Team Member Testimonials

   There is a song we sing in church; these are part of the words:

"NOT BECAUSE OF WHO I AM, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE;

 NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT I'VE DONE, BUT BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE...

I AM A FLOWER QUICKLY FADING, HERE TODAY AND GONE TOMORROW...
WHO AM I, THAT THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH WOULD CARE TO KNOW MY NAME, CARE TO FEEL MY HURT, CHOOSE TO LIGHT THE WAY, YOU SEE MY SIN, LOOK WITH LOVE AND WATCH ME RISE AGAIN...."

   Our theme this year was from the book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” Day One, You Are Not An Accident.  God knows your name . . .

   I wondered, what does God see in me to use me to reach children on the other side of the world -knowing my faults and shortcomings?  About seven years ago, my pastor was preaching “Destiny”.  That God created me to do something that no one else could do. I used to think missions people were highly trained people, like pastors, evangelists, and missionaries – people with higher levels of knowledge on godly things.  I never dreamed or desired to go on a missions trip, let alone go to the former area of the Soviet Union.

   Seven years ago, my first mission trip, my thought was, “I don’t know what to do, whatever is needed, be a helping hand.”  I was asked to help with crafts!  I thought what I prepared was immature for the age of the children we ministered to.  Some glue, paper, yarn, beads, etc.  Limited money and luggage space.  The children loved anything we brought.  But I was not content.  Each year I tried to find better crafts, but yet, my heart was attached to the children.  I had a compassion and a passion for the work and I learned it was not about me, but God working in me.

   This year I chose to go to another orphanage in the mountains.  Upon arrival at camp, plans began for two sessions per day plus one-on-one time with the children ongoing.  My first day’s crafts were for two short ones.  A streamer to wave to praise God and a nametag.  “God knows your name.”  “You Are Not An Accident.”  I gave explanation of Psalm 150.  We were created to praise God.  I shared examples such as clapping hands, stomping feet, jump up and down, cymbals, tambourine, and guitar

   Another day I shared my testimony, how as a child through age thirty-five, I was an introvert after my mom’s death.  Insecurities and how God brought me out and to the Ukraine to tell them about God’s love and to love them.  A door opened for the children to want to come to me.  Who am I?  What do you see in me?

   Another craft was “God Cares for the Birds, How much more Does He Care for You.”  This one was a big success.  A different kind of craft using plastic canvas, needle, yarn, communion cup, birdseed, and a small plastic dove (like a wedding favor).  This time God sent five cooks of my door.  They came from another place.  Students in a cooking school sent there for three weeks to cook for this camp.  They wanted to make the bird craft.  I spend about an hour and a half doing this craft and telling my witness of God in my life.  Divine appointment?  I had taken some used games to give of the children. 

   On the weekend, our group took Sunday to go sight seeing.  Knowing another craft was too difficult for some smaller children, I chose to stay behind and spend the day in prayer and preparing this craft as well as some time alone with God.  I also had brought fifteen felt cut outs for bird hand puppets.  I decided to sew these together by hand and let the younger ones just glue on eyes, beak, head, fluff and tail pompom.  The one craft was a Boy Scout type craft.  Tying four barbeque skewers with a lashing tie to form a frame.  Then they attach a vinyl, pre-punched shape lie an animal skin being tanned with vinyl lacing. After several hours of heat and tying, I wasn’t getting far fast. I decided to take time out to sit outside of our housing. 

   It had not rained for a long time and the water table was low.  They had shut off an artesian wells enough pressure for the kitchen/food preparation. Kent took this on to stay behind and fast for the children’s water situation.  We had to call and have bottled water brought in.  But we needed showers, shampoo, and laundry.  I had walked and prayed to God.  Please enough water for showers and clothes.  I was running out.  It was so hot and I did not ask but it was in my mind – ice cream.  I am not big on ice cream, but it was a cool thought.  Kent had to go tell the camp person we didn’t have water for toilets and showers.  He knew about three words without interpreters:  Toilet, douche (for shower), and he took a water bottle to show and the word Nyet (No).  They sent us somehow little water into our tank.  I got my shower and a few clothes had washed.  When Kent went down, kids saw and soon we had some boys at our door.  I got out the game, Booby Trap, and we played and laughed.  One boy named Arturo, was about fourteen.  He knew some English and is also a believer.  We played past dark.  They learn quickly.  Later on the camp sent us up guess what – Ice cream cones! HALLELUJAH! Small things mean a lot.

   The next day, Kent sat praying and looking over the water tank below us.  He had a spiritual experience.  He saw a cloud come over the tank.  God spoke to his heart.  He would take care for His children’s’ needs.  Kent knew God was filling the water tank.  We could also hear water go into the small tank by our housing.  He called it “The glory cloud of the Holy Spirit.”  He said it was a bright cloud.  Then, once it was filled, it was gone – disappeared.  Then Monday we were to begin tie dying T-shirts.  We needed water to soak tees in solution. Boys helped us carry water tubs from the kitchen outside hand wash station-water to use but not drink for us – carried about one quarter mile up the hill the night before to be used the next day for T-shirt dying.  Then the tees sat overnight.  The children then walked to the river not close to us to rinse the dye out.  This took about three to four days, as well.  We used water sparingly, but God provided all of our needs.  God also sent me some girls to help sew the hand puppets.  One girl, Vica, wants to become a clothing designer.  I had brought some unfinished puppets to make.  Some younger girls helped to fill the arms with stuffing.  Vica helped me to sew the necks and finished the inner foam lining and hair and eyes.  Vica is very talented and sews fast.  Great help for short time to get things done.  When making crafts, these children have nothing, maybe some broken toys from another missions visit.  They want to give you what they make.  They are full of love, polite, thankful, helpful, and disciplined.  They keep the area clean.  They are not spoiled like American children.  They give willingly – so much like God for those who do not know Him.  I think most of them do. 

   I know I have been in the Rangers program for over seventeen years. I know there is something about camping in the outdoors and nature that connects God in grand ways.  I know men who use “wilderness skills and dress” for atmosphere trained to present the gospel to children.  This is a valuable tool. I challenge any Royal Ranger leaders, F.C.F. men and teenage boys to come join this outreach.  If you are not intimidated with lack of showers, fully cooked an indoor menu, one who likes the mountains and “roughing it.”  This is for you.  These children need your talent and skills just like God used my talents in crafts, sewing, and nail polish.  God can use you in a mighty way.  It’s not about me, it’s about Him. We need you.  God has prepared you “for such a time as this.”  God is calling out to all nations.  He wants us to reach His children. I know the Bible speaks offend times of the nation to the North of Israel.  That is not all the people.  God wishes all nations to be saved.  These children, if God tarries, are the future of the Ukraine.  They have a new Christian President, but changing a nation will not happen all at once. We need to reach these tender sprouts now. 

   My second morning there, I was awake by 6 a.m.  I went outside to be alone with God.  No one was up.  It was quiet.  I was surrounded by mountains.  This camp had crab apple trees full of fruit.  Some on the ground.  Brown mush, rotting, drawing bees and flies.  All around me it sounded as if all I could hear was a low buzz.  Like the hills were alive.  All of nature was praising God. Like the birds in the early morning.  These flies and bees were praising God.  God impressed upon my heart, “There is honey in this place.  His sweetness.  Sweetness in the hearts of these children.  They belong to Him. Go and win them.  Tell them He loves them.  Be His arms, hands, voice.”  Will you go?

Thanks for your prayers, support, etc.,

Christal Dever

Decatur, Alabama