the de Vuyst Pages      

George, Sarah, Abigail, Matthew & Elizabeth de Vuyst

Serving with Christian Reformed World Missions in Mukachevo, Ukraine

We are working in Mukachevo, Ukraine as leadership trainers and church-planters of a Reformed congregation in the western region of Ukraine.  Partnering with this congregation and the Reformed Church of Carpathian Ukraine "we are proclaiming the Gospel to more and more people who have not heard it, healthy churches are emerging and the Kingdom of God is advancing" (CRWM vision statement).  The Christian Reformed Church in Mukachevo is still in its infancy as we strive to grow in spiritual maturity, commitment, and numbers.  The congregation's website is www.crcm.mk.uz.ua.

North American Youth Reach Out

Seven young people are serving this summer in Ukraine, Hungary and Romania as part of Christian Reformed World Mission's Summer Mission Program.   Their travel to Hungary and Ukraine was very eventful with long delays, no luggage, and a six hour over-night wait on the border.  The following days were more cooperative as they prepared for leading English camps, developed their testimonies, organized games, sports and crafts for children at a boarding-school for orphans and under-privileged children, and led their first English camp of the summer.  Twenty-seven young people attended the English camp every day in Mukachevo.  The camp was a great opportunity for young people of our community to speak English, hear the Gospel message, meet Christians their age who are active in their faith, and have wholesome fun!  From Ukraine the team travels to Hungary and Romania for four more weeks of English camps and then a few days of debriefing in Budapest.

Land Search is On Again

In January a new law went into effect that essentially prevents city hall from granting the Christian Reformed Church in Mukachevo the property they have requested.  That law has since been revoked by the president but there is little to no chance the church will receive any land through the city.  (The city is required to provide land for churches.)  The congregation is now searching for land through private parties but there is very little land available and the prices are extremely high.  The average cost of land in the outskirts of town is $280,000 an acre.   The congregation has a little over a year before they must vacate their present facilities. 

Five Kids for the Summer

Our two bedroom apartment is feeling all the more snug as we have taken in two children, Kristina and Misha, until at least the end of July.  This has actually been a huge answer to prayer as we've been asking God to give us more opportunities to reach out to these two needy children.   So far it's going very well and, except for the challenge of getting four kids to fall asleep in the same room, we hope to give these children a taste of love and security.

Youth Festival Canceled

It's not easy to plan anything in a country that doesn't plan very far in advance.  School exams interfered with the dates which the second annual Reformed Youth Festival was scheduled for.  Just days before the event, it became evident that very few young people were available to come.  So, the festival had to be canceled and next year we'll stray far from June dates and plan for July instead! 

Read More

Find out about our hopes for a seminary intern to serve in the Mukachevo congregation, the soaring prices in Ukraine, and more in our June prayer letter.  Click here to open in Adobe Acrobat Reader!

website updated:  June 25, 2008

Mailing address:  Ilona Zrini 10/2, Mukachevo 89600, Transcarpathia, Ukraine

email: george.devuyst@gmail.com

Links to: Christian Reformed Church in N. America   -   Christian Reformed World Missions