UKRAINE Team
Once again, we plan to send an all-age, mixed team to Transcarpathia in Western Ukraine in July 2012, to lead an English language teaching camp for young people.
Centrally-organised PCI mission teams have served in this region in 2005, and each year from 2007 to 2011.
In Western Ukraine, which borders Hungary and Romania, the majority community in many of the towns and villages are Hungarian-speakers; many are also members of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia. The camp will take place in one of these ‘Hungarian’ towns, known as Beregszász (or Berehovo in Ukrainian).
Who Will The Team Be Working With?
The team will work closely with a minister of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, Rev György Szanyi and his wife, Eniko, as well as other Hungarian-speaking Christians involved in youth work in Ukraine.
Since 2005, Presbyterian Mission Overseas teams have led similar camps in this region every summer bar one.
What Will The Team Be Doing?
As well as teaching English to the campers, whose ages are likely to range from 15 to late 20’s, team members will have opportunities to share their Christian faith in a variety of creative ways, including through music, drama and discussion groups. Making friends with campers will also be important.
Experience teaching English is desirable but not essential, as there’ll be a number of ways to contribute, including chatting to campers to help improve their conversational English. Experience teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) would clearly be a bonus!
Going on this team requires a two-week commitment.
The plan is to fly out of Dublin on Thursday, 19th July and, travelling via Budapest in Hungary (with a 2-night stop-over here, staying in a local church hostel), the team will arrive at the camp site on Saturday, 21st, leaving time for rest and final preparations before the camp begins on Monday, 23rd July.
The camp itself is five days of intensive activity, ending on Saturday 28th. After it is over, the team will have time to relax, spend time with local Christians, and see a little of Western Ukraine before starting the homeward journey. Finally, there will be an opportunity for a day's sight-seeing in Budapest (Hungary) before boarding the flight back to Dublin on Tuesday, 31st July.
Why Is The Team Going?
To teach English both formally and informally.- To serve the Lord, and to reach out and share the gospel with Hungarian young people through friendship evangelism.
- To have fellowship with and encourage Christians from another background and culture.
- To learn about the Church in Transcarpathia and the challenges faced by Christians living there.
- To grow in personal Christian faith and experience.
On return, team members will be expected to share what they’ve seen and learnt, so that congregations and individuals will catch the vision for, and be more strongly committed to, serving in God’s mission to the world, whether in Ireland or overseas.
What Others Have Said About Previous Teams …
Carol Dalzell, Team Member 2007-2011
“Being part of this team has made me think about the different challenges young people face both here and in Ukraine in relation to their faith, some are the same, some different. I have been reminded that God is always with us and we are all one family no matter what nationality.”Victoria McCartney, Team Member 2010 & 2011
“Being part of this team humbled me and helped me see God’s wider plan and how He is working all around the world. The whole experience was a life-changing one that I will never forget. The team that went and those we met in Ukraine were all inspiring people.”Kirsten Boal,Team Member 2011
“This experience strengthened my faith and encouraged me to offer more of myself in fulfilling whatever plans God has for me. I am not sure what the future holds for me, but I know that I developed more as a Christian in Ukraine and know that this will stand for me in whatever God has planned for me. I really enjoyed being a part of the team… the team encouraged me to be more confident in talking about my faith.”
What Size Will The Team Be?
The final decision on team composition and size will be made after interviews are held in February 2012, but the total is unlikely to exceed 10 to 12 people.
Who Can Apply & What's Expected?
This is all-age, mixed team is being organised by the Board of Mission Overseas (BMO)
Applicants MUST be -
- An active member of a PCI congregation and aged 18 or over on 1st July, 2012.
- Physically fit and able to cope with a busy and intense schedule of activities.
- Prepared to attend team meetings on a number of occasions before going — for prayer, preparation, orientation and team-building.
- Committed, on return, to attend a 'team debrief' and share in 'reporting back'.
What Will It Cost & How Do I Apply?
| Cost: | Ł600 per person This includes all travel, insurance, accommodation and subsistence. Any gifts received, or funds raised, by team members will go towards the purchase of resources needed to run the camp. Any 'EXCESS' will go to the local church, for the ongoing work amongst teenagers and young adults. |
| Travel: | By air from Dublin to Budapest in Hungary. By road from Budapest to Beregszász in Ukraine. |
| Dates: | Depart - Thursday, 19th July 2012 Return - Tuesday, 31st July 2012 |
| Applications: | To be made through the Mission Overseas Office. Closing Date for Applications - Friday, 20th January 2012 |
| Interviews: | Interviews are expected to take place in early February 2012. Date and venue to be confirmed. |
DOWNLOAD Application Form for UKRAINE Team 2012 (pdf 236Kb).
If you need further information or help, please contact the Mission Overseas Office.
Successful applicants, who are aged 18-25, should be eligible to apply to PCI's Concorde Travel Fund for assistance with travel costs.
Applications for a Concorde Travel Grant MUST be submitted to the Youth & Children's Office by NO LATER THAN Thursday, 1st March 2012.
PLEASE NOTE that travel dates may change. The team may also be withdrawn, if not enough suitable applicants apply, or circumstances change.
IGNITE Mission Teams 2012: Romania | Ukraine | London | Italy
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