Olive Branch International volunteers again returned to Ukraine, and to a new camp location of Irpin, to support the Ukrainian Military Christian Fellowship (UMCF) in its week-long English camp. The OBI team, led by Vic Salazar, OBI Executive Director, and Bruce Kittleson, OBI President, worked closely with another team of American volunteers from the Association of Christian Conferences and Teaching Services (ACCTS) and assisted in English and Bible instruction as well as in camp activities (skits, talent shows, sports) for nearly eighty campers.
The OBI-ACCTS cooperative effort to further UMCF objectives proved highly effective. Both organizations have committed to return in 2010 to contribute to improvement of the quality of life of the Ukrainian campers, principally teen-aged Ukrainian military dependents.
While in country, OBI was also able to foster enhanced teamwork between itself and the Ukrainian leadership team. That team includes Dr. Gregory Komendant, Board Chairman, Olive Branch-Ukraine (OB-UA), Valentin Korenyvich, Director, OB-UA; Vasily Khimich, National Director, UMCF; Zhanna Zegedeva, National Director, Ukrainian Women’s Ministry and the hospital chaplains under OBI-sponsorship in Cherkassy Oblast.
