July 2013 Trip Summary:

Kharkov, Volchansk, Kupyansk, Bogodukhov, Sverdlovsk, Rovenki, UKRAINE 

We left Boston on July 14, 2014 and flew to Paris; and then on to Kyiv, Ukraine where we later boarded a train. On July 16 we woke up at 6:30 AM on the train in Kharkov and were met by Pastor Nicolai, aka “Cola”.

After an early breakfast on July 18 we drove three hours from Cola’s house to the Summer Camp in Bogodukhov, picking up Natasha, our liaison, along the way. Cola said her church visits this orphanage on a regular basis (maybe once/month and another church visits every other week). She said she had been preparing the children for our visit. We talked with the kids formally and informally, first making the Gospel presentation and then just chatting with them. I recognized many of the children and was very glad to see them. They also remembered me. One very charming girl made a decision to follow Jesus!! That made the trip worthwhile right there!

On July 19, we made a 2 ½ hour trip to Kupyansk. We met briefly with Pastor Vasili who handed us off to a woman from his church who showed us the way. The orphans and staff were very grateful we came. I remember the first time our team visited here in 2010; it went well but was a bit chaotic at first. But this time it was peaceful from the start. I saw shiny beaming faces during preaching and prayer time. I felt the Holy Spirit while and after we prayed. As I paused after prayer there was complete silence in the room of about 50 people. I smiled and told them it was the Holy Spirit. I asked the children how they felt. Some said they felt Holy Spirit, too. About eleven children made a decision that day to accept Jesus into their hearts!

On July 20, we left Volchansk stopping in Kharkov to visit an old friend, Pastor Yevgeniy. After tea, the ATM and buying tickets, we barely had enough time to board the train in Kharkov bound for Lugansk. Pastor Taras picked us up that evening and drove us to his home in Sverdlovsk.

After church we visited a small orphanage with Olga, our translator. Olga visits them every Sunday to give them a Bible lesson, sing songs and give them some small gifts. God bless her!

Knowing we’d be leaving soon I was committed to devoting the rest of our time with Taras to praying for his city, Sverdlovsk and another city to the west.

July 22, 2014. We prayed at same WWII gravesite next to park that we did last December when I saw little rainbow colored specks of light. Sometimes during prayer, God reveals things to His faithful – sometime in words, sometimes in pictures. I believe that the cloudy sky (or darkness) represents the kingdom of darkness that can sometimes prevent people from realizing that the Kingdom of God is at hand. When I first saw the rainbow colors I felt a glimmer of hope that God was breaking through the darkness in Sverdlovsk with His Light to bless his beloved. Well I think the hole with colored lights is much bigger now! Praise God. And later, Bernie saw a cloud with a perfectly round hole! We also prayed for forgiveness going back 1,000 generations in this region.

Our last prayer stop was the city of Rovenki. We had to ask, but found a Lenin monument in a park between two government buildings. I am always looking for government buildings to pray for government and leadership. I also feel that praying at places such as Lenin or Stalin monuments is good place to pray against strongholds of darkness. Praying here did not feel peaceful at first. It felt like it needed a lot of work, spiritually.  I was definitely being fed prayers by Holy Spirit. Thank you!!   After about 20 minutes things started to get better. I felt such power and authority praying there!  Then God showed me that something underground needed shaking. So I prayed accordingly: maybe it was a buried city, don’t know; or perhaps the sins needed to be forgiven in all three dimensions. So I prayed for shaking, breaking and resetting underneath Lenin and under where we were sitting. After our prayer time, Bernie was walking around the statue, but he felt that God told him not to go any closer to Lenin. I asked Aleks, my friend and translator who was travelling with us, to convey to Taras his testimony about the Lenin statue in Cherkassy coming down in 2007. I know that prayer works and I’m very thankful for this victory I observed there several years ago.

I felt peace after this, knowing our mission was done for now and we were on our way home. I later reflected that a larger mission had been completed on this trip – to minister in Easter Ukraine for 115 days. This is how many days I spent in Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov on twelve trips over the last six years.

Scroll down for Alaska Trip

Our Summer Orphans Ministry Trip Begins July 14, 2013

On July 14, 2013, two missionaries from the US – Alfred Scoglio and Bernie Schweighauser – will be traveling to Ukraine to preach the Gospel and pray in Ukraine. God commands us to go to the nations to be His hands, His feet and His mouth. And we are saying, “Yes!”

We will minister in three orphanages, located in remote regions of Ukraine. After two flights on July 14/15, we arrive in Kiev, Ukraine. But we’re not done traveling yet. Then we take a 9-hour train ride to Kharkov. Then we rest. The next day we travel about 2 hours by car to get the first orphanage. But joyfully we go as God has called us!

In Acts, Paul and Barnabus said this this about their mission:

For this is what the Lord has commanded us:  

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,  

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'”

Acts 13:47

Alaska Trip – December 16 – 24, 2013

God’s plan for us is always way bigger than we think. And that is so true for me.  Just when I was getting used to my twice yearly trips to Ukraine, God goes outside the box and has been pointing me to Alaska. Yes, Alaska was once connected to the Russian continent by a land bridge. Russians and Alaskans have been trading and intermarrying for centuries. I was surprised at first that God showed me this state’s outline in a vision and zoomed in on a particular place on the Alaskan Peninsula. But when I looked online at a map of this area I saw Russian sounding names. I also learned that there are many Russian orthodox churches in Alaska. And like Ukraine, and many other parts of the world, there are lost people and people who have fallen away from following Jesus. There is a need for missions work, especially (in God’s eyes, I believe) on the Alaskan Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. That’s why I decided to see what doors might open in Alaska with this extraordinary trip.

Prior to the trip I researched and spoke with many folks in ministry there already. Having been offered a free apartment to stay in, I arrived December 16, 2013 and met Pastor Roger Holmberg who has been doing outreach in Anchorage and in southwest Alaska for decades. He says that Alaskan natives don’t say much. They take a while to open up to strangers. I told him I’d be eager to speak with natives, especially if I could get to the Alaskan Peninsula where I felt God wanted me to go.

While I was settling in and getting my bearings, I did more research. One ministry located in Kenai, that particularly interested me is a group called S.O.A.R. International. They fly missionaries to Russia and Ukraine to minister and support local churches. This is certainly something I will consider doing on a future trip.

The next evening, I visited Calvary Chapel South Anchorage. I was telling folks that I had come because God gave me a dream, a vision of a certain location on the Alaskan Peninsula. I knew that there were no roads between here and there and that in winter boats and ferries weren’t running. So I asked if anyone knew of a pilot that could get me to Chignik or Sand Point. These cities are located between two large volcanic mountains; and this is where I felt God was leading me. One woman said to me, “Oh you should talk to our soundman. He’s a pilot!” Not only was he very knowledgeable and helpful, but he offered me a buddy pass to Sand Point, which is almost free, except for the taxes!

The next day I made phone contact with a woman in Chignik who said she would welcome my visit. She said the children have no school because it was recently shut down because there weren’t enough students. And she said they are in need of a pastor for their church. I told her I probably would not be able to visit on this trip as I had just made arrangements to go to Sand Point. I am hoping to visit Chignik next trip though.

I flew out to Sand Point, located on Popof Isand and spent the last few days before Christmas in this fishing village of about 900 people (1,500 at the peak of fishing season). I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Morgan, the pastor of the local Baptist church here. We shared our stories of ministry, and discussed my next trip to the peninsula. I was pleased to be able to assist his worship team prepare for singing Christmas Carols. I also prayed for his city and his ministry and he prayed for me as well. I later connected him with the pilot in Anchorage to assist in his off-island visits.

I do feel a connection between this trip to Alaska and the Ukraine trips. And part of the reason for this post is to share the connection with others. While some have asked when I’ll be going back to Ukraine, or, if I have set aside my Ukraine trips, the plan is to go back to Alaska and Ukraine later in 2014.

Fall 2012 Pray Tour – A Complete Success!

The theme of our December visit was God’s protection as in Psalm 91. Here are just the first two verses: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Pastor Nicolai from Volchansk explained the Russian word “chrischat” which means roof or protection. God has certainly “covered” me and “protected” me on my missions in these last seven years traveling to Ukraine twice yearly.  My team and I are covered in prayer by faithful prayer warriors from my home church, The Vineyard Community Church of Kingston, MA and many others in America and Europe who pray for us.

And as a prayer ministry, Hearts for Ukraine prays for the protection of orphaned children and we pray that God will intercede on their behalf for their safety, to find them loving homes and for their salvation. When I first began coming to Ukraine in 2004 and 2005, it was reported that there were well over 100,000 orphans in Ukraine. Now the number of orphans in orphanages is greatly reduced to about 30, 000 thanks to national adoption and foster homes incentives instituted by former President Yuschenko, and of course thanks to the efforts of many churches, help organizations and families.

Our time in Kharkov Oblast focused on prayer and ministry in villages in Volchansk Region, and prayer and planning in Kupyansk and Kharkov City. The latter half of the trip was spent in Lugansk Oblast in the city of Sverdlovsk where we preached and prayed forgiveness and for God to remove curse from the land. Our team there included Pastor Taras who has a wonderful church in the city and Olga who was my translator. She also has her own orphan ministry and took me to one of the orphanages where she gave the children gifts and a Bible lesson.

2013 and Beyond

As we enter 2013 and beyond our goal continues to be reaching orphans in remote places to bring them the Gospel of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Secondly, we go and pray that God will do battle with forces contributing to the orphan problem, such as bad economy and infrastructure, social and family problems, religious and political strongholds and other problems in Ukraine.

Summer 2013 Orphan Ministry Trip

We are currently planning for our next orphans ministry trip to Ukraine in July. Right now we are forming our team of missionaries who will travel with us to Eastern Ukraine this summer.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in joining us, there is still time to contact us and we’ll be happy to shared details, cost, itinerary, etc. Call 508-930-1761 or email us at info@hearts4ukraine.org.

The team will leave Boston on July 14 and return July 27, 2013. We will visit orphanages and summer camps in Kharkov, Bogodhukov, Kupyansk and Sverdlovsk. As always we will purchase and bring them much needed supplies, clothing and gifts, and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ and bless them with the Father’s Love!

Help Us Reach Our Financial Goals for our July 2013 Trip

With three or four missionaries traveling from the US, we need to raise between $8,000 and $10,000. Money raise goes towards our air and ground transportation and purchasing gifts and supplies for the orphans.

Please mail your checks to “Hearts for Ukraine”  89 Winthrop Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360 or donate online via PayPal by clicking the Donate button to the right.

Thank you!

Below is a recent email from a dear friend and colleague in orphan ministry, Pastor Viktor Karplyuk. Please help us raise money to send him. We want to send a financial blessing by April 30, 2013. Please donate now!  Thank you!

Hi dear bro,

I hope you are well. I and my family well too. I m very thankful God that we can serve for poor people but particularly orphans and street children.

This winter in Ukraine was cold with heavy snowfall for several days. Even in the second half of March, we have a difficult time climate. Many problems have brought the recent snowfall in Ukraine. On looking for is still a lot of snow and poorly cleared roads, which is difficult to ride. It has brought great difficulties our service meet often with children.

But we tried contact and do what we can there. In 2 places is need extra help.

In Street Kids Center are 45 kids now. Particular there is a need to footwear in Street Kids Center where new children from the street or from families of alcoholics, drug addicts. These poor kids very need in footwear. In footwear need 18 kids (different age).

Second place is orphanage for baby (Baby House). There are 50 kids 0-5 years old. All of them are sick with various diseases with different diagnoses. More of them need in pampers (disposable sheets, diapers, wipes every day.

Please, if you have the financial opportunity to help, please send support.

Thank you so much for your big and open heart for need poor kids.

God bless you,

You are in my prayers…

Viktor

Monthly Report:  March, 2013

From Pastor Viktor, Orphans Ministry International (Zhitomir Region, Ukraine)

Where did we visit:

Street kids center,

Denishy orphanage,

N.Volinsk baby orphanage,

Zhitomir

How long where we at each location

Street kids  center  –       visit   4 times a month
Denishy      orphanage – visit  2  times a month
N.Volinsk    baby orphanage-  visit  1  times a month
Zhitomir      orphanage  – visit  2  times a month

What activities took place

Street kids   center  –        Sunday school classes, March 8-mother’s day (meeting)
Denishy      orphanage –   March 8-mother’s day (meeting) ,Art-lessons,  puppet show,

N.Volinsk    baby orphanage-    food for kids(sweet), puppet show, cloth/used/ for baby

Zhitomir      orphanage  –    March 8-mother’s day (meeting), Sunday school meetings, cloth /used/project for few kids there

What were the results

Street kids  center  –          8 kids prayed of repent prayer,  games for kids, kids listen much info about God’s loves
Denishy      orphanage-     many of kids say like they want to have mom and father, need in care
N.Volinsk    baby orphanage .. kids listen songs about Jesus, love, received sweet

Zhitomir      orphanage –    we prayed with all kids together, asked God bless and help in kids life. Had  personal contact with many of kids talk.

What staff participated in

Street kids center                    –   Viktor ,Anton, Lena, Luba, Ira, Sergey
Denishy     orphanage               – Ira, Lena, Olga,
N.Volinsk   baby orphanage      – Viktor, Sergey
Zhitomir orphanage                   – Alla, Viktor, Sergey, Lena, Luba, Olga

Kids story,

Kolia and Sasha, they both are living in orphanage. Kolia has mom but she is drinking vodka and doesn’t live at home. The Police has brought him to orphanages. Kolia is good boy, he loves God – one day he listened story about Jesus and repented (received Jesus in her heart).

Sasha is orphan, he is living in orphanage and dreaming to be athlete. One day he said about his life before orphanage: mom died, father was drug addict.

Both of them have special needs:  real need in spring footwear.

Blessings,

Viktor Karplyuk

Please help us raise money to send to Pastor Viktor. We want to send a financial blessing by April 30, 2013.  Please donate now!  Thank you!

Brief Background on Ukraine’s Orphans

Since 1991 a shift in the economy from communism to capitalism caused hardships leading to a breakdown in social and family structures. In the last 18 years there has been a significant increase in job loss, alcohol and drug abuse, crime and divorce. The result is orphans.

In a country the size of Texas, Ukraine has over 100,000 orphans. These children, without parents to care for them, live in orphanages or in the streets. Now with the recent downturn in global economy, the needs of orphans are even greater.

Hearts for Ukraine’s founder, Alfred Scoglio returns to Ukraine on January 20, 2010 for his eighth mission. There he will bless one thousand children with food, warm clothing, toys and school supplies while giving them hope through God’s teaching in the Bible.

Fall 2012 Orphans Ministry and Prayer Tour

Kharkov/Lugansk, Ukraine

December 1 to Dec 12, 2012

Purpose: Prayer and intercession for the people, the children, the government and the economy of Ukraine. We will also preach and teach the Gospel Message of our Lord Jesus Christ to orphans and anyone else who will listen. Remembering what Jesus told His disciples…

“Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Luke 9: 4-5 NIV

Fortunately, our experience over the last 8 years of ministry in Ukraine has been overwhelming acceptance and being wonderfully welcomed with Ukrainian hospitality!

The American team will leave from Boston and travel via Amsterdam to Ukraine. Europeans will meet up with us in Kyiv. From there we will begin our Mission in Kharkov and continue our Prayer Tour to Kupyansk and the border towns of Volchansk and Sverdlosk in Eastern Ukraine.

We need prayer warriors to join us in December!

In my fourteen visits to Ukraine and one to Russia, I am well aware of the political, religious, spiritual and economic strongholds in these CIS nations. The term, “post-communist” Ukraine is really an enigma. The remnants of communism and Marxist ideas are ever present today. Marx said, “… let the government care for the children.” And so we have orphanages. But God is Sovereign in Ukraine!! Things are changing. Orphans are being adopted into loving Ukrainian families. Christianity is on the rise! Praise God!

But there is much more to do in spiritual warfare. Come join us to fight political, religious and economic oppression! Let us not forget the words of the Apostle Paul …

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Let’s do battle in Ukraine with Jesus as our Captain!

Come join us as we pray for Victory for the children and people of Ukraine this December.

How to Apply: Contact Alfred Scoglio at Hearts for Ukraine, Inc. by email at info@hearts4ukraine.org , on, or by telephone +1-508-930-1761.

Spiritual Blessings

Hearts for Ukraine …

• Preaches the Gospel to orphans
• Prays for the children, families, community & nation
• Everywhere we go we tell them GOD LOVES THEM!

We also bring…

HOPE – that comes from know Jesus as Savior and Lord

JOY – from the Good News Message

FELLOWSHIP – with believers carrying the Holy Spirit, and

The COMFORT of knowing someone cares about them

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Eph 1:3

Help me to go and bring these blessings once again to the people of Ukraine as I continue to pray and encourage prayers for the people, their economy, government, health, land and salvation!

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. – Matthew 25:40

Past Mission Highlights

Hearts for Ukraine, Inc has been ministering to orphans and praying in Ukraine for the past 5 Years
In Eleven Missions Trips to Ukraine
The Gospel has been Preached to over 1,300 orphans in 6 Regions, 20 cities, 22 orphanages.
About 270 children and adults SAVED!

Come join our cause as we follow Jesus’ Great Commission! Your prayers and giving are highly appreciated!!

Thank you!