Teaching Adventures – Your Hands and Feet in Eastern Europe
2025
Most of us experience separating the calendar year in two parts because of the changes that take place as summer finishes. Summer vacation time ends, days begin to get shorter, and kids have their first day of school another grade higher. We also experience that same shift, but in the years where we transition from home-assignment to field-assignment, things often feel especially pronounced. Looking back on twelve months can feel like looking back on years.
In January 2025 we had the blessing of teaching through the book of Romans at our home church Kilcona Park Alliance. We were privileged to preach on Sundays and then host Teaching Tuesdays (an evening Bible course) for the whole month. We went through the book of Romans using the inductive method – it was a really special time! We also had one of the leaders of our YWAM Kyiv community and her husband join us, Yulia and Vovka Kens as they got a much needed break from full-time leadership in Ukraine.
Ben was in the Kilcona office three to four days a week, preparing the newsflash, praying with the staff for Kilcona, and getting ready for the annual general meeting. We also were so blessed to spend time with the youth leaders, do some basic training, and watch them pour themselves into the youth. That was a big highlight for us.
At the end of March as we started raising funds for heading back to the field. We took a trip to visit family, supporters, and ministry relationships throughout western Canada and the US. We reflected on how it might be our last family road trip (as our oldest child, Cassie, was preparing for her senior year of high school) and some of the many changes that come with kids growing into adulthood.
In summer we joined in for True North Kids camp at our church, a regular highlight when we are home, as well as tried to squeeze in as many breakfasts, lunches and dinners with friends, supporters and family as we could. A new relationship was also formed with Niverville Community Fellowship as we were invited to share about our work in Ukraine, Hungary and Europe. We also were blessed to go camping with friends and family enjoying the beautiful nature that Manitoba and Ontario have to offer. Angela’s Dad remarried a beautiful woman named Marlene who had also lost her spouse and it was so nice to be there for the wedding.
What a tremendous year on home assignment! But there was some sadness too. The last few months of our time in Winnipeg, Ben’s mom was in the hospital. He had the blessing to spend many days with her but she passed away in August. Though terribly sad, her death was also a reminder of the joy we have in the resurrection, when we become fully alive in the presence of the King. There is no greater gift than the realization that this time on earth is but a foretaste of the coming reign of God. Truly, there will be no more tears and no more sorrow!
And with that, we returned to Budapest and the ministry the Lord has given us in eastern Europe. First thing up on the list was settling into a new place to live. Another family that was also going on a year of home assignment offered to let us take over the rent of their home while they were gone. What a blessing to be able to live very close to the kid’s school so they can walk there in less than 10 minutes. Ben quickly headed to Kyiv, to spend some time with our staff there and join in the YWAM Ukraine staff conference.
At the same time, Angela joined her best friend Liza as the Johnson family celebrated the life of Carolyn (Liza’s mom) and her incredible contribution to so many individuals. Carolyn was a very special ‘mom’ to Angela from the time Angela was 4 years old. She was a wonderful example of a woman who loved the Lord with her whole heart and life!
Though we didn’t have an opportunity to be in person helping with any of the Waves of Hope in Ukraine (a house building ministry that we began at YWAM Kyiv when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began), one of the houses was built through the funds raised at our home church. We also raised funds for a second home (about 1/3) by selling chocolates around neighbourhoods in Winnipeg (and through a few businesses) Weary families were able to see the love of Christ as their villages were overrun with volunteers building, kids laughing and being kids again, and people praising God in their midst. Our role has been fundraising and helping with team recruitment through our social media channels.
And suddenly it was September. Cassie started her final year of high school, Jay entered grade ten, and Kai began grade eight, his last year of middle grades. Ben jumped right back into teaching at the kid’s school, ICSB, as well as coaching volleyball. Angela was right back to teaching. She taught the staff in Budapest while preparing for week-long Bible teaching trips around Europe. We also took a family ministry trip to Ukraine to join the YWAM Kyiv staff conference and Leadership Team Planning time. This was a fun trip for the kids and a time to celebrate, laugh, pray with, and lead our YWAM Kyiv community.
Winter approached in a fury, as Ukraine struck Russian revenue sources, Russia struck back throughout Ukraine at the civilians, destroying energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine. Both of us continued to help from a distance, as members of the YK leadership team in charge of the administration and the communications departments. We are some of the longest serving staff in YWAM Kyiv, going on 15 years already.
2026
We are also looking forward to 2026. Already Angela has been helping train new Bible teachers in the first Titus Project in Europe since 2022. She will continue with Bible teachings through the spring in addition to supporting YWAM Kyiv through the communications department and leadership. Ben will finish up the school year at ICSB (International Christian School of Budapest) as well as coaching and mentoring the boys as he helps them develop in Christ. Cassie will graduate and the whole family will return in mid-June to Canada. This summer will be different as kids grow into adults and start working. Ben is planning on returning early to Europe so that he can head to Kyiv for an extended time in late-July and August before school starts
Our hopes and dreams for the rest of 2026 include our desire to see the war in Ukraine end. We also desire for more Bible teachers to be trained and sent out from Europe and for young people to understand the Bible deeply to grow strong and mature in their their finances. We couldn’t be here without that, so it is truly a team effort. Thank you!
Stats from 2025 specifically related to our work with YWAM Kyiv
- Graduated 26 students in both DTS and DBS
- Equipped 18 young leaders with more leadership skills in B2B
- 8 humanitarian aid trips to the south and east front line
- Our staff survived more than 356 hours without electricity in Kyiv
- Used 730 liters of diesel to fuel generator to provide heat and electricity at the missionary campus for last 2 month
- Built 32 temporary homes and 1 permanent house for Grandma Maria that stole our hearts.
- Built a bomb shelter at the missionary campus to fit 40 people during air raids.
- Hosted 146 volunteers
- 250 people heard the gospel, out of them 82 responded to the gospel (either decided to follow Jesus or lifted their hand when asked who wants to give their life to God.
- 23 nations represented in volunteers and staff
- Humanitarian aid in kg we received and distributed for civilian and some for soldiers and kids – 35037 kg (35 ton)
- Ran 7 kids and youth camps for total of 390 kids and youth
Teaching Adventures 