Fifteen-year-old Dasha Kazimirova of Toretsk, Ukraine, was like any other teenager in the world in some respects. Her life lay before her full of promise and potential. But in other ways, she wasn’t at all like your average youth.
Dear Team: A Perspective You Won’t Hear from the News
What do you think of when you hear the name Russia? The images that are created in your mind depend on how old you are, how much news you watch, and where you were born.
Good and Pure Water for War Victims in Ukraine
“The moment of the first water toxicity check is hard to describe in words,” ITMI’s Adi Ban reflected. His heart sank as he read results- 801 TDS. TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and is a measurement of all sorts of impurities in the water.
A Last-Minute Change of Plans
We received the message days prior to our departure for Ukraine. It was a plea for help. The request was accompanied by images of rubble and destruction. It came from a small church of 20 members in Novolugansk. Novolugansk is right on the fighting line between Ukraine and the Russian separatists’ region of Lugansk. Our planning was already done, our routes and places to visit were already scheduled…
A Silver Lining – A Christmas Greeting from the Bans
The Bans share the silver lining in a tough situation they faced in 2017.
An Often Overlooked Weapon in the Church’s Arsenal
Dr. Joseph C. Aldrich is quoted as saying something some might find surprising. Aldrich highlights one of the “weapons” at the church’s disposal for evangelism in Lifestyle Evangelism. Is it training? It is it a certain tract or method? Is it passion? Is it an effusive and charasmatic personality? Caring for orphans and widows? To be sure, these have great value, and are important parts of sharing the Good News, but Aldrich makes a different claim.
What We Found in War-Torn Ukraine
Things were different before the war broke out in Mironovsk, Ukraine. For 15 years prior to the streets being filled with crumbling structures, a small church of 14 ministered faithfully to their city. For 15 years, there was very little response to the Good News. Then, everything changed.
Coupling an Uncommon Pair to Reach Further in Romania
“Honestly, though, I did not expect to hear Mrs. Lili’s words when she looked me in the eye and said…” ITMI’s Ema Ban was chatting with some Little House of Treasures Preschool mothers when the story unfolded.
The Health Minister Said Not to, But We Went Anyway!
Though we had less than a month, we gathered the funds needed for our trip and ITMI graciously partnered with us, and we were grateful to the Lord for His provision. Then a swine flu broke out in Ukraine, and we were strongly advised not to go by the Ministry of Health.
Why Nationals?
“Why do the men sit on one side and the women on the other?”
Years ago, ITMI’s founder, Bill Bathman and his travel companion, Don Christiansen were in a Romanian church. This particular group of believers held long-standing traditions that had gotten them through the persecution of the Communism and the scarcity of the aftermath that followed.
But after the Iron Curtain came down, Don wondered why they sat the way they did. Was it to keep everyone from being distracted? Was it their sense of modesty and propriety?