HELP send Lolita to Ukraine!

Lolita Baker Start Date: Dec 11, 2019 - End Date: Apr 10, 2020
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Missionary Service
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Kyiv, Ukraine

My Travel Story

by: Lolita Baker Start Date: Dec 11, 2019 - End Date: Apr 10, 2020
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Missionary Service
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Hi! I am currently a second year graduate student at Regent University studying to become a licensed professional counselor. I have had the honor to be selected to travel to Kyiv, Ukraine with Regent's School of Psychology and Counseling for an upcoming missions trip in May/June 2020! This is a tremendous opportunity that will further my education, training, and fill a need in the lives of a war torn nation.

Specifically, we are training and supervising local students to become counselors and ministering to military families and children struggling with trauma. I have spent the last 8 years training, serving, and studying to show myself approved in the area of trauma. Now, I look back and know that God was preparing me for this next huge step in ministry! 

Regent will partner with Center of Psychological Counseling and Traumatherapy “Open Doors” in Kyiv, Ukraine, to:
  • Help local psychologists gain trauma and counseling skills necessary to provide psychological help to Ukrainian military and civilians resulting from ongoing war
  • Provide supervision to Ukrainian students as they advance their training
  • Share Christ through service to the local community (orphanages, elderly, and military families)
  • Work with orphans and children with special needs to develop coping skills for lifelong wellness and resiliency
  • Help families of service members who have been in active combat with Russia through post-deployment readjustment
  • Learn about mental health issues and counseling in Ukraine and Eastern Europe
I am first asking you to partner with us in prayer as we plan and minister in Kyiv.  Our specific prayer needs:
  • A special understanding of how to share God’s love with people who are suffering
  • Fruitful interactions that will better equip the mental health professionals in Ukraine to serve their clients, churches, and communities during this time of war
  • Personal and professional growth, safety, and good health for all participants
Quick Facts about Ukraine:
  • Ukraine is the second largest contiguous country on the European continent
  • Though most residents are bilingual in Ukrainian & Russian, over two-thirds of the population speak Ukrainian as their primary language
  • Currently there is localized war with Russia in the eastern part of Ukraine and military occupation of Crimea by Russia.  Even though we are not traveling near these areas, we will be working with students who live and work in those areas.
  • Ukraine currently has over 240,000 military who have engaged in combat operations against Russia since 2014.  The soldiers and their families often have no psychological services available to them or members of their family.
  • There are over 1.5 million internally-displaced people who fled occupied Crimea and Eastern Ukraine due to the combat. These families have very limited psychological services and support.
The need is great! I am so honored to have been selected to go! 

The total project is for six weeks. I will be attending for week 3 and 4 (May 30-June 13). The total cost for each team member for two weeks will be $2900 which will cover the expenses of travel (from DC to Ukraine), some meals, lodging, & translation. I will also need airfare to Washington, DC to join the team there. This cost is estimated at about $250. There will be additional meals in transit, transportation, and personal costs (visa) that is $250. The trip total is $3400. UPDATE: I generously received private funding that has taken care of $500!!! Thank you!

Would you please pray and consider sowing into the work and ministry that we will do while in Ukraine? 

Thank you in advance for your support and prayers!! I am so excited to get to serve!

Many blessings!
Lolita
  • Kyiv, Ukraine

Updates

1

  • THANK YOU!

    THANK YOU!
    I very generously received $500 in private funding! Thank you so much!!! I reduced the needed amount to reflect this. So grateful for this opportunity!