Hangin' with Missionaries

A funny thing happens when you hang out with missionaries - you get to meet interesting people.  There was a work team in the Odessa area working on building a second home for young women who are homeless for whatever reason, either because they aged-out of an orphanage or were living on the street, or trying to exit out of drug and/or prostitution.  They were having their work ending dinner at a street cafe just a few blocks from the Martin's flat.  We were invited to join them, partly I think, because we are in the same "business" - we are just intervening at the front end of the process.  It was fascinating to hear about the goals and vision of the team leader.  And believe it not, the team was from Birmingham, AL.  The team leader is also a pretty accomplished choir conductor, and had been the music minister at a church in years past.  He had taught local choirs here, classic music such as the Messiah, and presented free concerts in Odessa of this and other major Christian works.  He is now working on a project to educate and help those involved with autism.  The diagnosis, treatment, and parental support in Ukraine is far behind what is available in the west, and the stigma associated with autism is extreme.  They are working on producing a documentary to raise awareness and funds to help educate doctors in Ukraine, and provide support and training for parents.  If you would like to see the trailer for the movie and find out more, here is a link.  http://notforgottenthemovie.com/. 

His group also worked with a member of parliament to gain permission to produce and distribute 10,000 pamphlets to all the doctors in Ukraine to provide more information and training for them.  It was very fascinating and encouraging to hear what things others are involved in to help the outcasts of this society.