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Nita’s first “taste” of missions was on a short-term trip to the Philippines in July 1995 with “IMPACT.” God used that trip to break her heart for people in other parts of the world. That trip was followed by a three-week mission to Ukraine in October 1995 with “Campus Crusade” for the “International School Project.” God used these short-term mission trips to call Nita to full-time mission work. God’s Hidden Treasures is committed to providing hands-on mission trips, knowing that no one returns home the same person as when they left. The first mission team (IMPACT) came to Ukraine in July 1998 to work with this ministry for two weeks. Since that time at least two teams have come each year, usually in the summer. Camp for Disabled Children We have seen several miracles and many lives transformed during this time at camp. One young man, Serghei, had not left his flat since he became paralyzed due to a brain tumor (over two years). He had changed from a happy and outgoing boy to an unhappy and surly child and his mom felt like she was at her wit’s end.
Many of these kids are aspiring to things which were unthinkable four or five years ago, such as:
This is happening in a country where as late as the mid 1990s, disabled people were seldom seen. Few of them dreamed of attending university and having a chance to become self supporting. Vacation Bible School for Orphans and Handicapped Children Many of the mission teams who come put on a week- long Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the “Boys’ House Orphanage” and the “Cerebral Palsy Center” – both located in Bila Tserkva. Nita’s staff translates all the material ahead of time and gathers interpreters to assist the team. The boys especially look forward all year to another team coming to spend time with them. For most of them it is the highlight of their year.
As for the teams which come – well, they go home with a few broken hearts, but they know they received much more than they gave. Volunteer Program Bring a team to assist GHT staff and other churches in Bila Tserkva with the Volunteer Program. Make home visits to the disabled to help them with cooking, cleaning, painting, repairs, shopping, running errands, etc. while developing a relationship with the local people. Demonstrate the love of Jesus in a practical way. Other All the teams which come are able to participate with Nita and her staff as they visit the sick and pray for them, distribute mobility aids, conduct “mobile medical clinics,” put on the annual citywide picnic for the handicapped and much more. The teams live with Ukrainian families which is one of the more special treats for the team members. Several teams have come to do special wheelchair distributions, help design “The Village,” put on seminars for disabled children and their parents, etc. When we are ready to begin construction of The Village, we are hoping for teams of volunteers to assist in this long-term project. |
This is a one-week camp offered to children with physical disabilities (such as Cerebral Palsy, spinal bifida, birth deformities, etc.) and with childhood onset diabetes. The children’s moms are required to attend the camp in order to assist with their care, but also to give them some much needed rest and a chance to have someone minister to them.
By the end of the camp, Serghei was a different boy. He had made a lot of new friends and realized that he was not as alone or different as he had thought. He agreed to go to school instead of being taught at home. He entered a citywide art contest and won first place for his age group! Since that time he and a young disabled woman, Olya (who has also attended the camps), have entered competitions throughout Ukraine for “wheelchair dancing.” They even won first place for Ukraine and are now dreaming of competing internationally. 
