There are typically at least four moments that will shatter your heart on these trips.
1) The first day of camp when we meet campers. It’s both extremely happy and extremely touching to see the the campers for the first time. The range of disabilities combined with the obvious strength and love these people have to give is heart-wrenching to think about when you think that this week’s camp is quite probably the best week of their year (or lives).
2) The visit to Romaniv Orphanage. Once you see how extremely happy the 4-5 boys from the orphanage are when they arrive to camp (LINK), it’s usually impossible to remain emotionally poised to see where they live their daily lives in comparison. They’ll go from interacting with people who love them every day, from feeling like they’re a part of a family, back to a community of orphans who’ve never had family or know what a family is.
3) Day spent serving with Pastor Peter. Cutting wood for an entire family that will serve as firewood for the entire year (and longer) is an experience that usually puts the entire trip into perspective. We come from the richest part of the world. Most of us drive 30 minutes to work in air conditioned cars. Our homes are heated and cooled at within minutes to our discretion. These people need firewood to be cut in order to live through winter. They have a dull saw. We brought many hands and two chainsaws.
4) Leaving to go home. Today we leave the camp. Tomorrow we fly out. Pulling away from the camp is awful. The campers and Ukrainian staff are all standing outside waving us goodbye. Most of them are crying. Most campers have started crying days before today because they’ve already thought about returning to their lives. We get to go home. They have to go home.
This team has been amazing at camp. Most of them have been heartbroken at some point, if not many points the past 2 weeks. This trip will hurt. It’s not for everyone. The travel, the lack of sleep, the emotional and physical stress of being with special needs people all day, every day for eight days can take its toll. But it will also give you so much joy while you’re here if you open yourself up to loving someone. This team stepped up to every challenge. They’ve knocked this trip out of the park. If there was a concern about getting “off track” at any point, they righted the ship. They loved these campers with everything they have. They were present. They were patient. They were selfless. They made this stuff look really easy.
See you in America!
what an amazing time you’ve all had. What a great gift you’ve given the campers and their parents. I’m sure It’s hard for you to leave and wonder what’s happening now in their lives now. We certainly do take a lot for granted here that’s for sure. It will be nice to have you home, the beautiful people that you are. Safe travels.
Okay, seriously, this captures the depth of the experience & realities so well! I am deeply moved, grateful & proud of the MTU staff & Merge Team. See you in Chicago tomorrow.
On behalf on the staff and board of MTU, thanks so much for your service, sacrifice, and care for the kids. The impact you have had this week will be felt for eternity. You all have greatly enhanced our work.
How great is that! Round of applause for the whole team and especially for Tyler for his posts.We all can’t wait to see you all again and hear all about the adventure, the highs and the lows. Bless you all and safe travels.
Blessed by these posts and grateful to see God’s inbreaking Kingdom at work in your hearts and the kids/families you cared for. Thanks Tyler for giving us these glimpses of your experience!
SOOOOOO PROUD of the whole team! But I have to give a special shout out to my current small group girls, Trisha, Lexi, and Ali; former small group girls, Lauren and Mary, and MS alums Anna and Jon. I feel like you each took a tiny part of me with you. Kerry, Tyler, and Jamie (and Trisha again), thanks for taking on the challenge of shepherding other people’s children through overseas travel and life-altering experiences. I have loved following the blog even while we were in MS and can’t wait for you all to fill in more details when we see you back home!
As an American that sees so many teams come and go over the years- this group of talented, loving and compassionate young people has been a true blessing to the families and staff of Mission to Ukraine (and to me as well!)! The perfect harmony and unity of service with the Ukrainian team at camp was a beautiful gift to see each day. Although my time at camp was shortened this year, what time I had was blessed by your service. Praise God for the life you breathed into the young people of Ukraine, and what an incredible impression you have made on the mothers, fathers and grandmothers who witnessed your love and service. Thank You Grace for your awesome team!
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. What a beautiful story of God showing up and providing for those in need. I spent 3 weeks in Ukraine with missionaries many years ago and saw firsthand how the need is great. So glad to hear you followed God’s calling to serve him in this capacity. Will pray for this ministry. Loved the story of the father caring for his daughter. Truly heartwarming! God bless you- Tasha