ThePilgrim
12th April 2008, 11:49 PM
Hey guys.... I know I've talked some about mission work here in the past, and about my experiences this past fall. Well, now I'm looking at taking a team of people over in a few months, and I could really use prayers and support. And, so you know this is for real and not some random internet thing, many people on this forum have met me in person and can vouch for me. So please guys, help if you can :-D
Ukrainian Orphanage Mission Trip 2008
July 8th – 30th, 2008
What is this?
From July 8th till the 30th, a team of Orthodox Christians of all ages will be traveling from NYC to Znamianka, Ukraine, to spend a few weeks living and helping out at an orphanage for severely disabled children. While there, we will also be participating actively in the life of the local Orthodox community, helping to bring some of the children to Church, meeting with an Orthodox young adult group that is involved in ministering to orphans, and generally aiding the indigenous Orthodox community’s outreach efforts to these orphans. Also included will be a daytrip to a children’s cancer ward in the nearby city of Kirovograd. On the day on either end of the trip spent in Kiev, we will be making pilgrimages to local monasteries and also helping to buy church supplies for our parishes back home.
Who is the trip sponsored by?
This mission trip is being undertaken with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop MARK of Toledo and will be lead by John Hogg, who has previously served as an Orthodox missionary to this orphanage for three months. Our team will be working with the Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund (CCRDF). The trip is under the immediate sponsorship of Holy Cross Antiochian Church in Dorr, Michigan, a parish in the Diocese of the Midwest. All contributions will be made to a special fund through Holy Cross, and are tax deductible.
Where is this orphanage? What is it like?
The Znamianka Children’s Home is located in the Kirovograd Oblast in East-Central Ukraine. It is home to 127 children with Class III or IV disabilities – the most serious categories. That means that all of the children there suffer from both mental and physical disabilities, to varying degrees of severity. Some of the children can walk, while others are permanently bed-ridden. Some of the children can talk, while others have no language abilities. All of them, however, are very lonely and need love, attention, and support.
What are the requirements to go on the trip?
If you’re in good health and have an open heart, you’re welcome to apply to go on the trip. Having a mature faith in Christ and a mature personality are important. On the trip, we will be seeing up close suffering and pain far beyond anything that we are used to seeing in America and it will be very shocking and emotionally difficult, especially for the first few days. Applicants should be aware of this and be prepared. An English-speaking priest will be available for counseling team members during the trip, and all are encouraged to make regular use of confession and communion for strength. However, anyone who thinks that they would be unable to handle seeing the suffering is encouraged to think twice before applying. In general, we are looking for people who are willing and able to model Christ-like love for these children who are in such need of it.
I’m not an Orthodox Christian. Can I still apply?
Although this trip is primarily intended for Orthodox Christians, non-Orthodox applicants may still apply, as long as they realize that this is an Orthodox mission trip and group prayers, Church attendance, and pilgrimage to monasteries while in Kiev will be mandatory for all group members. Some of those services may be long, but we will need to stick together as a group, since Ukraine is a foreign country. At the very least, an applicant should be a practicing Christian familiar with Orthodoxy and favorably inclined to it. In no case should someone apply who is intending to try to convert Orthodox Christians away from Holy Orthodoxy.
I’m interested in applying. How much does the trip cost? Why so much?
We are asking that each team member raise at least $1950. The bulk of that money goes towards covering the cost of the round trip airfare to and from Kiev. The remainder of the money will cover travel expenses, accommodations, and food while in Ukraine. While in Znamianka, we will be staying at the orphanage and will be fed by the orphanage staff. It is important that we reimburse them for the cost of our food, because their food budget is limited, and we want to be a help and not a hindrance to them in their efforts to care for the children. We will try to live frugally while in Ukraine, and may not spend all the money raised, in which case, glory to God, we could donate to the orphanage. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t let the amount scare you! God will provide if you truly seek to serve Him.
Is it safe in Ukraine and at the orphanage?
In general, yes. Ukraine is very safe and the team leader is very familiar with the languages and customs of Ukraine, as well as with the orphanage, the staff, and the cities we will be visiting. However, it is still a foreign country with very different customs and like anywhere, there is crime. It is important that we all stick together at all times and that group members be willing to listen to safety instructions.
I can’t go on the trip, but I’d still like to help out. What can I do?
You can do much! First of all, remember the team and the children in your prayers and ask your parishes to pray for us as well. Also, we are very much in need of material support. Please prayerfully consider helping to sponsor our group financially. It would be a great blessing to raise more than we need so we could help out the orphanage financially, but right now, it would be a blessing even to raise the minimum amount. Also, please consider donating supplies that we can bring with us to the orphanage, such as disinfectant wipes, stuffed animals, clothes, and various other items. Contact John for more specific information about current needs.
Who do I contact?
Please contact John Hogg. His contact information is as follows:
John Hogg
((In the copy of this I'm sending out to other people, I have all my phone numbers, address, email, etc listed, but since this is a public forum, that probably isn't safe. But if you PM me, I'll be more than happy to give you my information))
Please let him know by email or phone that you’re interested before mailing anything.
Application
Name ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City ________________ State ____________ Zip code __________
Phone Number ______________ Email Address __________________________
Do you have a current passport? Yes/No If so, passport #:________________
I am including a photocopy of my passport with this application: Yes/No
Date of Birth ____________ Sex ________ Cell Phone ___________________
Parish Name _______________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact name ________________ Phone Number_______________
Priest’s Name ______________________ Phone Number _________________
Current Occupation: _________________________________________________
Have you ever participated in a Mission Trip? Yes ________ No _____________
If yes, where, when and with what organization? _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you traveled abroad before? ___________
If so, where and under what circumstances? _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you speak any other languages? If yes which ones? If not, how comfortable are you in situations where you cannot understand what is being said? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any medical or physical therapy training? _________________________________________________________________
If yes, please explain: _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What skills or experience do you have that you feel could contribute to the team?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please include with this application a short essay as to why you would like to participate in this trip. Also include names and phone numbers for two references who can speak to your character, faith, and maturity.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reference #1 Name _____________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________
Reference #2 Name _____________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________
I attest that all the information in this application is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this is a voluntary mission and I am responsible for raising all expenses that will be incurred for the trip. I agree that I will respect and obey the team leadership and will be respectful to the other team members, the orphanage administration and staff, and the children. I also understand that this is an Orthodox Christian mission trip and I will conduct myself during the trip in a manner befitting an Orthodox Christian laboring on behalf of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Applicant Signature ___________________________ Date _________________
Ukrainian Orphanage Mission Trip 2008
July 8th – 30th, 2008
What is this?
From July 8th till the 30th, a team of Orthodox Christians of all ages will be traveling from NYC to Znamianka, Ukraine, to spend a few weeks living and helping out at an orphanage for severely disabled children. While there, we will also be participating actively in the life of the local Orthodox community, helping to bring some of the children to Church, meeting with an Orthodox young adult group that is involved in ministering to orphans, and generally aiding the indigenous Orthodox community’s outreach efforts to these orphans. Also included will be a daytrip to a children’s cancer ward in the nearby city of Kirovograd. On the day on either end of the trip spent in Kiev, we will be making pilgrimages to local monasteries and also helping to buy church supplies for our parishes back home.
Who is the trip sponsored by?
This mission trip is being undertaken with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop MARK of Toledo and will be lead by John Hogg, who has previously served as an Orthodox missionary to this orphanage for three months. Our team will be working with the Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund (CCRDF). The trip is under the immediate sponsorship of Holy Cross Antiochian Church in Dorr, Michigan, a parish in the Diocese of the Midwest. All contributions will be made to a special fund through Holy Cross, and are tax deductible.
Where is this orphanage? What is it like?
The Znamianka Children’s Home is located in the Kirovograd Oblast in East-Central Ukraine. It is home to 127 children with Class III or IV disabilities – the most serious categories. That means that all of the children there suffer from both mental and physical disabilities, to varying degrees of severity. Some of the children can walk, while others are permanently bed-ridden. Some of the children can talk, while others have no language abilities. All of them, however, are very lonely and need love, attention, and support.
What are the requirements to go on the trip?
If you’re in good health and have an open heart, you’re welcome to apply to go on the trip. Having a mature faith in Christ and a mature personality are important. On the trip, we will be seeing up close suffering and pain far beyond anything that we are used to seeing in America and it will be very shocking and emotionally difficult, especially for the first few days. Applicants should be aware of this and be prepared. An English-speaking priest will be available for counseling team members during the trip, and all are encouraged to make regular use of confession and communion for strength. However, anyone who thinks that they would be unable to handle seeing the suffering is encouraged to think twice before applying. In general, we are looking for people who are willing and able to model Christ-like love for these children who are in such need of it.
I’m not an Orthodox Christian. Can I still apply?
Although this trip is primarily intended for Orthodox Christians, non-Orthodox applicants may still apply, as long as they realize that this is an Orthodox mission trip and group prayers, Church attendance, and pilgrimage to monasteries while in Kiev will be mandatory for all group members. Some of those services may be long, but we will need to stick together as a group, since Ukraine is a foreign country. At the very least, an applicant should be a practicing Christian familiar with Orthodoxy and favorably inclined to it. In no case should someone apply who is intending to try to convert Orthodox Christians away from Holy Orthodoxy.
I’m interested in applying. How much does the trip cost? Why so much?
We are asking that each team member raise at least $1950. The bulk of that money goes towards covering the cost of the round trip airfare to and from Kiev. The remainder of the money will cover travel expenses, accommodations, and food while in Ukraine. While in Znamianka, we will be staying at the orphanage and will be fed by the orphanage staff. It is important that we reimburse them for the cost of our food, because their food budget is limited, and we want to be a help and not a hindrance to them in their efforts to care for the children. We will try to live frugally while in Ukraine, and may not spend all the money raised, in which case, glory to God, we could donate to the orphanage. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t let the amount scare you! God will provide if you truly seek to serve Him.
Is it safe in Ukraine and at the orphanage?
In general, yes. Ukraine is very safe and the team leader is very familiar with the languages and customs of Ukraine, as well as with the orphanage, the staff, and the cities we will be visiting. However, it is still a foreign country with very different customs and like anywhere, there is crime. It is important that we all stick together at all times and that group members be willing to listen to safety instructions.
I can’t go on the trip, but I’d still like to help out. What can I do?
You can do much! First of all, remember the team and the children in your prayers and ask your parishes to pray for us as well. Also, we are very much in need of material support. Please prayerfully consider helping to sponsor our group financially. It would be a great blessing to raise more than we need so we could help out the orphanage financially, but right now, it would be a blessing even to raise the minimum amount. Also, please consider donating supplies that we can bring with us to the orphanage, such as disinfectant wipes, stuffed animals, clothes, and various other items. Contact John for more specific information about current needs.
Who do I contact?
Please contact John Hogg. His contact information is as follows:
John Hogg
((In the copy of this I'm sending out to other people, I have all my phone numbers, address, email, etc listed, but since this is a public forum, that probably isn't safe. But if you PM me, I'll be more than happy to give you my information))
Please let him know by email or phone that you’re interested before mailing anything.
Application
Name ____________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City ________________ State ____________ Zip code __________
Phone Number ______________ Email Address __________________________
Do you have a current passport? Yes/No If so, passport #:________________
I am including a photocopy of my passport with this application: Yes/No
Date of Birth ____________ Sex ________ Cell Phone ___________________
Parish Name _______________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact name ________________ Phone Number_______________
Priest’s Name ______________________ Phone Number _________________
Current Occupation: _________________________________________________
Have you ever participated in a Mission Trip? Yes ________ No _____________
If yes, where, when and with what organization? _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you traveled abroad before? ___________
If so, where and under what circumstances? _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you speak any other languages? If yes which ones? If not, how comfortable are you in situations where you cannot understand what is being said? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any medical or physical therapy training? _________________________________________________________________
If yes, please explain: _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What skills or experience do you have that you feel could contribute to the team?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please include with this application a short essay as to why you would like to participate in this trip. Also include names and phone numbers for two references who can speak to your character, faith, and maturity.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reference #1 Name _____________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________
Reference #2 Name _____________________________________________________
Phone ________________________________________________
I attest that all the information in this application is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this is a voluntary mission and I am responsible for raising all expenses that will be incurred for the trip. I agree that I will respect and obey the team leadership and will be respectful to the other team members, the orphanage administration and staff, and the children. I also understand that this is an Orthodox Christian mission trip and I will conduct myself during the trip in a manner befitting an Orthodox Christian laboring on behalf of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Applicant Signature ___________________________ Date _________________