Christmas Service with Youth-Stara Basan Orphanage Boarding School
By Vika Rybchynska
Vika R. of Music Mission Kiev’s (MMK) Children’s Music Club and Sasha A., along with four youth ministry members from St. Paul's Church in Kyiv, brought Christmas cheer to the children of the Stara Basan boarding school on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Particularly exciting was that this was the first time that youth members ministered outside of the church setting. Upon arrival, the group’s merriment was dampened a bit to see an ambulance at the entrance gate with three sick children waiting to be attended to. The teacher told them that many children have the flu and some are hospitalized. The MMK well-wishers gave the ailing children gifts and prayed with them for speedy recoveries.
Twenty-eight Stara Basan children attended the holiday gathering and enthusiastically welcomed the MMK visitors with warm hugs. After Vika introduced the children to the visiting youth ministry members, everyone listened to a lovely narrative of “The Christmas Story”. Pop questions were asked at the end of the story and sweets were given for correct answers. Youth group members, Dasha and Andriy, kept things lively and conducted several games, along with a musical quiz and contest. Vitalik elaborated about the cajón musical instrument he plays (a box-shaped percussion device). Julia, another youth group member, joined in play and everyone sang Christian songs and Christmas carols together.
At the end of the holiday celebration and much to the children’s delights, Christmas gifts of sweets were handed out. Prayers were offered, followed by various questions and discussions. The kids loved the young ministers so much, they did not want them to leave! The ministry team left the children happy and fulfilled.
Numerous youth members at St. Paul’s Church have since approached Vika and expressed a desire to also minister to the kids at the boarding school. Heartened by the outing, the group talked and discussed their budding youth ministry on the drive back home. MMK is indeed cultivating the next generation of Christian servants by ministering to such tender young hearts and souls.
These cards are the works of our autistic youth and children with disabilities from St Paul’s Church. The postcards are hand-made and will be sent tomorrow morning to Ivan B., baritone in the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and his brigade of men from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.