Greetings!

Another blessing from Youth Camp came this evening (Monday, the sixth). The Forester (who came out one day when we were having Youth Camp in the forest and asked what we were doing, etc.) his wife and his two smallest sons came this afternoon just to ask if it would be OK to bring their children for Kids' Klub this next Sunday. They figured it would be just their older children, but their two youngest are old enough, too.

In HIS Service,

Dave D.

Dear Bro. And Sis. Kaufman,

Thank you so much for coming to Ukraine and helping my parents in their ministry. Your visit not only helped to encourage my parents, but it gave a spiritual boost to the church family. Your ministry was also a help to me.

Assisting in washing the dishes, sharing a funny story, singing American hymns with us, and helping to keep things rolling were just a few of the things that you and your team did to encourage my mom and dad. When there are no other missionaries around to share in the triumphs and struggles, it is a relief to have visitors that are willing to listen and that understand. Nationals don’t understand our struggles with the Ukrainian culture, while fellow American Christians find it easy to relate.

The change in the people from the church in the short time that you visited was very heartening. God used you to influence one young girl to ask questions about whether she was living right or not. Through the love of the team, this girl saw the love of God and realized that she was missing something special. Before the week was out, this girl gave her life to Christ.

A young man that God has been dealing with for two years was touched by your ministry and has determined with God’s help to change, even though he has a father that beats him both physically and verbally. An art teacher that came to us from the Baptist church came forward to accept Christ in one of your services. One young girl was reminded of the peace that she used to have and realized that she wants to return to God, but the peer pressure is great to go the way of the world. These are only a few of the people that God used you to reach.

I also want to thank you and your team for the encouragement that you gave me. Your willingness to help and your consistent Christ-like character encouraged me to draw closer in my walk to God. Your willingness to trust me even though I am young and make mistakes was a big help.

Thank you so much for visiting Ukraine and helping to further the Kingdom of God.

Charity D. Drummond.

Our thanks go to each one of you who worked to see that the team could come to Thomonde, Haiti this summer.

Thanks goes to the committee for the effort put forth to choose youth who were willing workers with exemplary behavior, and living for God.

Thanks goes to the Kaufmans who were careful to explain and watch for proper conduct from the team members, yet at the same time, keep a happy spirit among the youth. Thanks also goes to the Kaufmans for keeping the team working on the jobs designated.

Thanks goes to the team members who were happy, friendly, hard workers, pray-ers, and yet full of fun. We did not have one member who was grumpy, complaining, or unfriendly- a very easy group to enjoy! When the suitcases did not arrive with the team, everyone just took things in stride.

The team’s time here was very profitable. In September we will have two families, Richard Hartmans and Hansel Youngs, coming to the field, but their homes were not in a liveable condition. One house was in terrible condition, needing earthquake cracks repaired and the house painted. The other home had a cracked water basin, so the home had no running water. The team was able to get both homes ready for the missionaries to come in September. We also needed someone to do the children’s services for camp. Sis. Kaufman and the team did an excellent job doing the services for the children. Bro. Kaufman preached clear, convicting messages for the camp. The young people were faithful to the prayers services, to carry a burden for souls. The youth also prepared a special song each day during camp. Their singing each day, just as the choirs down here do, meant a lot to the Haitian people.

Several evenings we took time to play volley ball with some of the youth from our church and the community. Not only was this enjoyable for everyone, but the young people here appreciated so much, that the team members were friends to them. The Haitians also appreciated how the team members related by eating the Haitian meals while on the building job and visiting churches. The team was very good to relate to people.

While the team was here, they were also able to visit three outlying churches, which was an encouragement to those churches. Two of the churches were accessible only by four-wheeler, so while encouraging others, the youth also had the enjoyment of a day out on four-wheelers.

The team helped put up two homes for earthquake victim who were homeless. The team saw some of the earthquake devastation in Port-au-Prince. Being able to give back a life to a couple families was a blessing for each one involved, and the Haitians appreciated the teams willing, cheerful work.

While here, Sis. Kaufman and the girls prepare the meals, washed dishes, cleaned homes, and kept up with the wash for the team, which meant that we were not loaded down with entertaining, but could continue our mission activities.

My maid got mumps and was extremely sick while the team was here. The team prepared a meal and cookies for the family. We took those items, as well as a bag of rice and beans out to her home. My maid is still full of thanks for the aid given and care shown to her during that time.

On the personal side, Kester and Dylan have spent two year in Haiti and will be spending another year before going to the states. The team coming was a good opportunity for Kester and Dylan to spend time with other English speaking youth who share their belief.

The team’s trip was exemplary of what youth in missions is all about:

1) helping on the mission field by doing necessary jobs
2) relating to, encouraging, and being a good example to the Haitians
through singing and playing ball
3) working and carrying responsibility
4) learning about the fun side as well as the work side of the mission field.
5) youth leaving their hearts on the mission field

The team’s less than 13 days in Haiti were packed to the brim with activities, and lots of happy memories for everyone. Thank you, youth committee, Kaufmans, and team members for making all of this happen.

Sincerely,

The Timothy Young Family