/ International Charitable Fund en-gb 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 giftoflife.org@nospam.com hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.22.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin Medical Clinic on Wheels (MCOW) has been functioning in Ukraine for more than 18 years. It visited a lot of places and received thousands of patients all over Ukraine. But for the first time in its history MCOW was visited by the representatives of US Embassy in Ukraine. (In the photo MCOW team with consular people: Vice-Consul David Allen in the middle, his assistant Julia the first one from the right).Vice-Consul David Allen and his assistant Julia were pleasantly surprised with what they saw at the Clinic. They visited MCOW when the buses were located in Terebovlya (small town in Ternopil region) examining patients from the local School for Deaf. David Allen was very excited since he did not expect to see anything like that. He asked a lot of questions, was interested to know when and how MCOW began to function, how many patients it receives every day, who they are, what treatment and information is provided to the patients, how much time clinics spend on the road, etc.     David Allen is getting acquainted with a patient’s card filled by each person going to the doctor.David Allen thanked MCOW staff for their important work and help provided to the needy people of Ukraine. MCOW personnel remained very happy too because they were privileged with a visit of such honorable guests.  http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.21.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin Real spring has come to Ukraine and Medical Clinic on Wheels opened its’ traveling season. Ternopil Special School was the first place to visit in 2010. The School is called Special because children with special needs study there and they need a special approach. This special approach can be expressed only by two short words: “Tvorit Dobro!” which means “Do Good!” Everybody at the School knows it very well because it is their motto (written in blue above the main entrance to the school)These words are very familiar to Gift of Life. Gift of Life was created specifically to do good to Ukrainian people. ULC (Ukrainian Lutheran Church) Deaconess Lyudmyla who travels with the clinics has been always following this principle. Doing good is impossible without sincere smile… “The Life of Jesus Christ” books are given to the patients. Jesus Christ by His own deeds showed the best example of how to do good to people. Deaconees Lyudmyla always tells about it to MCOW patients taking care of their spiritual health.MCOW doctors also do good to the patients taking care of their physical health. They always do it with warm attitude and special care as if it is their child. With this wonderful Thank You letter Ternopil Special School expressed its’ gratitude to GoL Clinic on Wheels “For the medical aid provided with special tactfulness and high professionalism”. A very big THANK YOU is sent to GoL administration and sponsors who cultivate the good things provided to Ukrainian people in need. http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.20.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin Kyiv citizens are exhausted by long and difficult winter known for its’ flu quarantines and severe temperatures. It seems that people are weak and completely indifferent to everything. Although not everybody is “cold-blooded” – there are people who cannot keep silent and maintain aloofness when in Kyiv - according to the official statistics - there are two abortions for each birth!Actors, musicians, journalists, students, teachers, psychologists, doctors - God gathered all of them at the Polytechnical University of Kyiv - one of the biggest universities in Ukraine. About 300 students accepted the offer of the Social Service of the University and stayed after the classes  in order to attend “Save a Life” show. The students got the opportunity to think over their present concerns – relations with a person of opposite sex, unplanned pregnancy, sin of abortion, beauty of life and importance of being with God. Due to the huge experience in the pro-life field Gift of Life counselors and volunteers were invited to participate in the show. GoL counselor Svitlana Leshchenko provided the information about the value and sanctity of human life beginning from conception. (In the photo Svitlana Leshchenko and showman Eugene Pyankov). Students and teachers crowded near GoL materials reading information from a hand made  poster, touching fetal models, asking questions and picking up the flyers with GoL contact numbers.The speech of counselor Svitlana as well as GoL materials were shown on the news at two different Ukrainian TV channels (“City” and “1+1”).Songs of these young but very gifted musicians from Rivne City cannot leave you indifferent. They sing about the life of youth, necessity of  God’s presence in our lives, about unborn girl who asks her mother to give her a life…This role play conducted by young actors demonstrates a life situation where a young girl tells her boyfriend about her unplanned pregnancy…The brightest pro-life witnessing was provided by GoL volunteer Victoria and little girl Bohdanka. Victoria had to make a very difficult choice twice in her life. She saved the lives of her children and will be always thankful to God for them. Bohdanka is  a nice and sweet 5 years old girl. Although five years ago she was a “material” left after abortion made on the fifth month of pregnancy. Due to the God’s mercy this girl survived, now she has a wonderful Christian family. (In the photo from left to right: adopting mother of little girl Bohdanka, GoL volunteer Victoria holding Bohdanka, GoL counselors Svitlana Leshchenko and Anna Kuchma).Students’ Council and Social Service of the University are very interested in the future cooperation with GoL. Due to the “Save a Life” show number of clients in Kyiv GoL life-centers has sharply increased. Gift of Life is always happy to bring God’s Word and provide aid to the people in crisis and need.GoL Counselor Anna KuchmaKyiv, April 2010 http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.17.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin On February 25th we, Gift of Life counselors of Kyiv pro-life centers, gave an interview at Christian Radio Station “Emmanuel”. http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.16.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin Medical Clinic on Wheels patients and staff are very thankful to Mt. Olive Lutheran School in Mankato Minnesota for their generous donation. Our patients just love sunglasses, toothbrushes and toothpaste the School donated to Gift of Life to use at MCOW. Thank you very very much!PS. To learn how you can ship directly to Ukraine please go to Shipping to Ukraine page that is available in the Main Menu of the web site under About Us category. Thank you. http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.15.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin In January of 2010 there took place a very important event: GoL Counselor Helen Kovalenko became a confirmed member of ULC. It happened right on Ukrainian Christmas that is January 7th. Here is what Helen has to share about her confirmation: Born AgainI have a thin tiny book in my hands. It is the “Small Catechism of Martin Luther”. I am very excited about it. Now I definitely know that every word of this small, deep, concise book is penetrated with God’s grace and love.It's hard to believe, now, that a year ago - when I became familiar with this book - it didn't make a big impression on me. Last year Pastor Oleh Yukhymenko started to lead me, like a blind kitten,through the pages of the Catechism. In a kind and patient way he explained the meaning of each sacred word to me. I was learning not only God’s truth but also about myself. This book did not seem to be small to me anymore; it started as a streamlet, and broadened into be a river which smoothly led me into the ocean called the Bible. It was Pastor Victor Pashchenko who then led me through the waves of this ocean. Then came the day when Pastor Victor said that I should become a confirmed member of the church. I fully understand that I have just slightly touched God’s truth and need much more study to deepen my understanding of God’s Word.My confirmation took place on a very important Christian holiday – Christmas. For the first time I communed in the presence of the church congregation. I was very excited. The body and blood of Christ was as fire inside of me. In a moment the awareness of my sins forgiven lifted a weight from my shoulders. When the service was over church members started to congratulate me one by one. I felt as if I was born again.GoL CounselorHelen KovalenkoSevastopol, 2010One more happy event took place in January of 2010: students that have been attending Deacon courses for nearly 2 years finally got their Certificates. GoL counselors Anna Kuchma and Svitlana Leshchenko were among the lucky ones as well as life-center volunteers Emiliya Zintchenko and Victoria Suhotska.Congratulations!!! http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.14.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin MCOW completed its 2009 traveling by visiting the School for Disadvantaged Children in Shyrokyi Lan, Mykolaiv Southern Ukraine; Strusiv School for Orphans, Ternopil Region; Nove Selo Orphanage, Ternopil Region; Village of Koshlaky, Ternopil Region; and the Village of Kachanivka, Ternopil Region before returning to home base where the clinics operate from a specially constructed garage for winter months.While it is more convenient and less expensive for MCOW to travel closer to home in Ternopil Region there are worthwhile reasons to travel further. The School for Disadvantaged Children located in Mykolaiv Region is one of them. Headmaster of the School Tetyana Fiks has always been thankful and appreciative and the school children are really in need.  It is important for them to know that Jesus loves them and they learn about Jesus through the Deaconess and the various materials she provides such as the Good News magazine. The more important reason for traveling so far to the South of Ukraine is that there are several Ukrainian Lutheran Church (ULC) congregations in Mykolaiv Region. It is a very good opportunity for the ULC Pastors to evangelize. Sometimes MCOW staff is able to attend church services at the local ULC.On November 19 Medical Clinic on Wheels returned to the big garage in Ternopil where it will be located for several months until the next traveling session begins. MCOW doctors and dentists worked hard and had a successful the year. There were more than 4500 patients seen in each bus during 2009. GoL employees are Christians who believe that faith is nothing without good deeds. GoL was created to do good deeds. We are helping needy people, unborn babies, and other families because we are thankful to God for what he did for us. It is the faith that encourages GoL employees and the founders to do good deeds. One of our favorite Christmas time decorations is God is Love sign.St. Nicholas is an example of a person whose strong faith was accompanied by good deeds. It has become a tradition for GoL to have a staff meeting on St. Nicholas Day. Another tradition of GoL staff is Gift Exchange or Secret Santa.Usually such a meeting ends up with a small party or St. Nicholas dinner. This time each employee has prepared some food for the dinner. The most tasteful, the most delicious food was prepared by Mrs. Laper. Everybody liked her Carrot Pennies and Creamy Scalloped Potatoes. All the ladies got the recipes from Mrs. Laper right away and cooked the dish later at home. Thank you very much!IF YOU WANT TO GET RECIPES OF SUPER YUMMY CARROT PENNIES AND CREAMY SCALLOPED POTATOES CLICK HERE http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.13.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin Among the vast territories of Kherson steppes one can find the village of Dyvne (Strange village). In the fall of 2009 GoL Medical Clinic on Wheels worked there for the first time. This village is called Strange either because it has unusual history or because it has some uncommon geographical peculiarities – no one can say it for sure.On the request of local agricultural company “Ukraine-Dyvne” MCOW worked in the Strange village from August 31 to September 12. People there are not spoiled by civilization and modern conveniences. Some people have already forgotten about doctors’ existence. That is why it was really pleasant to see more and more people coming to get medical help. Villagers wanted to share their painful problems, their secrets and inner thoughts or anything else that had bothered them during a long period of time. Workers of the Medical Clinic on Wheels tried to improve both mental and physical health of locals.Let’s hope that the grain of healthy way of life, healthy nutrition, prevention of problems and Christian attitude to one another was sown in each soul.People became to be more friendly and kind; it was even noticed by the Director of Agricultural Company: “In the past people were stealing everything and anything they saw. After your visit they began to bring their own spare parts from homes to use for the machines.” We think that it is true. MCOW work and help provided to the villagers witnessed of God’s blessing and His care. People began to look at things from a different, Christian, point of view; they began to see the blessings they have been always getting from God due to His great love.We are very thankful to the administration of “Ukraine-Dyvne” Company for deep understanding of our needs and their warm attitude. Due to the mutual understanding MCOW was provided everything needed to fulfill the work. There was purchased and installed boiler and shower box at the village medical unit where MCOW staff had their lodging. There was also purchased and installed a special water pump to provide running water for MCOW buses. Money for that was donated by American sponsors who cooperate with the local Agricultural Company.Having in mind those temporary blessings which both village and MCOW people got we should be always thankful to God and praise Him for His blessings in Jesus Christ.By ULC Deaconess Lyudmyla Voichunas and MCOW Head Physician Dr.Laryssa Chorna http://us.giftoflife.org.ua/news.php?item.12.1 2010-09-06T01:52:07+03:00 admin During the summer months the Medical Clinic on Wheels travels throughout Ukraine providing medical and dental assistance to disadvantaged children in summer camps and to villagers in more remote agricultural settings.