As we strive to minister to children at-risk, we do not want to neglect the vulnerable in “our own backyard.” For Jeremiah's Hope, that means we do not want to forget to reach out to the children and those in need in the village of Kolentsi. The village of Kolentsi is where our camp/ministry center, Rescue Shelter & foster/orphan group homes and Andrew & Jenny, our missionaries, live.
The families in Kolentsi are very poor and live a life of basic subsistence. They grow large gardens and the produce is either eaten through the summer or canned and stored for winter. Most families have their own chickens and a few have a cow or a pig. There is no village school, so those who wish to educate their children must send them to another village each day to receive a mediocre education in that community. For most of the families and children in Kolentsi, they feel that they have no hope of a better future.
The families in Kolentsi are very poor and live a life of basic subsistence. They grow large gardens and the produce is either eaten through the summer or canned and stored for winter. Most families have their own chickens and a few have a cow or a pig. There is no village school, so those who wish to educate their children must send them to another village each day to receive a mediocre education in that community. For most of the families and children in Kolentsi, they feel that they have no hope of a better future.
Hope Farms
Each week, we invite the village children to a mid week "Kids Bible Club" including Bible stories, games, crafts, snack and other activities. Also, during winter and summer holidays, the children are all invited to attend a week of camp, at no cost to them or their families. Markus & Helen Wolf, through our partnership with International Christian Assembly, a church for expats & missionaries in Kyiv, lead this weekly outreach effort.
HOPE Market
Marfa
Goodwill through Community Events & Humanitarian Aid
From time to time, Jeremiah’s Hope also does other various goodwill gestures for the village, including building a playground, organizing the repair of the main village water pipeline, purchasing and cutting firewood for elderly individuals, hosting a free medical & dental clinic for all villagers, etc.
The above activities have piqued the interest of the parents and adults in the village, who approach us to ask for Bibles and to thank us for serving their kids. The activities we do, for the children, provide us with a foothold, into the families of the community and the groundwork for a church to someday be established in this village. This will ultimately be the best service we can provide for those living in our community – introducing them to a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ!
The above activities have piqued the interest of the parents and adults in the village, who approach us to ask for Bibles and to thank us for serving their kids. The activities we do, for the children, provide us with a foothold, into the families of the community and the groundwork for a church to someday be established in this village. This will ultimately be the best service we can provide for those living in our community – introducing them to a deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ!