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We are a retired couple living in Sanford, FL a community near Orlando. We had been keeping active with some
volunteer work in our community and spending time with our families who live nearby, but we felt there was something more we should be doing. That all changed in October 2006.
The pastor of the church we were attending announced that there was
a need for volunteers to provide weekend housing for the members of
a visiting choir and orchestra. The group was visiting on tour in this
the U.S. and had scheduled concerts in church communities in our
country. It was The Music Mission Kiev Choir and Orchestra. We soon
found ourselves hosting Igor Yarotsky and Viktor Novgorodskay in our
home.
We were treated to a taste of Ukrainian culture, an introduction to the
Ukrainian language and a private duet in our living room by world class
violists. We learned from our guests that they had been on an exhausting no-stop tour and were glad for a bit
of relaxation. It was to be short-lived as we were to escort our guests to first Presbyterian Church of Orlando
where they would participate in grand scale concert.
We didn't know anything about Music Mission Kiev but looked forward
to an entertaining concert. Indeed, that's exactly what was
presented, especially the captivating performance of excerpts from
Handel's Messiah. It wasn't until intermission that we had any
sense of who Music Mission Kiev was and why they were on tour. We quickly learned their powerful, gripping story. It can best be
stated in their mission statement:
"The purpose of Music Mission Kiev is to bring the sacred masterpieces of classical music to the country of Ukraine proclaiming the Gospel to and through Ukrainian musicians to the world and ministering to the emerging Christian community in Ukraine through evangelism, discipleship, and humanitarian outreach to widows and orphans. "
We were so taken by the work of their missions that we committed to sponsoring two widows and purchased
several CD's of their music before the evening was over. In addition, Beth purchased a copy of Diane McMurrin's book "The Last Flowers of Summer" which depicted the plight of the neglected and often forgotten widows of Ukraine. We knew that we wanted to learn more about this mission.
ROOTS OF OUR MISSION
"You should defend those who cannot help themselves. Yes speak up for the poor and needy and see that they get justice."
Proverbs 31: 8-9
"Igor and Viktor in our home"
"MMK Orchestra & Choir"
