God as He was guiding him through various trials. In fact, the motto of the camp was encapsulated in the verse from 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is a favorable time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” Please pray for these children so that God will bring them to the saving faith.
Brazilian Soccer in the Name of Christ
At the invitation of the Christian soccer club “Nadia,” a Christian soccer team from Brazil arrived in Rivne with a specific purpose, namely, to conduct a number of evangelistic and sports events. Actually, Ukraine was the 27th country they visited already. In all those countries, brothers got to share their testimonies, and held soccer master-classes for children and adults. For three days straight, our guests got to be at the meetings with young soccer players of “Nadia” and their parents, as well as took part in the international friendly match “Veterans of the Brazilian” versus “Veterans of Rivne,” where Diogo Rincon shared about his past life. The team from Brazil also had the opportunity to participate in the youth service, and on Sunday’s worship service at the local churches. Soccer is an instrument that opens the door to visiting a wide variety of countries and societies. Praise God for this opportunity to evangelize the lost!
Orphans Ministry
Our ministers held a lot of meetings with orphans in the boarding schools of the region. On May, there was an evangelistic playground for children of 5-6 grades, with the subject “Ten Commandments.” This event was conducted on the territory of the boarding school in the village of Mizoch. Thank God for the opportunity to meet with children, teachers and administration of boarding schools. We’re thankful to all who dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of children, and are praying for this ministry. Only because of your helping hand, we can conduct summer outreach camps for orphans and students, as well as mobile Bible seminars for teachers of public schools. Please pray for these camps, because we’re helpless without God and your participation! We’re still having some financial difficulties in making these events happen. So, we are open to cooperate and team up with like-minded people in our common cause.
Pray for the Ministry to Kurds
The life of our ministers in Armenia was filled with many interesting events. New Yazidi families had the opportunity to hear the Good News, and some accepted Christ. On the Easter, there was held a solemn worship service, which was followed by a fellowship with brothers from the villages. Unfortunately, many young believers are forced to leave their homeland for a long time to go to Russia for work purposes. Nevertheless, the children’s ministry in some Kurdish villages is on the go and gets traction. It’s just staggering! But, after spending all night in zealous prayers that Church lifted up for her country, the political situation in Armenia has changed.
The newsletter was put together by Tatiana Arterchuk, Anatoly Kitaykin, and Oleg Syrotiuk
