Timing

After being in the US for two and a half months, I have returned with some new ideas, new projects, and new program possibilities. I guess that the ways things are done in America are faster because of the hunger for something new. This mentality is becoming a part of the younger people here in Ukraine. The generation born during years of freedom is not as patient as the previous generation.

Not being a business man, I am not in tune with the process of progress. It takes time. Here in Illichevsk, the people are ready for new opportunities that I might share, but it takes a lot of time to make something happen. A number of years ago, I read an article on the internet that suggested that it required a year of communication for an international business deal to come to reality. So, I am taking all of this into consideration.

My big desire is to start an equine therapy program for our children at the massage clinic. I had a great experience in Reidsville, NC at Rolling Ridge Riding . I saw what I want to do here in Illichevsk. It will take a lot of volunteers to make it happen, but that is a possibility. Their program is multi-therapeutic. They include Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy, and Teaching. It all takes place in a riding ring on top of a horse.

I see the vision, I can imagine how to make it possible, but timing is the biggest part of this new program becoming a reality. God must put all of the players in place and touch their hearts. Everyone has to be ready and willing to move forward. So, equine therapy will be my focus for this year. Everyone is busy with the process of living their daily life her in Ukraine, so things tend to take a little longer. It is a hard life for most, but is particularly difficult for the parents who have children with disabilities.

Connecting with the World

About twenty three years ago the personal computer was having its debut in my life, and much of the world. For me, word processing was the big thing. No more typewriter errors requiring whiteout or a total rewrite. I never would have guessed that I would be able to add data by voice, or hear data being read by my computer, rather than reading it.

And then there was internet dial up. What a new world of information. Next was email, then Skype, then video Skype, all with faster internet speed and cable access. The world was at my fingertips. My first computer had a whoppin’ forty megabyte hard drive. My current computer has a two hundred and thirty gigabyte hard drive.

In my current situation, I live in Ukraine as a humanitarian aid missionary. Email makes it so easy to communication with sponsors, family and friends. But how can I increase the number of people who are reading my newsletters, blog, and website? That is a question that my brothers and sister put before me. The answer they gave was Twitter.

Within a week, thirty three people, businesses, or groups are following my tweets (what I write). I follow about one hundred and sixty of the same. That means that I can read the latest news around the world, whether it will be from musicians, politicians, TV personalities, scientists, or my niece reporting on her lunch break. I’m in touch with the world, live, as it happens. And they are in touch with me.

What this will mean for MUCH will soon be seen. My main goal is to have the stories of my children read around the world. What we are doing with the children of disadvantage and disability is changing their lives. I want the world to know what is happening in our children’s lives. I believe that will change the world as they follow the progress of our children. My new job is to use twitter to bring our children to the world, and the world to our children.

Home Sweet Home

I arrived in Odessa Ukraine on June 8th in the afternoon. My assistant, her husband and son met me at the airport and drove me home. On the way, Platon, Ira’s husband, asked if it had been difficult for me to leave America and return to Ukraine. I told him, “No,” as I was reacquainted with the rough roads of Ukraine. As he helped me carry my luggage up to my second floor flat, I was also reacquainted with the odor of cat deposits in the stairwell. My mindset was strong, so this little uneasiness didn’t change my answer to his question.

Awakening the following morning to the enthusiastic chatter of the school-children across the alley from my flat, I smiled, knowing that I was home again. The crows gathered in the trees for their morning gossip. “Guess who’s back?” As I began my day, the fresh air from the balcony and kitchen windows circulated throughout the house. As I walked to the corner store, the sights and sounds of Illichevsk returned to my memory; the potholes in the oval drive between our buildings and the dirt open space inside the oval. Trees reaching above the five story buildings were now filled with green leaves. All of this was crowned with bright sunshine.

As Ira and I walked to the internet provider, I was once more reminded of my limited Russian language skills. We talk to each other freely, but Ira must adjust what I say as she translates. She is most sensitive to the gentle way of speaking to people in her language. And then there is the awareness of people, as I walk by speaking English. No matter how much I blend in, I guess that I will always stand out.

This morning, I was awake at 4:30 as the garbage truck came to empty the four dumpsters across the way. My eyes were not open, but I was aware of the flashing light. Within minutes, the truck had moved on and the morning was silent once again. Soon the street sweepers, with their branch brooms, would be cleaning the walkways and alleys. I was reminded of the dusty streets yesterday. After returning home, I found that spots of brown dust had collected on the bottoms of my pants.

These are a few of the endearing characteristics that have captured my heart. So, you are raising your eyebrow in question? It is not comfort or cleanliness that I find pleasing to my heart. Rather, these are the sights and sounds that are the framework of my mission, that which gives me purpose and feelings of fulfillment. In the midst of what many people find unpleasant, I have found my Home Sweet Home.

May 2009 MUCH Newsletter

On June seventh, I will return to Illichevsk, Ukraine. You may ask, “What has Mark been doing in May?” The answer, in a few words, is that I have been telling my story. In Florida, I shared my story on more than sixteen occasions and showed my presentation to more than one hundred people. Since I’ve been back in North Carolina, I have showed my presentation to a number of small groups and a church. I guess that you could say that I’ve been busy. And my team has been busy keeping me busy.

Since I became a missionary, my awareness of humanitarian activity has increased. There are so many people in great need around the world. The most-asked question of me has been, “Why Ukraine?” I have only one answer. It is where God has called me to serve His children. The numerous positive results are proof that it was a calling. It was no coincidence that many people were waiting for the opportunity to use their gifts to help the children of their country. I went to Ukraine, God provided my needs, and the Ukrainian people whom He had prepared to do His work were introduced to me over time, through normal circumstances.

It is so wonderful to see people with caring hearts for those who are less fortunate. In the midst of their own difficulties, they see our children with great needs and respond. We are seeing good results in each group of children that we serve. The MUCH team is changing the future of our children. It is a long process, but we are committed to helping them build a better life for themselves. Here is one example from the massage clinic in Illichevsk.

I thank everyone who makes my work in Ukraine possible. MUCH is a team effort. Together we can improve the living conditions, educational and healthcare opportunities, and self-images of more than four hundred children in three different cities.

Blesssings of love and healing,
Mark

Ira's Insight (May 2009)

Early intervention. This time I’d like to share a story with you about a family for whom early intervention has played a great role.

Eva D. is a cute little girl of nine months. She was born with some neurological problems. When she was born, she had to stay in the hospital to receive treatments for some time. Her parents didn’t take it seriously. They thought that the treatments in the hospital would be enough, and that everything would be well with their child. Some time later, they noticed some peculiarities in her physical development. Eva couldn’t hold her neck straight or turn herself to either side, as children her age normally do. In general, she was very weak.

When her parents saw the neurologist, they were advised that Eva should receive early intervention. They were told that there was a massage clinic in Illichevsk that meets the needs of children with such problems. The neurologist told them to begin treatments for their child as soon as possible. The parents addressed the local Center of Family and Youth that collaborates with Mark Koehler. This government department organizes the list of patients who receive treatments at the massage clinic. The parents came to the center with a health certificate from the neurologist. They were received pleasantly, and soon their child had her first massage.

The parents were very satisfied with the results after the first massage. By the end of the 20-day massage course, Eva was able to keep her balance when she was sitting and even tried to crawl. It was a great success after only one 20-day massage course. The neurologist said that Eve began treatment at the correct time in her physical development. She has high hopes that continued early intervention will help Eve have a normal physical development and avoid future disabling characteristics.

This is only one of the stories of how the clinic has proven its necessity, helping children to improve their health and have a normal childhood.

Until net time,
Ira