Fraser Valley Group / Simple Churches

This team from the Fraser Valley spent 2 weeks in Nikopol participating in various ministry activities including:
widow visitation, orphan care, after school programs, and distributing food & hygiene hampers. They also supported a leadership conference for 30 Baptist Pastors being help at the local church.

"This trip has opened my heart... to see people suffering so much and yet are still faithful to God."  

This team of 7 from the Fraser Valley traveled to Ukraine to continue with ministry activities, including: home, orphanage and rehab center visits; biblical training; handing out food and hygiene packs; and building on relationships that were formed on previous trips.

"Seeing new ministries in different areas & how God is working through them to reach people was a highlight for me!"  

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This savvy group of veterans were at it again; in September, the team of 12 headed back to Nikopol to continue in their long-term partnership with the community there. This year, the group helped to distribute over 1,200 food and hygiene hampers, co-hosted a banquet for disabled children, and held several community gatherings.

"This trip has shown me how things that have happened in my life helps me to make a connection in with someone—to understand where each of us has been and how God takes care of us."  

The Fraser Valley Group travelled to Nikopol, Ukraine to work alongside Pastors John and Nadya Bokoch, helping with their ongoing work through the Nikopol Baptist Church. The team held banquets for the poor and marginalized of the community, as well as hosted a Bible training seminar. In addition to this, the team distributed 1000+ hygiene kits.

The Fraser Valley Group travelled to Nikopol, Ukraine to work alongside Pastors John and Nadya Bokoch, helping with their ongoing work through the Nikopol Baptist Church. The team hosted banquets for widows, poor families, handicapped adults and children. They also held a marriage conference, a picnic and visited the Rehab center. In addition to the banquets and events, the team distributed blankets, food and hygiene hampers to assist individuals in need. Home visitations were a key part of the trip as they brought encouragement to those who are unable to make it to the banquets.

The Fraser Valley Group, comprised of nine members and two HFL staff members, departed for Nikopol, Ukraine on a humanitarian relief mission through the long established relationship with Pastors John and Nadya Bokoch and their ongoing work through the Nikopol Baptist Church.

The team provided food hampers and clothing distribution to the widows and impoverished, and also conducted home visits and Bible teachings. Over $50,000 was raised for the purchase of food, medical supplies, youth team equipment and widow care. This was a returning visit for over half the team members, most who visited Nikopol in the Spring 2015 trip.

"Many times (I was) emotionally stretched outside my comfort zone and in the midst of the 'chaos' and 'changing landscapes and timelines', I looked more often than normal for the calming peace of God's presence."  

The Fraser Valley team is made up of individuals from in and around the lower mainland who have committed to being involved in various projects in Ukraine throughout the year. This team hosted banquets through the local church for widows, handicap, poor families, and refugees. At the banquets the team distributed food and hygiene hampers in addition to handing out quality clothing that had been shipped ahead of time. In addition to the banquets, the team worked with children, provided biblical teaching, and visited widows.

"I am more determined than ever to know Jesus."  

The team, comprised of individuals from various churches in the Fraser Valley, built off of the 2012 team and continued with the current ministry activities. One main focus was conducting home visits to further develop relationships from previous years and to develop new ones. Some of the activities included: holding banquets in strategic villages, distributing food and hygiene hampers, home visitations, craft activities with children and holding a banquet for handicapped residents.

Read the trip blog.

Nine individuals from the Lower Mainland traveled to the Ukraine in September. This team, called the Fraser Valley Group, was comprised of people from River of Life Church, Eden Mennonite and the Simple Churches. The team of nine was led by HFL team leaders Chad Martz and Heidi Blundell. The team held banquets in the villages that they visited, alongside distributing food and hygiene hampers, clothing, and kids gift packages. They also did home visitations to encourage widows, poor families and handicapped individuals. The team also participated in the grand opening of the rehabilitation center for those who struggle with addictions.

Read the team blog.

“[One highlight I experienced on this trip was] seeing the change in a couple I met 3 years ago; There was light and joy where before it was bleak and depressed.”  

A group of individuals from the Lower Mainland traveled to the Ukraine in late-July to August. This team called the Fraser Valley Group, was comprised of people from Chilliwack Alliance, Greendale Mennonite, Eden Mennonite, Northview Community and the Simple Churches. The team of nine was led by group leader Sig Toews and HFL team leaders Chad Martz and Heidi Blundell. The plan for this team was to continue where the 2010 team left off and work on the current ministry activities. They conducted home visits to further develop relationships from previous years and also develop new ones. The team also held banquets in the villages that they visited; here they also distributed food and hygiene hampers. The rehabilitation center was one of the projects last year's team had the opportunity to begin working on from the foundational stage. The building's exterior had since then been completed, so this team got to work on the construction of the interior, which will increase the current number of rehabilitants from seven to sixteen.

"One highlight I experienced on this trip was, "the happiness that the balloons brought into the people's lives, young and old alike."