July 2019 Myroslava and Nikita

See page 7

Inside this month’s newsletter...

Dear Partner in Hope Page 2

Zolotonosha Mission 2019 Page 3

Students Page 4

Ray of Hope Group Page 5

Ministry to the villages Page 6

The Nest Page 6

Love Ukraine Page 7

Zozulenka Venues Page 7

Some of the men who have been helped by the Zolotonosha Prayer Diary project and have become Christians. Page 8 Zolotonosha (Maintenance Mission) - see page 3 “Bringing hope by sharing the love of Jesus” www.hopenow.org.uk their new home which you, our Hope Now Partners raised the Dear Partner in Hope funds to purchase for them. They were full of thanks and praise How time flies! I am now into my second year as both to the Lord for His provision and to you dear Partner, for CEO of Hope Now, and not a day goes by where I responding to His prompting. Here is a family restored in every am privileged to hear of or see lives transformed way; their faith, their marriage, their church fellowship and through being introduced to Jesus; young and soon now, a home of their own, full of peace and love. Later old under the most challenging of circumstances whose story this month I will visit their new home and be able to show you has now changed from hardship and suffering, to abundant life. what our Almighty God has done to bring hope for a future for In this newsletter you will read of so many life stories which have them. As I listened to their new story, words of this hymn flooded fundamentally changed through an encounter with Jesus. For into my mind; Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a example, Maddie’s husband, Alan, who led our Maintenance foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Mission team to Revival Church in Zolotonosha. They worked Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this alongside Christian brothers who were once lost to their is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long. (Based on addiction but through Pastor Sergei’s ministry are now followers Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness of Jesus and loving and serving the community they were once a And Your praise all day long.) burden to (see front cover photo). I want to thank you sincerely for continuing to partner Another example of this ‘story change’ occurred on my last in this ministry. Thank you for allowing me to stand beside visit to Cherkasy. I had a delightful meeting with Andrii and people like Andrii and Gala as they praise Him and having Gala and their two youngest girls. You may remember from a the privilege of seeing the mighty work of restoration only He newsletter about 6 months ago? They were a three generations can do right there before my eyes; what a refugee family fleeing the war in the east and trying to establish blessed assurance we have in Christ Jesus! a new life in Cherkasy. Their faces were wet with tears of joy (as Slava Bogu! (Glory to God). were mine and Misha’s!) as they told us about their plans for Andrew Foreman

In May we were able to send THANK YOU from School 20 boxes to Cherkasy containing:24 for the musical instruments! - clothes and supplies for the families at the Merezhka Women’s Refuge - children’s clothes and toys for Anastasiia’s Village Ministry - clothes for the poor and elderly - medical items The boxes cost £30 each to send. Thank you to everyone who donates to this fund. A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! WELCOME TO LIDA! 28th AUGUST 2019 Lida has joined our “Your story with Hope Now” Hope Now Ukraine Team working in the office. DETAILS IN NEXT MONTH’S NEWSLETTER

JULY 2019

MISSION DATES www.hopenow.org.uk TEFL Camps - Newsletter contact: [email protected] (Week 1) 28 July-4 Aug (Teens Mission) Editor: Claire Zillwood (Week 2) 4-11 Aug (Junior Mission) Contact us: Hope Now International, Head Office, Malvern Centre, Malvern Rd, Southampton SO16 6PY CHILDREN’S Camp (for underprivileged children) - 18-25 Aug Tel: 023 8078 0720 YOUNG AT HEART (Widows’ Camp) - Hope Now is a Christian charity that aims to “bring hope, by (Week 1) 1 -8 Sept sharing the love of Jesus and making Him known by ministering (Week 2) 8-15 Sept to those in spiritual, physical and emotional need.” We want the message of the Gospel to touch the hearts of young “It was an absolutely amazing experience!” – and old, rich and poor, healthy and infirm, free and imprisoned. David, 20, Kids’ Mission 2018 Hope Now works in Ukraine, Moldova and Sri Lanka. “Loved every minute!” – Phoebe, Young at Heart Mission 2018 Reg. Charity No: 1072038 GAYE No: 7201 Company No: 358953

2 ZOLOTONOSHA MISSION Zolotonosha Project (Lydia’s House) The mission began around 6am on garage skills. On Friday 17th May, when five of our team the Sunday we plus me, met at Heathrow Terminal 5 visited Zolotonosha ready to fly off to Kiev, Ukraine; where to attend Pastor after meeting Misha we picked up 3 Sergei’s church for more team members and headed for morning service. Alpha House, Cherkasy. We were able At Alpha House the team, Brian, to meet several Tim, Neal, Marcus, Clive, Stephen and people who have myself from the UK, along with Joe spent time in the rehab centre on the and Danny from Texas, USA were able outskirts of Zolotonosha, some now to meet and discuss the work we were married with families of their own. about to take on and where God might Inspired by Lydia be leading us. Next morning, we set off for Zolotonosha and on our arrival Pastor Sergei’s work in the prisons was Pastor Sergei and some of his team inspired by a lady called Lydia Petrovna were waiting to greet us. We were Solomka who had spent the last 25 taken into the church where Sergei years of her life serving God at the explained about the project and how juvenile prison colony in Kremenchuk, he had come to have been given the Ukraine, which houses prisoners building by a wealthy businessman from 14 to 18 years old. Sadly, Lydia who asked Sergei what was his vision passed away in 2014, but through the old plaster had to be removed for the factory site. At first Sergei was her encouragement Sergei has been before the walls could be re-covered. overwhelmed by the size of what was working hard with God’s help and By the end of our time there the being offered, but after prayer, God blessing to continue that work for both painting was completed, as well as all spoke with Sergei and showed him now and in the future. three rooms requiring tiling, all the what might be achieved. Once again On the Monday morning after electrical fitting had been installed on Sergei met with the businessman and much prayer and a morning devotion the first floor and on the top floor, dry explained his vision for the site which as we did every morning, we started lining, the guys had completed the he would use as a rehabilitation unit our work at the project, Brian and long hallway and three rooms. for ex-prison offenders, drug addicts myself were given painting, Tim With God’s guidance and blessings, and alcoholics, but and Neal - tiling, amazing friendships had been formed also said that he Stephen - electrical over the week through the sharing of only wanted the old fitting and cable God’s great love and prayer between factory and adjoining routing and last all the guys, both Ukrainian, American offices. but not least Clive, and British, all achieved without the We then were Marcus, Joe and aid of an interpreter. God is great. shown the site and Danny along with But I must also mention the ladies what work was some of the team working hard in the kitchen preparing required for us to from the project tea, coffee, snacks and the meals for do during our time took on the task of our lunch. In fact we did have to ask there. His vision dry lining or fitting for the size of the lunch to be slightly was amazing and Team member, Brian, and Pastor Sergei plaster board to reduced so that we could actually the work that had the walls on the move and continue our work in the already been completed was to a top floor. The tasks were a lot harder afternoon! very high standard. His dream for the than first thought but really rewarding, Our time in Zolotonosha was just offices to be converted to training by the middle of the week the team amazing and blessed, God knew we facilities for future ministers, also living were starting to tire, but with a lot of were all going to be involved in this accommodation, rooms for children’s prayer and leaning hard into the Lord project well before we ever did, and we groups and more. With the old factory we started to pick up and gained our all hope and pray that He has plans for being converted into a church, a café second wind, as they say. us to return, as we all said we would go and lastly a garage area for vehicle The work on the top floor where back in a heartbeat. cleaning, tyre replacement, vehicle the dry lining was being completed Thank you. Alan King repairs and as a training facility for was very tough and very dusty, as all 3 Have you tried Lyena’s recipe in Lyena’s June’s Newsletter. Please do send us Borshch a photo and tell us what you think. Maddie King, recently spoke at a Ladies’ Recipe meeting at St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere. One of our Trustees, Bethan Read, made the Borshch (pic far right). Everyone enjoyed it: “So easy to make and tastes delicious”. “Jon Barnes, another of our Trustees, has adapted the recipe: “I made it with swede and sweet potato, instead of the potato, and added red peppers. It did taste good! (pic right)

STUDENTS

That was the difficult time brought us gifts and we would always for us. We lived with our look forward to seeing them again. Sasha mum, she has cerebral palsy. My older sister finished her school My name is Sasha People from the orphanage and studied to be a hairdresser. The (Alexandra) Magerramova. came to take us to stay there charity, Hope Now, helped her in that. At the moment I am 18. I but we didn’t want to and By the way they are the Christians who was born in the little town our mother didn’t want us came to visit us in the orphanage. They Zhuravka, not far the from to stay there. Our teachers also offered their help to me. Next year geographical centre of from school also didn’t want I had to choose my profession and I Ukraine. My mother fled to let us go. Since my second decided to follow in my sister’s steps. I from Azerbaijan as a refugee. She was grade I was titled to be “the kindest found out later that it was something 20 years old at that time. She stayed girl” for 4 years. And everybody loved I liked. I took the 4th place in the All with one elderly lady, later I called us. Ukrainian Championship. Because her “granny”. My older sister Tamara Later people from the orphanage of that I was offered to study in Kyiv was the first child and was born when came again. Our mum told us to make Academy of hairdressing. Right now I my mum was 26. I was born when our decision. She didn’t want to be am studying there. my mum turned 28. My father was guilty in that, she couldn’t support us. Thanks to Christian people I came not very excited about me, once he We felt sorry about those people who to the church and have known God’s wanted to sell me to gypsies. Thanks spent their time and money to come true love. That was a real miracle. My to my granny he didn’t. When I was 7 to us and we agreed. sister got baptised last summer. Our months old I have got my stepfather. In the beginning I was scared. I was mother is learning also. He loved me dearly. I went to school not used to the life where children I don’t know what I could do or when I was 5, I liked school and was use bad words and smoked. I hoped what would I be if not for these people honoured as one of the best students. to go back home but it didn’t happen. who have helped me a lot. I am very We had many friends to spend time Later I found real friends there, also I grateful and I have a lot to thank God with, to fish, to pick mushrooms, to like different activities: crochet, table for! climb the rocks. tennis, dancing, I even was the captain Sasha When I was 9, my granny died. of girls soccer team. Also a group of When I was 11 our stepfather died. Christians would come to visit us. They Crafty Students! Another school year has almost passed. Snizhana – I couldn’t even imagine that it Almost all our girls help in the camps. would be so nice. Yesterday they got together to learn how Luba – our girls are so friendly and nice to make crafts. Zhanna Bychenko was that we didn’t have any single conflict. helping them. Sasha Magerramova was Karina – feels so nice I didn’t even want to the best at doing crafts. go home for the summer holidays. I asked the girls how was their life in Toma – it was very nice! our flat and want to share some of their And it is true that our girls lived very answers... friendly and I didn’t have to correct One of the boys learning crafts anything! to help in summer camps Larisa

4 RAY OF HOPE Stories from the Ray of Hope Group Taras told us that he for the visually-impaired had to have surgery unexpectedly but God Boris shared his story when he Lydia shared her story how her had His plan in that. There had to look after his cousin. His neighbour cut all the flowers that she was another man in the cousin, who was 93 years old, broke planted in front of her gates. There hospital room and Taras his hip and Boris had to stay with was no reason for that. Her neighbour shared with him the Good him in the hospital for 48 hours. It had got mad because somebody News about Christ. Sadly was very exhausting but when he drove over her potato plants that she the man died, but he was reading the word of God it gave planted in front of her gates. Lydia said managed to accept Jesus him new strength. that “only God’s power kept my tongue into his heart. Praise God! and my hands”. Praise God!

Ira, a small, tiny lady recited Lida (Orthodox Christian) said that a poem. It told us that we have from the Resurrection Day till the day a small heart and cannot love or At the meeting we talked about God’s of Ascension, heaven is opened and embrace everyone. We ask God to will for us. all people who die at this period of give us a big heart but God says Jon and Ali were present at the time go to God - it doesn’t matter come to me and give me your meeting. Jon told us how God arranged if are they sinners or righteous. small heart and I will fill you with his retirement time. He said that his wife, This caused a lot of disturbance in my Spirit and then you will be Ali, taught him how to cook and how to Boris. His answer was: “Let us not able to love your neighbour with take care of their garden. He has even be foolish but let us know the will my love and your small heart can got a suntan already. But the main thing of God. Read the Bible and share embrace all. he said is that “I now know where to plug what God says and not people”. in the kettle! “ Ali works on the second floor and often rings the bell asking for Nadya shared some of her joy that her daughter-in-law a cup of tea. Ali played “As the deer...” on remarried after Nadya’s son died and gave a birth to a little boy. Nadya her French flute and we sang. received him as her grandchild. The boy is three weeks old. We prayed for him since the delivery was complicated.

Ali It was such a blessing for Jon and I House, it was so good to be back with to be able to join with the Ray of Hope them. Group for their monthly meeting at They are such an incredible Alpha House in May. There were more inspiration, and just filled with the than 40 people there, made up of folk love of God, despite the challenging who are blind or partially sighted, their circumstances they live in. We listened helpers, and the core of folk who help to stories and testimonies, prayed and organise the group. Having come to sang, and then shared a meal. Please do know them so much better over the continue to keep these precious folk in your prayers and thoughts. years at Widows’ Camps, the Christmas Ray of Hope girls - Nina, Iya Missions, and their meetings at Alpha and Oxana 5 MINISTRY TO THE VILLAGES Are we really waiting for Jesus? We like to visit our Bible Discovery know when we shall come again responsible. Club in the village of Red Star. There next time. So in some period of time How do we wait for Christ? He also are always many pairs of eyes who we came back to meet with those gave us a task. Are we ready to report have got so many questions about children again. Out of 30 children if He comes today? God. Last time we gave them a task: only 4 had done the task. Some didn’t we gave them colouring books with believe that we come so soon, some Bible stories and said to colour and to didn’twant to do anything, some Anastasiia’s ministry in the learn by heart the Bible story they like left their colouring books at home. villages is supported through our most. If they do so they will receive Everyone had their own excuse. Mission Fund a prize. But we said that we do not But these four were so happy and

The youngest at the Bible Discovery Club A new task for Red Star Village Grannies from the village of Votelivka Easter was a time when we could visit womens’ church, this one is also the villages we’d never been to before, like this. The pastor is the only man with the Easter program. So one village here. It is so difficult for a man in church prepared the program and a village to go to church because went to visit believers in the village of they are embarrassed by what Votelivka. their neighbours and other men A lovely church and even more would say. lovely grannies there. They all seemed So all those grannies send to have a very difficult life, but they greetings to your churches and gather together and glorify God several please pray for their husbands to times a week. If you ever heard of come to know God, too. News from the “Nest” There are five people who live in the “Nest” at taken some credits and had to pay his debts. the moment. Strange people started to come and she has Nina appeared suddenly. She attends lost her flat. Her son told her that he had to the same church as Lydia does. She used to rescue the situation. For 7 years she had to tell us even with pride about her life: a good rent different flats. She was asked to leave flat, son (a businessman), no grandchildren. her last one in 2 hours. And she has got into When she was close to 70, she decided to the “Nest” without planning. Her son has give her flat as a gift to her son. And she did promised to buy her a house. it. Later her son’s business collapsed, he has Larisa

6 July

The burden of Myroslava’s life is growing. Beside the growing debt for utilities, the people from the Department of Childrens’ Affairs told her that she has to pay child support money for her older daughter raised by her mother-in-law. She has to pay 44 000 hrivna for the last four years. Her monthly income as a single mum is 850 hrivna. She is fighting for her life and for the life of her 18mth old son, named Nikita, but this is not her strength. Nikita frequently has problems with his health. Myroslava suffered a lot from her drug addicted brother. Right now her brother has left the flat being warned by the city government. But because he and their uncle are registered in her flat the payment is bigger because they charge according to the number of people who are registered even if they don’t live there. Today we gave her some money to buy medicine for her son. He is sick now. We also pray with her because we know that God has prepared everything she needs. She has just to wait. Donations to our Mission Fund help us support people like Myroslava and Nikita.

Zozulenka UK Tour 2019 LOOK OUT FOR A VENUE NEAR YOU! A Ukrainian Ensemble Tuesday, October 15th Shirley Baptist Church Wednesday, October 16th Romsey Baptist Church performing on behalf Thursday, October 17th Cornerstone URC, Hythe of Hope Now Friday, October 18th All Saints Church, Milford Saturday, October 19th Ashley Baptist Church, New Milton Sunday, October 20th Ferndown URC Experience the culture Monday, October 21st Preston Baptist Church, Paignton and excitement of Tuesday October 22nd Chard Baptist Church, Chard Wednesday, October 23rd Stroud Baptist Church, Stroud Ukraine through the Thursday, October 24th Hereford Baptist Church, Hereford Friday, October 25th Spalding Baptist Church, Spalding singing and dancing of Saturday, October 26th Pakefield Parish Church, Lowestoft this brand new group Monday, October 28th Carshalton Beeches Church, Carshalton Tuesday, October 29th Buleah Baptist Church, Bexhill (Hastings) from the School of Arts. Wednesday, October 30th St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere

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7 PRAYER DIARY July 2019

MONDAY 1st TUESDAY 9th WEDNESDAY 17th THURSDAY 25th Pray for Andrew and Sim as they Pray for the Board Meeting this Pray for children living in Give thanks for our happy team travel back from Ukraine today. evening; for wisdom and unity orphanages, that they would of volunteers coming in for in all decisions. know they are loved and cared mailout today. TUESDAY 2nd for. Pray for the safe arrival of Yuri WEDNESDAY 10th FRIDAY 26th and Anastasiia’s second child (a Pray for the UK staff as they carry THURSDAY 18th Pray for the couriers regularly girl) due this month. out the day to day work in the Pray for Anastasiia and Yuriy as taking boxes of aid to Cherkasy. Southampton Office. they share the Good News in the WEDNESDAY 3rd villages in the Cherkasy Oblast. SATURDAY 27th Give thanks for the Zolotonosha THURSDAY 11th Pray for the Village Mission Team Give thanks for the “Nest” Mission and the friendship Pray for Jon White and the travelling home tomorrow. and Lydia as she supports the and fellowship shared by all Village Mission Team travelling vulnerable people who come to who went. As they share their to Ukraine today. Pray for FRIDAY 19th her in need of a place to stay. experiences may others be safety and good health in every Pray for the Church Twinning interested in the work of Hope situation and that many children Programme. Give thanks for the Now. SUNDAY 28th would hear the Gospel and churches already involved and Pray for the team travelling respond. pray that more would want to out to the TEFL Mission (Teens) THURSDAY 4th twin with a church in Ukraine. today. Pray for UK staff training today FRIDAY 12th with Joe Hon. Give thanks for our Foster SATURDAY 20th MONDAY 29th Parents and pray for wisdom Pray for the children in the Rescue Pray for Myroslava and her son, FRIDAY 5th as they care for the vulnerable Shelter that they would know Nikita, that they would get the Give thanks for the Ray of Hope children in their family. they are loved and cared for. help they need. Group as they meet each month to encourage and support one SATURDAY 13th SUNDAY 21st another. TUESDAY 30th Pray for the Summer Missions, Pray for Andrew speaking at Pray for the Farms Lanka team that there would be sufficient Velmore Chapel, Chandler’s helping the poor and vulnerable SATURDAY 6th donations to our Mission Fund Ford today; and for Jon White in Sri Lanka. Pray for the ‘grannies’ at the to cover all the costs of running speaking at Eastleigh Baptist village of Votelivka, that their the camps. Church. husbands would come to know WEDNESDAY 31st Christ. Pray that sufficient donations SUNDAY 14th MONDAY 22nd are given to the Mission Fund Pray for Anatolii Perepelitsa and Give thanks for the recent visit so that we are able to cover all SUNDAY 7th Sasha Tarasenko, our Prison of Rev David John from Ashley commitments. Pray for the Bible Discovery Club Chaplains, as they support ex- Baptist to teach at the Cherkasy in the village of Red Star. Give prisoners and prison staff. School of Biblical Studies thanks for all the children who that the students would be come and pray many would MONDAY 15th encouraged by what they learnt. NEW WINE 2019 want to become Christians. Give thanks for all our faithful Hope Now will be supporters and pray for those TUESDAY 23rd exhibiting at New Wine MONDAY 8th who are unwell at this time. Pray that the arrangements for Pray for our Ukrainian Office the Zozulenka UK Tour 2019 from 4th-10th August. Staff as they carry out day to day would go smoothly. We need volunteers to help TUESDAY 16th on our stand. If you are able tasks and welcome visitors who Pray for Valerii Petrochenko and to give a few hours or more, come to the office for help. Pray his family and the work they do WEDNESDAY 24th please contact Jon White they will have wisdom to know with the disabled, especially in Pray for Brenda speaking at St [email protected] how best to help. School 16. James Road Methodist Church Tel: 023 8078 0720 today.

DONATION OF CLOTHES, etc. Due to limited storage space and limited funds DONATIONS BY CHEQUE to send boxes of aid, we are not able to regularly accept donations of clothes or toys at Please note that cheques the present time. PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHEN WE CAN ACCEPT need to be made out to DONATIONS. As each box costs around £30 to send, we would appreciated a financial ‘Hope Now Ltd’. contribution towards the cost of the courier. Also, please note that we are no longer able Thank you to send knitted Baby Clothes as the House of Babies boils all items of clothing. Telephone: 023 8078 0720

HEALTHCARE ORPHANS EVANGELISM • Medical Treatment Fund • Foster Care • Village Camps • Hospital visiting • Rescue Shelter / House of Babies • Ray of Hope Group • Internats (Orphanages) • Christmas Mission

PRISON MINISTRY SUMMER CAMPS EDUCATION • Support for ex-prisoners • Kompas Park • Alpha House English Classes • Working in Prisons • Alpha House • Student Sponsorship Hope Now International Head Office • Prison Evangelism • Camps for the Disabled • School visits and support Malvern Centre, Malvern Road Southampton SO16 6PY ZOZULENKA SUPPORTING CHURCHES ELDERLY • Ukrainian Music Group • Bible School • Widows’ Camps Tel: 023 8078 0720 from the School of Arts • Pastors • Food Programmes www.hopenow.org.uk • Equipment and facilities • ‘The Nest’