This was my first trip to Ukraine, but SARA (Sharing America’s Resources Abroad) has been doing great work there for over ten years.

Much of SARA’s work to help the citizens of Ukraine is accomplished through Ukranian benevolent institutions. Veterans of these trips shed tears of joy when they witnessed drastic positive changes in the health of the people and in the institutions themselves.

The power of God as Christians work and pray in partnership was evident as we toured the church-related activities of the Hungarian Reformed Church. The church was also evident as it related to other facilities operated by the state. Health care is improving, people are being fed and clothed, and smiles abound where there once were frowns.

We visited a Gypsy church where the folks filled the church with songs of prayer and praise. We also visited a new Gypsy church under construction. Though there was no roof, people gathered and spontaneously sang their songs of praise. We responded by singing "Jesus Loves Me." Bishop Golaci proclaimed, "We have now witnessed our first worship service in this new church."

Of the twenty from the Ohio Conference who went to Ukraine, a delegation of eight went on a fact-finding mission in Romania and Serbia. We were welcomed warmly by the church in both countries. However, it was obvious that the Reformed Church in Serbia was more focused and motivated in rebuilding after the NATO bombing three years ago.

Bishop Csete Sz. Istvan of Peketic, Serbia was extremely helpful in hosting and introducing the delegation to the Ecumenical Humanitarian Organization of which the UCC is a part. The infrastructure is in place and very strong, and the needs are great.

Some of the health clinics were very clean but lacked material to treat patients. One stark example was a well-equipped dental office the had no filling material or x-ray film. Prevention could not be carried out, so the dentist only did extractions and other minor procedures to make patients comfortable.

Like parents who brought children to Jesus to be blessed, parents came to us seeking help with their children whose diseases could not be treated locally.

We made a commitment to have a young man sent to Hungary to see if he was eligible for surgery that would correct the effects of scoliosis, curvature of the spine.

George Szylagyi—son of Steve Szylagyi, SARA’s founder—agreed to treat the young man’s dental needs in Hungary. George also agreed to treat all the reformed ministers and their families as a way of showing his gratitude to God.

Dentist George Szylagyi with one of the children for whom 
he has promised to provide dental care, and her mother.

One bright and happy young girl was in need of surgery for scoliosis and will be cared for by SARA through the Shriners Hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania.

The healing stories of Jesus came alive as parents "brought their children to the foot of the master." We found that we were in position to be Christ’s servants in very real ways. As a result of our visit to Serbia, there will be a trip this fall to once again answer the call of Christ.

The SARA pilgrims left behind more than $36,000, given through various ministries within the Ukraine, and another $1,000 in Serbia. I was utterly inspired by the work of the church in these countries, the dedication of the lay workers, the Christian Doctors Association and the grateful recipients.

When the church is in mission, the church is alive and well and will get healthier. When the church is not in mission, the church will decay and begin to die.