Kerri Dillinger's Trip to Ternopil

Kerri Dillinger, a member of the Whitehall Church of Christ in Pittsburgh, PA, visited Ternopil this past spring. She first visited Ternopil in the summer of 2004 with her husband, Jeffrey, and their 4 children. She has made a number of trips since then and she has written a report of her most recent experiences.

Ukraine Mission Trip 2009
Beauty, Power, Glory, Joy, Majesty - our true God who gives more abundantly than our small minds can imagine is the giver of opportunities such as my third mission trip to Ternopil, Ukraine. It is hard to begin without praising God for allowing it and making it possible. Everything from beginning to end is because of God and for God.

My primary purpose for this mission trip was to teach ladies classes which my prayer and hope was that the lessons could encourage and strengthen the women within the church and open doors for any others attending. My five classes were centered around being disciples of Jesus and how we are created and called specially as women for His glory. We read many scriptures how our design speaks of God, how our faces reflect God to the world and how we are adopted daughters of our King. Too often women are taught and made to feel like the lesser creation of God and the Bible clearly reveals the nature of God through women and how He desires to use women’s beauty to draw the lost to Him. Each class had a planned craft for each person to create a personal reminder of the lesson. Everyone seemed to enjoy our few hours together. I leave longing for more time with these precious, soul searching and loving women. Seeing their faces each visit opens my heart to know God in amazing and innumerable ways.

As typical of my travels to Ukraine, I was given new experiences to treasure. My time with the young people was valuable with godly conversations, laughter, fun and fellowship. I really enjoyed the ride with Taras on the boat shaped swing at the park. Ira and Vita treated me to a Russian circus visiting Ternopil from Kyiv. The overnight train to Kyiv was completely filled which gave Valya, Anya and me joy to ride in first class. I was able to contribute slightly to Valya and Volodya’s dacha garden. I enjoyed learning and seeing the cultural differences in our Easter celebrations. The Kyiv zoo was a pleasure for me as I love God’s creativity seen in animals. But the most valuable lesson learned by me throughout this trip was how to rely and trust solely in God in all things, through my alone time, through changing circumstances and through relationships begun, renewed or missed.

No words can express the powerful ways God blesses those who spend time with His church family throughout His world. I am grateful and honored to be His servant and delighted with every opportunity to share time with my Ternopil Church of Christ family.

See photos of her visit