A Mother's Mission Trip

by Kylie Bauer 

        Do we ever stop and think as Americans, “Their is a possibility that in my lifetime I will travel to a different country.” If so, do we realize the impact that we could have on others lives and the impact they could potentially have on ours? Well, I had these same questions. After traveling to Ukraine on a mission trip, I realize how much we take for granted in our lives, including our relationships with our children.

            This was an experience that was all new to me. A man named Michael Wetzel came to our church one Sunday morning from a missions organization called Shepherd's Purse. He presented a slide about the street kids in Ukraine and an orphanage called the Ark, that he is partenered with. Upon seeing the lost and lonely faces of these children, I knew at that moment in my heart I would be going on a mission trip to Ukraine to do whatever it was I was supposed to do.

            Before engaging on this trip, my life at home was pretty simple. My children at the time were 3, 4, and 8. We all had pretty good mother-child relationships. I was working part time at a gas station at night, and my husband worked his day job. We had food, clothes, a home, and what seemed like the picture perfect family. Their were concerns about the realization of this trip however. First the money, how would I ever be able to afford $1800? Second, my kids being taken care of for ten days while my husband worked. Third, would it be a safe trip (my husband and families personal concerns for my safety). Finally, my own emotions leaving my family for this long. Well, we had about three meetings explaining that we would be activly working to help get some unfinished projects done, spending time with kids at the Ark and just being their for whatever they needed for ten days, we were informed that  we could back out if we felt that it wasn't for us. Somewhere deep inside the depths of my being, I couldn't give up a chance to spend time with children who might have not have otherwise known true and compassionate love. I was going and I was gonna do whatever God led me to do there. So after tons of prayers and a family that finally supported my decision to go, I was on a plane flying to what seemed at the time, a place we were never going to make it to.

            We flew from Lansing to Detroit. I remember thinking, “why are we flying to Detroit when it's only an hour drive?” I realized then, that when we had paid for the tickets, it was a package deal and most of the other ten people lived closer to Lansing. I thought to myself while on that plane that made me feel a little claustraphobic, “the cars all look like hot wheels.” We exited the plane in Detroit. After quickly walking so we wouldn't miss our next flight, I couldn't help but think of all the exercise I was getting that day. My mind raced as I thought of what the kids at the orphanage would be like. Would they be the same as my kids? Would they be shy or timid due to their experiences in life?  I then started to imagine what my kids were doing. I had to remind myself that the reason for this trip was to help with different projects at the Ark, but also to be a friend to these children as I am with my own children. After all, I did put my childrens faces in place of theirs on that slide the day Michael was at our church. I couldn't wait to get to Ukraine! We went from Detroit to Amsterdam. The airport in Amsterdam was amazing. We looked around for a while because we had an hour layover. From there, we were on our way to Ukraine. Upon landing and departing the plane, their was an over abudance of people that made me feel like the runt of the litter trying to make it to the dog bowl.

            On the way to the Ark, I happened to notice their weren't many homes. Mostly it was apartment buildings that seemed like abandoned buildings in Detroit rather than comfortable homes. They sold tires off the side of the road as if they were hotcakes being sold at McDonalds on a busy Sunday morning. Their were bus stops that were so overcrowded with people that not all would get on the next arriving bus. I simply could not get over the fact that their were so many people all over the place. Maybe the difference with us is we see cars rather than people. What an extravagance that would be for most of them to be able to own a car. For the most part, I had a unpleasent, unhappy feeling coming into this foreign land. I did notice the beauty stand out in different areas as we traveled though. Their were magnificent sculptures of influential people placed throughout downtown Ukraine.

            We finally, after anxiously waiting, arrived at the Ark. I was amazed at the amount of land it was on and how many different buildings their were. We stepped out onto seemingly new grass and as my eyes wandered, I noticed the trees were bare of bark from the middle all the way to the top. Chernobyl was the cause of this. The nuclear reaction that happened in 1986 had affected many surrounding areas. Ukraine being one of them. We then went into the building we would stay in. We were showed to our rooms (which we would share with two or three other people), where we left our belongings. We walked from their across the lawn to the building we would later find out was the dining hall. The most important event then took place. The children (ninteen in all), put on a play that you could tell they put their all into. Even though they were singing in Ukranian, their expressions said it all. I could tell this was going to be a trip I would never forget. One boy in peticular named Denis, who was 9yrs old at the time, would look you directly in the eyes and smile a smile that would instantly melt the heart. Throughout the trip I got to spend quality time with him. One instance I will never forget though, was walking to get ice cream. We made our way to the store and then took a long route back to the Ark. His little feet eventually started to hurt and he asked if I could carry him. I then hoisted him onto my back and carried him almost all the way back. I remember having a feeling that only a mother could know. That sense of caring for a  child even when they are not your own. Then, their was Alla. She was 11yrs old and we gave her the name spitfire. That's just what she was too. The life of the party, the spunky one who would not put up with anyone's crap. She had a very big heart and was a lot of fun. Kind of a tom boy. Most of the children came from homes where the parents didn't have a job and couldn't support them or their parents were alcholics. You would think that their would be a language barrier, but it didn't matter. Our actions with these children meant more than any words could possibly speak. In all reality, the kids where just the same as my own. They loved to just be kids. Ride bikes, play basketball and baseball, sing and dance, pick on each other, and craved what every child craves, and thats a sense to know they are important and loved.The ten days we were there, we were able to play, sing, make crafts, dance, eat family style meals, and simply be there for these kids.

            We were only able to go into town for one day. Public transportation was huge considering not many people had a job that payed well enough to purchase a car, and that was if they even had a job. We took a trolly to the subway. This was my first time being on both.We were told not to talk to much or talk to loud as some Ukranian's might not like that we were american. It was a strange situation too, because it seemed as if it would have been against the law to smile or say hi to a stranger. The social interaction between people was very nonexistent. It seemed to me, in a economically poor country, you would want to smile at someone and make their day a little brighter. I came to the conclusion that their was not even so much as a glimpse at each other, let alone a simple “hello” or a smile. Leaving the subway, we had to take a few escalators. As I stepped onto one in peticular, I thought to myself it could have been a stairway to heaven. It seemed to go on and on and on. It probably was about a quarter of a mile long by the time we got off of it. As I was people watching walking through town, I noticed the women looked to all be slim and the men fit. You see in Ukraine, you are not given as many options to choose from when it comes to food. The resources are limited and again, you have to have money to buy food, which many did not have. Also, they walked everywhere. I think we as Americans, should take a couple days of walking everywhere we need to go just to experience that feeling. We were able to go to McDonalds there and we had to pay for our ketchup. Also, we went to the mall in the middle of town to eat dinner and I discovered that I would be waiting to use the restroom. The reason being, you had to pay to use it. My eyes had been open to the fact that we as americans are rediculously spoiled!

            The days following our trip into town meant the most to me. Whatever we were doing, it was done for the sake of the kids. Our daily schedule consisted of breakfast with the kids at 9am which was usually stuff like cream of wheat, a bread, this cottage cheese like stuff that had raisins, and a fruit drink (carrot-pear). At 9:45am the team would meet in a beautiful gazebo. We would discuss how we were doing and what the plans for the day were. This time was special to me because I was able to spend time with people who I really didn't know until this trip, but were all there for the same reasons and understood each others compassion. At 10am, we would work. This is time I enjoyed as well. We spent one day cutting trees down that were growing along the fenceline, one day mudding the walls for the new laundry building they were trying to complete but just didn't have the manpower, and I believe I mowed the most grass I have ever in my life, in two days. I was ok with it though because I listened to my mp3 player and got to spend alone time with my maker and that was important to me. At 12pm, we would do crafts with the kids. This is where we were able to see the kids different personalities in the unique crafts they made. One that I enjoyed the most was the “magic black paper”. This was paper that you drew on with this little wood pen that turned into rainbow colors as you created your favorite designs. This was special to me because two of the kids so eagerly wanted me to have their works of art. At 1:30pm we had lunch, which again was with the children. Mostly we had soup, and some sort of salad with bread. 2:15pm was more work. It's amazing how someone can do so much work and enjoy it. I knew in the end, it was for a good reason. At 6pm, we had dinner. The dinners varied from Chicken with seaweed, cracked wheat and a salad to pizza made with corn as a topping. The government regulates what is eaten in orphanages in Ukraine. They are not allowed to have things like ketchup, beef or anything that is deemed unhealthy. Again at 6:45pm we were able to spend time with the kids. We went to an open field at a school one night and played baseball. We all had so much fun and laughed a great deal. We also played catch with the velcrow things you use as a glove. The boys all seemed to love it and all had to join in. One night we had disco night and got to see some of the boys breakdance which they did well, and Kristina (one of the older girls at the orphanage), actually taught a couple of us some new dance moves. Their faces lit up so bright watching them sing and dance. I could relive that night over and over again and never get sick of it. Finally at 9pm or 9:30pm it was time to come in for the night. This was time that we would have devotional (scripture and prayer). We could take our showers at this time or just enjoy time with the others that so willingly sacrificed their homelife to give time for something that would eventually prove to be so significant in their lives.

            On July 6th of 2008, I had to say goodbye to kids that would change my ways as far as my kids back home. It made me realize that I shouldn't tell my kids “maybe later” so often. Children are only children once and I couldn't live with myself if my kids one day say to me, “mom, I wish you would have spent more time with me”. I had grown to love the children of the Ark so much, but more importantly, had grown in my personal relationship with God, who in all reality, sent me on this mission trip to begin with. It was a trip to teach me about unconditional love I believe. We can go on in this world not caring about anyone outside of our friends and families. Or, we can give our love to strangers sometimes and not think so much about what we will get in return. There are so many ways we can help others. Whatever way you choose to help others, whether it be to simply smile more often, help a person lift their groceries into their car, volunteer at a homeless shelter, or simply listen to someone when they feel that no one else will, remember, your love reflects and you may change a persons life forever and not even realize it.