Christians are making a difference in Ukraine. This is the message brought back by the Ohio Conference clergy and laypersons who traveled to this Eastern Europe country in September. 

“I knew this was a medical mission,” wrote Sam Buehrer, pastor of First UCC, Galion, to his congregation, “but it never dawned on me that the major medical issue facing many of those we visited was illness resulting from the lack of food.” 

The trip was sponsored by SARA, Sharing America’s Resources Abroad, the Ohio Conference  mission that provides medical supplies, equipment and expertise around the world. In the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine the supplies most needed include basic over-the-counter medicine and food. 

Each SARA traveler agrees to carry one suitcase of medicine and supplies. The vitamins, aspirin and first aid supplies-easily purchased in the US-are nearly impossible to find in Ukraine. 

SARA travelers don’t deliver suitcases of food, but funds donated by SARA supporters are used to purchase seed, fertilizer and farming equipment so that food can be grown.

Several members of the group were impressed with the accomplishments of the administrator of the Good Samaritan Orphanage. “It was amazing that this man was not only able to provide an abundance of food and good things for the 60 children who live at Good Samaritan,” said Elaine Mikesell, Associate Pastor of St. Paul UCC, Wapakoneta, “but we delivered three truckloads of flour, food, soap and clothing that he provided to the state-run hospital and orphanage.”

Young girl at the Good Samaritan Orphanage plays the guitar for the Ohio Conference visitors.

Joyce Schroer, pastor of First Congregational Church and Society, Berlin Heights, wrote in her church newsletter, “The girls at Good Samaritan...are well fed and cared for...He manages a large farm where enough food is grown for his children as well as the mountain orphanage, another orphanage for infants and toddlers, and the children’s hospital at Mukachevo.”

Our travelers were also very impressed with the work being done by the Christian Doctors Association at St. Luke’s Clinic in Mukachevo. “These are well-educated men and women who are living their faith by helping others,” wrote Rev. Schroer. 

“These physicians told us about their frustration of treating patients in outdated and ill-equipped facilities,” said Schroer. “They expressed time and again how grateful they were for the medicines and supplies.” The group toured their finest hospitals, which were in “deplorable condition by our standards,” she added.

Doctor with Christian Doctors Association helps sort the medicines brought to Transcarpathia, Ukraine by SARA travelers.

“The doctors and nurses cannot even afford vaccinations for themselves to protect against diseases like Hepatitis C,” said Ralph Quellhorst, Ohio Conference Minister. They treat people with this contagious condition every day. A series of five $35 injections is needed. “One of SARA’s goals is to find a way to pay for injections for medical caregivers,” Rev. Quellhorst added.

Donna and Bob Overholt, members of Trinity UCC, Tiffin, took a personal interest in helping someone with Hepatitis C. They learned from Steve Szilagyi, SARA’s founder and executive director, about 14-year-old Melanie Rati, who has the disease. Because her family cannot afford her treatment, they volunteered to help. “We decided to provide what she needs,” said Ms. Overholt. 

Even with treatment, there is only a 30 percent chance that the virus will be destroyed. “Melanie can live with the disease,” said Mr. Overholt, “but it eventually causes liver damage and a shortened life.”

The Overholts visited the Rati family at their home. “We now have another family,” said Mr. Overholt. The couple got to know Melanie, her sister Isabelle and their parents. Arrangements are being made for Melanie to receive the medication she needs. 

It promises to be a long-term relationship. Mr. Overholt has sent a long letter to the Ratis and plans to send photos once they have established email communication. They are hampered at present by a computer virus at the orphanage where Mrs. Rati works. 

The Overholts look forward to a return trip someday. “I told them we would be back,” said Mr. Overholt, “for Melanie’s wedding.”

Several of the travelers were moved by the “Christian love” and “sense of hope and good will” that they felt from the Ukranian people. This was apparent at the churches the group visited. “The children sang joyfully for us, even though their lives are grim by our standards,” said Ralph Quellhorst of the congregation of a new gypsy church being built with funds furnished by the Churches of the Pioneer Larger Parish in the Eastern Ohio Association. 

“On Sunday morning, we worshipped at the church in Debrony, and I was moved to see what seemed like the whole town walking to church to worship with us,” said Rev. Quellhorst. “It was so meaningful to me,” agreed Elaine Mikesell. “It looked like the whole town turned out to worship on Sunday morning.”

Perhaps the most lasting image from the trip came from Elaine Mikesell. “When we drove through the gates of the state orphanage, the children ran along with the truck. We got off and a little boy, probably 10 years old, just overtook me, hugging and kissing me. He had rickets; they were so bad that he was walking on his ankles. That is an image I won’t forget. I thought, “If all I can give him is this hug, I’m going to let him hug me as long as he wants to.”

A hug. A bottle of aspirin. A scanner for a hospital radiology lab. Food for an orphanage. Medicine for a child with Hepatitis C. A new church. Through SARA’s work, Christian love is made real.