MISSIONARY FROM THE UKRAINE PREACHING AT FIRST PRES CRANFORD: Missionary Nadia Ayoub to preach Sunday, April 6

On Sunday, April 6, the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, 11 Springfield Ave, Cranford will hold a special 10AM worship service, where Presbyterian Church (USA) missionary Reverend Nadia Ayoub will preach about the Syrophoenician woman, Mark 7:24-29, and touch upon her experiences implementing church-related early childhood education programs for Roma children in marginalized communities, with a reception following. All are welcome.

When International Mission organization representative Michael Parker came back from a trip to the Ukraine in April 2009, he handed a report to the PCUSA telling tales of extreme educational, health and socio-economic deprivation. He wrote, “…upon crossing the border from Hungary to Ukraine, though only a few hundred yards, one passes from a modern European state into what was once the Soviet Union – and a forgotten and isolated part at that.” He entreated the group to address the poverty, discrimination and social separation in this country that suffered 100% unemployment in 2009.

Ayoub felt called to help the people and has been serving in Karpatalia-Ukraine at the invitation of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Carpath-Ukraine since 2010, where she organizes classes for the four-to-eight-year-olds.  There, she has helped children in need, improving their self-esteem as well as the status of the Roma children and their parents in the eyes of both other Roma and those of the larger Ukrainian society. 

Since Aug 2012, Ayoub’s class size has grown to include three to 14-year-olds and adults.  At one time, when Ayoub first held the classes, she had to teach in a garage in one settlement where winter temperatures can reach anywhere between 5-14° F.

In addition to her work with the Roma children, Ayoub is working with international and national full-time volunteers to develop a comprehensive early childhood development program that can be used by other communities in Central and Eastern Europe.  She has trained teachers, built trust and respect with community leaders, encouraged families to have their children attend schools, learn the culture of the area, and is working to find a place to hold her classes that would be better suited for the children.

Burkhard Paezold, facilitator and support of mission workers, pastors, and congregational and local community leaders trying to improve relations between Roma and non-Roma people in eastern Europe, writes, “Nadia does a wonderful job together with two young Ukrainian volunteers to get the kids – and parents – interested in the schools, learning and singing – and finding a more decent place to do this.”

The Roma people was a part of Hungry until 1944.  Then, a new boarder was drawn during the Soviet regime, making it a part of the Ukraine.  The Roma group primarily speak Hungarian and thus, they are not allowed in the school systems until after fourth grade since they do not speak the native tongue and have no way of learning.

To learn more about the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, visit their web page at www.firstprescranford.org or call them at (908) 276-8440.

ABOUT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CRANFORD:

The First Presbyterian Church of Cranford aspires to be a strong Christian Spiritual Beacon, shining forth into the lives of those in the community.  Through worship, evangelism, mission and stewardship, they celebrate the teachings of Jesus Christ in all that they do.  The congregation strives to be a vibrant and unified church family through prayer, love, and fellowship.

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