For example, Ukrainians pride themselves on their hospitality, and team members needed to prepare themselves for what to expect in a Ukrainian home, such as removing your shoes when you enter someone's home, standing when you pray before a meal and being greeted with a kiss on the cheek. We also talked about religious customs and some differences in worship between Christians in Ukraine and Christians from Western cultures. Such customs include kneeling during prayer at church, praying out loud and women covering their heads at church. We spent some time discussing language. We went over basic Russian words, the alphabet and began working on a Russian Christian song we could sing at church.
Music is an important part of Ukrainian culture and an important part of the summer mission.
Team members were prepared to sing at church services in Khust and with their students at English hymn sings. We also discussed different beliefs they would encounter. Jesus Christ came to earth, died for us and rose again. God sent his Son because he loved us, and out of love for our God, we serve him. Those are the things that bring all Christians together all over the world.