Do not confuse our lighthearted take on the grave nature of war and the ongoing, progressive invasion of Ukraine. The coverage we offer here is not a call for violence; rather, it is a call to build bridges of peace and to fight evil with love.
Back in 2014, when work first got underway to rebuild a post-soviet cow farm for a small village in Eastern Ukraine; who knew the future? During that first outreach, we watched with disbelief as Crimea was annexed by Russia but the idea that this might escalate into a push for the entire nation seemed completely surreal.
In hindsight, the photograph of two Canadian farmers in Ukraine holding back missiles was strangely prophetic of the ongoing ministry that offers vocational training for orphans and provides food security to a rural village about 90-minutes drive from the frontlines of an ongoing war.
This farm-based ministry is a counter-culture response against overwhelming odds that is, dare we say, … supernatural.
Why would Jack Stefanyk and a group of volunteers from Western Canada risk their lives to go deep into Ukraine to help build a chicken barn in a war zone? Why not just send money and let locals do the work?
Jack’s wife, Trish, says it best, “God could have sent money but He didn’t. He sent His Son, Jesus, to show love and encouragement. And we are all called to follow His example.”
Do not confuse our lighthearted take on the grave nature of war and the ongoing, progressive invasion of Ukraine. The coverage we offer here is not a call for violence; rather, it is a call to build bridges of peace and to fight evil with love.
Back in 2014, when work first got underway to rebuild a post-soviet cow farm for a small village in Eastern Ukraine; who knew the future? During that first outreach, we watched with disbelief as Crimea was annexed by Russia but the idea that this might escalate into a push for the entire nation seemed completely surreal.
In hindsight, the photograph of two Canadian farmers in Ukraine holding back missiles was strangely prophetic of the ongoing ministry that offers vocational training for orphans and provides food security to a rural village about 90-minutes drive from the frontlines of an ongoing war.
This farm-based ministry is a counter-culture response against overwhelming odds that is, dare we say, … supernatural.
Why would Jack Stefanyk and a group of volunteers from Western Canada risk their lives to go deep into Ukraine to help build a chicken barn in a war zone? Why not just send money and let locals do the work?
Jack’s wife, Trish, says it best, “God could have sent money but He didn’t. He sent His Son, Jesus, to show love and encouragement. And we are all called to follow His example.”
Postcards from Ukraine (Instagram)
Ukraine’s transportation system relies heavily on a functional rail system. Recent events from Russia’s invasion have hampered that infrastructure making inland travel difficult, even dangerous.
Join us as we follow Jack Stefanyk and a group of Canadian volunteers venturing inland by van to answer the call to help retired Canadian farmers, Garry and Teresa Verhoog, who have invested the last 15 years of their lives building a sustainable agricultural system for the residents of a small village near Zaporosia, just 90 minutes west of the Russian front.
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Getting there is half the fun (NOT)
Entry Travel Update
A ragtag team of Canadian volunteers head to a farm in Eastern Ukraine, armed with power tools, construction materials and other donated goods. It will take them 70-hours to get from Vancouver to Moldova via Istanbul, where they will walk across the border, get picked up on the other side, and be driven over halfway across Ukraine – in the midst of a Russian invasion.
The roads through central Ukraine look much like the Canadian Prairie where some of the volunteers come from… except for the roadside barricades and frequent military checkpoints.
Some say the joy is in the journey. Richard Motz (see video) may have something to say about that😉
Earning Trust
Eastern Ukraine – A fighter jet screams overhead on Day 1, a few hundred feet above the Canadian volunteers who are there to work on one of the old barns.
The team is still unsure whether the “fly-by” was Russian or Ukrainian, but they were happy to see it leave the airspace.
That frees them up to help Manitoban farmers Gerry and Teresa Verhoog in the conversion of an old Soviet-era, commune-style dairy barn to a production-sized poultry operation. The entire farm also serves as a vocational training opportunity for graduates of state-run orphanages.
This isn’t part of the war effort; it is a continuation of a sustainable community development plan that the Verhoog’s started over 15 years ago in their retirement years.
Since then, the Ukrainian members of this tight-knit and sometimes suspicious community have opened their hearts and their homes to the Verhoogs – coming to believe that their intentions to help them live healthy and fulfilling lives is both legitimate and sincere.
The Canadian team has taken 2-weeks out of their lives to risk much, to share their own commitment and support – not just for the Verhoogs, but especially for the people of Ukraine.
A Work in Progress
Farming is a way of life; a 24/7, day-in/day-out existence. So, too, is mission work. So where does that put regular, short-term efforts like those led by Jack?
We must not underestimate the impact that a small team of volunteer carpenters, electricians and brick-layers can make in the life-work of full-time folks, like Garry Verhoog and his wife, Theresa.
It is in these long haul partnerships that Jack, his friends, and others like them, can really demonstrate the kind of commitment and love by which God himself sustains us all.
And should all else fail, send money.
A final word from Jack:
- One of the goals… the barn!! ‘ The chicken barn roof and brick work is done. Not the eagle, but the chickens have now landed.😊 To celebrate we had a 16 pound chicken for supper… honest!! It was as tough as nails.
- Our friends from Kramatorsk came to visit us on the farm as it was too dangerous for us to travel there.
- Over $32,000 was raised from you folks which paid for the barn expenses and the rest we gave for humanitarian aid.. (We ate one of the meals that is supplied by the Krivoy Rog church for refugees (canned pork and bulgur)
- A reunion with many children (now adults) from orphanages we worked in. That was amazing!!!!
- A trip to the Men’s Institution to visit our friends. (As soon as we walked in the door, they said they had prayed that the Canadians would come to visit!!!)
- Rekindling relationships….it’s been 3 years since we were last in Ukraine. It was just great to be back!!
Always Amazing stories, Thanks for showing us very positive news. God Bless your Efforts
so good to read about what is taking place ! Thank you for sharing so we know how to pray for the work/ministry going on in Ukraine!