Helping Hands Mission Trip

We had a team of seven people who came from various parts of the U.S. to serve on our third "Helping Hands" mission trip. It was such a time of blessing to the widows/pensioners we served, as well as to the team members. These trips are always an adventure and remaining "flexible" is the key. We had some excitement at the Paris airport, with the temporary loss of a passport. It was miraculously found on the plane we had arrived on, but the delay caused two of us to miss our connecting flight. Three team members then had no luggage upon their arrival at the Borsipol airport. However, all the bags did eventually arrive which we were grateful for. 

There were several highlights on this trip, but a few definitely stand out. Michael, our youngest team member is a violin major at Georgia University and had carried his violin over with him to Kiev. His first widow visit, along with several others in the group was to Alla Yampolskaya, who was a concert master pianist for the country of Ukraine for many years. Michael was able to play his violin for Alla, who in turn played the piano for Michael. It was a thrilling visit, and their mutual love for music bonded their kindred spirits.  It was one of those unforgetable moments in Michael's life!

The weather was gorgeous during our time in Kiev, and it was a perfect time to do some spring cleaning of the widow's apartments. They were so grateful for our help to wash their windows and balcony doors that had been shut up for all the winter months. Scrubbing down bathtubs and toilets, dusting, and sweeping floors was our way of showing God's love and care to them.

We were very excited to be able to include in our trip this year a visit to a local Orphanage #22. MMK has been building a relationship with this orphanage since the fall of 2009, when our prior Helping Hands team visited them for the first time. The team was able to sit in some of the classes part of a day, and pass out gifts and candy. We then returned for a full day to work on a landscaping project located in the back of the school and dormitories. 

A group of students/orphans from Orphanage #22 worked side by side the Americans in digging up the sod, and then planting a tree, some bushes, and flowers. It took us about five hours from start to finish to complete this project, and everyone was pleased with the results. Thanks to Tricia McMurrin who arranged this project for the team and designed the plans for the garden.  

We also had the opportunity to visit our MMK widow Maria Petuhova in a "hospice" in Kiev.  When you are admitted to a hospital in Ukraine, you must bring your own bedding, towels, food and utensils. The stench was immedate as you entered the facility, and the conditions were deplorable. Natasha Shevchenko had been told by Maria's invalid son that his mother craved some meat, so we brought her a roasted chicken, garlic rolls, bottled water, tea bags, fruit, and small cake. Although she was initially lethargic when we first got there, after eating some of the chicken and bread, she lit up and was so happy.

We were also touched by their openness to share their life stories with us, past and present. The joy on their faces of our just being there with them was phenomenal!

God continues to use MMK to minister to the needs of the widows and orphans of Kiev.   We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us next year, as we once again return to be "helping hands" to the young and old of Ukraine.

Tentative dates for next year's Mission Trip: September 22nd - October 3, 2011                                                  Cost $2,750 (*all-inclusive)

Please contact Ronnie Santeusanio @ 1-800-467-5051, Ext. 223 or ronnie.santeusanio@musicmissionkiev.org for more information, and a complete mission’s trip application packet.

(* Flight cost from your home town to Dulles Airport or JFK not included)