Earlier this year, Dr. Murray Nickel visited long- term missionaries John and Evelyn Wiens in the Ukraine. As MB Mission’s community development consultant, Murray was collaborating with the Wiens’ to explore practical ways for New Hope Church to reach out to their community.

“At one point during my trip,” says Nickel, “we found ourselves sitting in the office of the Mayor of Nykolaipole, discussing prospects for community development within the town.”

“Progress is hopeless,” the Mayor complained. “The problem is the mentality of the people.”

Nickel had already heard this phrase several times during his visit. In this case, the mayor had been attempting to initiate a much needed water project in the city. Nickel had suggested a plan in which, over time, the community could pay for the infrastructure investment through their monthly utility bill. The mayor reiterated that the mentality of the people would not allow for that kind of forward thinking.

This mentality is not surprising. There is little trust on the part of the people, particularly when developing long-term plans, since they have been burned so often in the past. In the last century, the people of Zaporozhye have experienced tremendous social upheaval: occupation and liberation, prosperity and poverty, hope and despair.

In the 1920’s, Lenin’s “New Hope” through industrialization was followed by the “Great Terror” of Stalin and famine in the 1930’s. The end of WWII in 1945 brought renewed optimism, but resulted in food shortages, ethnic conflict and political distrust. Peace and prosperity eluded the nation’s grasp. By 1990, the idea of independence rose again. Ukrainians’ spirits were lifted, only to be dashed as they watched their country disintegrate into a chaos of inflation, corruption, and economic collapse.

Today, the people of the Ukraine have more freedom than ever before. Yet, because of their history, much of their hope has faded away. Alcoholism, drug abuse, and general poverty are both a symptom and an ongoing cause of Ukraine’s poor social condition. Perhaps the most distressing reality is the prevalence of orphaned children, who can be found in abundance across the country. Barely existing from day to day, many orphans are in prisons, run-down orphanages or trying to survive on the streets.

Maxym & Anya Oliferovski are members of New Hope Church in Zaporozhye. With the guidance of John & Evelyn, they are helping local orphans break the cycle of hopelessness that has been passed down to them. Along with volunteers from the church, they have started a drop-in centre for orphan “graduates;” teenagers who are released from state orphanages with no family, marketable skills or hope for the future.

For the past year, New Hope Church has provided vocational training in cooking, woodworking, graphic design, basic home renovating and personal grooming. As the Training Center continues to develop, Maxym’s vision is to offer more courses that will contribute to transformation of the whole person. “Beginning with the trade school,” he says, “we would like to house young adults in group homes where they receive counselling and mentoring in a Christian environment.”

New Hope church has already become a hub of activity during the week, with orphans dropping in for classes, Bible study, and social activities. Volunteers also visit many of the orphanages in the region, building relationships so teens will be more likely to visit the Training Center after they’ve graduated.

Hope is at the core of this ministry. “The orphans come to the beginning of their adult lives being set for failure,” says Maxym. “They do not know it though. They can just feel it inside; empty and hopeless.” Providing employable skills is a practical way to increase self-esteem and offer a glimpse of a bright future for these kids.

Hope is not just theoretical – some abstract belief about the future. Rather, it is communicated person to person in concrete and tangible ways. On its own, a cooking class may provide a good job and a few good meals, but when offered by a community of love and truth, it has potential to communicate a deep and lasting hope.

As the roots of this ministry grow in the Ukraine, consider joining in prayer, or even in person! Contact me to learn more or to travel with us on an upcoming Vision Team.

Jamie Munday