On September 8, 2004, Kerry and Carole Allison (Sussex Wesleyan Church) lead two work teams to Odessa, Ukraine with two goals in mind: to make renovations to Hope House, where eleven children now reside since they have permanently left the streets, and to help the congregation of the Fountanka Church as they work towards completing their sanctuary.

On this team from Sussex was Darren Byers, Wayne Murphy, Bob Tremblett, Malcolm Vail, and Bradley Vail. From Saint John we had Mary Profit, from Moncton: Jonathan Cavanaugh, from Cambridge Narrows: Rino Levesque. At this time Yarmouth Wesleyan Church had a Bethany Bible College intern by the name of A.J. Plaisier. Pastor Jim Agrell and the LBA took a very innovative step and made the decision to send AJ to Ukraine for ten days to enhance his experience under their tutelage.

The team laboured in Odessa over a period of one month with some staying ten days and others staying as long as three weeks. Where did the team members stay? No, not in a hotel. Members of the Fountanka Church opened their homes to the team members which was phenomenal – total immersion – a great way to make new friends and learn a few words in Russian – a very positive experience for all concerned.

Much was accomplished on both project sites. The Fountanka Church is now the owner of a newly poured cement floor in their sanctuary. In addition metal studs and sheetrock were installed, crackfilled and the sanctuary will soon be ready to paint.

A host of projects was completed at Hope House: all windows were replaced since the cold wind of last winter blew through the old rotted sills, a barn was constructed to house 200 chickens, 4 bulls and a dozen pigs; two bathrooms were repaired and renovated, a new entry way was built to allow a basement entrance and a storage area, and a new cold room was built to store the hundreds of bottles of vegetables and fruit that Alla cans every fall. As well, 350 meters of property line fence was erected to clearly identify the existing and newly acquired property.

When it was time to leave Kerry and Carole Allison decided to stay in Odessa to complete the remaining work. However in early January they had to return to NB as a result of Kerry's father's unexpected death. Their return left many things unfinished and after hearing about all the work that was yet to be done, Malcolm Vail decided to return with Kerry for another 3 weeks until all projects were completed. During this time period 30 chicken nesting boxes and roosts were built, the entire water line from the street was replaced with new plastic pipe and a new sink and tub/shower unit was added to one of the bathrooms.

God has provided the workers and the resources to accomplish what our Ukrainian Christians consider a “miracle” in their lives. There is much more to do – many more workers needed and financial commitments will be required.

Kerry and Carole will be returning to Odessa in September 2005 to begin a four year commitment as Team Coordinators working with our World Hope Ukraine staff. They will be available to share their experience in Odessa as well as their vision for the next four years.

Please contact them at (506) 433-2589 or email allis@nbnet.nb.ca.