Ukrainian ministry leaders to challenge UK Christians to respond to orphan crisis

Kiev: November 01, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The leaders of Eastern European Outreach in Ukraine, Yuri and Irina Skrypnik are coming to the UK on a media and speaking tour next week, starting on Sunday November 8th for Orphan Sunday, to encourage Christians to partner with them in resolving the orphan crisis in their country.

"Crisis - is the most frequent word now. For me that's something that comes and goes. The orphan situation in our country is more serious than that," explained Irina Skrypnik EEO's Ukraine director.

"There are over 100,000 orphans in Ukraine, 115 orphanages and around 1,000 children left in delivery houses every year with countless numbers living on the streets."

Irina says one of the ways they are helping resolve this crisis is by supporting foster families as well as sending mission teams into the orphanages: "The foster family movement started in Ukraine about 10 years ago. It's growing but very slowly because of lack of government support. But there are many families who want to take children to their homes, into a loving environment. EEO supports 15 foster families in different parts of Ukraine.

"We also work with four orphanages where we send mission teams, who help with some basic needs, teach children life skills and run some other programs so they won't be helpless when they leave the orphanage." 

Mercy Project International is a new charity being established in the UK in partnership with Eastern European Outreach.  Irina says she's excited to have the opportunity to come to the UK for the first time to help provide ministry opportunities for this new organisation: "We've been coordinating Christian camps in Ukraine since 1996 and it's one of our largest international projects. Mercy Mission teams from the UK coming to the camps will have great opportunities to be team leaders for Ukrainian children, to impact the lives of more than 300 Ukrainian souls. It's also a great way to make friends with over 40 Ukrainian youth leaders working in the camps. It's a great opportunity and I'll try to do my best to tell UK Christians about it.

"Sponsoring a child - it's a cornerstone of all our work in Ukraine. Our sponsorship programs pay for the essential needs of the child, but with the care of EEO it turns into many useful projects - such as medical, ministry centres, groceries,  and Christmas and birthday presents. So sponsorship will do far more than just basic needs. It will give a child a future and a life worth living. I hope to tell more about these projects during our visit.   

"EEO has been working in Eastern Europe for over 30 years. It has great experience and a well developed network of people and programs, so I think this partnership will is of mutual value under God's umbrella." 

As well as EEO's camp ministry and child sponsorship program, Irina says they've also developed medical and educational initiatives: "Many lives have been changed through our medical program. We helped provide funding for two surgeries on brain tumors, four surgeries on legs for children with cerebral palsy and many others.

"Also through our scholarship program we support 50 young people who are now strong Christians and good students. Sixteen students already graduated from university and they work in different fields - from cooks to the vice director of an international school. Many of these students started just as small children on our camps from needy families whose parents never heard about God." 

Irina and Yuri will be sharing about their ministry in a number of church meetings Sunday November 8 - Thursday November 12, and will be doing media interviews for UCB Radio and BBC Radio Merseyside.  They hope many will respond to their country's great need to help their children: "I hope to find many more sponsors for our projects. All of them help children to live in a loving family, stay healthy, know the Lord and get some education.

"We have big plans for mission teams from the UK to come to Ukraine. By raising funds and visiting our country young people help to support our children who often lack love, live in poverty and need God. Every young person is talented and we'd like them to use their talents to help vulnerable children in Ukraine. And I really hope that it will be long term relationships!"

News source: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09100175.htm