More About the Video

 

In the summer of 2017 we went on a mission trip to Riga, Latvia.  

The 20 missionaries from the US we were joined by 30 Ukrainians. One in particular was very special to us. His name is Kiril. Kiril is a special boy, with special a talent, and special needs. Liya Christian Ministry has been blessed by Kiril and hundreds like him. 

Kiril was born in a household that did not know God. His father deserted him and his mom. His mother struggled to cope with life and with the burden of a special needs child. Having a child that is not typical is hard, but in Ukraine it is a life sentence. In addition, Kiril's mother suffered from cancer. Mother's who have special needs children are more often than not almost immediately forgotten and left by their spouses, boyfriends, friends and family members. They are left completely on their own. 

At Liya Christian Ministry, our calling is to walk along side them and to share in their burden. We tell them that they are not alone and we love them. They often are confused by our actions and wonder what is in it for us. Our answer is "we do it because we love you, because God is love, and because He loved us before we knew Him. We don't love you because you know us or love us back, but we love you because God is love." 

As we were planning our missing trip to Riga, I kept wondering, how could we express our mission in a song. 

His Eye Is on the Sparrow. Before the concert, we decided to record a video. Mia is singing solo and Kiril is singing the refrain. 

Mia sings:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

Kiril answers:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Through music we are able to connect people and to bring awareness to the needs of many special children around the world. This song embodies our vision for the ministry. Liya Ministry's focus in Ukraine is to promote a) Acceptance, b) Access, c) Accessibility through music. 

The first milestone is Acceptance. Kiril singing on stage in front of 1,000 people in St. Peter's church in Riga was a way to show the public that children and people with disabilities are with and among us. They can sing and play, etc.... 

In the video, Mia starts by asking the question why should I feel discouraged, lonely, etc... when I have Jesus. Kiril answers "I sing because I am happy,....free, ...He watches me.... Then the Dovgalyuk kids sing back up to symbolize we all need to support Kiril and others like him, our neighbors, friends, co-workers. But our support should be rooted in the life giving message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unlike our earthly fathers and friends who often abandon us and our physical bodies fail us, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father watches over us, supplying all of our needs. If we trust in the Lord with all of our heart, lean not on our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him, He WILL make our paths straight.

 

If you are led to support our ministry financially or by coming with us on a mission trip, please let me know. We are a 501(c)3 organization and gifts are tax-deductible. If the Lord leads you, please consider donating.